CUAbroad

Semester Programs

• Barcelona

  Spring Semester Only

  The program in Barcelona has been in operation since 2003 and is open to third year undergraduate students, as well as students enrolled in the graduate program. Accompanied by a design studio critic from the School of Architecture and Planning, students enroll in a full spring semester program of study that includes design studio, field study, history, theory and the local language. Field trips, guest speakers, and visiting design critics from Spain and other European countries are integrated with each semester's design investigations.

• Paris

  Fall Semester Only

  Begun in fall 2007, this program provides an opportunity for fourth-year students, as well as graduate students, to study in Paris for one semester. Accompanied by a design studio critic from the School of Architecture and Planning, students enroll in a full fall semester program of study that includes design studio, field study, history, theory and French. Field trips, guest speakers, and visiting design critics from France and Europe are integrated with each semester's design investigations. Guest critics include architects Dominique Perrault, Jean-Francoise Bonn, Rodo Tisnado, Odile Decq and Frederic Borel.

• Rome

  Spring Semester Only

  The Rome program has been operating since 1997 and is open to third year undergraduate students, as well as students enrolled in the graduate program. Accompanied by a design studio critic from the School of Architecture and Planning, students enroll in a full spring semester program of study that includes design studio, field study, history, theory and the local language. Field trips, guest speakers, and visiting design critics from Italy and other European countries are integrated with each semester's design investigations.

Current & Returning Students

Peer Advisors: Did study abroad change your life? Would you like to share your overseas experiences with other students? Are you looking for a satisfying volunteer experience to complement your resume? CUAbroad is pleased to continue our Peer Advisor Program for interested students. Peer Advisors assist education abroad staff in offering supplementary advising services by providing a student perspective to CUA students wishing to study abroad. They meet with prospective students and groups and offer guidance through the preparation process. See the Peer Advisor webpage for application instructions and additional information.

Ask a Student: We would love to feature your experiences on our Ask a Student webpage. To submit a profile, please complete this form, and send a picture of yourself in your study abroad location to CUAbroad.

Student Blogs: Do you have a blog? CUAbroad would love to feature your blog on our webapge. To submit a blog, please send the link to CUAbroad.

Keeping a blog can be a window into education abroad for interested and prospective students. If you're planning on keeping a blog while overseas, consider sharing it with CUAbroad for the benefit of other Architecture students.

Summer Programs

• Finland

   This 15 credit hour summer abroad program in Finland focuses on the role of architecture within the broader context of the Finnish national cultural identity. In the architecture of Finland, the constants of cultural identity; minimalism, pragmatism and an ecological conscience -- frame specific material and formal responses to the interrelationships between the Finnish landscape and its architecture. These responses are highly specific and are deeply-rooted in a wide variety of intuitive and unselfconscious artistic expressions.

• Summer Education Abroad (SEA)

  Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle International Studies Program

   Each summer, the School of Architecture and Planning conducts the Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle Foreign Studies Program in Europe. The program is open to students who have completed the third year studio sequence. Typically, the students spend three weeks in Italy; then, after one week for free travel, reconvene for two weeks or more in one or more other locations. In the past, these have been Spain, Germany, Austria, France, England, Greece, Turkey, and/or Scandinavia.

• Jerusalem

  This program allows fourth-year students, as well as graduate students, to study in Jerusalem for one month in the summer, equating to a six credit design studio. Accompanied by a design studio critic from the School of Architecture and Planning, The program will focus principally on development around a people mover station, addressing bicultural influences for Palestinian and Israeli communities in the vicinity. Urban Design and Project Implementation are key aspects to consider among other factors. 

• Spirit of Place | Spirit of Design

  In conjunction with Travis Price Architects, each year a unique Spirit of Place|Spirit of Design Design-Build Program takes students to remote sites throughout the world to construct environmentally sensitive structures that are culture and place specific.

Other International Opportunities

Course Based Travel
A variety of other travel opportunities are available for students. Studios and other courses often supplement the in-class learning experience with opportunities for both domestic and foreign travel. Opportunities include a Japan/China Study Program giving students exposure to the architecture, gardens, and urban design of Asian cultures and week long workshops at Casa Malaparte in Capri, Italy exploring the connection of architecture and landscape.

The FAAR Program
Each year two graduate students are selected to spend the fall semester studying at the Fondazione Architetto Augusto Rancilio in Milan, Italy. The students are awarded scholarships by the foundation and pursue independent research on a theme established by FAAR and the Catholic University of America. Themes may include architectural history and theory, design, urban studies or technology. Participating students earn 15 credits toward the professional degree. This program is sponsored by Fondazione Giorgio Ronchi and the School of Architecture and Planning of The Catholic University of America.