Tina Matthiesen

Tina was born in Montreal, Canada, and attended high school in Brussels, Belgium. She graduated with a degree in Architecture in 2009.

Why did you choose to study at Dundee University?

My search for Architecture Schools began in the Netherlands, Canada and the UK. After taking a closer look at the course structure in each country, it became clear to me that the UK offered a more suitable and highly recognized degree, which leans more to the 'design' aspect of architecture, instead of the engineering side.

When I visited universities throughout England and Scotland in the summer of 2005, I knew I wanted to study in Dundee from the moment I saw the campus. The University campus is beautiful and very contained, with the student accommodation, gym, student union and the School of Architecture located in close proximity. It seemed like a great place to transition into university life.

What was the best thing about your course and why?

Architecture is a very challenging course, and covers a wide range of subjects. The best thing about the course is probably its studio environment, which is where we spend the majority of our time. Years 1-4 are based in a large open studio, so it's stimulating to work around many different people. All students are divided into groups of 10-12, and allocated one tutor per group whom you meet with once a week. Then there are usually workshops and seminars in the studio, with visiting architects/professionals as well.

The School of Architecture is tightly-knit community, and you get to know a lot of the students and tutors as soon as you arrive.

What information do you think applicants need to know before starting this course?

It's very different from what you expect. It's challenging and there's a lot more to the course than just art and math/physics. It takes some dedication and focus, and you'll probably see less of your flatmates and more of your tutor group as the years progress! We don't have written exams, but crits and presentations throughout the year, with a 'final crit' at the end of the year, as well as a few essays and written pieces. So come into the course with an open mind, it's a lot of fun during the year but final crits are hard work!

What has been your best university experience to date and why?

The social scene and nightlife in Dundee is a lot of fun and fairly safe. There are many bars and clubs close to campus and the majority of them are filled with students from Dundee and Abertay, so you're bound to run into people you know.

What sports activities or clubs/societies are you involved with?

I was involved with the Tennis Club during my first few years in Dundee, and I now use the ISE gym and classes to work out. They have great facilities.

The Architecture Society (ADAS) organizes many social events and lectures throughout the year, from charity balls to pub crawls. It's a great way to connect with architecture students across all years.

Have you taken part in any student exchanges/work placements?

My best learning experiences were probably my placements abroad. I worked for a large architecture office in Brussels for three summers, and learnt many computer programs like Autocad, Revit, SketchUp and Photoshop.

After second year I worked for a small office in Slovenia through the organization IAESTE which was a fantastic experience, getting to know a different culture and living with local students. This also allowed me to travel to Austria, Croatia, Serbia and Italy that summer.

For my 'Year Out' after third year, I moved to Vancouver in Canada for a year. I built up a wide social network, and found a 6 month placement with an architect who let me work on a wide range of projects, together with other Canadian and international architecture students. It was a chance for me to put everything I had learnt to the test. Vancouver is a beautiful place to live and work, and I also got the chance to experience the 2010 Winter Olympics and travel around British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California. The Year Out is a good preparation before Years four and five in Dundee; I highly recommend going abroad!

What was your experience of settling into life in Dundee when you first arrived?

Settling in was fairly easy. I was excited to start University and meet loads of meet new people. There was always something happening on campus, and definitely arrive early to experience Fresher's Week. I enjoyed living with 5 other students in first year, and the accommodation was really nice and brand new. The city centre is close as well, and has everything you need, filled with stores and restaurants.

Do you have any advice for potential new students?

Dundee is a real 'student city', and a great place to transition after high school. St. Andrews, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow are still close to Dundee, so it's easy to go on day trips and explore the rest of Scotland.

My younger sister also decided to study in Dundee. She is in Year 3 of the MA Psychology programme at the moment, and enjoying it immensely.

How did you find settling into life in the UK?

Coming from a European School I was already used to being around people from all over Europe, so I had an idea of what to expect from British culture which made the transition easier. It's definitely different from any other place I have lived, but the people are really friendly and I get along great with fellow students here. I made friends in Dundee from around the world as well as from Scotland, so it's a great mix. I have no regrets about choosing Dundee, go for it!