Dérive : An unplanned journey through a landscape, usually urban, on which the subtle aesthetic contours of the surrounding architecture and geography subconsciously direct the travelers, with the ultimate goal of encountering an entirely new and authentic experience.
Brussels took me by surprise. Like any great city, what appears on the surface to the zealous tourist is only a cover for a vast depth of bizarre and unique character. I found myself there after accepting an internship at Taktyk Landscape Urbanism, a young office with a small team doing projects in Belgium and France. The European Union capital appeared at first to be like most other Euro-tourist destinations, but between the historical monuments and among the neon-lit restaurants all catering to foreigners...
The field of architecture takes Japanese-work-culture-masochism to the next level. The office opens before 9am and often closes well after 10pm, 6 days a week. Studio in Cambridge may feel all-encompassing, but interning in Japan is physically and mentally demanding in an entirely different way. Combined with little or no pay, serious language barriers, and heavy culture shock, this intense working lifestyle may not appeal to every student looking for a co-op job. However, as...