Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture. Beijing, China Alexandra Viscusi Class of 2019

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1 Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture Beijing, China Alexandra Viscusi Class of 2019

2 Work Experience Lindsey and I helped the office prepare for an exhibition that they are conducting in September at the University. Visual Aids I created posters and two visual aids using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop while Lindsey conducted research for a project that will be constructed at the end of the summer. Workplace Lindsey and I both created rammed earth models to be displayed in the exhibition. Rammed Earth

3 Company Outings Although busy preparing for the exhibition, Lindsey, our co-workers, and myself went out to dinner a few times, explored an attraction called 798 Art Zone, and had a BBQ and hike at a secluded section of the Great Wall during our time in Beijing. BBQ 798 Art Zone UNO

4 Weekend Adventures Weekends were spent away from the University and exploring Beijing. Great Wall (Gubeikou) Great Wall (Huanghuacheng) Summer Palace Zhanlanguan Rd, Xicheng Bird s Nest (Olympic Village)

5 Weekend Adventures Cont. Lanzhou Noodles Art Museum Big Wild Goose Pagoda Hot Pot Egg Waffle Houhai

6 Traveling to Study Hong Kong During our eight weeks, Lindsey and I had the opportunity to travel to different parts of China to study architecture. We were mainly in Beijing, but we also had the chance to travel to Hong Kong, Xi an, and Macha Village (outside of Lanzhou). Xi an Macha

7 Work in Macha The second to last week of my internship was spent in a rural village 2hrs outside the city of Lanzhou. I worked to build a rammed earth wall for the Community Center, refurbished the interior of the Community Center, helped another group build a furnace, and spent my free time line dancing with the women of the village or playing games with the children of the village.

8 Macha Village This was the most rewarding experience that I had in China because I was able to interact and build a relationship with people despite a difference in language and culture. For many of the villagers, I was the first westerner that they had interacted with and I was determined to leave them with a positive impression and in a better condition than when I had arrived.

9 Impact on Organization (s) Beijing Office: integral part of completing models to be displayed in the exhibition; designed posters to promote the exhibition around the University prior to the event; created visual aids that explain the process of creating rammed earth architecture for the people that visit the exhibition Macha: promoted healthier living styles and conditions through group presentations with the other volunteers; constructed a rammed earth wall for the community center; interacted with villagers and volunteers alike and built relationships through means other than language (dancing, playing games, drawing, etc.)

10 Closing Remarks I could not be more grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to China to participate in a field of study that I plan to pursue. I enjoyed being immersed in a culture that was different than my own while learning a new language, studying architecture, and meeting amazing people. I learned a lot about the type of environment and people that I want to be surrounded by in a workplace and I further developed my skills of digital design and use of Illustrator and Photoshop. Along with learning, I was also able to teach my co-workers about the United States and where I come from while also contributing to the preparation for the exhibition. Each city that I visited and each individual that I interacted with impacted me in some way and I can only hope that I was able to positively impact them during my short time in China as they did to me. This was an experience that I will never forget.

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