Aiming high

Jasmin Vallina Bevan – on being a Spanish architecture student in the UK. Interview by Lydia Horrex 

Having been a foreign exchange student myself, I can only emphasise my enthusiasm for students of any discipline, from any university, to explore the world of possibilities associated with studying abroad. Although the idea may seem a little daunting at first, spending time in a foreign country will enhance your CV, worldly outlook, and overall university experience.

Jasmin Vallina Bevan, 24, is an architecture student from Oviedo, Spain. Jasmin has spent the last six years studying towards her Architecture Part-1 degree and Architecture Diploma (part-2). This journey has taken her to Cardiff (Wales), Switzerland, and now London.

In order to better understand the opportunities and challenges faced by foreign exchange students looking to study Architecture in the UK, I interviewed Jasmin at her student home in Kingston-Upon-Thames.     

Jasmin, why did you choose to study abroad?

Studying abroad was something that my parents were keen for me to explore.  I started researching the idea further whilst I was studying towards my International Baccalaureate in Spain. Back in Oviedo there are no architectural degrees, and I would have had to travel quite some distance within Spain to find my desired programme of study. The idea of travelling abroad was an attractive option.

   The syllabus content was also a major influence in my decision to look further afield. Within Spain the courses are technically geared and focus primarily on the engineering aspects of architecture. However, courses in the UK are more design oriented and this attracted me to the British programme of study. There was also the factor that Spanish courses are five straight years whilst in the UK the course is broken down into three years of study, a year of work experience, followed by a two year Diploma. I felt that gaining professional work experience was an important element of studying to become an architect.

   Lastly, there was also the element of excitement and adventure associated with studying abroad. At 18, my friends thought it was very courageous. But having been brought up with an English-speaking parent, I already had the advantage of being fluent in the English language.

What have you been doing since finishing your Baccalaureate (six years ago)? 

After my International Baccalaureate I moved from my home town of Oviedo, Spain to Cardiff, Wales. It was here that I studied Architecture Part-1 which was a three year degree course. After graduating from Cardiff I gained compulsory work experience in Oviedo where I worked within a small architecture practice for one year.  Following this, I continued reading architecture by studying towards my two year Architecture Diploma at Kingston-Upon-Thames, London. I have currently just finished my Diploma at Kingston. In fact, just last weekend our final projects were displayed at the Kingston University Architecture open-evening. 

Would you recommend Cardiff as a city to other foreign students?

Cardiff has everything you need in a city – it's a reasonable size, all amenities are within walking distance, and it has an extremely lively atmosphere. Moreover, Cardiff has an abundance of international students and this makes it an attractive option for those concerned about settling in.

Your mother is Australian so you already had the advantage of knowing the English language. Was it as easy to adapt to the British way of life?

Since Cardiff is an extremely multicultural city I didn't find it particularly difficult to settle in. My first year accommodation had a mixture of ethnic groups - even our particular block of flats saw a diverse range of different backgrounds. The initial challenge for me was trying to understand the different accents and learn all the slang terms. But after a few months I started to get used to it!

Studying in a new country is a daunting challenge for anyone. Did you experience any particularly difficult periods and if so, how did you get through it?

End of year exams is a particularly strenuous time as the work load is increased along with the added pressure of meeting strict deadlines. It was difficult to cope with everyday normal duties – there just wasn't the time! Unfortunately the stressful times, the times when you really want to take a flight back home, are exactly the times when it's impossible. But of course, everyone is in the same situation and you learn to adapt.

After finishing your 3-year Architecture Degree you decided to return to Oviedo to do your one-year work experience. Why did you choose to return to Spain for this part of your programme?

During this one-year work assignment we were given the freedom to find our own work placement. I returned to Spain as after three demanding years at Cardiff, I was looking forward to re-charging my batteries. Although I would have been on a higher wage had I stayed in the UK, I would have incurred the added expense of living away from home. Living back in Oviedo, I was in a position to stay with my family and have minimal out-goings.

   However, with the current global economic hardship it's proving difficult for existing students to find architecture companies that will accommodate this placement as studios are already over staffed. In light of this, students may be encouraged to advance straight into their Diploma after graduating from Architecture Part 1.

   Yet working within an architecture company is an important aspect of the course and I found it the perfect complement to my previous three years of study. Working within a professional team and having shared responsibility for projects was something I have greatly benefited from. Most importantly, this work experience has provided me with vital knowledge and confidence to head back into higher education at Diploma level.

You decided to return to the UK for your 2-year Architecture Diploma. Why did you choose Kingston-Upon-Thames?

During my interview for Kingston University I really fell in love with the town and its location (just 30-mintues outside central London). Kingston is a thriving student town yet at the same time it exudes a relaxed pace of live through its quaint market stalls and peacefully flowing river.

Tell us a bit about your time in Switzerland and how that came about?

Kingston University participates in the Erasmus Foreign Exchange Scheme and during my first year we were offered the possibility to spend a semester abroad. I chose Switzerland as I was intrigued by the prospect of studying in a country where I could learn some new language skills. Switzerland is also currently a relevant location to study architecture due to the architectural skills of their own practitioners and the wealth of the country which makes sophisticated projects possible.

   During my time in Switzerland I lived in halls of residence which was organised by the Swiss University, with a healthy mix of Swiss and exchange students.

At this point you were studying in a location where you didn't know the language. How did you overcome this?

I studied in a German-speaking part of the country; therefore our lectures were in Swiss-German. Although I had no prior knowledge of the language, our lectures were particularly visual, and if we were lucky, there would be someone around to translate. Also, our presentations and essays were presented in English so the language barrier never became a problem. However, for anyone who wanted it, there were free German language lessons included in our tuition fees.

The last 12-months you have been back studying in Kingston-upon-Thames. How do you spend your free time in the area?

Within Kingston I love to browse the markets and high-street shops. Also, I will often go for walks or runs along the river. Hampton Court and Richmond Park are also close by and offer splendid greenery and parkland combined with fantastic views over London. Being so close to Central London, it's easy to meet friends and spend the evening in the city. I can usually get the last train home or if not, there's always the night bus that runs all night. As well as nightly entertainment, London is my gateway to fantastic markets, museums and art galleries.  

What opportunities have opened up for you in studying abroad that would not have been possible otherwise?

There have been copious travel opportunities. During my six years on the course I have visited Paris, Barcelona, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Milan and Rome through faculty organised trips. And of course, meeting new friends has also allowed the possibility to travel extensively around the UK - including a summer holiday in the Lake District. Not to mention the extent to which my life has been socially and culturally enriched from all the people that I have met over the last six years.

   My CV will also benefit from having studied abroad. To prospective employers it shows I am willing to change location and I'm not afraid to leave my comfort zone.

What is next on the agenda now you have completed your Architecture Diploma?

 Within this current economic climate it's proving difficult for architects to find relevant jobs. In light of this, for the short-term I am currently looking into other possibilities rather than heading straight into a permanent work.

   If I choose to stay within an academic environment there are certain relevant courses which I would be interested to pursue. Alternately, I could spend a year working in an unrelated field or take some time out to go travelling. Whatever I decide, now that I've had the experience of studying abroad and have gained the qualifications needed to excel in my field, the possibilities are endless.

Jasmin Vallina-Bevan and Lydia Horrex met whilst studying at Cardiff University.

Since studying at Cardiff, Lydia has gone on to study at UCLA and gain work experience in Egypt, Auckland and Sydney. She is currently working in London and is due to start a Philosophy Master of Research at Manchester University in September.

You can read more of Lydia's travel articles by visiting www.broadeningthemind.com