UTS Think Global

Summer in Germany

July 25, 2023

In July 2023 I had the opportunity to travel abroad and live the student life in a country I had never been to before. Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a vibrant, bustling city which offers a range of activities for all people.

I arrived the weekend before classes started and settled into the hotel accommodation recommended by Technische Universität Berlin, which was a convenient 10 – 15 minute walk from the university. I wasted no time and headed out to explore the city. I was pleasantly surprised by the Tiergarten district which hosts a huge park of the same name and notable buildings and monuments such as the Reichstag building, the Victory Column and the famous Brandenburg Gate (technically located just outside the Tiergarten district). I spent an hour or two walking through this district and appreciated the large amount of greenery which is not common in big cities!

As part of the cultural program we visited two musuems: The Humboldt Forum and the Jewish Museum. Each provided an engaging experience, with the former showcasing human history, art and different cultures whereas the latter focused on the Jewish religion and culture over time.

When the weekend arrived we took a day trip to the nearby city of Potsdam which hosts magnificent historical architecture and parks to spend the day in. We spent a few hours with a local tour guide, explored the city and learnt about its history before stopping in the gardens of Sanssouci Palace for a relaxing afternoon.

The last two activities to round out the cultural program were a visit to the Reichstag building and paddleboating on the Spree river. The Reichstag building which sits the german parliament has a unique history having been through the tumultous times of WWII and the cold war, which was fascinating to explore with our knowledgable tour guide. Two days later, the cultural program ended with a relaxing paddleboat ride on the Spree river which was a fun way to spend time with friends exploring the parts of the city from the water.

To sum up, my trip to Berlin was a highly enriching experience where I got to explore a new city and culture, try new foods and make great friends! I will definitely miss German food including currywurst, schnitzel, some of the best kebabs I’ve ever had and of course the beer! (and how cheap it is). I am very grateful for this experience and will cherish these memories for a long time!

Shreyan Deshpande

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Medical Science

Global Short Program Student at Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship
From Student to Global Citizen: Mario’s Discovery of a Bigger Universe Called Humanity

June 30, 2023

UTS BUILD is such a rich journey to go through, that I, Mario Johan Hartono, at the tip of the journey feels proud and delighted to look back and reflecting on myself of how much I’ve grown and developed throughout the experience. I came to Sydney as an international student at UTS to initially just enhance my career that I’ve started back in my country, Indonesia. Joining and following BUILD at UTS has allowed me to go beyond and see myself and the world in a whole wider perspective.

Mario pictured at the 2022 Autumn Social Mixer with other BUILD Ambassadors

It was a tough time for everybody in the world when I decided to join UTS BUILD. I was already enrolled at UTS and have no other choice than to do my course online in Indonesia as an impact of COVID-19 pandemic. A drawback from online communication is how trippy it could be that information about online orientation didn’t reach me at that time. Driven by my effort on making the most from this situation, I dive deep into UTS website and found UTS BUILD that promised me this great opportunity to enhance my learning experience.

Put up on the internet under UTS CareerHub website, UTS BUILD described as an extracurricular leadership program aimed to prepare students to become a global leaders and active global citizens. It gives opportunity for the students to explore global issues, develop a global mindset, and build professional skills needed for a truly international career that delivers positive social impact and addressing issues that matter locally and internationally.

Understanding the information and reflecting to my hope as well in coming to Australia to enrich my mind, knowledge and personal experience, I thought I could take this first step for it while I got stuck in my country. At that time, my journey with build started with a big annual event, called INTERCHANGE program.

INTERCHANGE is a virtual employability program that introduce the participants to the world of entrepreneurship and innovation, whilst at the same time providing us with career confidence and critical work experience for our resume and future job applications. Having it organized by FRANK.io and supported by StudyNSW, this intense, fun, adventurous fast paced program allows me to experience working in an environment of diversity and inclusivity and making new friends and build my network by bringing together 250 students from 7 different educational institutions and majors in New South Wales, from my own campus, UTS, to University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Australian Catholic University, Central Queensland University, Torrens University and Western Sydney University.

