I've been popping up the topic about leaving for an Erasmus for a while (you can read about it here or also in this post). But, after all that, I've realized I never did a full post about it. Although it is not really a fashion-related topic, I find it perfect to write about and tell you all a little bit about, as Something Fashion was born in the middle of a trip abroad, so, traveling is a serious matter around here too.

First of all, you might be wondering... "Weren't you leaving to The Netherlands?" Well, yes and no. Netherlands and all Holland are my architecture come-true dream when it comes to teaching and education, and I hope I have the chance of moving there in a near future for a doctor's degree or to work. But, very few spots were offered on the Erasmus grant application and only one at TU Delft, which is the place I ever dreamed of taking a year abroad. Every course the Architecture School here in Valencia sends the highest grade applying, which wasn't my case, like, AT ALL. So, I had to think about other places to put on my Erasmus application form.

That said. I wanted to throw some light about why I decided to leave for a studying year abroad, and give some advice based on my previous experience traveling and studying in a foreign country. First thing's first, I must say that I wasn't the regular student who couldn't think about anything else but Erasmus year (or similar) when getting to my way to mid-career (in Spain you are not allowed to go study abroad until you reach your third year of college. Although it depends on the college career you're taking, and where you're taking it). In fact, I didn't want to leave. I wanted to get my architecture degree in Valencia as fast as possible, save money and then leave for a master's degree abroad.

Photos by trasotracamara

I entered the Valencia Technical School of Architecture five years ago, aiming to change the world, design spectacular buildings and without any specific route to follow, both in my career or my personal life. I just wanted everything to flow. To everything get into place at the right time and moment. But, what I didn't know is that nothing flows and nothing comes to you out of nothing. I didn't know I would have to work my ass out so, so hard to pass exams, obtain enough grades to apply for grants and academic programs and that this Grade, at the very end would change my life and my point of view about life in general so slowly but steadily. Life's a challenge we must overcome. Five years later into this, there are some useful things I've learned thanks to studying Architecture, and that I think will be very useful for you although you aren't even interested on technical or design stuff. There we go!

1. Differentiate yourself. Don't be a number
Distinguish yourself from the crowd. You are the best in being you, with your own opinions and point of view in things. Talk and expose what you think, give ideas, don't be ashamed! If anything, I've learned that being different and not a sheep in the flock is the key to be a high value in anything you are into. For example, this blog is one of the very few Spanish fashion blogs written in English, which might be different, but is an added value as it's something that makes it unique.

2. Always carry your notebook with you
It doesn't have to be a huge 42 x 30 notebook with expensive 120gr watercolor paper. Or even a Moleskine. I have two random spiral notebooks which are no bigger than a DIN-A5 and where I write everything when I'm on the go.

One has a thicker paper on which I can draw or paint with markers, and which I mostly use for class projects and work revisions. The other one has a thinner paper and it's where I write everything I come up with talking about the blog: interview ideas or candidates, outfit combinations, posting times... Once you get used to writing down everything, you'll live happier, I promise. You won't lose track of your ideas anymore. You might even find yourself having an inspiration boost!


3. Get moving. Do things. Get involved in everything
I didn't know the importance of being literally everywhere when I started studying Architecture. But it is. Get yourself out of the box and get to know the people surrounding you and what they're up to. Get involved in your community, your neighborhood, your school or class committee. Be willing to know new things and help others as best as you can.

During this five years, I've got the chance to know how the School I study at works, and thanks to getting involved and being interested I've got the chance on participating on amazing things there, whether they're related to festivals and other students initiatives, to being an active member of the University Student's council. Every chance is a nice way to get out of your comfort zone or meet new people, to learn even the slightest skill as being diplomatic as hell with people I don't get on with, or deal with paperwork I didn't even know existed.

During this five years of university, I've met all sorts of people. Nice people. Nasty people. Inspiring people. People I've got the luck to cherish not only as friends but also as amazing professionals with outstanding ideas. Amazing teachers and professors, and not as great ones.

But, if there's something I've learned from all these people surrounding me is that every one of them is different, and if I've had the chance on working on amazing projects or having crazy ideas which eventually turned real is thanks to those who think differently than me. Who has a completely 180-degree view on things and are not afraid to share it. People who thank that different view helped me be more open-minded, and not to take anything for granted. And that's something I really think you should embrace!

Whenever I'm meeting my friends, I feel like at the lottery of life I got gifted with the most Viking ones of them all, as they love to spend whole evenings chatting around a table of emptied beer bottles and a bowl with snacks. And sometimes, I have the feeling like that best ideas are the ones which came out of those informal meetings grabbing a couple of beers at the nearest pub (okay, I'm not a beer drinker but I like sweet mead. Looks like I'm the most Viking one after all). Unexpected ideas. Crazy ideas. But all of them as great as the one before that.

It's as if everything flowed on those moments. Hours pass and you get to talk about so many things! Time to go back to #2 and grab your notebook, isn't it?

Photos by trasotracamara

28th, 29th, 30th April. If you've been around for awhile, you might know we've been totally absorbed and super stressed for the last 6 months thanks to the organization and stuff around the Architecture's School culture festival (best known as ETSA·TOPIA), which emerged last year from a group of students, and which celebrated its second edition past week. The festival is not only about architecture, but also about cooperation between students, different associations and groups from Valencia and even other cities in Spain; about workshops and different activities as conversations, "Pecha Kucha" presentations or ephemeral architecture at the Polytechnic University campus. All filled with beer, snacks, the best mood and best young architects gang EVER.

The festival is all about having fun and make our School come back to life for some days. Because life (and architecture) is more than just studying and non-stop work!

This year's theme was "Plan B", which is about different options and perspectives, talking about both work and life. As future architects, we must be very conscious of our surroundings, the huge amount of design knowledge and ideation capabilities we have thanks to our studies and this edition was about all that: step out of our comfort zones and discover how many different paths we can take.

I had the chance to share these days involved into staff duties, which was exhausting but very fulfilling and fun! We were a bunch of about 50 people running up and down the whole building, dressed with those black & black T-shirts, helping with the snacks or the assembly of all the audiovisuals stuff among other things. It's been great, because this is the kind of things which helps you know how teamwork actually works, or how to manage a last-minute crisis. It's been a total change of view for me and a 360 degree experience to take part into all this. You could feel those really good vibes, that illusion just by stepping into the School, and I can tell those feelings are still around although the festival has already ended. That's the fun thing about it: the countdown for next year's ETSA·TOPIA has already started.

''Sala de armas de Valencia'' is our club's name. There's also a site where you can find us!

And you? Do you have any other hobbies than being a blogger/fashionista? Do you practice any sport?