Tatiana Valiero is 18 years old, and until last year, she was a senior at Liceo Providencia. It was there that she learned about ORT’s scholarship program and decided to pursue her passion: interior design.
In March 2020, Tatiana began the Interior Design Technician program at ORT’s School of Architecture, with a full scholarship covering the entire program. In this interview, she shares her experience leading up to receiving the scholarship and what her life is like as a student in the program today.
How did your interest in design begin? What were your first experiences with design?
My interest began when I was a little girl, as I imagined how I would build a house and decorate it. As I grew older, I developed a passion for all kinds of trends. I also became interested in different styles of homes and the stories behind them.
My initial interest was sparked by a TV show I love, which focuses on tearing down and building houses from scratch, tailored to people's needs and tastes.
How and when did you realize that your interest had turned into a calling and that you wanted to pursue a career in design?
I'm not 100% sure, but every time I learn something new, I like it more and get excited about it. I've always really enjoyed the creative field.
What was your first experience with the world of design from a more academic perspective?
My first exposure to this was at ORT; I hadn't studied anything like it before. I had seen blueprints, but I hadn't taken a class or anything like that.
What aspects of design have you discovered since you started college?
I think that when we hear the term “interior design,” we all assume it’s just about decorating a room, but once you get into it, you realize—and are taught—that it’s so much more than that. It’s about ensuring that everything makes sense, has a logical order, and meets the client’s needs, but it’s also important that everything has a purpose and that nothing is there just for the sake of it.
How did you hear about the ORT scholarship program?
I found out about it through the two high schools I attended: Providencia and Ánima. Through them, I learned that ORT offered special scholarships for these schools. In addition, representatives from ORT came to speak at these schools. That’s how I was able to learn more about the program and decide to sign up.
What was the scholarship application process like, and how did you find it?
It was similar to high school. We had special scholarships there, too. In this case, I had to sign up on the ORT website and take the test, just like everyone else. The website provided a PDF with practice exercises to help prepare for the test.
On the day of the test, I remember there was only one room, and it was pretty crowded. They had also come to take the test. I spent about two hours taking the test.
From the moment I signed up until I found out I’d won the scholarship, I was nervous the whole time.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about applying to the ORT scholarship program?
I'd tell him to give it a try. He certainly has nothing to lose by trying, and it's a great opportunity.