I am from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and besides architecture, I like to spend time working on other forms of design such as industrial and graphic design. I follow and play soccer, and love cooking and baking, when I have time. Apart from the facilities such as the Materials Labs, CAPLA is its own little community. It's nice to share most of your courses with your friends. I struggled my first year with the studio workload and the required courses and so I was not accepted into the professional phase of the program the following year. I was forced to have an off-year, which I used to take my general education courses. I was accepted the next year. That has been my biggest struggle while at CAPLA. It was beneficial, though, to take a break and develop a new mentality for the rest of my time. The summer after my third year, I landed my first internship at FORS architecture+interiors, in which I was exposed to a new working environment and how projects evolve from initial design towards construction. I am currently interning at Ibarra Rosano Design Architects. I'd like to work for a few different-sized firms after I graduate, eventually earning my license, and starting my own practice some day. My advice to prospective students is to take it as it comes. There is a definite learning curve when it comes to studio, but there is no need to stress. It's very important to be yourself, in your personality and your design identity. Develop and maintain relationships with faculty and other students; you never know what opportunities might come your way and from whom. Lastly, be sure to cherish your experiences while you're here. It goes by quickly.

The CAPLA experience is about constantly being engaged. It's about learning new skills, both tangible and intangible, digital and hands-on. It's also about being surrounded by mentors who inspire your efforts.

I am from Shijiazhuang City in Hebei, China, and enjoy creating conceptual sketches by hand. I also love to watch comedies and talk shows. Currently I am the president of the CAPLA International Students Club. I graduated from the BS in Sustainable Built Environments in May 2020 and now am in the MS Urban Planning program. What I like best about CAPLA is the accessibility to faculty and staff who are ready to provide help when you need it. My biggest challenges as an international student have been the language and cultural barriers. From a career perspective, I've held two summer internships in China, the first in urban planning and the second in architectural design. My advice to students is that it's okay to be straightforward if you have questions or concerns. As an international student, try not to be too quiet during class discussion, as getting involved is significant for the learning process.

For me the CAPLA experience is about thinking as an individual, which is especially important when studying abroad.

Connect with Longhao

I am from right here in Tucson, Arizona, and I have a lot of things that I am passionate about, including farmers markets, agriculture, cooking, journaling and running. What I like best about CAPLA and the B. Arch is how it is a community and that every student is always willing to help each other out. My biggest challenge while in the program has been finding time to take care of my wellbeing. Thankfully, I have a lot of great friends who are always looking out for me, and we all help each other as much as possible. This upcoming summer I will be interning with an architecture firm. I also work under the director of marketing at a local farmers market and have learned how to push my graphic skills to the next level. My ultimate career goal is to work in a small architecture firm as an architect or marketing consultant. My advice to prospective students is to get out of your comfort zone! Whether that means making new friends or trying out a design software that you're not familiar with, just go for it! You never know what cool, new things you might learn.

The CAPLA experience means to me that I have the ability to create lasting friendships with my colleagues from our interactions in and out of the studio.

Connect with Anisa

I am from Chandler, Arizona, and am interested in sports, working out, music and heritage conservation. My favoriting things about CAPLA and the Bachelor of Architecture is the feeling of home when I am here. My biggest challenge has been participating in too many events. I spread myself too thing sometimes, but there are just so many fund things to be a part of! CAPLA's Job Interview Fair has helped me to network with firms, and that will help me in the future when apply for an internship. After I graduate, I hope to work in a well-known architecture firm and become a registered architect. My advice to new students is to get involved in CAPLA and create your own second family here!

The CAPLA experience to me means pursuing a higher education in something I am passionate about and being able to do it with the support of my second family at CAPLA.

