Reflective Essay

Since starting my journey into Landscape Architecture it feels like my capacity of thought has expanded to a breadth I never knew imaginable. In high school I chose to deepen my education into Biomedical Engineering, an educational path that was exceptionally inspirational and exciting. But was it inspirational for myself? I felt conflicted with the career laid out for my when I graduated, uncertain in my future and of the world as it was interrupted by Covid-19. But now, as my path has changed, I find myself passionately regailing my journey through education to my friends, nearly lecturing on the landscaping of Apple Park to a group of my colleagues.

“Look at this view! Do you see the moment that was hiding around the bend, slowly revealed by the hill, the glimpses of glass through the leaves--!?”

I recall saying this to my peers, noticing how they fed off of my excitement and how they found something new in a moment they have analyzed before. I can confidently say that before the inception of applying to the BAC, I never spoke so passionately about a topic. During the pandemic I shuffled my way through life, quietly thinking about my path and considering the changes I could make for myself. I reflected on my upbringing-- two parents who loved the outdoors and shared with me their excitement for gardening and landscaping. I considered my commute to work-- in the summer I would get off the train earlier than necessary to walk through the Fens Victory Gardens before work, enjoying the botanical effort made by stewards. It was these thoughts that helped me discover a passion: designing spaces that pull people outside-- to encourage them to engage and appreciate their surroundings-- to take a longer look at that flower, or watch the shadows dance through the tree canopy.

It has been an exciting passage, moving away from the technicality of engineering to the creativity of landscape architecture. I have greatly appreciated the relationships I have formulated with my teachers and classmates as their feedback helps push my iterative work further and impacts my design choices. Please come along on this journey with me as I invite you to explore my portfolio.