FAQ What is EASA? EASA (European Architecture Students Assembly) is an annual assembly of 400 architecture students which takes place over a two week period every August. The aim of the assembly and the network is to encourage cooperation between students from over forty European countries through the media of architectural workshops, lectures, informal debates and exhibitions. Who can participate? All students are welcome to participate EASA, but the priority is always for architecture students. You can also participate as a young professional even if you have already graduated. Must I be a member of EASA to participate? Should I talk to a professor for a recommendation? EASA is a practical network for communication, meeting and exchange; architecture students can discuss their ideas, work together and exchange their experiences concerning architecture, education or life in general. EASA has no standing connections with professors, academic bodies or professional bodies. You don’t need to register to an organization, association or company or pay a periodic fee. If you want to get involved, contact the EASA representative - the National Contact or NC - of your country. Must I speak English excellently to par ticipate? The official language of the assembly is English, Participants should speak English at a certain level to be able to communicate and connect effectively with people. People who can’t speak reasonable English will most likely be bored and struggle to get the best out of the event. How much will I pay to participate and what does this fee cover? There is a fee (the Participant’s Fee) to attend EASA. To encourage diversity and a wide range of attendees, participants from different countries pay a different percentage of this fee based on the economic situation of their country. The fee includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, workshops, lectures debates and parties for two weeks. You have to cover your own travel and visa expenses, bu the organizers will issue you an official letter of information if a visa is required. To lower expenses, assisting the organizers, make people more active on-site and keeping up EASA spirit, participants are expected to attend to day-to-duties relating to the upkeep of the location and the well-being of the participants. Every country is assigned two or three duties over the course of the assembly: these are never tiring and hard, and some are even fun.
Where do th e participants living in these two weeks? How ar e th e conditions in the campsite? EASA is decidedly a no frills operation, wherever it is held. Participants generally sleep communally with little privacy and are expected to bring their own sleeping bags and ground mats. While it may not be always the most comfortable of set-ups, the communal spirit more than makes up for it. Showers and toilets are generally basic; there may be problems with hot water. People sometimes are not happy about these things but it’s never been such a problem to make somebody leave the camp. Participants should allow that the organizers are trying their best, and not be too critical. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided by the organizers. Participants are required to bring their own knives, forks, plates and cups. Food is sourced locally and vegetarians are catered for. Dinner is a communal activity, where participants can catch up with each other and exchange news. What should/shouldn't I expect from the Assembly? One truth is that EASA will not make you a drastically better architect or significantly benefit you academically over the two week period. However, it will allow you to participate in experimental workshops which you may not otherwise get the chance to in your academic year. You’ll also meet a range of people with hugely different personalities and from hugely different backgrounds with whom you share at least two important links: an interest in architecture, and an interest in better understanding other cultures. Is EASA just a workshop, or s evera l workshops? Or what does E ASA include? As a participant, you are required to join a workshop within the first two days of the assembly. Workshops are run by the tutors who propose them to the organizers, and it is the organizers who decide which workshops will go ahead. Participants are expected to work with their tutor for at least six to eight hours every day. Some workshops are very collaborative, others are more instructive: it depends on both the tutor’s personality and the type of workshop. The organizers arrange lectures from architects and professionals from related disciplines . These lectures should relate either to the theme or the history, architecture or cultural life of the location, and participants are strongly urged to attend, listen, question and think! Debates, conversations and arguments, formal and informal are important to the continuing spirit of EASA. The exhibition is vital to the presentation of EASA to sponsors and the public. Each workshop should finish on time and the participants should assist the tutor in assembling a final exhibition presentation. Obviously this is to everyone’s advantage, as a strong final presentation can be used in your portfolio. Parties and enjoyment are huge parts of the EASA experience. Parties run all night long, and sleep isn’t very high on the agenda. Events take place both on-site and off-site, and the variety and intensity make them one of the main draws to EASA. The EASA spirit isn’t merely academic, it’s a massive social and fun experience.