Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This paper examines the opportunities of landscape architect students to integrate with other students which are related to the landscape architects vocational field during their education. It also involves a discussion about the profession of landscape architects and the view of landscape architect students concerning who they will work with in their professional career.

Six qualitative interviews were carried out to identify how one work with student exchanges, both within the landscape architecture education program and in voluntary forums during the students' leisure time. The interviewees have experiences of different student exchanges and different
approach to landscape architecture education at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Alnarp. During the interviews, it emerged that the number of exchanges for different reasons steadily has declined in recent years. At the same time, the interviewed conceded that exchanges are important to prepare students for their professional career.

An electronic survey was sent to all landscape architecture students at SLU Alnarp. The questionnaire contained questions about the students' views on their opportunities to integrate with other students during their education. 53 students participated in the study. 84.6% felt that they had few or no opportunities to work together with students from other programs within SLU. 94.4% gave the same answer when it came to exchanges with students from other programs
outside SLU. At the same time, 69.8% wanted an enhanced exchange with students within SLU and 90.6% sought after a greater exchange with other programs outside SLU. This shows that students who participated in the survey believe that they have few opportunities to meet other students who are related to the landscape architect profession, and the demand among them is great for an enhanced exchange.