After a semester of exchange studies, Emma Biondani chose to come back to Umeå. Today, she studies at the Master’s Programme in Architecture and Urban Design. In the future, she wants to work at an architectural firm in Umeå since she thrives in the town.
Just like all students, Emma Biondani has her own desk at the Art’s campus where she spends most of her time studying.
ImageJohan StridsmanEmma Biondani is originally from Verona in Italy. After high school, she studied the Bachelor’s Programe in Architectural Design at Politecnico di Milano, something that was both new and exciting.
– During high school, we didn’t study something related to architecture. I felt it was interesting to work with houses and buildings where people live. Because I think that our lives are very much determined by the buildings we’re living or working in.
During her education, she chose to study a term at the University of Umeå through the Erasmus Programme. She became fond of the town, and after graduation, she decided to come back to Umeå.
– During my semester with Erasmus, I really liked Sweden in general, and the university of Umeå. So, I decided to come back.
Today, Emma studies the first year at the Master’s Programme in Architecture and Urban Design. For her, it was a big advantage to have studied in Umeå before, since she had got to know the town. But the university also made sure that all international students got a good introduction.
– There’s a big meeting for international and exchange students where the university gives you all the information you need. That’s something I like; at the university you never feel lost. If you have a question, there’s always people you can ask. Everything is well organized.
Emma didn’t know anyone in the programme before, however, she has now gotten into the community. She and her course mates often work together at campus. A part of the education is an individual project, and even though they work a lot individually, they help each other with new ideas and suggestions.
Emma also likes the Art’s campus a lot, where she spends most of her time studying.
– The building is really made for studying there. You have your own desk to sit at and study and keep going with your projects.
Something Emma appreciates is the many different teachers on the programme.
– I really like the teachers because they are very international. There are teachers from all over the world with different backgrounds, and they studied or did research in different universities all over the world.
In addition to the individual project, Emma has many different courses. Her favorite right now is Professional Studies in Architecture and Urban Design.
– It’s a course that breaks the barrier between students and the work environment. We got to visit architectural firms here in Umeå. And also, we got to know the role of the architect in Sweden better.
Have you had a lot of contact with the work life at the programme?
– Before that course, not that much. It was more within the university and the academic life. But after that course we really got into the job industry. I think that course was nice because we really got to know how architects works.
In the future, Emma wants to work at an architectural firm, but she is open to which sort of firm she wants to work at.
– The dream of every student is to work in a big architectural firm and design important buildings. But I think it’s also nice to focus on smaller project. I did three months internship in a small architecture firm in Italy. I worked with smaller projects like houses, and a school also, but it was still really exciting even if it wasn’t a big firm.
After gaining knowledge about what the architect’s work lives in Sweden are like, Emma wants to stay in the country after graduating.
– My plan is to look for a job here in Sweden, in the north. During the course when we visited the architectural firms, I really saw how the work environment is here. It’s really nice here in Sweden.
When Emma is asked what she likes about Umeå, she answers that there is a lot to do as a student, and that it’s easy to meet other students. She also sees Umeå as a very international town.
– I think everyone will have a great time in Umeå. It’s a welcoming town and university, especially for international students. It’s a bit weird to think that Umeå, a small town in northern Sweden, is that international, but it is that. There are a lot of people from all over the world and I think it’s really great.
Read more about the Master's programme in Architecture and Urban Design
Age: 23 years old.
Originally from: Verona, Italy.
Studies: First year at the Master’s Programme in Architecture and Urban Design.
Hobbies: Plays the trumpet, cooks, tries new food.
Umeå in 3 words: Cold, nice environment and work environment.
Myself in 3 words: Independent, determined, a bit shy.
What I’ll be doing in ten years: Hopefully works in Umeå at an architectural firm.
Interview: Frida Endertorp
