
Explore Your Future
Joshua heeft deelgenomen aan ons Explore your Future programma met thema ‘architectuur’. In 8 weken tijd hebben deelnemers, die vaak zelf een achtergrond in architectuur/bouwkunde of passie hiervoor hebben, gewerkt aan een challenge om een tiny house op het water te ontwerpen, hebben ze workshops gevolgd over interculture communicatie en de Nederlandse arbeidsmarkt en nieuwe contacten en inspiratie opgedaan tijdens bedrijfsbezoeken. Joshua heeft een voorliefde voor design en deelt hieronder in gesprek met Stichting SIF collega Andrea meer over zichzelf, zijn ervaring in het programma en in Nederland.
Wil je Joshua verder helpen? Hij zoekt vooral naar meer netwerk en contacten in de wereld van interieur design om zich hier verder in te bekwamen! (Onderstaand interview is in het Engels).
Explore Your Future is onderdeel van de programmering van Plan Einstein. Plan Einstein is een initiatief vanuit Gemeente Utrecht en dé plek waar mooie ontmoetingen plaatsvinden. Waar bewoners van Utrechtse asielzoekerscentra, buurtbewoners en andere Utrechters samen leven, samen leren en samen werken.

“Dutch architecture is fascinating! The use of water and canals is especially interesting. I didn’t know water houses were even possible before coming here” – Joshua
Joshua
- Name: Joshua Wycliff Kawuta
- Country of Origin: Uganda
- Arrived in the Netherlands: April 2024
A: How are you finding life in the Netherlands so far?
J: I’m loving it here! I really enjoy the weather, the people are so kind, and it’s been great so far. The Netherlands feels like a good fit for me.
A: Can you describe yourself in five words?
J: Motivated, versatile, hard-working, friendly, confident.
A: I would agree with all of those.
J: (laughs) Friendly is the best one! If you’re friendly with someone, the bond of friendship makes everything better. It helps you go far with people. No one wants to work with someone who isn’t friendly.
A: What achievement are you most proud of in life?
J: Based on my background, I’d say my greatest achievement was excelling in education back home. When I did my college course, I faced a lot of challenges. People told me “you cannot make it”, but I pushed through. On graduation day, I had done it! That’s my greatest achievement. I faced many challenges, but that’s the one that stands out to me.
A: Let’s talk a bit about the program. What made you want to join?
J: I’ve always had a love for interior design. When I looked at the program brochure and saw that it included architecture, I thought, “This is it!” I’ve moved around a lot in Amsterdam and fell in love with the architecture and interior design of the buildings there. I felt that joining this program would help me deepen my knowledge and be able to contribute something valuable in the future. That’s how I ended up here.
A: I remember you mentioning that your background is more medical, which is quite different from this field.
J: Yes, it is! Back in my country, it’s common to study something your parents want you to study, not what you want to study. My parents wanted me to pursue medicine, but I’ve always loved design. I’ve always loved fancy things.
A: If you could have chosen, would you have studied architecture?
J: Yes, exactly!
A: What are some of the highlights of the program for you?
J: I have two highlights. The first one was the lecture about Dutch culture. It was crucial because it gave us insight into the Dutch way of life and helped me understand how to avoid conflicts. It was important to learn about the differences in cultures.
The second highlight was the company visits. It was eye-opening to see how people use space creatively, especially in smaller areas, and how they recycle and reuse materials. One company used timber from old buildings to create something beautiful. It was a great learning experience.
Architecture
A: When we connect back to Uganda. What do you think of architecture in Uganda?
J: The materials used in Uganda are much cheaper compared to here. You can create something big with a small amount of resources. But here, to create something big, I think you need a lot of money. The company visit to Buurman Utrecht/Cartesiushof our guide mentioned she was forced, not in a bad way, but to reuse old materials. New materials, new wood is quite expensive. In my country, things are very cheap. The approach to reusing materials is not common in Uganda. People usually throw things away because we have a lot of natural resources, like forests, so there’s no real pressure to recycle. We don’t have many recycling plants, so the culture of reusing is not as widespread. There’s an initiative for more recycling, but it’s still in the early stages. It takes time. Recently, there was a tragic incident where a large pile of waste fell and people died. It was awful. So yes, recycling needs more attention, but it’s a work in progress.
A: What would you like to introduce from Uganda to the Netherlands?
I haven’t seen any grass-thatched houses like we have in Uganda. I think they’re quite special. They’re very natural and practical. On cold days, they trap warmth inside, while on hot days, they keep the interior cool. I haven’t come across anything like that here.
A: What do you think of architecture in the Netherlands?
J: Dutch architecture is fascinating! The use of water and canals is especially interesting. I didn’t know water houses were even possible before coming here! The way the Dutch mix old and new architecture is something I love. You might see an old building on the outside and think: “nah this is so old”. But when you step inside, you think “no no it cannot be the same building!” You keep the culture and history and inside you are in the modern times, that is pretty good. Combining both worlds is nice.
A: Would you want to live in a house on the water?
J: Oh, it would be my first choice! I would choose that over a traditional house any day. (laughs)
A: Do you have a favorite building or space in the world that you’d recommend people check out?
J: There’s a building in Utrecht called Wonderwoods it is not finished yet. It is behind the central station. Every time I see it, I’m in awe. The design is so unique, and though the greenery isn’t fully in place yet, it’s something different. The way the blocks are built is unlike anything I’ve seen. I even took a video and sent it to my friend saying, “This is something special.” Once the green is added, it will be even more beautiful.
Future
A: Is architecture still something you’re interested in after this program?
J: Very much so. It’s motivating me in so many ways! The company visits we did were especially inspiring. I learned so much about how people use small spaces efficiently and how they reuse materials. It’s all just a matter of time before I dive deep into architecture!
A: What would your dream job look like?
J: When we visited RHAW, I loved it! I would love to create my own interior design firm with motivated, hard-working people. We’d create our own office space and handle client requests. I’d want to be an interior architect myself, not just a manager. It’s important to understand the system if you’re going to manage it effectively. And I’d love to focus on leisure — creating spaces where people can come and have fun, like recreational areas.
A: What do you think you need to make that dream happen?
J: One thing is building strong connections, which I’ve already started doing through company visits and the people I’ve met here. That’s really important. With your help, I hope to continue building those connections in the future. Of course, I also need to keep learning. I need to study architecture more deeply to understand the current trends and systems. For example, last time we talked about software, and I realized that the one I knew back in Uganda was outdated. Learning new tools and systems will help me reach my goal.
A: Thank you for your time, Joshua, it’s been a pleasure hearing your thoughts and experiences!
Get in Touch
Wil je meer weten over Plan Einstein (Explore Your Future) of over Joshua – neem contact op met Andrea of direct zelf met Joshua.
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