Connect with Kaya

I am from Sierra Vista, Arizona, and besides architecture I love to play tennis, go on hikes and enjoy the company of others. I also love the closeness between students at CAPLA, not only in my individual year but also different years and majors across the entire college. Though I have not had any job experience yet, I have attended the CAPLA Job Interview Fair and through that am looking forward to an architecture internship this summer. My career goals are to attain enough knowledge and skills to become a licensed architect and help improve the lives of people's everyday interactions through architectural practice. My advice to future students is to become engaged in clubs and activities around the university and not be afraid to speak up and ask for help, because I assure you, you are not the only one struggling.

The CAPLA experience, to me, means being able to have a close connection with faculty, staff and colleagues to learn from and motivate each other to strive for greatness.

Connect with Lydia

I grew up in Sierra Vista, Arizona and moved to Portland, Oregon immediately following high school graduation, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from Portland State University. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I joined SRG Partnership, where I worked on a wide range of projects—from a county courthouse to a horse hospital to various buildings on different university campuses. I plan to be a licensed architect in the future, and as a young architect I really want to work on different project types and for different firms to gain an understanding of the breadth of architectural practice. I love the intimate class size in CAPLA's graduate programs, as well as the freedom and support from professors to explore the topics that interest me. One challenge I personally face is work/life balance, which I'm trying to be more aware of this year! Outside of architecture, I enjoy trail running, reading and travelling.

My experience at CAPLA has been so special; learning more about the region I come from and applying that to my future career has been an incredible opportunity. 

Connect with Zoe

I am originally from Nogales, Arizona, but moved to Tucson when I was five. I really love spending time in nature with my favorite people. Though I don't hike as much as I did in high school, I still hike with friends when I can, and also do yoga to relax from the stress college can bring. I like visiting museums around town, too. The best thing about CAPLA is the amount of support I have received from faculty and staff. Also, the ability to study design in all its practical senses with a main focus on sustainability, which is one of my greatest passions! I have done two internships while at the University of Arizona, both with the School of Geography and Development—the first with the experimental agrivoltaic garden at Manzo Elementary and the second working with the local manufactured housing community, including Habitat for Humanity. My career goals include being able to work in Tucson to aid the city's revitalization, to create a sustainable Tucson. I would also like to travel and work in other cities to share my ideas and what I've learned in my time here. My advice to new students is to remember to enjoy yourself during your college years. College does not have to be all work and no play! Be sure to get involved—it will make your experience so much more rewarding.

The CAPLA experience for me is being able to build my creative and professional self in working with sustainability in order to help build a better future for all.

Connect with Myriam

My home town is Vinhedo, São Paulo, Brazil. I have always been very engaged in sports, especially volleyball. Aside from that, my family and I love to travel and discover new places together. I really appreciate CAPLA's engagement with and understanding of the Sonoran Desert. It teaches us to consider passive design strategies that can be implemented in any climate. The incredibly helpful and friendly student body also made my transition very smooth. And the myriad of opportunities and technologies provided by CAPLA is just breathtaking. My biggest challenge so far has been adapting to the demanding program, which is very different from anything I experienced in high school. I will be undertaking two internships this summer, and after graduation I plan on moving to a different country and working with underdeveloped communities designing spaces that can help them grow while learning as much as I can from a different culture and language. My advice for prospective students is to manage your time wisely and always put your physical and mental health as the number one priority.

Coming to CAPLA meant leaving my comfort zone to meet a diverse group of students who share the same curiosity and desire to change the world as me.

Connect with Rafael

I am from Shanghai, China, and am passionate about anything that relates to art. What I like best about CAPLA is that when you feel depressed or upset, you can just turn around and realize there are so many people there who can support you. They know what you're going through. The biggest challenge for me in the B. Arch has been time management: how to balance the studio/work but also enjoy life outside of architecture. Though I don't yet have job experience, I will be an intern for an architectural firm back home this summer. I am excited but also nervous. My career goals? Architect, fashion designer, photographer... My advice to new students comes from ARC 301 studio professor Bill Sarnecky: "Be proactive."

CAPLA is a community where everyone is close to each other and always here to help you out.

Connect with Vincent