OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Faculty members in the Department of Architecture often offer short-term study abroad experiences to a diverse range of locations. These programs typically are held in the summer and vary between two and five weeks abroad. Each program will have its own specific requirements for participation, but all require that students are accepted into their departmental course of study. Some past locations have included Czech Republic and Vietnam.

China
Students can travel to China for two weeks to study Chinese art, architecture, landscape and urban design. Field Studies in Chinese Architecture typically is offered each year in May. Students interact directly with leading professionals in Chinese art, architecture, landscape and urban design while gaining an understanding of the historical, social, economic and political forces that have shaped trends and practices in those fields. The course enables students to experience China first hand and explore non-Western methods of creating art and built environments as well as the symbiotic relationship of these elements with the natural environment in China.

Germany
In collaboration with faculty and students from Germany and other U.S. architecture programs, the Berlin Summer Academy explores the possibility of designing an architectural environment for a low-carbon lifestyle. Due to the construction needs after the reunification of Germany, Berlin has become a field laboratory for energy-efficient design in many new residential, commercial and government buildings. This intense design program, which is held in collaboration with the Polytechnic Berlin, investigates technical requirements and architectural opportunities. In addition to studio work, students also participate in field trips to energy-efficient buildings and visit professional offices in Berlin. ISU faculty and leading Berlin professionals work with participants.