- Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
I studied abroad in London, England, for six weeks this past summer. While abroad, I took a course in the history of art and architecture, as well as a course in youth culture. Inside and outside of the classroom, I had the chance to learn about and explore the city around me.
- What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
Going into this experience, I was excited to learn about a new culture and experience it firsthand. I learned how capable I am in meeting new people and connecting with them on a deeper level. My STEP Project truly helped me grow in confidence as I was able to prove to myself that I am approachable and friendly when meeting new people all on my own. The experience also helped me learn how to travel completely solo, as I had to navigate air travel alone for the first time. Overall, this opportunity provided me with the chance to grow in myself as a person and prove that I can take on big transitions in life. In a worldly sense, studying abroad through my STEP Project transformed my understanding of the world significantly. Going into it, I knew very little about the history and culture of England. Through my courses, I expanded my knowledge on the city’s architectural impact, political and social history, and the people who took part. It amazed me to witness built spaces that had been around long before the United States came to be, deepening my appreciation of history and the impact of time on architecture. Culturally, I was intrigued to learn that there are many challenges British youth face in the same way the youth do in the U.S., bridging the gap between some of our greatest differences.
- What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.
One particular activity during a class meeting with my architecture course was a visit to Sir John Soane’s Museum. An English architect, Sir John Soane, made his house into a museum after he passed away. He filled the rooms of the home with antique furniture, paintings, architectural models, and sculptures. Each room was different from the other, always displaying something new to see and question. As an aspiring architect, his museum intrigued me. He was boundless in his designs and overall reshaped the way space can be understood. This visit enhanced my understanding of architectural impact, guiding me to learn more about the importance of architectural preservation and creating spaces that focus on atmosphere rather than just structure.
In my culture course, my professor created an open dialogue about the differences and similarities we (U.S. students) saw with the youth of Britain. We primarily focused on subcultures and their impact on youth culture between the 1960s-1990s. What interested me the most was the way that England and the United States have had a give-and-take musical relationship with one another since the 60s. We discussed the impact of the “British Invasion” in the U.S. with bands like The Beatles and The Who, and how teens from both countries felt understood by the music. In times where young people felt their voices were not being heard or they felt misrepresented, music created a space and opportunity to address those problems. Learning about the way British youth utilized music as an instrument of representation deepened my understanding of how all cultures can find similarities between one another. Music can help bring cultures together, encouraging cultural exchange and building worldly individuals from both spaces.
Another impactful experience was learning about and taking part in the pub culture in the UK. Before going abroad, I had known how pub culture was unique and not commonly found in the United States. Once I arrived in London, I was eager to experience what made the culture so special to those living in the UK. The pub culture transformed the way I see UK culture as a whole, in a way that makes me slightly envious. I adored the close-knit community aspect of it, seeing the same old friends and families each visit. I enjoyed the appreciation of live Irish music and children running around the pub between family members, encouraging a space of genuine community.
- Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.
Overall, this experience impacted me greatly and will be a time I will always reflect on throughout my personal and professional life. I learned so much about my capabilities as an individual and my resilience to new changes. I deepened my cultural understanding by exploring new environments and creating conversations with strangers from other countries. Professionally, I feel I furthered my knowledge in architecture and the lasting impact of design. In the future, I will use this experience and the architecture sites I visited as a reference for new designs and created spaces, calling on historical importance.