Category: Student Stories

Ciao, mi chiamo Graycie! (Thank you, Duolingo.)

I am a fourth-year Architecture Studies student at the University of Washington, and I just returned from my Autumn Quarter abroad on the Architecture in Rome (AIR) Program. The theme of our program was “Palimpsest,” and—for those scratching their heads, wondering what on earth that means—the literal definition of the word “palimpsest” refers to a document that has been erased and rewritten over, blurring but not completely effacing the original content; architecture has co-opted the term to indicate an element, structure, building, or site that has been reused and adapted throughout the years, displaying vestiges of eras past. In other words, when we talk about palimpsest, we are talking about layers—physical and historical. An ancient column in a medieval wall. A Renaissance palazzo outfitted with HVAC. A Roman brick structure adapted for a nineteenth-century apartment building. 

Throughout my time in Rome, I realized I can apply this logic of layers to much more than architectonics, but also to my own experience abroad, as I consider the layers of self: what I brought to the program, what I discovered in Rome, and the lessons I took home.

Exploring the City

I was born and raised in Seattle, so my choice to go to UW meant I passed up the opportunity to navigate a new city. Traveling abroad, I find, scratches that itch to explore, adapt to, and orient myself within a new environment.

Getting to know the city wasn’t just a personal pursuit, but an assignment. We were each assigned one of Rome’s rioni, or neighborhoods, which we visited (many, many times), researched, sketched, and ultimately produced a booklet on. We spent the next six days walking everyone’s rione as they played tour guide. Twenty-two rioni, 43 churches, and 60 miles later, we walked the entire city of Rome!

Admittedly, my hips ached from the uneven sampietrini cobblestone streets, but I still think it was one of my favorite parts of my time in Rome. I’d snap photos and jot down a quick note about things I wanted to return to. Soon, I had a mental picture of the city, and I was able to turn off Google Maps, walk in a specific direction, and trust my internal compass to guide me to where I needed to go. 

Rioni Walks are a tradition in AIR. Our professors, who were AIR students in the ‘80s, fondly recalled their Rioni Walks—even when they were pummeled by golf ball-sized hail. Knowing I’m part of this legacy is special. Every year, students look at the same city and find different moments to highlight on their tours. We each read the city based on our past experiences—like one of my peers, whose personal interest in street art inspired them to document graffiti and stickers throughout their rione—and added our own layers of interpretation to a 55-year-old tradition in a 2,779-year-old city. Now that is palimpsest.

Sketching the City

Before my program, I was scared. Not of the language barrier, pickpockets, missing trains, or even homesickness, but of… sketching. You mean to tell me I’m supposed to freehand a drawing of this piazza from just sitting here looking at it? Can’t I trace a picture? Can I at least use a ruler?

The challenge for me was knowing my drawing wouldn’t be perfect—an overly foreshortened tree, a wobbly line, window panes going every which way as I attempt to resolve the perspective. At first, I’d just stare at the page, too scared to put pen to paper. Here was something I wasn’t good at… and I’d be graded on it.

I’d love to say that something just clicked for me—that I always knew where the vanishing point was supposed to go, that my scale figures were actually to scale, that my shadows fell in the right direction—but that’s not entirely true. Instead, I learned to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, and that’s exactly what study abroad is all about.

Sketching on site forced me to be present. I’d sit there in the sun, armed with just my Micron pens, and lose track of time. It became relaxing, meditative, (dare I say) enjoyable. And, oh yeah, maybe I did improve a bit. That presence is so different from what I’m used to with classes on campus. There’s no jumping between lecture slides, my notebook, and the 40 other tabs I have open. My classroom is the site—a teeny hill town, a Renaissance villa, a medieval castle—, my assignment to observe. I hope to take back to Seattle this practice of slowing down and really looking.

