Reflective summary
As a cross-disciplinary student transitioning from a horticulture and agriculture engineering background to urban design, this semester’s blog assignments have been an eyes-opening and transformative experience for me. Beforehand, I had little exposure to urban design about its theories and practices, but participating in this innovative learning assignment has allowed me to grow professionally and academically.
The process of writing the blog required me to conduct extensive research, read professional articles and analyze some social issues of urban design in critical way. This was daunting at first because I lacked the amount of foundational knowledge that many of my peers with urban design backgrounds possess. However, blogging has greatly improved my ability to think logically and structure my arguments coherently. I have learnt to solve complex urban problems with focused mindset by breaking them down into manageable parts and addressing them systematically. This practice has not only improved my academic skills but has also taught me to remain patient and focused. These qualities are essential to thriving in a new and challenging area.
Furthermore, blog assignments have allowed me to have a better understanding about different perspectives on urban development in different cities and countries. I gained a lot of valuable insights by researching topics such as urban planning policies, sustainable development strategies and community engagement. At the same time, I also learned how different cultures, economy, and political backgrounds influence the development of cities. These insights broadened my worldview and deepened my understanding of urban design.
In addition to academic growth, this experience has helped me to clarify my goal for my future career. The process made me realize that I can combine my horticulture expertise and passion for urban design so that I can explore my career paths related to sustainability and community wellbeing.
However, my journey has not been without its challenges. My limited knowledge of urban design often made it difficult for me to identify the most relevant academic article. Sometimes, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information available to me and struggled to distinguish which sources were the most aligned with my blog topic. Additionally, I found it challenging to reach the level of more experienced peers in terms of analytical depth. Sometimes it made me feel overwhelmed, but it also motivated me to work harder and seek support from my supervisors and classmates.
Moving forward, I am committed to improving my ability to search for and evaluate relevant academic resources more effectively. I also aim to further develop my critical thinking and writing skills to ensure my work demonstrates a deeper understanding of urban design principles.
In conclusion, while this assignment has highlighted areas for improvement, it has also been a rewarding and fulfilling experience. It has provided me with essential and valuable skills, important knowledge, and a clearer vision for my future. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to engage in this innovative approach to learning and look forward to continuing my growth and progress in the field of urban design.
