Your Design Passport

Am I about to undo my entire career?
That was the question I couldn’t shake when I started the process of moving from Australia to the United States as an architect.

When you move countries, you don’t just change where you live — you leave an entire version of your life behind and step into uncertainty.
In this episode of Your Design Passport, we talk about what it really means to find home in Australia — emotionally, practically, and personally.
 
My guest today is Bonnie Worth, a real estate expert and principal who has helped countless newcomers navigate renting and buying in Australia — including my own family when we first arrived.

No one had done it before — so Emily Perna decided to figure it out herself. When her architecture school didn’t have an existing exchange program in Australia, Emily built her own path, structured her own curriculum, and spent five months studying architecture at the University of Sydney.

This is where everyone meets on the same starting line.
In this episode of Your Design Passport, we’re diving deep into the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) — the final hurdle before you can officially call yourself an architect in Australia.
Whether you trained locally or internationally, the APE is the great equaliser. It’s challenging, humbling, and absolutely achievable — especially when you understand what’s actually being assessed.
Download APE Registration Checklist

This whole thing teaches you patience before you even board the plane.
In this episode of Your Design Passport, I’m walking you through exactly how I transferred my architectural qualifications from South Africa to Australia — through the Overseas Qualification Assessment (OQA).
If you’ve been staring at AACA documents, NSCA templates, and checklists wondering where to even begin, this episode is your grounded, honest starting point.
AU Rego Resource Download

“Do not think that the Middle East is glamorous all the time. There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears in order to make six-month programs work.”
In this episode of Your Design Passport, architect and project manager Carl Adams pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a global architecture career — beyond the Instagram posts and glossy portfolios.
Your Design Passport
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Carl Adams - LinkedIn
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This qualification becomes your global passport.
In Part 2 of this mini-series on becoming a registered architect in South Africa, we move beyond architecture school and into the phase that transforms you into a professional — mentorship, thesis, candidacy, logbooks, the PPE exam, and finally, registration with SACAP.
This episode is both a roadmap and a reflection on how these milestones shape not just your career, but your confidence, credibility, and global mobility as an architect. Download PDF here

This journey is about so much more than ticking academic boxes — it shapes who you become as a designer.
In this episode of Your Design Passport, I’m opening the door to what it actually looks like to begin an architecture career in South Africa — beyond prospectuses, entry requirements, and glossy studio photos.
This is Part 1 of a two-part mini-series where I walk you through the real foundations of studying architecture in South Africa: how people arrive here (often by accident), what schools really expect, and why studio culture becomes something you carry with you long after graduation.

In the first episode of Your Design Passport, I share my journey across Johannesburg, Brisbane, and Dallas—exploring identity, burnout, and reinvention. From rebuilding confidence and navigating multi-country licensing to surviving high-pressure architecture, pivoting to specs during COVID, and rediscovering joy in the U.S., this story is for anyone dreaming of working abroad or starting over.

🎙️ Your Design Passport — Unlock global pathways in architecture, design, and creative leadership. Hosted by Sam G, a triple-registered architect in South Africa, Australia, and the USA. Explore international licensure, global design trends, and wellness hacks for sustainable creative careers. Brick by brick, border by border — stamp Your Design Passport, one story at a time.