Hi everyone!

My name is Anna Bella, and I will be a rising Senior this summer.  This summer I will be participating in the IIP Berlin!  My major is Architecture, and I am minoring in Studio Arts as well as a certificate in Digital Media.  I am very excited for this opportunity because an international experience is truly unmatched.  Architecture is a pretty intense major but when I am not in the studio I like to make my own creative projects, hangout with friends, go to museums, try new restaurants, and thrifting.  I also really like attending Pittsburgh sporting events.  My favorite music artists are Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, and Zach Byran.  I am from Lincoln University, PA which is in the southeast corner of PA.  No one knows where this is, so always say Lancaster, PA.  😊

I am interested in studying architecture in an urban context and seeing the collaboration between the users and the architecture itself.  Architecture is all about experience within the practice as well as seeing it and being in the presence of built projects.  There has always been an international relationship between the past and present in the field of architecture and I am excited to learn and become immersed in this relationship.  The most significant architectural works were developed in other countries and not the United States.  Seeing those historical buildings and working collaboratively in an international setting would allow me to gain further insight into what architecture was and to develop concepts and ideas on what it should become.  The future of architecture is becoming more global and international, and I want to be part of the generation that changes how we think about architecture, and I believe this exposure will be the steppingstones for that.  The German style of architecture is very interesting to me because I like the Gothic, Classical, Modern, and International combination. 

When I was a freshman at Pitt, I attended an Architectural conference in Pittsburgh.  I went to multiple lectures and talks but I will never forget the research project that was based on the Haus des Lehrers (teacher’s house) in Berlin and the presenter’s discussion.  The building is architectural evidence of East Berlin’s socialist era.  What is so special about the building is the mural that is called “Unser Leben” which means “Our Life”.  The feature is expressed wrapping around the second to fifth floor showing occupations, groups, and aspects of the era.  This was an innovation representation for symbolizing historical significance throughout the role of education and teaching in society.  This was a defining moment for me because I began to think about architecture in Germany and how inspiring it is, and I knew I wanted to study architectural practices of Germany. 

In Berlin, I am excited to learn how an architecture firm works in Germany.  There is a significant difference between the studio classes taken at school and the work presented in a firm.  I really want to close that gap, especially internationally, so that I can grow my skills, experience, and collaboration.  I will be working for a firm that is known for their created concept of the Metropolenhaus.  This concept has a big impact in understanding the complexity in the relationship between public and private areas.  They have already implemented this concept into their recent projects.  I am excited to be working with the team and gaining new perspectives.  Everything that I will learn from this internship experience will impact my future projects.  The new perspectives that I will obtain will be extremely beneficial when applying to graduate schools and when eventually applying for a position. 

While in Germany, I want to expand my knowledge of the German language.  I know some German, but the best way to learn the language is to become immersed so hopefully by being in Berlin I can become more fluent.  It is my first time abroad so every experience I have will be memorable and meaningful.  People always told me to have an abroad experience at the proper time and I truly believe this opportunity is now because I will get the most out of the experience.  These next two months will push me out of my comfort zone professionally, academically, and personally.  I am excited to be going with other Pitt students and meeting everyone.  Meeting new people is always exciting because you never know who you are going to meet and spontaneous interactions are some of the most interesting.  I know I will probably be tired on the weekends, but I am also looking forward to traveling around Germany and maybe other countries as well.