Jon Varthalis
3rd Year student in Bachelor of Architecture/Construction Management
My recent exchange experience, so far, has been the highlight of my young life. A month ago I returned from 8 months in Europe, 6 of which I spent doing an exchange in Turin, Italy through Deakin University. A greatest benefit has been that through the exchange experience, I have been able to join my class mates here at Deakin for second semester, as the units I undertook overseas have been credited towards my degree.
As an architecture student, the opportunity to have studied in Italy was truly inspiring. Buildings, paintings and sculptures, previously only seen in books, became amazingly accessible. Not just within Italy, but also within Europe, with my exchange allowing me to visit Barcelona, Paris and Athens to name a few. Studying in Italy provided me with a new and differing design perspective which I would not have had in Australia. A perspective that is highly concerned with the integration of modern design and the existing and historically rich buildings of Italy which have so strongly influenced architecture today.
My experience in Italy also gave me the opportunity to have a short-term internship with and architectural studio in Turin. A city considered to be the ‘design’ capital of Italy, studying and working in Turin has been an amazing eye-opener and invaluable experience. I now have a contact there, in which I hope to approach for work in the future after completing my studies here at Deakin. The wonder of Europe, is that it is part of a larger network in which a great deal of wonderful and exciting opportunities exist in the architectural field. Maat Architects, whom I built some study models with and also went on site visits with, are constantly entering major competitions such as the Europan, creating a great architectural network which connects architects not only in Europe, but globally.
My studies in Turin were all in English, by Italian teachers who were amazingly knowledgeable, particularly those in my history subjects. Besides my studies in architecture and the opportunity to travel, my exchange experience has made me a much more confident person in terms of communication. The opportunity to learn and use a new language, as Italian was exciting and extremely useful. I now want to continue my Italian studies as an extra curricular activity, but the most beneficial factor was the improvement in my confidence. The language barrier forced me to exploit my communicative skills, and I know feel more comfortable and confident with my communication skills here at home.
As well as the great benefits towards my degree and my future career, this experience also allowed me to meet so many wonderful people from all over the world, in which now I have great friends not only that live in Italy, but also the United States and other countries whom I hope to visit one day. The opportunity to see and experience another culture whilst studying is the advantage of an exchange through Deakin University. Having travelled to Europe before my exchange, this experience was so much more special and exciting than any regular holiday, in which you are given the opportunity to become a part of a culture, and take a piece of that back home with you.
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