IntroductionEASA (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 organisation is to encourage cooperation between students from over forty European countries through the media of architectural workshops, lectures, informal de-bates and exhibitions.

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. The official language of the assembly is English, and mem-bers live and work on-site for two weeks.

The organisation has no standing connections with pro-fessors, academic bodies or professional bodies. You don’t need to register to an organisation, association or company or pay a periodic fee. If you want to get in-volved, contact the EASA representative - the National Contact or NC - of your country.

ParticipantsArchitecture students of all levels are welcome. interior and landscape architects, urban planners, industrial de-signers are all welcome but the priority is always for stu-dents.

Participants should speak English at a certain level to be able to communicate and connect effectively with peo-ple. People who can’t speak reasonable English will most likely be bored and struggle to get the best out of the event.

One truth is that EASA will not make you a drastically bet-ter architect or significally benefit you academically over

the two week period. However, it will allow you to par-ticipate 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 person-alities and from hugely different backgrounds with whom you share at least two important links: an interest in ar-chitecture, and an interest in better understanding other cultures.

To lower expenses, assissting the organisers, make peo-ple more active on-site and keeping up EASA spirit, par-ticipants 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 du-ties over the course of the assembly: these are never tiring and hard, and some are even fun.

CostThere 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 perce-tage of this fee based on the economic situation of their country.

The fee includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch, din-ner, workshops, lectures debates and parties for two weeks. You have to cover your own travel and visa ex-penses, bu the organisers will issue you an official letter of information if a visa is required.

AccommodationEASA is decidedly a no frills operation, wherever it is held. Participants generally sleep communally with lit-tle 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.

EASA PARTICIPANTS’ GUIDE European Architecture Students Assembly

EASA PARTICIPANTS’ GUIDE

WorkshopLille004, France

LectureElefsina007, Greece

ExhibitionFriland003, Denmark

AccommodationFriland003, Denmark

FoodFriland003, Denmark

DebateINCMoscow006, Russia

WorkshopFriland003, Denmark

Showers and toilets are generally basic; there may be problems with hot water. People sometimes are not hap-py about these things but it’s never been such a problem to make somebody leave the camp. Participants should allow that the organisers are trying their best, and not be too critical.

FoodBreakfast and dinner are provided by the organisers. Participants are required to bring their own knives, forks, plates and cups. Food is sourced locally and vegetar-ians are catered for. Dinner is a communal activity, where participants can catch up with each other and exchange news.

WorkshopsAs a participant, you are required to join a workshop with-in the first two days of the assembly. Workshops are run by the tutors who propose them to the organisers, and it is the organisers 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 colaborative, others are more instructive: it depends on both the tutor’s personality and the type of workshop.

LecturesThe organisers arrange lectures from architects and professionals from related disciplines . These lectures should relate either to the theme or the history, architec-ture or cultural life of the location, and participants are strongly urged to attend, listen, question and think!

DebateDebates, conversations and arguments, formal and informal are important to the continuing spirit of EASA.

Participants should listen with an open mind and try to learn rather than judge ... on all topics.

Exhibitions 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 as-sembling a final exhibition presentation. Obviously this is to everyone’s advantage, as a strong final presentation can be used in your portfolio.

PartiesParties and enjoyment are huge parts of the EASA ex-perience. 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.

ConclusionAs with most things in your life, the more you put into EASA, the more you’ll get out of it. Participants should be prepared to roll up their sleeves and muck in with their workshops and duties, but the rewards, friendships, parties, collaborations and experiences outweigh the hardships tenfold. It’s an unforgettable two weeks of your life.

http://easa.antville.orghttp://www.easa.tk

European Architecture Students Assembly EASA PARTICIPANTS’ GUIDE

EASA PARTICIPANTS’ GUIDE

Workshop FairBergun005, Switzerland

ExcursionFriland003, Denmark

National Evening PartyBudapest006, Hungary

Pavilion CompetitionFriland003, Denmark

IT LabElefsina007, Greece

Travelling ExhibitionINCMoscow006, Russia