UQ Program: Bachelor of Architecture
San Francisco is truly a unique city of the world.
The wildly different, often challenging experiences I had while studying at UC Berkeley could only be put down to a city bursting with flavor, culture and voice of its very own, and after a fall semester of studying architecture at one of the finest institutions in the world, indeed my own views had been altered.
Being a postgraduate student trying to enter a North American institute was an extremely difficult and at times frustrating process, but eventually persistence prevailed. The ability within the UC Berkeley Architecture programme to take a diverse set of subjects was very attractive. My classes ranged from a studio class concentrating on the New York skyline and recent Highline development to an animation class where lectures from artistic directors at PIXAR, EA Sports, George Lucas Studios and James Cameron Studios were a frequent event.
Though being at Berkeley transcended your own individual studies, it is impossible not to immerse yourself in an often bizarre culture of extreme liberalism mixed in with patriotic days where Football Game days would take over the student town.
Berkeley challenges you, the students, the lecturers, the courses ask questions and force thinking and discussion, the place bristles with an energy not seen at any other university I’ve attended.
With the Californian landscape as the backdrop trips to L.A to Las Vegas and everything in between were a weekly occurrence. And with the Australian dollar soaring, travelling and any other expense was very affordable.
I hate to throw a cliché, but, this truly was an experience and one that I can truely recommend and the experience at Berkeley is something I’ll always treasure.
Top Tips
- Plan early, the process from application to approval is around 8 months to a year.
- San Francisco winters are deadly – the fog is a sight to behold – be prepared
- Strada Café, without doubt the best coffee in Berkeley
- Grab a bike, easiest way to get around the rather hilly Berkeley campus
- If unsure, head to the Mission district for a night out, always an unexpected DJ or gig unlike anything you’d experience in Australia
- End of spring and start of summer is touring time around San Francisco, bands rarely seen in Australia will be playing each and every week, though much cheaper to go to a concert, save your pennies the choice is abundant.