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During a short, 5-day, externship to SmtihGroup I was fortunate enough to meet a group of peers who I will happily support in the future, as I know they will do the same for me. Our time together felt long-lived as our curiosity and appreciation for one another grew exponentially.

Intercultural competence is the ability to communicate, collaborate, and build relationships across cultural differences by staying aware, open, and adaptable. It involves recognizing your own cultural lens, being curious about others’ perspectives, and developing the skills to navigate diverse ways of thinking and working. The AIA Guide emphasizes that intercultural competence is not a single moment—it is an ongoing process of awareness, development, and reflection. At Perkins&Will, I learned that cultural diversity isn’t just acknowledged- it’s celebrated in a way that feels joyful and genuine. The team creates opportunities to learn from one another through informal lunchtime gatherings where someone shares a piece of their culture. These moments are simple but meaningful: people talk about traditions, explain what to do (and what not to do), and bring food from their cuisine so everyone can experience something new together. It turns cultural exchange into something fun, welcoming, and memorable.

Day 1 at ICON Architecture felt both exciting and inspiring. When I first arrived, we were introduced to our supervisor, Joe Daigneault, and my three other externship mates. One of my favorite parts of the day was the office tour. The space is beautiful, clean, organized and full of light, with an amazing view facing the State House. The energy in the office feels calm but active at the same time. Everyone was friendly and approachable, which made me feel comfortable and included right away. That atmosphere really reflects the type of workplace culture I hope to help create in the future: one that feels safe, supportive, and inspiring.

Mondays are definitely busy at ICON and I loved being able to experience that. We participated in three out of four team meetings, which made me feel like we were truly part of the firm. The “Lessons Learned from the Field” meeting stood out to me because it showed how the team reflects on real projects to improve future work. I learned something new about affordable housing, especially how certain waste systems are impacted by maintenance costs and market rates. I was also impressed by how organized the projects are, using color-coded tracking lists and clear systems to support the design process. Meeting with Jansen Meals showed me how important sketching and diagrams are before jumping into concepts, and how tools like Rhino and platforms like ArchDaily support design development.

Hello! I’m Claudja, and I’m entering my second semester in the BIA program at BAC. I was born in the U.S. but raised in Cabo Verde, my parents’ home. Growing up surrounded by the warmth and vibrancy of Cape Verdean homes shaped the way I see spaces and communities. There’s something about the resilience and creativity in our neighborhoods that inspires me and I carry that perspective with pride into my work. Something about me that isn’t always visible is that I push myself hard, but I’ve learned that growth comes from embracing both challenges and curiosity.

I want to create a workplace with a culture where people feel comfortable, safe, included, surrounded by beauty and at peace.

Navigating an externship is always better with a partner, and I couldn't have asked for a better one. My buddy was the definition of kindness and support, acting as a constant sounding board as we tackled new challenges at SGH. Whether we were decompressing after a deep-dive lecture or exploring the intricacies of New York’s architecture together, having someone so grounded and encouraging by my side made the steep learning curve feel like an exciting climb.

My experience at SGH was shaped significantly by a mentor who understood that growth happens both at the desk and out in the world. From day one, he meticulously planned our schedule to ensure we weren't just observing, but truly experiencing the firm’s inner workings and high-level functions.

He championed a holistic approach to professional life—whether it was ensuring we sat in on specialized learning lectures and technical programs or encouraging us to blow off steam and build connections over a game of foosball. He pushed us to view New York City as a living laboratory, urging us to tour the streets, immerse ourselves in the culture, and draw direct inspiration from the iconic builds surrounding us. Perhaps most impressively, he opened doors to the academic side of the industry, exposing us to key publications and personally encouraging us to reach out and engage in dialogue with the authors. I’m walking away with more than just technical notes; I’m leaving with a blueprint for how to stay curious and connected in this field.

Working behind the scenes at SGH, I was constantly inspired by the caliber of projects that come through our doors. Most clients arrive seeking a definitive solution to complex challenges, and watching the Building Technology department rise to those demands was a masterclass in engineering ingenuity.