Mario’s INTERCHANGE team

I was so happy to experience this extraordinary opportunity before I finally could come to Australia. I continued my course, which is my true passion of the Media Industry and expanding my journey with UTS BUILD along the way through its core and elective programs.

I’m able to gain a lot from many opportunities offered on my plate. I have to thank acknowledge High Resolves part of making it possible. Through their “Identity & Purpose” workshop, I learnt the beauty in diversity and inclusivity, embracing the multi-color of my society and my own identity that has part on making it complete. From their “Better Self” and “Just Society” workshop, I can feel now that I live in a way that is more compassionate and fuller of empathy and I can see justice in a much wider and wiser perspective.

Students at a High Resolves workshop, organised by UTS BUILD

High Resolves workshop, organised by UTS BUILD

I met Frank.io again through “Introduction to Leadership” I could revisit and reflect on how my understanding on leadership that has been built from Interchange went after it. I learnt about myself and different types of leadership of other people that really fuel the dynamic of teamwork and make it works.

I also have a chance to meet amazing people and listen to them directly on important issues in the world. I met Lucy Sweeney and Tegan Taylor, reporters of ABC which is a media that I am a fan of. They bring a “Read Between the Lines: Critical Thinking in a Globalised World” workshop and I’m able to think more critical on the fast-streaming information I received everywhere in this digital era. I also had an amazing conversation with Ashley Fell, a social researcher, author, TEDx speaker and Director of Advisory at McCrindle. She brought the “Can you ‘Gen Z’ me? Standing Out in Future Workplaces” and I enjoy the conversation on working with different generation in workplace, which is a scheme that felt really close to my reality.

Before I met UTS BUILD, I am a person full of passion with every single bit of my surroundings. Now that I have reached the tip of my journey with UTS BUILD, I feel I’ve became part of the horizon of a bigger universe, which is the humanity. I have now seen myself as part of the global citizen that I am ready to take my part on nurturing the mother earth that has been the place of the beautiful stories of humanity growth.

Mario Johan Hartono
Master of Media Practice and Industry
UTS BUILD Alumni
DENMARK ARCHITECTURE TOUR

June 2, 2023

I am currently studying a Master of Architecture and was thrilled by the opportunity to be part of a global study tour in Denmark in December 2022. The study tour was titled “Decoding the Danish Juggernaut” – an architectural expedition of Copenhagen’s architectural marvels and vernacular. In summary, the architecture of Denmark is well ahead of its time in terms of sustainability, design thinking, circular economy and most notably a junction between people, play, movement and interaction.

Before arriving on my study tour, I took the opportunity to travel to Venice, Rome, Paris, Normandy, Amsterdam and Urecht before arriving in Copenhagen. As a first timer in Europe, all of the necessary items on my architectural bucket list were checked off. It was such an immersive experience to see projects from the past, present and emerging. From the Bridge of Sighs, the Venice Biennale and the Pantheon – now to reflect upon my experience with well over 20000 photos in my camera roll. As a penultimate destination, we were welcomed by the breadth of the nordic winter as we arrived in Copenhagen. Undertaking the tour day to day by bicycle, we navigated the sidewalks, streetscapes and roads from case study to case study.

The tour as a whole consisted of over 50 individual project case studies all over the city, consisting of schools, apartments, houses, office buildings, parks, civic spaces and countless other examples of architecture that centralises the user and its place in an ecosystem of sustainable buildings that are both innovative and forward thinking. Not only was the architecture the focal point of the tour, but we also had the chance to meet their makers. Amongst the duration of the tour, we visited interior designers, architects, urban designer, landscape architects and architectural researchers who all have had a hand in the creation of Denmark’s sustainable architecture scene, prime examples that have influenced the architecture on a global scale – present in the latest contributions to the Australian skyline now and over the next coming years.

Along the way – we were able to get a taste of the nightlife, cuisine and cultural avenues of Denmark – especially the Christmas night markets! For any aspiring architectS wishing to unravel the architectural scene on a global scale – I wouldn’t think twice! It is truly a milestone in your tertiary education and so relatable to the way you think about architecture as you emerge into the world of practice.

