Alumni Interview: Ayse Ozkan

Ayse Ozkan was an Introductory Rider on our team, and an Architecture major with a Sustainability minor, who gradated in May 2021.  She ultimately became a Co-Captain on the team, and she's now Pratt Equestrian's alumni coordinator, helping to keep our alumni riders informed of the team's activities and progress.  We're delighted to catch up with Ayse about the career she's begun since graduation, and to ask about her memories of riding on the team while a student at Pratt.

Can you tell us what went into your choosing Pratt as your college?  
 
Pratt has one of the best architectural programs in the country, so it was easily on the top of my list. Visiting the campus and seeing the atmosphere and those famous Pratt Cats also had an impact.
 
 
Can you share a few examples of particularly important or memorable moments in your courses?
 
Oh, so many I wouldn’t know where to begin. I would say Pratt is well known for many of its departments, but the Sustainability Department is very under rated. Some of the most eye-opening and interactive courses I took were for my Sustainability Minor. I had the opportunity to interview brands, learn how to calculate life cycle assessments for products, and look at a product beyond its intended use. As designers, our main courses feed our creative side, but by taking classes that dive deep into the production, end of life , and economic forces behind the designs teaches us the physical and social impact of a design.  
 
We’d love to hear what being on the equestrian team meant to you, in a large-picture kind of way.
 
My absolute best memories of at Pratt where on the team. Every minute on the horse was a minute I wasn’t stressing about school work. My grades went up after I joined the team. As an equestrian, you have to take care of yourself to then take care of the horse. For the first time, eating full meals and sleeping well, at least before a ride, became a priority. I hope to carry that life work balance into my career. 
 
We always tell everyone that our team is a close one. Can you share a memory that you treasure?
  
I joined the team with no experience, so our first show, with about 10 lessons back then, was probably one of the most intimidating things I’ve done. I’d never been in a ring without my teammates and as soon as I mounted, I had stress nausea just thinking all the ways I could mess up in the next few minutes. As my horse and I were  walking around the ring, I realized that my small team of eight had completely surrounded the ring. One of them whispered as I walked by “I’ll tap my head if you’re doing something wrong.”  Trotting around, I would see a big smiles and a bunch of thumbs up every 15-20 feet. I won my team a third-place ribbon that day, and didn’t get a single head tap. This was the day I realized how we are a team sport, even though we almost never compete in the ring together. 
 
Can you also tell us about the work you’ve been doing since graduating from Pratt, and how you think your Pratt education prepared you for that?
 
I’m currently working at MV+A Architects as an Architectural Designer. Pratt prepared me to question every design decision I make, to remember that there’s more than one way to approach a problem. Critiques at Pratt, like any respectable architectural program, are no walk in the park. By the time you graduate you will have experienced the best- and worst-case scenarios of getting feedback. You learn, process, adjust, and apply that to any work-life scenario. 
 
Looking forward, what hopes or plans do you have for your future?
 
I’m currently studying for my Architectural registration exams! For the long run I hope to specialize in sustainable design methods and green buildings. And, of course, I hope to continue riding and competing in the IHSA’s Alumni Division. 
 
What advice can you give recruits as they join the team?
 
Everything you do and learn on this team will help you navigate the real world. Our sport is all about communication, take advantage of that skill. 
 
Any last words for your former teammates and those who’ve joined more recently?
 
 I love and miss you all so much! I’m training for our next home show and can’t wait to make the trip up to cheer you on next year!