Master of Architecture (Professional) leads to Spanish lessons, visiting the Amazon Jungle, and community building projects for student Zoe Glentworth
Zoe Glentworth describes how her six-month internship with Engineering Ministries International (EMI) in Mexico is progressing after being awarded the Prime Minister's Scholarship 2023.
Where are you in Mexico and how are you feeling?
“I’m writing to you from Ensenada, Mexico!
“Ensenada is a port city on the western coast of Baja California, near the border with the United States of America. It contains several universities and research centres, serving as a hub for the region.
“In January, I flew 19-hours to get here to start a six-month internship with Engineering Ministries International (EMI), who are a global non-profit organisation that is dedicated to designing a ‘world of hope.’ They collaborate with local ministries to support their building projects.
“I’m incredibly thankful for this Prime Ministers Scholarship, which has revealed the wonders of Latin American architecture and Mexican mangos.
What have you been working on?
“Our first project trip was collaborating with Rancho Genesis in Maneadero, Baja California.
“Rancho Genesis run a campground to bring healing and joy to orphaned children.
“Baja California is home to 62 orphanages and many children are abandoned here because of domestic violence, abuse, poverty, or families fleeing to the United States across the border.
“It's been deeply moving to witness the profound care Rancho Genesis extends to these children.
“My role was to design the meeting space and dining hall for each campground, and I will continue to refine this design as I continue the internship.
“The opportunity to work with EMI fulfils a long-term dream of mine to support architectural processes that serve growing communities. I am forming a new perspective on the industry's capacity to foster growth and change through building practice.
“It has been a very humbling experience to learn from my Mexican architectural mentors who have a whole new set of architectural skills.
“My hope is to nurture connections with Mexico and EMI and continue collaborating in the future.
“Last week, we went to the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Nauta, Loreta Province, Peru.
“Our group of Engineers and Architects were tasked with designing a vocational training centre for Jungle Master Ministries. They want to create a centre to equip locals with welding, carpentry, and mechanical skills, to support their local economies.
“Visiting the Amazon was surreal.
“We held sloths, swum in the Manaong river, tactfully avoided bullet ants when surveying the site, learnt indigenous dances, and were astounded by the vibrant biodiversity of the jungle.”
How are you managing with the new language and culture?
“Our team got invited to play football with the local football ministry. “Although it was 35 degrees with 90% humidity, I keenly volunteered myself.
“Little did I know I would be captaining a team of boys who – had stellar skills and a strong opposition towards passing the ball to girls.
“So, there I was, a random girl from New Zealand who had terrible football skills and even more terrible Spanish skills.
“We came fourth out of four teams, and my team cried because the weekly game was so important to them. It was then I realized, you cannot trust your 20-day Duolingo streak too much, and being able to communicate in someone’s heart language is invaluable.
“I’m currently taking Spanish classes, and although the process is infuriatingly slow, you have to be patient towards yourself when learning a new language.”
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Take a step towards registration as an architect in New Zealand with the Master of Architecture (Professional). Increase your knowledge, hone your design skills, develop your ability to think both critically and creatively, and learn more about the role of a professional architect.
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