Architectural Internship in China: Maja Bielecka on Working at CDG+ and Designing a City of Drones

What’s everyday life like at a Chinese architecture firm? Is knowledge of English enough to complete an internship abroad? In the latest episode of the “Fundamenty” podcast, Maja Bielecka, a student at the Krakow University of Technology, talks about her three-month internship at the CDG+ studio in China. In the interview, she discusses differences in work culture, extraordinary projects being carried out in the Far East, and experiences that changed her perspective on the architectural profession.

How do you land an architecture internship in China?

Maja Bielecka’s journey to China began with a previous student exchange in the Netherlands. It was then that she realized how valuable it is to gain experience abroad. While searching for further opportunities for growth, she came across an offer from IAESTE, an organization that facilitates international internships for students.

Thanks to the program, she was able to complete an internship at the CDG+ studio (formerly Cooperative Design Group) in Changzhou, near Shanghai. The firm provided housing for participants, and the application process involved preparing a portfolio, a resume, and proof of English proficiency.

Daily Life at a Chinese Architecture Firm

One of the most surprising aspects of the job turned out to be the daily schedule. Although official working hours ran from morning until late afternoon, a mandatory one-hour nap break was an important part of the schedule. During this time, many employees would unfold the fold-out beds hidden under their desks.

At the same time, the work culture in China differs significantly from that in Europe. Many architects stayed at the office until late at night, and sometimes worked for several days almost without returning home. For Maja, this was one of the most surprising experiences of her entire stay.

The Drone City Project and Architecture Without Limits

During her internship, Maja worked on tasks that one would rarely encounter in European architecture firms. Together with another intern from Greece, she developed concepts for an urban planning competition and participated in the design of a building complex for the emerging “drone city.”

The project included, among other things, a museum dedicated to drones, an exhibition hall with a wind tunnel, and a shopping mall. As the podcast guest emphasizes, the biggest difference was the almost complete lack of design constraints. The budget took a back seat, and creativity became the top priority.

Taoist-inspired architecture

Another unique experience was participating in the development of the interior concept for a hotel situated between a lake and mountains of special religious significance.

The design team analyzed the philosophy of Taoism, preparing mood boards and design proposals that drew on this tradition. For Maja, it was an opportunity to work within a completely new cultural context and to view architecture through the lens of local symbolism.

Is it worth going on an internship without knowing the local language?

One of the most frequently asked questions about going to China was the language barrier. As Maja Bielecka emphasizes, a good command of English was sufficient for her day-to-day work. This allowed her to actively participate in projects and collaborate with an international team.

According to her, the greatest value of the internship was not only gaining new design skills, but also greater self-confidence and the conviction that it’s worth stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

Maja Bielecka’s story shows that internships abroad can serve as a catalyst for further professional and personal development. Working on large-scale projects, experiencing a different culture, and having the opportunity to design without the typical European constraints made her stay in China one of the most important stages of her architectural education.