Ricky Gagliardi

Master of Architecture

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)
Living Like a Local:2 Weeks in High Density Japan

May 26, 2023

Just at the beginning of this year, I was in Japan for a little over 2 weeks. I had the opportunity to be a part of the “Living Together” global study program led by the School of Architecture. This experience has become a core memory of my life.

To begin my journey, I’ve never been overseas without a parent or any other family member. This program was the first step to being independent and getting out of my comfort zone in a completely new country that I have little knowledge of, not even the language. Never had any Japanese language lessons, and only basing conversations on words I’d heard in entertainment films, or not at all.

This program was jam-packed with so much physical travelling that we visited 8 different locations in the span of 2 weeks (Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Koyasan, Naoshima Island, Teshima Island, Shodoshima Island & Fukuoka). Alongside many other Master, Architecture and Interior Architecture students, we visited different housing typologies to learn about the different conditions of everyday living in a country as dense as Japan. A moment that made me realise how incredible this opportunity was – was when we visited the Culvert Guesthouse by Nendo, which is an iconic precedent in architecture, and the location?

It’s a secret shhh. Not even the local taxi drivers know where it is.

Within 3 days, we visited 3 different islands and 2 of them were Art Islands filled with unique sculptures, structures, and a lot of cats. I remember walking from one end of Naoshima Island to the other end all on my own with no wifi, taking up about half an hour as the island was so small. It was actually a very enjoyable walk with an immaculate view of the sea and breezy weather. Everyone else rode rented electric bikes around the island, while I lacked the ability to ride one. However, that is okay if that’s the case for you as there are bus options – just not very frequent. Google Maps was the MVP of my trip, it displayed all the train and bus schedules on them daily.

Outside of these architectural building visits, we were allowed to enjoy and explore Japan on our own. I’ve gotten to see many sets from the Netflix series “Alice In Borderland” personally, go shopping for many new apparel and gifts, and eat many under $10 meals at restaurants. One of my personal favourite meals was at a restaurant in Akasaka Tokyo serving this set of beef slices, chicken karaage with salad, rice on the side, and miso soup. A fulfilling meal on a chilly night.

Overall, this 2 week long experience was very enriching. This experience have definitely influenced me as a person and as an architect, allowing me to immerse myself in a new environment and seek real life inspirations for my future works.

Vivian Zhang

Bachelor of Design in Architecture / Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)
A trip to Jakarta

May 26, 2023

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is a vibrant and bustling metropolis that offers a unique experience to visitors. When I went on the short exchange trip, Jakarta was an amazing destination to explore a new culture and gain new experiences.

Here are some of the things that I experienced and learnt when travelling to Jakarta on a short exchange trip:

Explore the Culture

Jakarta is a city rich in culture and traditions. With over 300 ethnic groups in Indonesia, visitors can expect to encounter a diverse range of customs and practices. By visiting places like the National Museum, Istiqlal Mosque, and the Old Town area of Jakarta, visitors can learn more about the history and culture of the city. The Jakarta Arts Theater is also a must-visit for those who want to experience traditional dance and music performances.

Try New Foods

Indonesian cuisine is renowned for its bold flavours and unique blend of spices. Visitors should take the opportunity to try local favourites like nasi goreng, satay, and gado-gado. A visit to the traditional market like Pasar Baru or Pasar Tanah Abang provides a great opportunity to sample street food and mingle with the locals.

Make New Friends

As with any exchange trip, one of the biggest advantages of visiting Jakarta is the chance to meet new people. Visitors can connect with local students and learn more about their daily lives and culture. Many universities in Jakarta offer language exchange programs, which provides an opportunity to practise speaking Bahasa Indonesia with local students.

Visit Tourist Attractions

Jakarta has a range of attractions for visitors to enjoy. The National Monument, or Monas, is an iconic landmark that represents Indonesia’s independence. The Thousand Islands, located just off the coast of Jakarta, is a great place to relax and enjoy the beach. Meanwhile, the Ancol Dreamland amusement park offers a range of rides and activities for visitors of all ages.

In conclusion, a short exchange trip to Jakarta offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience a new culture, try new foods, make new friends, learn a new language, and explore some of the city’s popular tourist attractions. Jakarta provided a memorable and enriching experience.

