July 19, 2023
A once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with immersive learning, collaborative creativity, and traveling the world — does it get any better? Valerie Uehling, a junior interior design major from small town Uehling, Nebraska, seized the opportunity to study abroad this summer and attend the Atelier La Juntana’s Model Making in the Digital Age Workshop in Spain. Learn more about Valerie’s time abroad and life at Nebraska 👇
How has your study abroad experience expanded your architectural knowledge outside of the classroom?
In the classroom, we can reference different precedents online, in textbooks, from pictures, but nothing like we can when we experience them in person. Studying abroad has exposed me to architecture like I have never seen before. I learned about double facades, ornamentation, gothic architecture, organic designs, and the list goes on. As a designer, it is much easier to learn by experiencing, doing, seeing, or watching. Studying abroad allowed me to immerse myself in design and that is the ultimate way to learn about architecture and the beauty of the built environment.
How will your involvement in the workshop abroad help you in the future?
I am very excited for model-making in future studio projects. I hope, if given the opportunity, I can create an abstract model that encapsulates more than what the eye can see. The workshop taught me how to think outside of the box when it comes to model making and how to push not only my limits but the project brief as well. This experience is one that will follow me not only through college, but throughout my career as well.
Talk about why you decided to apply to Nebraska, and specifically join the College of Architecture.
My entire family has attended UNL, from my parents to my grandparents, aunts and uncles. My sister, who is 9 years older than me, and my brother, who is 7 years older, were both involved in Greek life. I loved going to Lincoln to meet their friends and attend their different events. UNL has always had a special place in my heart and ever since I was a little kid, I knew I wanted to be a Husker. About 2 months before I started my freshman year, I finally decided to be an interior design major. At first, I was planning on going in undeclared. I had a variety of interests, nursing, dentistry, business, engineering, agriculture, etc. However, after my one-on-one tour at the College of Architecture, I decided to give it a try and see where my first year took me.
What is your favorite part about the College of Architecture?
As a freshman, you take combined classes with architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture majors. It isn’t until you apply for second year, do you all go your separate ways. I have studio with 16 other interior design students from 8–12 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. All our classes are extremely small which means all of us are very close. We spend every day together and eventually, as cliché as it sounds, they feel like family.
What or who inspires/motivates you?
I would have to say my parents both inspire and motivate me. I was always the little tag while growing up, but my parents never forgot about me. They motivated me to do the best I could and in return I became the best version of myself. My mom recently retired from teaching after 35 years in the public school system and has since gone on to start her own online tutoring business. Her passion to teach the younger generation inspires me to do what I love. My dad has been a farmer ever since graduating from college. He has taught me the hardest of work, what perseverance truly looks like, and how to love the Lord. I give it all to the ones who raised me and to the one above. They help me reach my dreams and goals and I couldn’t do it without them.
Who has impacted your time at Nebraska?
Rather than who as in a singular person, I will say who, as in an organization. I am a member of the sorority, Chi Omega, and they have impacted my time at Nebraska. This group of women is full of ambition, dedication, involvement, philanthropy, leaders, and development. I have become a better person, student, leader, and friend because of the women who push me to become the best version of myself.
What is one piece of advice you would give a College of Architecture student?
If you can make it past the first year, you can make it through the rest! Freshman year is a challenge nobody can prepare you for. Find classmates who you enjoy being around and learn how to push each other while keeping one another accountable. You’re probably going to want to change your major a time or two (completely normal) but remind yourself why you chose the major and stick with it!
What is something you’ve learned that will stick with you after you graduate?
A perfect design doesn’t come from your first iteration. Work through the process, use your peers, gain feedback, practice, implement uncomfortable ideas, and iterate. No matter where I end up in the future or what I end up doing, being an interior design major has taught me that practice makes perfect and there’s always room for improvement.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
As of right now I would like to work for a firm and help design the interior architecture of large commercial corporations. However, I am keeping my options open and am looking forward to where the next two years of experience and exposure take me!
Which country/city/area was your favorite, and why?
Barcelona was my favorite city we visited! Our group had the opportunity of touring multiple buildings/places that the famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, designed. This was our longest stay, 2 weeks, which allowed us to explore more of the city and neighborhood we stayed in. We also had our first, and only, free weekend of the entire study abroad trip. We filled our free weekend with beach days and group dinners at different local restaurants. At night we found ourselves sketching together while locals and other tourists looked over our shoulders and admired our work. Our group was constantly asking each other for sketching advice, recommendations, guidance, and feedback. This is what our major is all about!
Liencres will forever hold a special place in my heart. The town is located on the northern coast of Spain and has similar qualities to Nebraska. Every day, for a week, we would walk about 25 minutes from our small apartment in town to the workshop which was in the country. We would see cattle, horses, corn fields, and a beautiful view of the ocean on our way to the workshop. Our group became especially close during this week. We cooked our meals together, went on hikes to the beaches, and worked on projects together from 8 am — 6 pm in the workshop. Armor, Nertos, and Daniel, our workshop leaders, and astounding architects/designers, guided us through the workshop and happily shared their knowledge with us. They were a huge reason we all loved Liencres!
Talk about the learning opportunities that come with studying abroad.
Studying any subject abroad will be beneficial. My whole life I have always heard adults saying, “Man, I wish I would’ve just studying abroad,” and I am now proof of why students should. Studying is one thing, but being immersed into an entirely different culture while doing it is another. The sights, sounds, smells, memories, horror stories, etc., are what make it all worth it. Our group got to learn from talented architects and designers from Spain, which we may never had gotten to do if we didn’t study abroad. As a student learning in another country, you learn how to be extremely flexible. The schedule isn’t like a typical semester at the university, plans change, places aren’t open when you thought they would be, language becomes a true barrier, etc. All in all, studying abroad teaches you much more than the class you sign up for.
Talk about the value of being involved in extracurricular activities.
I grew up in a small town, went to a C1 school in the middle of a cornfield, and had 44 classmates. Extracurricular activities were something our school thrived on. I was involved in just about every single club and organization possible, therefore, going into college, I had high hopes of always having a full schedule and being a part of as much as possible. Going into my junior year of college, I have learned to say no and balance my social, academic, and personal life. Being a student in the College of Architecture takes up the majority of my time but I have still found and made time for clubs and organizations I enjoy and support. I am a student ambassador for the College of Architecture, involved in Dance Marathon, participate in intramurals and am a part of Greek life. Being involved in each one of these extracurricular activities has introduced me to a network of people I would otherwise never have met.