Michael

Activities

• Campus Honors Program
• Gargoyle Honors Society – organization that discusses and takes steps toward advancing college life and organizes presentations to help prepare students for professional and educational development
• American Institute of Architecture Students – national organization that represents student opinions on the boards of directors of various organizations involved with architecture
• International Illini – student-run organization that works with the Study Abroad Office to provide opportunities for returned study abroad and international students to meet, socialize, and help make the campus a more international place
• Culinary Club – organization for students interested in the culinary arts or simply enjoy tasting new dishes
• Horticulture Club – organization for students interested in garden cultivation and hosting the annual flower show

One-on-One

Where is your favorite spot on campus to study?
I try to study outside whenever the weather is nice. One of my
favorite places to go is the Arboretum on the southeast corner of campus. The Arboretum is a huge park filled with trees, fields, and ponds and is home to the Japan House. Taking a trip to the Arboretum is like leaving the rest of the world a million miles behind.

Where is your favorite spot on campus to hang out with your friends?
It may be hard to believe, but there is more than corn in central Illinois. The Champaign-Urbana community offers countless places to hang out with friends. There are dozens of great cafes and nightlife possibilities. My favorite Friday night ritual is dinner at Siam Terrace, which in my opinion is the best Thai restaurant in town. This cozy little gem is always packed and a must for anyone craving awesome pad Thai or curry.

Where is your favorite spot on campus to relax?
One of my favorite places to relax on campus is Meadowbrook Park, a prairie restoration project and sculpture park. It feels like a little bit of wilderness just minutes away from campus. Lined with paved paths and trails, it is a fantastic place to go running or biking.

What do you like most about your major?
One of the best aspects of architecture is the collaborative nature of the major. Architecture has a reputation for being one of the most demanding majors on campus, but that rigorous coursework encourages creating enduring friendships. There is an old joke that you can always find the architecture building because the lights are always on. While the workload can be daunting, the bonds formed in those late nights last a lifetime.

What are your favorite courses within your major?
The design studio classes always make up the highlights. Studio is the opportunity to express your creativity, to immerse yourself in a project and the search for a unique solution. These projects are always a bit like a giant brainteaser and sometimes trying to solve them can drive you crazy, but when all the pieces fall into place, it is the most satisfying feeling.

What are your favorite extracurricular activities related to your major?
There are tons of great organizations that have grown out of the School of Architecture. The American Institute of Architecture
Students and Gargoyle Honors Society are just two groups that organize presentations, workshops, forums, and initiatives to help prepare students for all kinds of professional and educational development.

What are your favorite extracurricular activities not related to your major?
I love to travel and when I’m not in school I am probably on the road. I have been fortunate enough to travel to dozens of countries on four continents and study for extended periods in places like Brazil, Singapore, Japan, and France. There is a huge network of travel junkies on campus, and organizations like International Illini are a great way to meet exchange students or those who share a passion to travel.

Describe your most memorable experience at Illinois.
There are endless opportunities for study abroad programs and some of my most memorable experiences at Illinois have been during my international travels. I will never forget my trip to Japan. I spent my summer living with host families, teaching English in elementary schools, and immersing myself in Japanese art and culture. While there, I stumbled across a Zen monastery and was invited to join a group of forty robe-clad monks chanting sutras in a thousand year old temple. All together my stay in Japan was an experience I will remember for a lifetime.

What is a little-known fact about Illinois?
Without a doubt, one of the most outstanding features about the U of I is the Campus Honors Program (CHP). Quite possibly the best kept secret on campus, CHP offers special challenges and opportunities to a small number of talented and highly motivated students. The program fosters collaborative relationships between students and distinguished faculty through small intensive classes and a faculty mentor system. The CHP is just one reason why Illinois provides all the advantages of an expensive private university for a fraction of the cost. I would recommend anyone considering private schools to not overlook the opportunities Illinois has to offer.

Why do you belong at Illinois?
I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about coming to U of I. It was so huge, the scale was intimidating. I was worried I would be lost, an anonymous face in an endless sea of people. I soon came to realized that it is exactly that size that makes it possible to find your niche. This campus is a collage of subcultures. No matter what your background, interests, or beliefs, this school is so big there is probably someone just like you. For example, I love growing orchids, which I thought was a very obscure hobby imaginable. But when I got to Illinois, I found an entire orchid club made up of dozens of architecture enthusiasts. Everyone finds his or her place here.