Gao, Yifan

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)

New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient
Travel to Berlin as young architects

May 25, 2023

Traveling to Berlin as part of our studio was an enriching way to develop our projects, understand alternate ways of managing sustainability and climate change in a different climate, and learn about architecture through the rich history and a diverse range of architectural styles in Berlin.

Some of the architectural highlights from the trip included visiting the Bauhaus school in Weimar, Germany, and learning about its influence in modernist architecture which can be seen in the clean lines and functional design of many buildings in Berlin.

We also visited historical architectural monuments including the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Berlin Cathedral. These buildings offered us insight into the city’s rich history and the various architectural styles that have been employed throughout the centuries.

Further, we visited the Berlin Wall which was a barrier that divided the city from 1961 until 1989. While it was primarily a political and social structure, the wall also had a significant impact on the architecture of the city, as it cut through many neighborhoods and prevented the development of certain areas. We were able to see the remnants of the wall in various locations that we cycled to in the city, and the Berlin Wall Memorial gave us insight into the history and impact of the wall on the city and it’s the people.

We also had the opportunity to work within a studio space in our host university – AEDES. We spent a lot of time designing, drawing and making models; transforming this space into our own for the two weeks. We engaged in a symposium regarding climate change and architectures impacts and potentials and then presented our final project to a panel of local architects which was a great experience for our personal and professional development as young architects.

Townsend, Morgan

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)
Barcelona !

May 25, 2023

I found this experience to be the most enriching of my life so far. Having the opportunity to experience another culture and city in the manner we did is truly a rare experience.

Some of the sites we visited were truly incredible. Especially when we spent a few nights up the coast in Girona as well as a day trip to Port Bau and Cap de Creus. I don’t think I have ever experienced a landscape as surreal as the Marti Franc project at Cap de Creus.

Another aspect of that part of the trip was understanding first-hand how significantly distinct Spanish and Catalan dialects really are!

Additionally, spending two weeks exploring one place multiplies the enjoyment I got out of the travel. It allowed for true exploration of the city and it’s surrounds, in our case, some truly incredible landscapes, and even the incredible cuisine, food culture, and meeting friendly locals from the area.

The trip allowed plenty of time to both get stuck into some incredible site visits, as well as meeting with innovative firms doing incredible work, all the while still having time to explore Barcelona by ourselves.

Sharing all these experiences as a cohort magnified the enjoyment and created an environment for new friendships. I have not stopped recommending this experience to friends since I returned home!

I am truly grateful to have been able to be a part of this experience, and will be sure to try get my name on the list for the next Global Short Program that arises.

Wennerbom, Henry

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)
Winter in Berlin at the Technische Universität

May 19, 2023

Hallo! My name is Brianna, and during January 2023, I completed a Global Short Program course at the Technische Universität in Berlin.

Arriving in Berlin, I had no idea what to expect and felt absolutely lost when I stepped out of the plane all alone. However, I soon found out that all I needed to do was ask for directions from the people around me, and they would very kindly direct me to where I needed to go. Before I knew it, I was on the train to my hotel and settling in. It wasn’t hard to start feeling at home in Berlin, especially when I started rooming with one of my classmates just before the university course commenced and we started exploring the city together.

Arriving in late December, I had the opportunity to see Berlin’s beautiful Christmas markets which sold a variety of souvenirs, foods and drinks. One of the best parts of the Christmas market was the glühwein (warmed spiced wine), which not only tasted amazing but also warmed me up completely in the cold winter weather. I was lucky to arrive just in time to watch the New Years’ Eve fireworks as well.

I had a very enjoyable time at the Technische Universität. We had a small class of less than 20 students which made it quite easy to get to know everyone by the end of the month. It certainly helped that more than half of our class stayed at the same hotel, which led to several late-night bonding sessions over drinks and snacks at the hotel lobby. With only 3 days of lessons per week, there was plenty of time to explore the city and try out different restaurants and cafes.

