Boya Yuan
Major: Landscape Architecture
Class Standing: Senior
Internship: UConn Community Research & Design Collaborative
How did you become involved in this internship program?
I just spoke to my professor. The internship was an extension to a project in my Planting Design class.
What was your favorite part?
Definitely the design part. It’s also cool that one of the projects actually got implemented! It’s interesting to see how that process happens and to see your project come to life.
What was the most challenging part?
The time constraint. My professor contacted me at the end of May saying they wanted it implemented in June, so it was a really quick process.
What interests you most about landscaping and design?
I think the artistic and creative aspects of it. You get to create and design both small and large-scale landscapes, almost like solving a complex problem.
What are some of your duties in assisting with the landscape design of UConn’s Scarborough house in Hartford?
Professor Kristin Schwab and I work together on this project; we measure and draw up base maps of the property and then discuss and come up with two different plans. She critiques the plans I develop and sends them to a faculty member in the UConn foundation.
Can you tell us how you obtained your internships in Beijing?
I actually obtained them through my father. (A great example of utilizing your personal network!)
Do you have any other involvements on or off campus?
I’m a student worker at the First Year Program office and a mentor for the FYE classes.
What are your future career goals/post-grad plans?
I think I’m going to stay here for another year to obtain a graduate degree, and after that apply for some other jobs or continue graduate studies.
How have these internships prepared you for what you want to do in the professional world?
They help add to my portfolio and it’s nice to have real project experience not just an assignment or theoretical design. They give me real world experience in creating, developing, and implementing a landscape design.
Can you give any advice to your fellow UConn students?
There are a lot of opportunities out there, don’t worry too much and go for it. As an international student, I was worried about getting internships, but most of my worries aren’t necessary because everything turns out fine.
