Hi everyone! My name is Javier, and I’m about to embark on what feels like the biggest adventure of my life — moving to New York City to work at MQ Architecture as part of the Arquia Foundation scholarship program.
I studied architecture at ETSAM in Madrid and after years of studio nights, endless crits, and falling deeper in love with design, I decided I wanted to push myself beyond what I already knew.
I first heard about this opportunity through one of the cultural events organized by Fundación Arquia. If you don’t know them yet, they do an incredible job bringing the architecture community together — talks, exhibitions, publications — and somewhere in between all of that, I found out about this program. I honestly wasn’t sure I’d get it, but in the end, I was one of the selected candidates to be an Arquia scholarship beneficiary.
That’s when Architect-US came into the picture. From day one, they were genuinely supportive — walking me through every requirement, reviewing my portfolio, and helping me figure out the best way to land interviews and, ultimately, the job. Having someone who actually knows the process in your corner makes all the difference.
The visa process was its own chapter — bureaucracy is never fun, but having Architect-US by your side makes a real difference. They guided me through every single step, from paperwork to the embassy appointment, and knowing someone who actually understands the process is there for you takes a huge weight off your shoulders. My advice: start early, keep your documents in order, and trust the people helping you.
Now, days away from landing at JFK, what excites me most about New York is something I’ve always felt drawn to: the sheer density of architectural culture happening there. The city itself is a masterclass in urban design, and the professional scene — the studios, the competitions, the conversations — is unlike anywhere else in the world. For someone who is passionate about architecture and design, this isn’t just a job. It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
