“This experience will be vital for my future career because it gave me a different perspective about architecture and the transformative power it has. Each of the places we visited addressed common social issues in different ways, showing us how each solution has its positives and negatives. These lessons can be applied to both my studies and career, making them all the more important,” reflected Vaishnavi Eranki, an architecture major who participated in the Spain: Urbanism and Architectural Intervention program.
The focus of the program, led by the Knowlton School of Architecture, revolves around how different types of urban development have shaped the way cities have evolved, and how current architectural intervention is helping preserve historic architecture while addressing evolving needs.
“It was important for me to go abroad as an architecture student because it allowed me to experience the topics we discuss in class firsthand. This specific program also allowed me to experience the long-term impacts architecture and urban planning can have on communities and individuals. Personally, I also love to travel and wanted the chance to explore a new country and culture,” Eranki shared.
Students visit a variety of cities and sites to experience these interventions in real time and learn about their successes and failures. This year, the group journeyed through Madrid, Granada, Seville, Madrid, San Sebastian, Zaragoza Barcelona and others.
“This experience gave me the chance to step out of my comfort zone and try unfamiliar things. I learned that communicating in a new language or starting a conversation with someone new is not as scary as it seems. I also discovered that I enjoy drawing! Most importantly, I found that trying something new will almost always help me find something I enjoy, even in roundabout ways,” said Eranki.
Through the near month long experience, Eranki’s most memorable moments came from the bonds that she made with fellow Ohio State students, whom she shared this incredible personal and academic learning experience with.
“My most memorable moments were definitely meeting amazing people and exploring cities with my friends! From the locals I spoke with to the friends I made on this program, every person I met taught me something new and made my experience so much better. Each city also had its own unique personality, and getting to learn about it was incredible.”