Catherine Karolina Howorko -
podcast #45 of the series "Foundations"
The episode and the entire series are also available on Soundcloud and Spotify:
What is it like to study architecture abroad? What are the opportunities to study in an international environment and how does the atmosphere of studying in Europe and Latin America differ? {tag:studenci}, who studied architecture and scenography with graphic design and multimedia in France and Mexico, talks about her experiences.
Where did you study and why did you choose these universities?
I studied primarily two courses: architecture and scenography with graphics and multimedia. I pursued them in France and Mexico. In France, I studied at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture Paris-Malaquais, as well as the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In Mexico, on the other hand, it was UNAM - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Universidad San Carlos.
The choice of these universities was primarily related to their prestige and history. The Paris-Malaquais School of Architecture has a unique location - it is right across the street from the Louvre. You only have to cross the Seine to find yourself in one of the most important museums in the world. The second school, École des Arts Décoratifs, is of great importance in the history of design. Hector Guimard, Fernand Léger and Annette Messager, among others, studied there. To this day, it still hosts numerous conferences and events related to art and design. In Mexico, I studied at UNAM, one of the most important universities in Latin America. The university's campus itself is listed by UNESCO. Nobel Prize winners from Mexico, including Octavio Paz and Mario Molina, among others, have studied there.
What conditions do the universities offer and what is the atmosphere like?
The atmosphere at a university is always related to the conditions of study. Studying architecture requires a great deal of commitment and time, so it is important that the university provides a space to work.
The Paris-Malaquais School, at the time I studied there, was in the process of reorganization. This meant limited work space and small studios relative to the number of students. There were about 100 students in one year, and the computer lab had only 30 workstations. Workshops were also quite modest - we had one carpentry workshop and one laser for mock-ups. A big plus, however, were the many conferences and meetings with architects from around the world. Paris attracts many designers from London, the US, Canada or Japan to give lectures and workshops.
At the École des Arts Décoratifs, conditions were much better. Each student had his own workstation with a desk and computer. The school also had extensive workshops - from ceramics and screen printing to advanced CNC technology. UNAM in Mexico, on the other hand, has a huge campus with workshops, stadiums, swimming pools and its own transportation. One interesting option is to take interdepartmental classes, such as biology or chemistry.
How does the location of the university affect student life?
The city has a huge impact on studies.In Paris, you can attend exhibitions, vernissages and art events almost every day. The Paris-Malaquais school is located in the sixth district, surrounded by art galleries. During Paris Fashion Week, the school's neighborhood turns into a center for fashion events. Mexico City, on the other hand, is a city full of museums and extremely rich architecture. It's a great place to see live projects by architects such as Luis Barragán and Mario Pani.
what are the prospects after graduation?
The prospects are very different and depend mainly on the individual path. The modern world is changing very fast and professions are evolving. Among my friends today, not everyone is directly involved in architecture. Some work in engineering, others in programming or robotics. The most important thing is to find an area that gives satisfaction and allows you to use the skills you have acquired.
Aleksandra Skorupa
Listen also to other podcasts
from the "Foundations" series
40. architecture in Switzerland - Zuzanna Lesik about her internship in Zurich.
41 Architecture the Scandinavian way. Studying in Oslo through the eyes of Mateusz Pietryga.
42 Architecture begins with action. Habitat Now and student agency
