The first thing that becomes obvious as you start the program is that almost everything is based around teamwork. Teamwork that, most of the time, is with people who have different communication styles, goals, or experiences. As you can see from our team biographies, everyone on this team is unique in a number of ways.

At the core of all this is what we call "The Lab." As Masters students, we have a dedicated space for our projects and classes that acts as an academic and social hub for the entire class. The Lab is a coagulation of work and play consisting of meetings, video games, user studies, and Nerf-gun wars.

At the beginning of the Spring semester, we are divided into project teams consisting of four to five people to work for external clients who sponsor projects. Each team gets their own project room that can be used for meetings, conference calls with clients, or closed-door goofing off. Project rooms are spaces you are encouraged to make your own -- it is your team's home for the next two semesters. Our room had a nice corner window into a hallway, and since we were working with a fish-friendly client, we put a fish-tank there.

When we're not at The Lab working or playing, we'll often get together to go dancing, bowling, camping, watch a movie, play games, or just plain party. At the end of the program, there is definitely an urge to call those around you family, not colleagues.