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experiences in the west

Dezember 16th, 2008

Hey,

this is Lisa. I am currently at Judson University in Elgin, close to Chicago – an advantage!



I am having a lot of different experiences. Not only speaking another language in everydaylife, but also to be in a country where there are so many different customs and traditions – which is not like I expected it to be. The Architecture Program differs very much from what I was used to at Anhalt University of Applied Science. I do not have as many classes, but those I have are therefore more intense. What I really like about the program here is working in the studio. In the building where the architecture faculty is located, is a huge room where every student of every semester has their own workspace. This arrangement creates an atmosphere that I really enjoy. You always have the opportunity to ask your classmates, talk with them about your or their projects, and discuss different opinions on architecture.

And the professors are very interested in the “european” way of architecture. I like the good relationship between students and professors.

The city of Chicago is an amazing place to experience works of world reknown architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Gehry. Chicago is “the” city of architecture in the USA. But I also really like the numerous art works.





I go to downtown Chicago as much as I can to experience the wind from Lake Michigan blowing through the shady urban canyons; Michigan Avenue with the fancy shops where the Chicago people present their new designer clothes; the Lakeshore walk where people train for the next Chicago Marathon; the 200,000 people in Grant Park celebrating Barack Obama to be their next President; …



The life at Judson’s campus is an adventure for me. I am sharing my room with two American girls who have totally different majors and backgrounds so sometimes we have differing opinions. But this type of living creates a good commuity when you know that there will always be someone next door, or one story down, to talk, to have a nice time with.

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