Fall 2017: Reflection

Fall 2017 was my first quarter in the University of Washington (UW) which was super busy but plentiful. In CEP300. I created a new social network and study group with my CEPsters which provided many opportunities to exchange experiences and thoughts. In CEP301, I learned the meaning of a community and learned how a system could change the whole community. CEP400 allowed me to speak to the whole major and I started to learn soft skills in InDesign, Photoshop, and WordPress which I have never been taught ever. I feel pretty proud of completing the people page with 2-3 weeks, a great opportunity to make use of the skill which I learned from WordPress. Instead of CEP’s classes, I also took other class. LARCH212 was my first Landscape Architecture class I took in UW and it provided basic instruction. My professor invited guests to our class every Wednesday, and it was not only a perfect opportunity to let me know more about the companies and organizations which were working in the field, but also allowed students to raise questions to the guests and explored knowledge. This quarter helped me understand that I really want to work in the Landscape Architecture’s field and improve our community to become greener and more artful.

CEP300 CEP Retreat

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Focuses on planning analysis assessment and development of CEP. Opportunities for community building and all-major policy deliberation and decisions. Having different workshops for skill building and facilitation. It is a perfect opportunity to gather with all CEPsters and discuss the individual study plans and study abroad experiences.

CEP 301 The Ideal of Community

5 credits - CEP core requirement

Provide the concepts and theories of community, communal rights, and responsibilities. Explores the struggles of the community in a different era and life. Through the service and field experiences to prove the essentials of a community and study different philosophers' view on the ideal community. Understand different perspectives of how a polis can be function well, it helps me to connect with society. Meanwhile, this class train students to become a critique-thinkers. It helps us to understand how to systematize the construction of clear ideas.

CEP 400 Governance Practicum

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Provide many opportunities to explores and develops students' personal skills as leaders. During the class, students can also learn how to form and function effective groups. Emphasizes personal and collective leadership, democratic decision making, and learning through direct action and reflection. Meanwhile, students need to join a CEP committee to learn more useful skills. Hard and soft-skills are able to learn at the same time.

L ARCH 212 Designing the Future

5 credits - General education requirement: VLPA

Focus on environmental instability and resulting in social disruptions. Lectures and guest speakers explore diverse ways in which design may create more sustainable in the futures. Kind of stoke the discuss to debate. Also, based on in-class design exercises, group discussions, take-home projects, field trips, and essays to understand how we can improve our future community in a professional way.

CEP 302 Environmental Response

5 credits - CEP core requirement

- General education requirement: NW

Explores the issues of environmental crisis and societal responses. Provide relative readings and reflective analysis from authoritative sources to develop a grounded perspective in ecological literacy and consciousness. I through the readings, presentations, and group project to gain the value of community-based environmental responses, thus, develop the skills and behaviors to build a sustainable society. Create the connection between history and present, they are not only a fact but also a path to lead humans to improve the environment.

CEP 400 Governance Practicum

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Continue to the last quarter, we were developing various skills in this class. Especially, leadership skills, democratic decision making, and critical thinking. We shared different thoughts and opinions during the governance time and shared information to all CEPsters. Helped each of us to connect with each other.

ATM S 101 Weather

5 credits - General education requirement: NW

Weather is the earth's atmosphere, with emphasis on weather observations and forecasting. Daily weather map can show many important things to us. Weather can also change urban design. Through this class, I am able to understand more nature which surrounding humans every day. Try to feel comfortable and connect the design of sustainable resource with the weather.

English 102 Critical Reading & Writing

5 credits - General education requirement

Developmental and practice of reading, writing and critical thinking strategies needed for analyzing and responding to academic texts. As an International student, this class totally can strengthen my grammar and vocabulary. In addition, professional writing skill is super useful in writing every essay. This class really improving my accuracy and fluency in writing.

CEP300 CEP Retreat

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Continue to the fall quarter17, seniors and juniors are keep going to focus on planning analysis assessment and development of CEP. Opportunities for community building and all-major policy deliberation and decisions. Having different workshops for skill building and facilitation. Perfect time to gather with all CEPsters and updating each other about the individual study plans, senior project, and study abroad experiences.

CEP 303 - Social Structures and Processes
5 credits - CEP core requirement

This class aims to develop a conceptual understanding of the social structures in the community and environment. Through the foundations, impacts, and the methods to maintain our society. This class also provides a project and some study cases to let students learn about how is the community planning works in the real world.

CEP 400 Governance Practicum

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Continue to the last quarter, this is the opportunities to develop the soft-skills. For example, leadership skills, democratic decision making, and become an active listener and speaker. We can through this class to try our best to improve CEP, such as provide suggestions and opinions on the scale, grading policy, and events.