A Few Words of Advice

If it’s optional, opt in. Your program might have “optional” trips on Fridays or other outings throughout the week; it is important that you go. Chances are, they will be fun, low-stakes experiences, and a chance to see a part of the country or site you wouldn’t otherwise visit. On Halloween, we joined the Landscape Architecture students on their trip to Sacro Bosco in Bomarzo, a.k.a. The Park of Monsters. It was incredibly cool, and something I couldn’t have done on my own without a car.

Your program ends. Your relationships shouldn’t. You will undoubtedly make friends easily on your program, but make sure you keep in touch when you come home. These people are valuable connections in your network, and so are your professors. The skills you develop abroad are marketable to employers, and your professors know you on a deeper level—they’d be more than happy to write you letters of recommendation. Plus, these are the people who can totally relate to your experience abroad (and reverse culture shock).

You will only regret the trips you didn’t take. Sometimes it was difficult for me to remember that I wasn’t just studying, I was studying abroad. Book the weekend trip. Take the 3:00 am bus. Stay in the 12-bed hostel. It’s part of studying abroad. I always found that I was able to complete my school work just fine (long train rides are great for completing readings!).

Pay the bus fare. Self-explanatory. 

Do it again. Remember, studying abroad isn’t a “once-in-a-lifetime” thing unless you let it be. If you’re anything like me (I’ve studied abroad four times… so far), you’ll be hooked. Between summer programs, Spring Break trips, Early Fall options, exchanges, partner programs, and internships, you can make something work—and, trust me, you’ll want to. This is only the beginning.

Ciao,

Graycie Viscon

Hi! My name is Irene and I’m a rising junior studying Visual Communication Design at the University of Washington. This past summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the six-week Yonsei International Summer School program. As a Korean American and an aspiring graphic designer, it truly allowed me to immerse myself in my family’s heritage while experiencing design in a different culture.

Academically, this program gave me the opportunity of exploring design with a more tech-forward perspective. I enrolled in three courses including Computer Graphics, CG & AI Design, and Generative AI Design, all which challenged me to think more critically about how I can use different AI software features to support my work as a design student. Furthermore, it was exciting to learn alongside students from around the world which exposed me to diverse ways of thinking and collaboration.

I gained a new level of confidence and independence from studying abroad as I learned how to adjust to new challenges, explore unfamiliar spaces, and step out of my comfort zone. I loved living in Seoul because every day brought something new to see or learn. I was able to practice my Korean with my local friends and converse with my grandparents which was one of my goals coming to Korea so I felt deeply gratified. Additionally, one of my highlights was to experience Korea like a local! I got to enjoy grilled mackerel by the river in the countryside and became a regular at the neighborhood bakery near my house. Navigating daily life in a new city by exploring neighborhoods filled with history and art that is different from Seattle made me feel inspired every day. The most memorable moments I recall were the simple ones like taking in the sunset while journaling on

 my rooftop or listening to vinyls with my friend at the vinyl cafe while watching the trains pass by at Hangang Park.

Overall, my time at Yonsei University was an unforgettable era of my college journey and could not have been possible without the support of the Gilman Scholarship. Through the invaluable support from this scholarship, I was able to fund a large portion of my study abroad. I received immense support along the way from both Gilman and UW Study Abroad advisers as well, so I recommend looking into the scholarship before starting your study abroad application. As I return to the University of Washington with a stronger cultural identity and sense of design purpose, I found a deeper appreciation for all of the connections I’ve built abroad. I am undeniably grateful for how Yonsei has helped me grow in ways that will last beyond the summer, and I hope you will get to experience something similar during your time at UW!

 

Hi! My name is Cami, and I’m currently a Junior Architectural Design major in the College of Built Environments at UW. This summer, I got the opportunity to participate in a month-long program about urban design and planning in Paris, and through this experience, I learned a lot about the built environment and myself.

Before studying abroad, I only knew the city from its picturesque tourist attractions: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the endless amounts of historic architecture. But after one month studying sustainable design through the PARIS 2030 program, I came to understand the city differently. Not only does it host beautiful parks and buildings, but it also acts as an evolving metropolis, becoming one of the leading cities in sustainability and urban development.

