Zoe Glentworth

Zoe Glentworth

Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, Reimagining India Study Tour

Introduction

Kia ora e hoa mā! Ko Zoë tēnei.

I’m studying my Architecture Masters at Victoria University of Wellington. I am headed to India with the IndoGenius team to adventure through streets, temples, gardens, NGOs, slums, palaces, and villages. We will be learning from the way this economic, technological, and innovative superpower of a country is tackling big issues – and celebrating along the way. What a privilege to be on this trip!

After visiting Kolkata slums in 2019, my architectural trajectory shifted – to focus on finding solutions to poverty, well-being, and climate change challenges for marginalised groups. I am keen to learn from the unique complexities of India’s built environment and how it is used as a tool for social change. 

I LOVE dancing on rooftops, how architecture can generate community connection, the way a generous act can be multipliable, the disruption of colour, witnessing the power of compassion,  talking about faith, re-imagining how we use public space, growing plants (and eating them), learning languages (currently Te Reo Māori), and practising hope in the face of challenge. My blogs will be filtered through this lens; I hope you can learn a bit about this crazy delightful country through my updates.

Kia tau te rangimārie ki a koutou.