AIS 335 American Indians and the Law

5 credits - Diversity course requirements

History of laws governing American Indians: aboriginal law systems, U. S. laws, and contemporary tribal laws. Effects of laws and legal institutions on contemporary Indian identity and tribal status, self-government, land ownership and use, natural resources, religion, family life, cultural and spiritual practices, crimes and punishment, and federal responsibilities for Indians. Students can through the theories, historical trends, readings, class discussions, and other activities to explore the reality of diversity.

English 104: Communication Strategies for the American Classroom
5 credits - General education requirement

Continue to develop my English skills. This class focuses on listening and speaking skills which is useful in every university courses. This class helps me to practice asking questions, sharing thoughts, and taking effective notes. Another experience I gained from this class was practicing my public speaking skill. We did various presentations during this quarter, so it was a very great opportunity to practice my speaking skill.

URBDP 480 Planning as a Profession

1 credit - CEP methods course

Provide different opportunity to let students understand and explore the urban planning pathways and career choices. I can through this class to meet with the one who currently works in planning fields. I received lots of useful suggestions from the guests and experiences to highlight the important key issues, skills used, and trips to enter this field.

GEOG 360 GIS and Mapping

5 credits - CEP methods course

Provided the background information about the mapping and be specific to learn about the geographic information systems (GIS). Tutorials and labs are including in this class, they work perfectly to show the relationship between an electronic device and online GIS. I can through the theories, lectures, readings, class discussions, tests, assignments, and other activities to explore the reality of using GIS.

URBDP 498: Accessibility & the Built Environment: Just Design?
3 credits - CEP methods course

A class to study the interaction between humans and the built environment with an emphasis on usability and inclusion. For differently-abled bodies, the built environment presents daily challenges. I can through the reading, assignment, presentation, discussion, site visits, and other activities to understand what types of physical and social barriers are found in the built environment and how do those barriers limit access for some/all.

CEP300 CEP Retreat

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Continue to the spring quarter18, seniors and juniors are keep going to focus on planning analysis assessment and development of CEP. Opportunities for community building and all-major policy deliberation and decisions. Having different workshops for skill building and facilitation. Perfect time to gather with all CEPsters and updating each other about the individual study plans, senior project, and study abroad experiences.

CEP 400 Governance Practicum

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Continue to the last quarter, this is the opportunities to develop strengthen the skill of democratic decision making and learn from my classmates. Meanwhile, through the process of guarding the new juniors, all seniors are able to develop their leadership skills in a practical way. Same as usual, we are trying our best to improve CEP by the various way, such as on share coming-up events, vote for the policy, and work on a committee to keep CEP ongoing.

CEP 446 Internship

5 credits - CEP core requirement

Provides group and individual readings to develop an understanding of the internship's working field. We can through this class to explore the key elements of a community and environmental planning. A great opportunity to learn about how do fit ourselves in the society, thus, make use of the skills and knowledge where are learn from the classes and instructors.

CEP 460 Planning in Context

5 credits - CEP core requirement

A class to practice for the historical understanding of social, political, and environmental planning. Through the critique to explore more viewpoints of the planning history, ethics, ecofeminism, environmental justice, class, and capitalism. Develop a personalized and professional experience. I can through this class to gain more practical knowledge and skill, such as making use of the urban planning skills from CEP 303 and leadership skills from CEP400. Thus, complete a professional teamwork project.

CEP 490 Senior Project Prep Seminar I: Research and Project Scoping

1 credit - CEP core requirement

The class is particular for CEPsters to build up their senior project which allows them to receive feedback from their classmates and instructors. CEPsters need to create their own project title, work on different research, and develop feasible planning by themselves. This class helped me to build up my project path steps by steps.

English 103 Writing From Sources

5 credits - General education requirement

Continue to develop my English skills. This class focuses on writing skills which are useful in every university courses. Through this class, I can practice asking questions, sharing thoughts, and taking effective notes. Another expectation is to learn how to express a different standpoint in the classroom.

CEP 400 Governance Practicum

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Continue to the last quarter, great opportunities to develop democratic decision making and learn from my classmates. Meanwhile, through the process of leading the juniors, it is a great opportunity to develop my leadership skills too. Students can share their proposition and ask all CEPsters to vote on it, thus, develop CEP in the better way.

CEP 461: Ethics and Identity

5 credits - CEP core requirement

This is a class deal with the human species in the procession of life. Allow students to go through different philosophers' viewpoints to examine our own beliefs. It shows the strength and weaknesses of every value. Provide chances to encourage students to critically think about new values in society, culture, family, school, and ourselves. I hope this class can lead me to observe and define more about the ethically and establish personal identity and perception. Thus, allow me to rethink my way of thinking and develop a better understanding of the relationship with others.

