Sophie Ernst is a versatile, talented young woman originally from the Netherlands, and currently training Pakistani girls in media arts and video making at the Beaconhouse National University in Lahore.

We were highly intrigued to find out what brought Sophie to such a "turbulent" region of the world that is generally considered "unsafe" for foreigners, and perhaps even less safe for women!  Yet there she is, teaching, organizing cultural shows, even acting on TV, and still pursuing her own passion for video and photography.

In an exclusive Rendezvous with The Saturday Post, Sophie talks about her journey from the Netherlands to Pakistan, her teaching experience, her passion for video production, and more...

1. Let’s start with getting to know you – where did you grow up, go to school, get your professional education, etc.?

I grew up in a small village up north in the Netherlands. It was a lovely farmers’ village and the landscape quite like the Punjab with endless green fields. I was the odd one out in that village. All the kids were pretty blond and blue eyed, so I stood out as being rather dark, can you believe that? Now here in Lahore I am considered to be blond and very fair! After high school I did an apprenticeship as a mechanic at the BMW factory in Germany, not so I could become a car mechanic, but I wanted to become a sculptor working with metal. During my time in art school I discovered video and never ended up making metal sculptures.

2. What inspired you to live and work in Pakistan and how did the opportunity arise to actually do it?

I did my postgraduate from the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. I became close friends with a fellow artist, Aisha Khalid. Aisha, during her two years in Amsterdam told me a lot about Pakistan. When I got offered a traveling grant from the Prins Bernhard foundation, I was very eager to go see Lahore. Once here, I stayed. It’s been four years now.

3. Tell us more about what you are teaching and the overall experience of working with Pakistani students…

I have been teaching video in Lahore for the last 4 years! Together with my colleagues at BNU we have started a media arts course, all new to Pakistani art schools, I believe. I have good hopes that in the future there will be more video- and new media artists coming out of Pakistan.

Working with students is great. We have quite a few interesting and intelligent young students. I have learned so much about Pakistan from them. I feel there is so much to discover in a new culture that in the end 4 years is nothing.

4. How are you keeping up with your video and photography? Have you done any recent exhibitions or shows?

I manage to do my own work. I take time off from teaching every now and then. At the moment I am preparing for a solo show in Mumbai, my work is represented at the Gulf Art Fair in Dubai and a new video installation will be shown in London next month..

5. What are some of the challenges you face as a foreign woman working in a country largely perceived to be extremist, narrow-minded, oppressive, and economically underdeveloped?

I pretend to be Pathan. I get away with it … sometimes...

6. What are your observations on the society in general? Are you finding it easy to assimilate and what are the major challenges?

When I get back to Europe people ask me if I am Pakistani. Your readers cannot hear this, but I have this lovely Paki-accent in my English by now. Seems like I’m assimilating all right, hai-nah?

7. What is the state of women you encounter through your work and while socializing? Any interesting observations compared to what your perception was when you first went to Pakistan?

I am always amazed at how much effort women put into their appearance, quite different from Dutch women. The colors, the jewelry, the handbags! My students are great at that; what sense of fashion! But unlike the prejudices Europeans have, the women are very outspoken, confident and independent. I like that mix. I wish, though, Pakistani women would ride scooters like Indian women do; that looks thrilling!.

8. What do you think artists can do to bridge the widening cultural gaps and misperceptions in today’s world?

As an artist I am fortunate to travel a lot. I believe that by making and showing art and by meeting people and exploring places and cultures I am doing just that.

9. How was your experience working/ acting for Ulta Seedha?

It was great! I think that Faisal Qureshi’s work is great. He has a very lowbrow approach and makes programs that are fun for everyone, and yet he deals with very serious subjects. I wish my acting skills were better; I could try to be a film star in Pakistan! Wouldn’t that be crazy?!?

10. Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

It was lovely talking to you!