The main question our program asked was: How is Paris transforming to meet contemporary urban challenges? Our daily site visits, lectures, conversations with experts, and an abundant amount of walking explored this – from major bike infrastructure and urban forest installations to investments into the 2024 Summer Olympics, and the city’s impactful “bioclimactic urban plan”. These projects weren’t just about sustainability, they were also about rethinking who the city serves and how to do it better.

And through the process of learning how Paris is changing, I changed a little too.

A Lesson in Flexibility and Balance

The first harsh fact to hit me on my journey abroad was that travel is not smooth in any sense. I missed trains, got off at wrong bus stops, arrived at group activities soaked from a surprise downpour, and faced egregious summer heatwaves, causing some of our planned events to be adapted on the spot.

From these mishaps, I quickly realized that adaptability was an essential trait to have. Learning how to pivot, let go of the “perfect” plan you made, and keep moving forward without crashing was one of the most important lessons Paris taught me, especially as someone who gets stressed about being on time and needs to be everywhere ten minutes early.

Another skill I realized I had to sharpen quickly after getting to Paris was time management. Between attending classes, finishing assignments, and participating in site visits with local policymakers and volunteers, I had to become strategic with how I spent my time and energy.

Planning ahead and leaving a buffer period in between events was crucial, especially in a dense, fast-moving city like Paris. But I also learned how important it is to listen to your body. Every night, at least one person was going out, whether it was to dinner or a funky jazz bar. And while I wanted to (and did for a while) go out with friends for several nights in a row, I realized that saying yes to every outing wasn’t sustainable. And honestly? Missing a late night out and getting a little FOMO was worth it if it meant being fully awake for a morning tour of a cool eco-neighborhood or grassroot organization’s urban forest. That balance between participation, rest, structure, and spontaneity helped me get the most out of my experience without burning out.

 

Paris as a Classroom

At the heart of this study abroad experience was the academic knowledge I gained about Paris as an urban epicenter. We explored the city’s ambitious sustainability goals, including its aim to become one of the greenest cities in Europe by 2030, and traveled across the metropolis to understand how socialist leadership has shaped progressive urban revitalization efforts. Firsthand, we saw how streets are being redesigned for pedestrians and cyclists, how urban forests are being planted, and how new water policies work towards making the Seine swimmable again (which we got to do!).

One of the things that stuck with me the most was Paris’ “15-minute-city” model, which proposes compact, accessible neighborhoods where people can access work, school, groceries, and leisure activities within a short walk or bike ride. It was inspiring to see how an old, historic city could take the lead in designing a more sustainable future.

My Personal Growth and Lasting Connections

Beyond the plethora of knowledge I gained about urban planning and sustainable cities, the greatest gift of this program was the people. I met fellow students from my own college in separate majors, as well as others from completely different disciplines and colleges, forming friendships I know will last far beyond this program. I even met a few local Parisians, which added another layer to feeling connected to the city.

We shared so many amazing moments and experiences – group dinners, morning walks to the Metro, spontaneous picnics along the canal. These connections were built on shared learning, challenges, and growth. And along the way, between getting lost on the Metro and taking random trips with my friends, I found a little clarity in my own path. Before this program, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction to take my career. But after learning about sustainable architecture, grassroots urbanism, and equitable city planning, I now have fresh perspective and inspiration to pursue work and projects that build towards better eco-friendly cities for everyone.

Advice for Future Study Abroad Huskies

If you are even slightly thinking about studying abroad, here’s my number one piece of advice:

Just. Go.

Not only will you gain academic knowledge in your major’s field, or a field you’re interested in – but you will also gain independence, global perspective, confidence, and strong friend connections. Don’t be afraid to say yes to new experiences or take time to explore a new city by yourself. Learn the balance, take care of your health, and come prepared. Pack a portable charger, keep your transit pass full, check the maps before heading out, and (PLEASE!) bring a fan with you if your program is during the summer.

Most of all, stay wildly curious. Ask questions, research things that interest you, and let the city or town challenge you as a person.

Go wild!

-Cami Aiyer