I am Elias, an ambitious young architect with a passion for and long experience with educational NGO’s and workshop and workshop organizations. While having studied architecture abroad for many years and being involved in a number of national and international youth and student organisations, I have developed a strong passion for working across borders with initiatives to bring people together for a common goal.
My experience working with a startup in London also gave me inspiration to start a business of my own. In particular, my vocation as an architect gives me the opportunity to work with my passion for shaping our world through the design of our surroundings. When applying to participate in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, I did so with the expectation of forming strong bonds with international business partners while being provided the opportunity to gain experience that helps my future business venture. In particular, it was the opportunity to better understand the European market for architectural services. I have now been in collaboration with my Host Entrepreneur, OCA Architects, in Barcelona for the last two weeks, and it is already clear to me that this collaborative bond will be beneficial to both of us.
So far, we have worked together on a variety of European projects at different scales and every day brings a new and exciting challenge for us to solve together as a team. We test out new ideas and learn from each other while working on OCA’s projects, and Bernardo (HE representative) is focused on providing me with the right atmosphere to contribute effectively and learn from their approach. Our collaborative projects often cross over into my own personal interests in starting a business, with many discussions on how I would proceed with a given problem and what tools i can use to best launch my business.
Discussions and ongoing projects with OCA’s other collaborators is helping me connect with various market stakeholders in Barcelona and allowing me to build a network of professionals and firms that might be future partners in my own business venture. OCA has also welcomed me with open arms and been very supportive with my stay in Barcelona.