March 16, 2026
Julia, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Student
Hi everyone! My name is Julia, and I am in my second year of the Bachelor of Design in City Innovation program here at the University of Calgary, in the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape.
(3).jpg)
Why I Chose BDCI at UCalgary
I knew when I was reading through the programs at UCalgary that I had to apply for the BDCI program. At that point (in my grade 12 year) I had no experience in art, graphic design, architecture, or really much else that I thought I must master before starting university. I'm nearly halfway through my degree now, but I couldn't imagine studying anything else. My interests lie at the intersection of politics, environmental design, and spatial justice, so I knew this was the perfect program for me.
Meet Julia: My Most Memorable Experiences as a UCalgary Student
Julia, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Student
Hi everyone! My name is Julia, and I am in my second year of the Bachelor of Design in City Innovation program here at the University of Calgary, in the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape.
(3).jpg)
Why I Chose BDCI at UCalgary
I knew when I was reading through the programs at UCalgary that I had to apply for the BDCI program. At that point (in my grade 12 year) I had no experience in art, graphic design, architecture, or really much else that I thought I must master before starting university. I'm nearly halfway through my degree now, but I couldn't imagine studying anything else. My interests lie at the intersection of politics, environmental design, and spatial justice, so I knew this was the perfect program for me.
(4).jpg)
Obstacles I've Overcome
Like many architecture programs, BDCI is immersive and requires a strong investment of time, energy, and passion. What makes it manageable, though, is developing good time management habits. For me, that means planning out my month in advance—balancing training, school, work, and time with my family. It can be busy at times, but it’s incredibly rewarding and 100% worth it.
Overall, my experience at the University of Calgary has enhanced my life so much more than I ever thought it could. I'm learning so much from my classmates, friends, and the incredible faculty at SAPL. Starting the triathlon club is also proving to be such a great experience, and I can't wait to see what the next two years bring.
Since joining, I’ve been able to achieve many of my academic, social, and career goals. The BDCI program has a welcoming, tight-knit community — we spend most of our days learning together in the same space and even have assigned desks! This makes it really easy to make friends with people who share similar ideas, passions, and hobbies. It’s where I’ve found some of my lifelong friends.
Career-wise, people in the industry are excited about the BDCI program. ZGF Architects, based in Vancouver, are coming to our final studio reviews to essentially scout for interns. Multiple people have achieved awards for their summer research, and one of my close friends is travelling to New Brunswick to present his research at a symposium (also second year, by the way!). After my first year of the undergraduate program, I worked full time during the summer at a landscape architecture firm, and am going to start my second internship in the architecture field this summer!
Making UCalgary My Own: Triathlon Club
Beyond how much I’ve come to love the BDCI program and the work we’re doing, my friend and I also took the initiative to start the University of Calgary's Triathlon Club! One of the things I love about UCalgary is the wide range of clubs and opportunities to connect with people of similar interests. Currently, we train 5 times a week as a group and are co-sanctioned by Triathlon Alberta along with the Bios Triathlon Team. We are working to get SU-club status for the 2026/2027 academic year, as we only just started up in January.
(1).jpg)
Career-wise, people in the industry are excited about the BDCI program. ZGF Architects, based in Vancouver, are coming to our final studio reviews to essentially scout for interns. Multiple people have achieved awards for their summer research, and one of my close friends is travelling to New Brunswick to present his research at a symposium (also second year, by the way!). After my first year of the undergraduate program, I worked full time during the summer at a landscape architecture firm, and am going to start my second internship in the architecture field this summer!
Making UCalgary My Own: Triathlon Club
Beyond how much I’ve come to love the BDCI program and the work we’re doing, my friend and I also took the initiative to start the University of Calgary's Triathlon Club! One of the things I love about UCalgary is the wide range of clubs and opportunities to connect with people of similar interests. Currently, we train 5 times a week as a group and are co-sanctioned by Triathlon Alberta along with the Bios Triathlon Team. We are working to get SU-club status for the 2026/2027 academic year, as we only just started up in January.
(1).jpg)