As a graduate of the School of Architecture of NTUA, I carry within me memories that have left an indelible mark not only on my professional path but also on the way I perceive the world.

The years at the school were filled with creativity, intensity, effort, and countless hours spent inside the Polytechnic. For us it was not merely a place of study; it was almost a second home. We would spend entire days there, from morning until late at night, attending classes, exchanging ideas, designing, and working tirelessly on our assignments and models. Through that daily coexistence, the shared anxieties, the deadlines, and the small and large achievements, bonds were forged that stood the test of time. Even today I remain in close contact with many of my fellow students, both through personal meetings and through alumni reunions, because the friendships of that period were built upon experiences we shared with passion, dedication, and a common vision.

Among my most precious memories stand out the school’s educational trips. They were not mere excursions; they were true journeys of life. We were given the opportunity to discover unique and often distant destinations, to see remarkable works of architecture at first hand, and to explore cities and cultures through the eyes of an architect. Those experiences broadened my horizons and profoundly influenced the way I perceive space, aesthetics, and culture to this day.

A particularly special place in my memories is held by the “Kamarini” — as our personal workspace was called. It was much more than a studio or a drafting room. It was a meeting point, a place of creation, and of uninterrupted work. I spent endless hours there drawing by hand, developing ideas, and assembling models, often well into the night.

A distinctive place in my journey is also held by one of my professors, whom I shall never forget. At a critical moment in my studies he perceived potential in me that I myself had perhaps not yet fully recognised. He approached me and urged me to think seriously about continuing my studies in the United States. He encouraged me to believe more in myself, to seek new experiences, and to envision a future beyond the limits I then took for granted. His advice and confidence in me proved decisive for my subsequent path, opening new roads and giving me the courage to pursue a dream that I might otherwise never have dared to follow.

Looking back, I realise that the National Technical University of Athens offered me not only knowledge and professional tools. It gave me lifelong friendships, unique experiences, mentors, and a way of thinking that accompanies me to this day. For all these reasons, the years spent there will always remain one of the most cherished and formative chapters of my life.