Making a Landscape - Lauren Kasel

Texas A&M University is a national leader in providing students opportunities to study abroad, with over 400 programs headed to 110 different countries. Junior Lauren Kasel is one of the hundreds of students that participated in study abroad this year. We asked her about her experience.

How did study abroad come together for you?

This fall, I decided to study abroad through my Landscape Architecture program. We had the option to either study in Bonn,Germany, or do an internship for the semester, and I knew studying abroad was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Now that the semester is wrapping up, I can confidently say I made the right choice. The program has given us a chance to see how Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning are approached in another country, with visits to built sites and guided tours from designers. But honestly, the most impactful part has been learning about German culture. For the past three months, I’ve been living with a host family, and it’s been incredible.They’ve taught me so much and made me feel like part of their family. Now, I have a relationship overseas that I’ll always treasure.

Could you share the story of how you came to Texas A&M to study Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning?

In high school I was heavily involved in art, leading me to want to pursue a career in design. I also had a love for nature and plants, so when researching what I could potentially do with my future Landscape Architecture came up.

I fell in love with the job and I did my research on which schools would be the best fit for me. I never had a specific college in mind when thinking about plans after graduating high school. I think what sold me the most on A&M was the high rated reviews on the Landscape Architecture program and also the outlook of what being an Aggie means. Everyone looks out for everyone and I think it made going to college a little less daunting.

How’s it going so far?

I absolutely love it! I’ve made some lifelong friends in my studio class. There are 26 of us, and we’ve been taking almost all the same classes together since sophomore year. The energy and camaraderie in our group has made college such an amazing experience.

They’re the reason the tough deadlines and long work hours are so worth it. The program itself is challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. My skills have grown so much thanks to the support and guidance from both my professors and classmates. It’s bittersweet heading into my last semester, but I know that whenever I can I will shine the light on how awesome a program this is every chance I get!

Are there any learning experiences that stand out?

My design studio is always my favorite class each semester. We’re given one main project to work on, broken down into segments that we present throughout the semester. This class has really helped improve both my technical and presentation skills since we’re always presenting our progress.

Going into the program, I didn’t fully realize how much time the studio would take up, and how much work would be required outside of class. The standard is to spend at least 10 hours outside of class time per week on renderings and developing design material. Balancing a part-time job, an extracurricular organization, and studio was the biggest challenge I had to overcome. I think I finally got the hang of it at the start of my junior year, but it was a major learning curve.

What do you love about the field?

What I truly love about landscape architecture is how versatile and dynamic the field is. It offers endless opportunities for creative expression and  brings together a wide variety of art forms, from architecture and sculpture to horticulture and urban planning, allowing for an incredible range of design possibilities. Each landscape and project tells a unique story.

This creative storytelling through design is something I find deeply inspiring. What excites me most about landscape architecture is the way it can seamlessly integrate nature into designs, almost as if you're highlighting the plants themselves as the centerpiece of the artwork.

What are your career aspirations?

As a landscape architecture student about to graduate, my career aspirations are centered around using design to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities who live there. I’m passionate about creating spaces that are not only visually appealing but also sustainable and functional, enhancing the quality of life for the people who use them.

I hope to work on projects that address environmental challenges, promote social well-being, and foster a sense of connection to nature. Whether it’s through urban parks, public spaces, or private communities I want to be able to add value to the spaces I design. I hope my work inspires others and leaves a lasting legacy of thoughtfully designed spaces that bring value to both people and the planet.

You’ve been quite involved in extracurriculars - including in leadership roles - what do you think that’s brought to your educational experience?

Taking on a leadership role in a student organization has really made my education more rewarding. It allowed me to use skills from class, like communication and problem-solving, in real-life situations. I got to help navigate meetings, improve our social media outreach and get people involved, which helped me become more organized and confident. It also taught me how to balance school with extracurriculars and a part time job, which has been super helpful in managing my time.

Plus, working with other motivated students and professionals has given me new insights and made me even more passionate about what I’m studying. Overall, it’s made my college experience a lot more fulfilling.

Has Texas A&M helped connect you with opportunities outside the classroom?

My program has been amazing for helping me build connections through the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). We even have a student chapter, which links us to professionals in the industry. Thanks to my involvement with Texas A&M’s ASLA, I’ve landed both of my internships.

As a sophomore, I took a chance at the career fair and got an internship in Ft. Lauderdale. Then, as a junior, I interviewed at the fair again and scored another internship in Houston! On top of attending career fairs and connecting with professionals, I try to go to the state and national ASLA conferences every year to grow my network and explore new career opportunities.

Is there a professor or staff member that you have worked with closely you could recommend I talk to?

Oh, so many. I’ll list them out below!

• Ding Ding Ren
• Chanshan Huang
• Dongying Li
• Russel Reid
• Galen Newman (Department Head)

Would you mind sharing a few photographs that are representative of your experiences?

Photo 1: Me and other landscape architecture students collaborating at a National Conference.

 

Photo 2: Helping build a birdhouse sanctuary on the bottom floor of Langford’s courtyard with classmates. The project was led by my professor Ding Ding Ren and just won a National ASLA Award this year at the national conference in Washington D.C.

Photo 3: Me and some of my classmates at our spring formal in 2023

Photo 4: Texas A&M Landscape Architecture students at the National conference in 2023!

Photo 5: Jumping for joy because we love landscape architecture.