Since the age of 10 I knew I wanted to design innovative buildings that would stand the test of time. What I did not know is where I would go to school to learn those skills. My journey started by attending the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada where I thought I would find the Ivy League education I was looking for. Instead, I found that I was just another number in a program that better prepared you for essay writing competitions while you simultaneously attended a plethora of obscure general education classes. After two years of asking myself if this was the best track to my professional career as an architect, I decided to take a tour at Andrews University’s Architecture Department. Even thinking about attending Andrews was a big step for me. I am a lifelong Adventist, but I never pictured myself attending an Adventist University. My entire education had been spent in public schools and it had always been my thought that Adventist schools were second-rate. However, after taking that tour of the Architecture Department, my view quickly changed. While I knew I could learn architecture theory and reap the benefits of essay summaries at the University of Toronto; at Andrews, I could learn how to examine a community’s needs, and implement them into the form of a building design. Furthermore, instead of dealing with post-modernistic and Marxist philosophies, I knew that I could have the opportunity to be taught Christian ideals and also how architecture has been shaped by these ideals. After visiting, I realized that I did not see a second-rate program, instead, I saw talented professors that were passionate about their jobs, and equally as passionate about God. In addition, I also saw practical skills being taught, all of which were completely absent from my current program. The summer of the year 2013, I decided to transfer to Andrews University. Five years later I have no regrets! During that time, I joined Gymnics (the University’s gymnastics team) and had the privilege of being a part of the team for four years; I also traveled throughout Europe within my junior year with my classmates as part of the curriculum; I found my wife (after much prayer); and I am currently graduating with my Masters in Architecture (by God’s grace). Transferring to Andrews University’s Department of Architecture and Interior Design was the best decision that I could have made, and these experiences I have gained will continue to shape my decisions for the better within my field.
Nathan Bolkovic | 5th Year | Toronto, Ontario