CEP 491: Senior Project Prep Seminar II: Methods and Actualization

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Continue to the CEP490, this class is for CEPsters to build up their individual senior project which allows them to receive feedback from the classmates and instructors. Based on the work I did in CEP490, I believe it provides a good foundation for me to develop in CEP491 and achieve in a practical way. This class allows me to notice more suggestions from my colleagues and instructors, thus, it leads me to make my senior project comes real.

DIS ST 332 A Disability and Society

5 credits - CEP methods course

This is a class to lead students concentrates on the issues in disability studies. Students are required to focus on thinking about disability and sexuality as intimately related and socially constructed identities. This class is related to “URBDP 498: Accessibility & the Built Environment: Just Design?” which I took in the Summer2018. I would like to make use of DIS ST 332 to learn about the relationship between disability and society, try my best to understand and explore more information about the disabled. Thus, step by step to plan a better community for the whole. Design a community which benefits for as many as groups of people.

L ARCH 361 The Human Experience of Place

3 credits - CEP methods course

This course focuses on how to explore the reciprocal relationship between people and the landscapes of daily. Through the readings, discussions, in-class activities, video clips, and assignments, students can learn more about the relationship between humans and place. I believe I can explore more about the urban public space, diversity, politics of space use, and the environmental attitude. All of the aspects are connected to us and the community.

CEP300 CEP Retreat

1 credit - CEP core requirement

This is my final retreat which corporates with all CEPsters to keep going to focus on planning analysis assessment and development of CEP. Opportunities for community building and all-major policy deliberation and decisions. Having different workshops for skill building and facilitation. Perfect time to gather with all CEPsters and updating each other about the individual study plans, senior project, and study abroad experiences.

CEP 400 Governance Practicum

1 credit - CEP core requirement

Continue to the last quarter, a class to develop leadership skills and democratic decision making in practice. Also, seniors and juniors are able to learn from each other, thus, try our best to provide suggestions and opinions to improve CEP. Students are able to discuss and change the scale, grading policy, and CEP's events.

CEP 462 Community and Environment

5 credits - CEP core requirement

This is the core class in CEP because it provides the community field experiences for personal knowledge and skills. Students are able to reflect and synthesize their themes and get involved to engage the issue from society. Through this class to explore the theoretical definitions of a community and environment. Meanwhile, the class can train students to meet the deadline and practice how to work with different characteristics of people and groups. Thus, helps me to synthesize my university experiences and help me to grow and succeed in CEP.

LARCH 322 Introduction to Planting Design

3 credits - CEP methods course

Landscape design always includes with the planting. This class introduces the foundation of plant materials and their characteristics. Meanwhile, the basic technical consideration for selection will be included in the class. For example, climate, cultural, suitability, availability, costs, and maintenance. We talk about environmentally friendly all the time, but how can we work on it? I believe through this class, I can gain more knowledge about planting and pick the best choice to decorate the area. Tie the environment closer to our daily.

LARCH 454 History of Urban Landscapes and Environments

5 credits - CEP methods course

This class provides the basic principles and theories of urban structure and institutions. The concepts and logic of planning as a community process and professional activity. Students can learn the landscape's ideas in response to changing social, economic, and environmental conditions with the American, Asia, and Europe framework. Meanwhile, it helps me to explore the history and historiography of urban landscapes and the design of cities with an emphasis in the world.

Winter 2018: Reflection

This winter quarter I took two science classes, CEP302 and ATMS101 provided great opportunities to probe the issues of ecology. Therefore, lending me to build the connection between community and nature. CEP400 kept learning the hard and soft skills. In this quarter, I was still in the Communication team and kept on improving my skills on InDesign, Illustration, and Photoshop. Especially in the InDesign and Illustration section. I learned to create a brand-new logo and poster in Photoshop. I created a CEP open house poster (shown below). I feel really excited to apply those awesome professional skills I learned from my peers and instructors. On the other hand, I also volunteered to share my own experiences and stories in CEP400 forum. I not only tried to strengthen my public speaking skills and courage, but also got involved in CEP events. Finally, in ENGL102, my grammar structure, reading and writing skills, and vocabulary were improving. I effectively used vocabulary in my essays in a professional way.

