REFLECTION LETTER
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Haiva Ashia Qonita, commonly known as Iva. I am a sixth-semester student at Brawijaya University.
To share a little backstory before I was accepted at RAW. I applied to several other firms with the simple hope of landing an internship, not really caring where I ended up. I didn’t think much of it at the time and expected the experience would just be a standard requirement to check off my list. I was honestly just going through the motions.
But joining this internship truly felt like a second chance in life. Seeing new people, new perspectives, new lifestyles. I learnt a lot, mostly from the people who surrounded me.
I quickly realized that the greatest takeaway from my time here wasn’t just about mastering software or understanding design philosophies, it was about the relationships that were built. I am profoundly grateful to the designers and mentors who guided me. To Kak Tyo, Kak Adit, Kak Ken, Kak Chai, Kak Novi, Kak Ikhsan, Kak Putra, Ci Mei, Ci Gaby, Kak Aul, Kak Ingrid, Kak Ryan, Kak Adit, Kak Mel, and all the other designers that I couldn’t mention, thank you for your endless patience and for taking the time to walk me through the rigorous reality of this profession. You didn’t just review my work, you respected my ideas and shaped my understanding of what it truly means to be a professional architect. You also gave me a completely new perspective on life, especially on how to navigate life after graduation.
And to my fellow interns, thank you for being the absolute best support system. Surviving the tight deadlines, the overwhelming coordination, and the sheer weight of studio life wouldn’t have been possible, or nearly as fun without all of you. I’m not one to believe that all of life is just about work, and you all proved exactly why. Those bowling trips, the shared meals, and the collective laughter after a long, exhausting day made the heavy moments feel incredibly light. Made me realize that we’re all in it together.
This experience reminded me that we don’t have to figure everything out on our first try, and we certainly don’t have to do it by ourselves. Without this unexpected second chance, I would have missed out on this incredible community and been left to face the reality of this field entirely on my own. As Gregory Alan Isakov said, “If it weren’t for second chances we would all be alone.”
Thank you, RAW Architecture, for the second chance, the unforgettable lessons, and most importantly, for the people who made sure I wasn’t alone.
My Mayonnaise Jar 