STUDYING ARCHITECTURE IN CEBU, PHILIPPINES: Freshman Experience

It took a lot of considerations because I want so many things. Bartending, pastry, culinary, and etc.. Even until now, I still doubt my choices.


Despite knowing the struggles, what pinned me down on studying Architecture was the belief of what I will learn is applicable not just in Architecture. That the versatility of its philosophy is enough to take me far and somehow improve the lives of others.

Just like any other freshmen, you are faced with intimidation with a slight hint of excitement and curiosity. Everything was just so overwhelming.


Or is it just me?


It's very disappointing that I did not experience this in person. Keep in mind that my current location at Valencia City, Bukidnon is islands away to Cebu and the country only offers face-to-face to specific Universities so everything is conducted online. Classes, books, and activities all online.


I find online classes for Architecture really hard. Too many distractions and although professors are there to guide you, they couldn't do so much compared to face-to-face classes. Not to mention, the lack of tools and materials in our local stores. On the bright side, we are lucky to have very patient and considerate professors.

When I first joined our group chat, I used to send messages everyday. As the number of member increases, I begin to send less and less. Throughout that time, I made acquaintances.


Luckily when we were on a group project, I made friends with three people. One is a smart consistent honor student with skilled art skills from Surigao. Another one is an otaku from Cebu and the third one is a sociable gamer from Leyte.


As I have mentioned that they came from different locations across the Philippines, their Bisaya is different from our local one. There are words that I am not familiar with and had to ask what those words mean and sometimes the words we use to describe a thing are different.


Heck, there were cases my friend chats us in Surigaonon. Like I said, I could not understand so I replied in Hiligaynon.


So far as the academic year goes, I have not encountered anyone with a bad attitude, aggressive, or toxic. Although some are flirty.


Oh geez, gotta watch out for that.

I had a professor who happens to be my favorite. Her class is usually interrupted by phone calls from her clients, suppliers, and relatives but usually it's from her firm.


She does not even bother muting her microphone during the meeting when making a phone call. Us listening first year students would just get amazed by all the terminologies used during the phone call although we do not understand most of it yet.


What makes her my favorite was her excessive flexing of her travels.🤣 Every lesson, she always share one location she travelled off to.


One time, she was discussing the "Fallingwater" of Frank Lloyd Wright then the next minute started sharing her stories, pictures(no interior of the building was taken since it is prohibited), and experiences there. Which was fun listening to.


From what I have observed, my professors are passionate. They made sure to explain every lesson properly and they take pride at their jobs. They made sure to roast critique our work and point out our mistakes and areas where we can improve.


Well, most of them.

I'd say that the whole academic year is tough, tiring, and fun. That everyday feeling of hoping for a vacation already.


Thanks for reading here's a picture of our puppy: