The Perks of Grad School ... in Italia

So, was the past four years of my education in Architecture school a test in progression or more of a mental break down / torturous physical conditioning, like that of military bootcamp? Lord, and JP Skelley, know that I would never even try to compare the two, my undergraduate career and a marine's first brutal steps to becoming a soldier, that is. Nor can I complain that much about my time as an undergraduate. Both Lord and JP Skelley know also, that I had one hell of an amazing time studying, living, learning...partying in Kent State. But did I really have to deal with all of those horrific professors, waste-of-my-time and money classes, and in general...bullshit, to get to this level of education? If that be the case, then I am happy to have dealt with said bullshit if this, a true graduate level education is the reward. In Florence, Italy no less.

Please, TAKE these statements as gloating, because that is exactly what I AM doing. I am sorry, but I have never been happier with what I am learning, who I am learning it from, how I am learning it, and the intense amount of mutual respect that is given to and from myself, my peers, my professors, and the faculty here at KSU-Florence. We are all learning from each other. It's true! This set up does seem very communistic. But it is easy for it to be this way when it is only myself, eight other architectural grads, and a genius professor [who specializes in exactly what he/she is teaching...and not simply thrown into the lecture hall like a maladjusted substitute]. Every Monday, it is the 10 of us sitting around a conference table debating about Aldo Rossi's historical theories or the evolving public realm in Venice during the 1400's, or any other architecture strain worth discussing...and I love it!

It brings out my competitive side, that which only a few, like those who sat across the fake multi-colored dollar bills and the board of Monopoly, may have seen. But most of all it makes me, for the first time in a while, truly excited to pursue what I am learning.

So that being said, I have composed a short list of things that make grad school, especially in Italia, amazing...and if you are an undergrad questioning if there is a light at the end of the bullshit tunnel...there is.

1.)RESPECT. There is so much here. We respect our professors and their seemingly infinite knowledge. We respect the school and all of the great amenities that lie within. We respect each other, and the fact that not one us knows all, but we all know that we've all made it this far and deserve to be here.

2.)RESPECT. In return, the professors rain down their seemingly limitless knowledge upon us, and have enough respect in us to listen to all of our opinions when we may disagree. The school offers so many great things that I will go over next, some more fun than others. And lastly, in return for the respect of each other, we gain great experiences and great friendships.

3.)FREE PRINTING AND PLOTTING. I know, 'whoopty shit!' says the common man. But I know, that every other architecture or design student out there is drooling!

4.)A PIANO. It seems trivial, but I know for me and at least two other grad students having our very own full-sized piano in our studio, not only gives us a little taste of home, but allows us to explore other forms of creative release.

5.)HOME THEATER. I shit you not! The school has allowed us the use of laptops, a projector, and a surround sound system. Needless to say the boys and I have been enjoying numerous episodes of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' on the big screen. All we need now is a popcorn machine!

6.)WERE IN ITALY! DUHH!!!

Which brings me directly to my last point,

7.)OUR 'EUROPEAN CITIES' CLASS. Much like my 'Reading Cities' class of my last semester abroad, I have another 5 credits of my class load totally devoted to the travel, exploration, and analytical documentation of foreign cities. Only, this time, we travel to BERLIN, COPENHAGEN, ROTTERDAM, and AMSTERDAM and we stay in each for a week! This class alone will make my time here worth while. So...I am off to Berlin tomorrow! Expect posts from this trip very soon!

I apologize for gloating again. Think of this post more of a check up on my thoughts and feeling on grad school in Italy, not sure if any of you were wandering...but know that I am happy. =)

Berlin, here I come!