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Mainland China's only English MArch program

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    Student Experiences: Studying Architecture in China _part 1

    Martijn de Geus
    Jan 10, '13 10:09 AM EST

    The English Program for a Master's in Architecture at Tsinghua, is China's first and only such an accredited program. It's a relatively new program, so of course it's still evolving. But it has already attracted students from all over the world.. And I'd like to share a bit about their experiences in this post.

    International background.
    We are fortunate to have an extremely international program, in which students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds share their design developments.
    The current class consists of 20 students from 5 continents and 13 nationalities. Our students come from countries like Iran, Sudan, Nigeria, New Zealand, Korea, USA, Colombia, Indonesia, Greece, Germany, Spain, Australia, Italy, Ecuador, etc.

    Their undergraduate studies were done in such universities as Carnegie Mellon, USC (University of Southern California), Auckland University, Delft University of Technology, TU Munich, RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), Polytecnico di Milano, and numerous others. 

    To give you some more info about what it's like to study in our program at Tsinghua University, in Beijing, I've asked some students to share their thoughts (no, I didn't censor them.. haha) and listed them below. 

    Applications for this program are open till Feb 28th (Feb 1st in case you apply for a scholarship). See here for info about that. 

    China. Beijing. 
    “Beijing is a city with past and present, ancient and modernity, fast and slow life. It is a city full of contradictions. The experience in Beijing depends on the mind-set that the international student wants to give. Beijing has opened my mind, learning from another culture is very enriching. In my free time, I have been learning Chinese with a language partner, which I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn or practice Chinese. There are different activities to experience, such as Beijing opera, visiting the Hutongs (districts with traditional houses), Chinese chess, Tai Chi and international dinner during the weekends with your classmates.”
    Daniela Hidalgo. EPMA 2013. Ecuador

    “Participating at the EPMA has provided me with an inside view of the state of architecture in China. It has been a privilege for me to get critiques from such experienced faculty. In addition, I believe that among the students, with their implication and contribution, a vibrant interchange of knowledge happens. Therefore, I encourage committed international students to enroll in the EPMA and share their vision for a future architecture.”
    Ignacio Choza. EPMA 2012. Spain.

     

    Practicing Architecture
    “I have the fortune of being caught between two worlds. I was born in China but grew up in the U.S. As a result of being a 1st generation immigrant, I speak both English and Chinese. Thus there are some interesting possibilities available in this age of new changes. I finished my undergraduate education at Carnegie Mellon University where I majored in Architecture. Opportunities here are plentiful; I was even asked to participate in a real project after a juror was impressed by my studio presentation. This culminated in a second job offer due to a subsequent project from another architect who was also a juror of mine. In China you will find something that’s suitable for you as long as you put effort and dedication into all aspects of your work. I have been very satisfied with the opportunities I’ve been given and there is definitely a high level of responsibility ahead if you prove that you can handle it”.
    Wang Lingshui. EPMA 2013. United States of America.

    Chinese property boom in recent years has encouraged many global firms to expand their practices to China. These firms need people who understand global architecture knowledge as well as local design concepts, which have been offered in EPMA program. Born and raised in Indonesia, I pursued my undergraduate degree and spent most of my early practice in the US. Interested in design and nature, I took architecture major and landscape architecture minor in University of Washington, Seattle, USA, where I obtained my bachelor degree in 2008. After some working experiences in USA, I received a scholarship offer from Tsinghua University for the EPMA program. Upon receiving this EPMA degree in 2011, I have been working in DP Architects Beijing - a Singaporean based firm. I think job opportunities for EPMA graduates are immense.’’
    Audrey Juliana. EPMA 2011. Indonesia.

    “The EPMA program has given me a first hand opportunity to understand and experience contemporary China. Working under Professor Li Xiaodong was a very valuable experience; it has opened my eyes to understand how Chinese architects think and work. By gaining work experience combined with theoretical studies, I also understand the difficulties and problems that China faces with a rapidly growing urbanizing population and the opportunities that architects have to help shape the future here.’’
    Sheung-Yi Joseph Ng. EPMA 2013. New Zealand.

     

    I'll ad some more next week.. If you have some questions, please let me know!



     
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About this Blog

In the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University, Beijing, the English Program for Master Architecture (EPMA) provides a nationally accredited post-professional program in integrated architectural design. It combines a global network with local implementation. The program is focused on the construction of the human habitat, and the application of advanced building technologies.

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