Garryl is a current international student studying his Bachelor of Architecture at Curtin University.
Being from an international background, with English as a second language, he sheds light on the impact of language on academic and personal development and the strategies to overcome barriers.
Hello everyone,
I am Garryl Kalonji. It is a big honour to stand before you tonight to share my experience as an international student in this wonderful multicultural country. As an international student of colour who does not have English as my first language, I have faced some challenges throughout my studies and the industry in such a threatening field as architecture. Despite these challenges, my understanding of diversity has been positively shaped by several outstanding experiences in the architectural workspace.
I am originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I came to Australia almost two years ago to pursue my undergraduate studies in architecture and gain a high level of education in a multicultural and developed country. Thus, I had to learn a new language because I am from a non-English-speaking country. At the start of my study path, it felt hard to share my ideas and thoughts due to language barriers. I felt that I was not understood and could not communicate. Those who have ever travelled overseas can testify that it is super frustrating not to be able to understand and be understood. Besides that, being from a different background has made me face some unconscious stereotyping and discrimination. Even though these are big challenges to overcome, I saw this as a great opportunity to open myself to diverse assets that, being from a different background, could benefit me, my surroundings and the architectural workspace.
I have always had big dreams since I was a child, and I believe that architects play a huge role in the environment and communities. Architecture is a field where we need to communicate to share our thoughts, and by embracing diversity, we open ourselves to new ways of communicating our ideas. My experience as an international student who had to learn a new language to communicate his ideas has taught me that combining two people who can define something in different languages can open doors to several views when diversity is turned into acceptance. Living in a multicultural country helped me understand that various perspectives can raise new visions, better solutions, and big ideas appropriate for current and future generations. As Malcolm Forbes suggested, “Diversity: the art of thinking independently together.” That thought comes to mind: architecture connects people, and big visions are created when acknowledging diversity. For example, I had the chance to make some friends who are today some of my best mates, and all of them are from different backgrounds, even though some were born Australian. The background differences that we all have made us share some thoughts and ideas that could have never happened if our differences were not accepted. Therefore, as architects, we can better address the needs and preferences of a wider range of communities by including various voices and perspectives in the design process. These could result in more socially responsible and culturally sensitive design solutions that positively impact the built environment.
I am grateful today to be able to speak English even though I am still looking for my best Australian accent. Like everyone who gets to share his thoughts in front of an audience, I am responsible for making a call to a cause that could benefit many who, like me, have experienced some challenges due to their differences. As Stephen Covey mentioned: “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.”
Today, I call on everyone to prioritise diversity in our workspace as it can improve the future by opening different perspectives and motivating people who feel oppressed to raise their voices and ideas. Doing so can foster a sense of belonging, improve collaboration, and drive innovation. Let us make our differences not viewed as discriminatory elements but as qualities of elegance. I remember that day when I walked into an office of a local practice asking for an internship. Unfortunately, my differences outweighed my knowledge and skills. As a result, what I received was just good compliments on my work and no concrete opportunities.
I believe differences can be seen as qualities, especially for a country like Australia; we can build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future for all. This can make all of us stronger by merging and accepting our differences to make us a single diverse community promoted by an inclusive Architecture language.
Thank you
Presentation by Garryl Kalonji at CASA Conversations event as part of Perth Design Week 2024
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