South Korean student Rue Hye Soo came to Beijing to study at CAFA. [Photo by Nigel Moffiet/chinadaily.com.cn]

While for Rue, she has more immediate things to be concerned about such as fitting into the Chinese way of life and learning the language.

After one year in Beijing she has found many cultural differences that "make it difficult".

"I feel it's hard to dive into the culture immediately," she says.

Rue has also been surprised at the amount of homelessness in the city. However, it has inspired one future dream, "I would like to sell art work to help these people."

Meanwhile, one year after graduating, Pan says he is still trying to find his feet as an artist in the sprawling city. In his spare time, he stays connected to the academy by running an English club for students.

Sitting in the café on a chilly evening he sips a glass of warm milk and contemplates the realities of making it as an artist.

"People here are very much pressured and stressed because they have a lot of responsibilities, but perhaps this creates the talent and the energy."

People are attracted to Beijing, "like a magnet," he says.

Yes, it's a hard place to live, but - his eyes light up - "Beijing is booming."

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