Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica on internships abroad, post-industrial architecture and discovering your own professional path

Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica -
podcast #5 of the series "Foundations"

The episode and the entire series are also available on Soundcloud and Spotify:

In the fifth episode of the "Foundations" podcast, we talk with Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica - architecture students at the Silesian University of Technology, who share their experiences of going on an internship abroad as part of the Erasmus+ program. They talk about working in a German architectural office, life in the Ruhr region and how the trip together allowed them not only to develop professionally, but also to overcome their fears and feel more confident in a new environment.

Villa Hügel in Essen

© Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica

The conversation also touches on the differences between universities, language barriers and the challenges of designing in an existing building - and how important it is to have friends when going abroad.

I came back from my internship with motivation for my thesis, because it was only then that I discovered what I really wanted to do. - Aleksandra Magiera

I also participated in an exchange in Brno, and I recommend everyone to go with someone familiar - it really makes things a lot easier. - Adam Stalica

Düsseldorf

© Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica

Aleksandra Magiera

Second-year architecture student at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice. She did her internship at Bell Architekten office in Essen, where she worked, among other things, on the concept of adapting a post-industrial hall into apartments. She is fascinated by the subject of revitalization and working with the existing building fabric, which also influenced the choice of the topic of her engineering thesis.

Adam Stalica

A student of architecture at the Silesian University of Technology, a two-time participant in the Erasmus+ program. In addition to his internship in Germany, he also studied for a semester in Brno, Czech Republic. Passionate about context-oriented architecture, with extensive experience in teamwork and openness to cross-cultural cooperation.

Hans Coking Plant in Dortmund

© Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica

Erasmus+ as a path to professional development

Thanks to the Erasmus+ program, Aleksandra and Adam had the opportunity to develop their skills in an international environment, learning new approaches to design and working in architectural offices. They stress the importance of taking advantage of such opportunities, not only because of the professional experience, but also because of the wide range of benefits, such as funding and the opportunity to learn the language in practice.

Alexandra and Adam share their impressions of working and living in Germany. Aleksandra talks about her work in a German architectural office in Essen, where she was involved in building inventories and adaptation projects for existing buildings. Adam, on the other hand, talks about his second exchange, also on an internship in Germany, and how Erasmus+ helped him develop his professional skills and learn about different approaches to architecture.

Duisburg city park

© Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica

The advantages of living and working abroad

The graduate student and the undergraduate also shared their experiences of living in Germany, sightseeing and searching for an apartment together, which they point out proved to be much easier when done together. In the podcast, they also talk about the challenges of language, work culture and the specifics of designing in different environments.

Vienna University of Economics

© Aleksandra Magiera and Adam Stalica

A young architect and a young architect argue that it's worthwhile to take advantage of exchange programs, especially in the context of Erasmus+ funding, which facilitates trips abroad and provides opportunities to work in international architectural offices. Finally, they summarize their experiences and share their thoughts on further professional and academic opportunities after graduation.

Aleksandra Skorupa

Maria Cipinska

Listen also to other podcasts
from the "Foundations" series:

1. Maciej Czekański ostażu wbureau APA Wojciechowski in Warsaw
2. Lukasz Danilczuk ostudy of architecture in Brussels, Budapest and Warsaw
3. Magdalena Raźny on her stay at the Bella Interior University in Covilhi
4. Julia Supeł on combining architecture and construction studies, designing on Mars and in Iceland