Spring 2018: Reflection

This quarter I was developing my social-network and leadership skills in CEP300, CEP400, and URBDP480. This was the second CEP retreat, so I was much more closer to my classmates than the fall one. Also, the next retreat, I will already be a senior. Therefore, I would like to learn more from my seniors and become a better senior in the next quarter. For CEP400, this was a good quarter to leave my comfort zone and moved to a new committee, Headlight. We were working on policy changing, providing some suggestions for a course, and keep editing the history of CEP. I participated in a sub-committee called "Put the E back to CEP". We focused on collected the opinions and suggestions from our classmates and reflected the instructor and teaching assistant. Through this sub-committee, we hope it can help the CEP302: Environmental Response becomes much valuable. The past two quarters, I had built the basic concepts of community and environment. Therefore, this quarter I did develop the other skills. CEP303 was a class to develop the skill of planning a greater community and handle various projects to understanding how to work in reality. Continued to train my English skill in ENGL104, it was a class focused on listening and speaking, so it was practical and useful in my daily life and classes. Learned to speak as a local not only can helped me to get involved in classes' discussion but also extend my social network. URBDP480 was a foundation of leading me to enter the career of CEP. The past quarter, I learned many methods to build up my knowledge of theories. Therefore, I would like to learn some professional practice skills to take a balance between theory and practice. Finally, I completed my diversity requirement with AIS335. This class provided many scenes from the History of Native American. Through different real case to learn about how the Native American be treated in an unfair and unrepeatable way. Provided a good sense of the equity and fit in the different field.

Fall 2018: Reflection

This was my first seniors' quarter. It was my first time to meet with the new juniors in CEP300 and CEP400. My goal was same as the previous seniors who able to lead the juniors and growth together. For CEP400, I was one of the committees of 'Put the E back to CEP' in Headlight. We collected the opinions and data from our classmates and analyzed them. Thus, provided suggestions to the instructor and teaching assistant. We hoped that information can improve the CEP302 be more valuable. Therefore, I spend lots of effort and time to work on this project. For CEP460, I made use of the knowledge and skills which I knew from the CEP303 and CEP400. We were assigned to work with the City of Bellevue and Mini City Hall. The goal of this project was to determine where can be the perfect location for a second Mini City Hall in South Bellevue and what services and partnerships should be offered to best serve the residents of South Bellevue. I learned a lot from this project, especially of the experience from the real world. The last summer quarter, I was working on my internship in Puget Sound Christian Clinic. Therefore, I reconnected my internship's experience in CEP460. I learned more interview tips from my instructor. On the other hand, CEP490 was a class which helped me to plan well for my senior project. I received many suggestions and feedback from my classmates and instructors. It helped me to build up a great foundation for my senior project. For English 103, I strengthen my English abilities, especially on criticized the academic readings, simplified the key idea, and developed the thoughts on my writing.

Winter 2019: Reflection

Unlike the previous winter quarter, which focused on understanding and exploring environmental science. I focused on ethics, identity, society, and urban planning. For CEP400, this was the second quarter which worked with the juniors. Therefore, it was a great opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills and my social network. Through the CEP461, I explored the new values in the society, culture, family, school, friends, and myself, thus, helped me to better understand my own views, beliefs, and identity, especially concerned more on the ethics, identity, and social issues. This was even prevalent in the CEP491, L ARCH361, and DIS ST332. If I have a better understanding and different view of myself, community, and people, those experiences may explore some new ideas or thoughts which I hadn't thought before. They helped me to come up with a reflection or thoughts what I truly want to change, improve in our community, and make some significant progress.

Spring 2019: Reflection

Spring 2019, it was the quarter to wrap everything up for me because it was my final quarter in CEP. The CEP300 and CEP400 helped me to build strong leadership, hard-skills, and soft-skills which benefit in the future. Meanwhile, I miss my peers so much because CEP is the place where I built my confidence and friendship. For LARCH454, much more focused on the history of the landscape. Kind of narrow into a professional layer of learning what was the difference in landscape between the past and current. It helped to learn how can we make use of history and create a better community for the future. For CEP462, it was a capstone to let me explore more in the community and environment. It helped me to focus on my Senior Project, ISP, and reflection about my two years in CEP. Provided a chance to look back at what I had already done and complete anything I might not have finished yet. For the L ARCH322, it was a good opportunity to learn more about how can we plant more suitable plants in our community. Planting was not only can beautify the environment but also learned to create a place in natural biology. Our society is not just design for humans and artificial stuff, plants should also include in our future planning blueprint. Therefore, my final quarter in CEP was super busy and stressful. Yet, as the saying goes: one's effort will pay off. With this quarter completed, I graduated from UW and be able to know where I have been and look forward to my next milestone.

Summer 2018: Reflection

Never stop to learn was a perfect slogan to represent my summer quarter. Instead of taking a quarter break, I chose to take 8 credits to keep learning. I took the GEOG 360 to challenge myself to work with geographic information systems (GIS). This class taught me the foundation of using GIS and how to connect the GIS with urban planning and design tasks. We had two lectures and two labs' class a week. Moreover, there were weekly test and lab assignment. All tasks helped me to understand the knowledge and make use of it. Challenge and busy but worth for it. I would like to say GEOG 360 as a hard-skill class and URBDP 498 as a soft-skill class. Through this class, I was not only be taught how to design a better living environment for differently-bodies but also learned how to put ourselves into others' shoes. Thus, the best way to learn about the experience was to feel it by yourself. It was the biggest thing I learned from my environmental audit and project.