Architecture in Asia : Reviews (Osaka)
The following program review responses have been selected for publication by Study Abroad & Global Engagement
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Summer 2012 Participant
I loved being immersed in a culture that previously I had no understanding of. I loved all of the experiences in Asia: the good and the bizarre. I would highly recommend the Asia Architecture Study Abroad Program.
Summer 2012 Participant
My favorite part of this program was the immersion into a foreign culture. This really helped to define not only the built environment, but explained historical issues, current events, economic and political aspects of Asian culture.
Winter Break 2015 Participant
The entire trip was so successful at opening up my mind to different ways of designing. Both buildings, infrastructure and their role in the city as a whole.
Winter Break 2015 Participant
My favorite part of the trip was having contact with the culture of South Korea. While in Seoul we were able to witness a culture that is completely different than our own. Everything from food to transit and work environments to TV were a new experience. Being able to spend a week in Seoul and seeing the architecture, the people, the firms, the history, and the culture was my favorite part of the trip. It gives you a new perspective on our culture here in a America and I think it will help me as I enter into the globally connected professional world of architecture.
Benjamin Ross Jensen,
Winter Break 2016 Participant
It was amazing to travel to Asia and experience the culture with a group of other KU students that were just as excited about the program. Having the entire itinerary pre-planned was an added benefit.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
I loved the pace the fast pace we went and the amount of free time that we were allotted. The culture was phenomenal and the architecture was inspirational. The food was also a huge part of the amazing experience I had abroad.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
My favorite part of the program was spending time with members of the KU architecture faculty.
Maxwell Charles Gendler,
Winter Break 2018 Participant
My favorite part of this program was definitely meeting with architects across different countries, learning how they worked, why it worked for them, and to gain insight on how their successes can help guide me as an architect. I would also say that becoming good friends with the people in the architecture school was extremely fun and helpful knowing I have 30 more friends to design, discuss, and share memories with through out the school.
Jonathan Raymond Edward Lelek,
Winter Break 2018 Participant
The professors on my trip were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, ultimately making it a huge highlight in my college career.
Samia Jennifer Mansour,
Winter Break 2018 Participant
My favorite part of the program was how many places we visited. Although it was a lot in a short amount of time, none of it felt rushed. I think the places chosen were excellent examples of architecture that will continue to inspire in the rest of my projects in school and in the actual work force. From Singapore's sustainable design to the traditional designs in Malaysia to unreal buildings in Japan, it was truly incredible.
Winter Break 2019 Participant
My favorite part of the program was having the opportunity to connect with the students at the University of Technology in Malaysia.
Winter Break 2020 Participant
My favorite part of the program was being able to experience each of the three countries in their own unique way. I did enjoy seeing the different types of architecture whether it was traditional or contemporary. I think the food and culture was also a very exciting experience as well.
Winter Break 2020 Participant
The best part about this trip for me was the feeling of independence we had to explore these countries on our own. The whole trip we very well planned out and we had so many amazing guided tours, but I also really enjoyed the free time we had.
Winter Break 2020 Participant
I really enjoyed viewing the architects personal house in Malaysia. Getting to see the unique architecture around the warm climate vs. our chaotic climate in Kansas.
Summer 2012 Participant
Visiting the different eastern cultures helped me learn a lot about their cultures (obviously), but I also learned so much about western cultures. Taking a step out of western society helped me see things I never would have noticed.
Summer 2012 Participant
I loved interacting with the locals and really experiencing the culture and traditional customs.
Summer 2012 Participant
I really appreciated the mix of sites that we visited as well as the opportunity to meet lots of local people for extended periods of time. (Meeting local students was very beneficial.)
Benjamin Ross Jensen,
Winter Break 2016 Participant
The vast amount of area that we were able to explore in 3 weeks was very rewarding and exciting.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
Relating to architecture, the environment gave me new inspiration and goals in my career. I really appreciated the amount of green utilized in the majority of buildings in Singapore and how Japanese architecture stayed within the perimeters of tradition while at the same time creating new modern entities.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
I found it most rewarding to be able to explore so many different places within Singapore and Japan. I never knew it would be possible to cover so much ground in a three week period.
Bailey R Hiatt,
Winter Break 2018 Participant
My favorite part of this study abroad program was getting to personally meet some famous architects and firms and pick their brains about their designs. I feel like I learned a lot from their style of architecture and how it is different from many American architects.
Joseph M Libeer,
Winter Break 2018 Participant
I think that the face-time with architects from other culture's was very rewarding. This gave the opportunity to ask questions and receive personal feedback to my curiosities regarding Asia's architectural design styles, as well as cultural influence. Hearing from a local academic expert on their OWN architectural practices was valuable because I could compare these principles to what I have learned in America.
Winter Break 2020 Participant
I thought the most rewarding part was being able to learn a lot about the architecture and then being able to bring what I have learned back to studio to implement in my designs.
Winter Break 2020 Participant
On this program, we were able to interact with architecture students from a university in Malaysia. Learning about their educational experiences, and their perspective on architecture / the world around them has shaped my own outlook on the field as a whole.
Zachary Braden Dawson,
Summer 2012 Participant
Asia is severely undersold architecturally in our history courses and studio. There is much to see in the East that is relevant in design and is at the forefront of modern technologies and construction.
Summer 2012 Participant
Be open to really experiencing the culture and testing your boundaries.
Blaze Allen Capper,
Winter Break 2016 Participant
My best advice would be to be an adventurous eater and buy yourself a good pair of walking shoes. Don't do what I did and wear boots for 3 weeks walking 10-15 miles daily.
Benjamin Ross Jensen,
Winter Break 2016 Participant
It is stressed a lot that packing minimally will only benefit you on the study abroad experience and I found that to be true. Packing light will help you in the long run. Putting some time into learning about the culture and possibly the languages that you will encounter will also help.
Winter Break 2016 Participant
This program opened my eyes to another side of the world that I have always wanted to travel to. This was my first international flight that I have ever taken. There was some initial anxiety, but I had a great time experiencing new locations and food.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
Be prepared to walk about 10 miles a day and brush up on Japanese language a few weeks before the trip.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
Through this trip I learned to appreciate living in the moment, to just do things and not worry about what may or may not happen. I have no regrets experiencing the culture and adventures, I only regret the opportunities missed.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
Invest in a calling card and plan holiday events / free days well in advance.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
Opening yourself to try new things is always rewarding, and gives you a good story to bring home.
Winter Break 2017 Participant
I learned that it is most important to keep an open mind when it comes to the food and the places you'll be visiting.
Gregory A Deveau,
Winter Break 2018 Participant
The biggest take away from the program was the culture shock and being able to adapt. Being put in that situation while also viewing architecture that was different to the norm in the United States really made me take a step back and look at problems from a different angle and made me think more about the details in the work that people put in their designs and it really gave me a good perspective on the field.
Winter Break 2019 Participant
Anyone joining this program in the future should remember to take full advantage of individual exploration and research days. These days are when you learn the most about different cultures you find yourself in and you can find hidden gems in terms of architecture, food, and other cultural experiences that you otherwise would have missed.
Winter Break 2020 Participant
On this program, I learned how architecture in thought about and developed in different parts of the world. It also taught me that though the world itself is vast, the main constructs of architecture as an industry have a similar foundation no matter where you are.
Winter Break 2020 Participant
Learning and seeing how the needs of a building and how it is utilized can often be different than the design intent was extremely interesting. It helped give real world understanding to the way a culture adapts a structure to its needs and how the structure must be adaptable to fit many roles. While we can study this and even see this at home, seeing how different cultures utilize the built world, and how it is prioritized based on location is invaluable.