My roommate and I even managed to fit a visit to another country during one of our 4-day weekends! The university also planned several cultural programs and took us to famous sites and museums, including remnants of the Berlin Wall and the famous Reichstag Building which houses the lower house of Germany’s parliament. I must admit that my roommate and I, both from Australia, acted embarrassingly excited when it started snowing during our visit to the Berlin Wall and we tried catching the falling snow (in our defence, there’s no snowfall in Sydney).

There were several sites in Berlin which I enjoyed seeing so much that I ended up visiting them several times, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column which overlooks Tiergarten, a beautiful park in Berlin. Some of the foods and drinks in Berlin that I’ll definitely be missing include their pork knuckle, currywurst, döner kebab, hot chocolate and glühwein just to name a few.

To sum up, I found my Global Short Program experience to be amazing. I will always be grateful to have had the opportunity to immerse myself as both a student and a tourist in Berlin for an entire month and for having had the opportunity to meet my amazing classmates from all around the globe!

Hadiwijaya, Brianna Fuwany

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)
Architecture in Copenhagen

May 18, 2023

Visiting Copenhagen to learn about architecture was an incredibly enriching experience that allowed me to explore the city’s rich history and stunning design. As a student of architecture, I was eager to see some of the city’s most famous buildings and learn about the innovative design techniques used in Denmark.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, which is home to one of the best architecture programs in Europe. Here, I had the opportunity to attend lectures by prominent architects and learn about the latest trends in sustainable design. I was particularly inspired by the academy’s focus on creating buildings that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible, as this aligns with my own values as an architect.

Another memorable experience was visiting the famous 8 Tallet building, designed by the renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. This stunning building is a prime example of the innovative and sustainable design techniques that have become synonymous with Danish architecture. I was impressed by the building’s unique shape and the attention to detail in its construction, which showcased the precision and skill of the Danish architectural community.

In addition to visiting the city’s famous buildings, I also had the opportunity to explore some of Copenhagen’s lesser-known neighbourhoods, where I discovered a wealth of hidden architectural gems. One of my favourite discoveries was the Grundtvig’s Church, a stunning example of expressionist architecture that is unlike anything I had ever seen before. The use of light and shadow in the church’s interior created a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere that left a lasting impression on me.

Overall, visiting Copenhagen to learn about architecture was a truly enriching experience that opened my eyes to new perspectives and ideas. I was impressed by the city’s commitment to sustainable and socially responsible design, and I gained a new appreciation for the skill and creativity of Danish architects. This trip has inspired me to continue learning and growing as an architect, and I look forward to applying the lessons I learned in Copenhagen to my future work.

Chen, Michael

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)
The Consciousness of Auroville

May 17, 2023

Auroville, I experienced a profound shift in my understanding of consciousness and community, which challenged my western interpretation of these concepts.

During my stay, I learned that consciousness is not an intrinsic part of us but rather a skill that can be practised and honed. I also realized that to develop deeper consciousness, one must be aware of one’s own intentions and how they manifest into behaviours. Collective consciousness is an extension of this awareness of how aligned intentions manifest into collaborative behaviour.

Living in Auroville, I experienced a unique sense of community, where every interaction yielded insight into living. The idea of everyone staying young here manifests as a societal structure of everyone being both a teacher and a student consciously. I found myself distanced from the collective, seeking attunement to my mind, but the moments I shared with my fellow students were some of my favorites. We found collective unity in a shared purpose of exploring Auroville’s geography and mental, emotional, spiritual, and metaphysical nature.

The constant integration, collaboration, and sharing of ideas borne of differing
perspectives, experiences, and levels of understanding were core to our collective reason for being there. The lesson we were collectively learning was how to live harmoniously within our environment. Auroville has established this as a bedrock foundation within its existence. It challenged my perspective because, within my western understanding, I had not given much thought to the impact of our behaviour on our environment.

In conclusion, my time in Auroville was a deeply profound experience that allowed me toquestion my beliefs, expand my understanding of consciousness, and experience aunique sense of community. Auroville showed me the importance of living harmoniouslywith our environment and how much we stand to gain by being both teachers andstudents of life. My journey towards deeper consciousness has just begun, but Aurovillewill forever remain a beacon of hope and inspiration in that journey.

Talbot, Huw Taylor

Global Short Program Student (Faculty-Led)

New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient

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