— Madhumitha Ramesh

I recently graduated from the University of Sydney with a Master of Architecture. I moved to Australia to pursue my degree after gaining four years of professional experience in Bengaluru, following my bachelor’s degree from Anna University, Chennai. The course initially started online due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Although online classes posed some challenges, the programme significantly improved once I had the opportunity to study on campus.

My overall experience has been exceptionally fulfilling. The university has some of the best academic staff in the country, especially Dr Paolo Stracchi and Dr Eugenia Gasparri who provided me with unwavering support.

In the Master of Architecture programme, the majority of the projects involved collaborative group work. Many of them with whom I collaborated had completed their undergraduate studies in different countries, making the project work a fantastic platform for merging our distinct ideas and experiences.

I conducted my thesis independently, titled Museum of Forgotten Terrascapes, an architectural typology that aims to celebrate Australia’s rare Earth. It identifies a geologically significant site in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula and captures its character through digital elevation models and Orthographic mapping generated from National Geodata. This data was then analysed to inform a museum complex tailored to the landscape, with a specific focus on creating an architecture program that throws light on and celebrates the rare earth along Sleaford Cliff in Eyre Peninsula, SA.

The most significant hurdle during my degree was the experience of relocating to a foreign country. It marked my first time living outside my home country. While I anticipated some degree of culture shock, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the locals are incredibly hospitable and open-minded. I have developed a deep appreciation for the cultural diversity that Sydney offers.

As a vegetarian, it has been hard for me as every time I ask what Australian food is, people say ‘barbecue and burgers’. But there are a lot of vegetarian joints that I explored. I’m a fairly good cook, and hence I usually prepare Indian food. There are plenty of stores here in Sydney selling Indian ingredients which makes me miss home food a little less.

Career prospects played a pivotal part in my decision to select Australia as my study destination. Australia boasts several excellent firms that are dedicated to outstanding design encompassing sustainability, material honesty and architectural character. I am actively seeking job opportunities in this country to gain exposure to the professional working environment.

I aspire to further enrich my knowledge by actively participating in the Australian architectural community. My goal is to secure a position within a practice that aligns with my architectural aspirations. From this point, I intend to set a course for my career and explore the various paths it may lead me down.

(This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics)