UDM SOA: Poland 2006 Jake Gehring's Weblog

PICTURES

Here is a link for pictures. http://www.udmercy.edu/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album17 ( Mar 27 2006, 10:10:42 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [1]

Thinking of Spring

Time sure is flying on our trip. I believe today is day number 37. The cold weather is finally subsiding so we don't have to drag along our gloves and hats. Our first studio project went very well. Both the Polish and American students turned out some first class designs. The most interesting part about the project came to presentation. The Poles have awesome graphic design skills, so they mostly presented 3-D renderings. On the other hand, we Americans presented models and drawings. Enough about school, because we do get a chance to get out once in a while. Two weeks back, we traveled to the far southern part of Poland to the Tatry Mountains on the Slovakian Border. We stayed in a small skiing town called Zakopane. The city is a tourist-based attraction; however, it offers the best down-hill skiing in Poland; not to mention, the spectacular mountain views. We only came home with a few bruises, although one of the Poles broke her arm. Looking ahead, we plan on traveling to Krakow, the cultural capital of Poland. ( Mar 27 2006, 09:54:46 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]

now we've got it

Hello From Warsaw: Wow, I can't even explain the experiences we're having in Poland. Our classes are unbelievable. Our drawing and watercolor professors are some of the best in the world. I have to admit I was very intimidated by all of the work we have seen; however our studios seem to be at the same level as UDM. All the students on the trip are all upstanding students, not to mention top-notch designers. I can't wait to see the results of our projects. In terms of academics, we are actively working on designs for a home on the Vistula River. We are also redesigning a major section of the Praga district of Warsaw. Praga is on the west side on the Vistula that faired better than the city in the second World War. It's not a shock, but we see many of the same similarities of Warsaw that exsist in Detroit. There is no doubt in my mind that both groups of this exchange will greatly benefit from this exchange. ( Mar 05 2006, 04:20:31 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [3]

Warsaw

Well it's been a week since we first arrived in Warsaw. I think all of us on the trip can agree that our first experiences weren't the greatest, however that's no longer the case. Warsaw is a vibrant metropolis. With all the trams, buses, and subways we're able to get around anywhere we need to go without bothering our host students. We found a huge store thats just like a Meijer in metro Detroit. Don't worry though we're staying away from American food. I think everyone's stomach is getting used to the warm milk, keilbasa, and perogies. We are enrolled at the University of Technology in Warsaw. The school is very close to downtown Warsaw. Our professors speak english very well, and they are just as patient while helping us to learn polish. The first week a little scary, but we soon managed to get a feel for the city and start meeting a lot of new friends. I have no doubt that this trip will be one that stands out in my memory. ( Feb 26 2006, 11:59:18 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]