There is no shortage of opportunities to meet people who have had an influence on the world around us here at the University. From meeting the various architects who come to speak at School of Architecture events and the mayor of Charlottesville to guided tours of the city led by an eminent planner, you can't go wrong. For all who say lessons are best learned outside the classroom, University of Virginia does a good job of making those lessons good ones.
I have yet to go through a week of checking my university e-mail account without seeing an invite to listen to the ideas of someone successful. Just yesterday, Mark Miller, an architect and entrepreneur, shared ways to apply talents to areas that are underserved. Miller's company creates sustainable school buildings and uses the knowledge of people from all different disciplines. Instead of allowing the uncertainty of a bad job market to fester, UVa provides a different, more creative perspective.
Class is much more interesting this way. When your planning professor shows you slides of a beautiful and well-designed European city, that's great. But when there's a possibility that, when he comes to Charlottesville, he may vsit your class? That makes getting out of bed worthwhile.
This takes learning to a whole new level. The dialogue between students and people who are often being talked about in the classroom enhances the learning experience and makes the time in that Friday class fly by.
