SCHOOL  OF  ARCHITECTURE

Undergraduate students have a wealth of opportunities to spend a semester abroad, whether they select one of the School of Architecture's official exchange programs or select another program on their own.  An exchange program differs from a study abroad experience mainly by being more structured.  In addition, students participating in exchanges with official UA exchange partners pay their normal UA tuition and fees rather than those of the host university.  Be sure to consult the UA Office of Study Abroad and Student Exchange (SASE) website for detailed information regarding available programs and application procedures.

Exchange Program Information: Outbound Students
Exchange Program Information: Inbound Students
List of Exchange Programs Currently Available
Study Abroad Programs
Financing Your Travels

Exchange Program Information: Outbound Students

Students are encouraged to enrich their architecture education by spending a spring semester abroad at one of our official exchange partner institutions.  Undergraduates may apply for an exchange in the spring of their 4th year in the B.Arch program.  Students enrolled in the 1.5 year M.Arch program are encouraged to complete all their coursework within this College.   Students enrolled in the joint B.Arch/M.Arch program should discuss international education opportunities with an academic advisor or with Linda Erasmus (erasmus@email.arizona.edu).

Eligibility Requirements

• Semester away from UA must be spring of 4th year
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Three to four semesters of foreign language study.  This requirement may be waived if the applicant can demonstrate an appropriate level of skill in the host country language; or, it may be reduced if the language of instruction will be English.  Students' international experience will be greatly enhanced by knowledge of the host country language, and preference will be given to those who show higher-level preparation.
• Letter of recommendation from a faculty member
• An interview and letter of approval from exchange faculty advisor

Costs

Students pay the regular School of Architecture tuition and fees to the University, and are covered by their current scholarships during the spring and fall semesters.  Summer programs are not covered by financial assistance awards; students should plan to pay the standard summer in-state fees for Architecture students.  Consult the Bursar's Office website for complete details.

Insurance

The University of Arizona student health insurance my be suspended during your semester abroad, but students must acquire health insurance coverage that meets the requirements of the host institution.  Check that institution's website for the availability of low-cost student health insurance.  To ensure continuous health insurance coverage, services of the International Travel Insurance Program are also available to students and faculty through The University of Arizona.

Transferability of Credit

To ensure that credits earned abroad are transferable to your record in the School of Architecture, please plan your academic schedule in consultation with Linda Erasmus.  Download the Course Selection for Study Abroad form on the SASE website, and refer to the Upper/Lower Division Designation Chart when selecting your courses.

How to Apply

Foreign visa applications and other necessary paperwork may take several months to complete, so it is important to start the application process early.

1. Complete the application form available on the website of the UA Office of Study Abroad and Student Exchange (SASE).  SASE staff will send you a packet of detailed information, forms, and instructions for applying to the institution you identify in your application.
2. Apply directly to the institution of your choice.

Application Deadlines

Submit your application to SASE according to the semester you plan to be abroad:

Spring 2010:                 15 October 2009
Summer 2010:               15 March 2010

Once you have received an application packet from SASE for your chosen exchange program, be sure to follow that program's deadlines.  This information should be included in the application packet or on the host institution's website.

Summary of Steps to Participate in International Exchange Program

• Contact the SASE advisor assigned to the university you wish to visit, and find out whether exchange slots are available during the semester you plan to spend abroad.  If not, consider going as a regular study abroad student.  Check the section below for details.
• Explore the website of your chosen exchange program.  Check application deadlines, curricula, courses available for enrollment, and resources for visiting students.
• Obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
• Make an appointment for an interview with the faculty advisor for your chosen exchange program.
• Upon receiving a letter of approval from the faculty advisor, submit the online application to SASE.
• Complete the Course Selection for Study Abroad form from the SASE website in consultation with Linda Erasmus (erasmus@email.arizona.edu).

Exchange Program Information: Inbound Students

Admission Requirements

• Architecture students in their 4th year or higher are invited to apply
• Students must be in good academic standing at our exchange partner institutions.  A GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, or its equivalent, is required.
• TOEFL score of 173 (computer-based), 61 iBT, or 6.5 on the IELTS general band.
• Letter of recommendation from the student's academic program.

Language Requirements
All courses at the School of Architecture are taught in English.

Tuition Costs
Students pay the normal tuition and fees for their home institution.

Fees and Expenses
Exchange students receive a waiver from the University of Arizona that pays tuition and registration costs.  Information about costs, housing in Tucson, and health insurance is available on the SASE website.  All visiting students must purchase health insurance through the University of Arizona Campus Health Service.  Students may enroll in the health insurance plan as soon as they have been registered for their classes.

Immunization
All students must provide proof of immunization against measles and rubella after 1980.  Instructions and forms are included in admission packets, and can be viewed on the campus health website.

Visas
Once you have been admitted to the University of Arizona, instructions will be sent on how to apply for your J-1 Exchange Student visa at the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.

Current Exchange Programs in the School of Architecture

Australia

• University of Newcastle

• University of Sydney

• University of Technology, Sydney

Faculty advisors:  To be announced.  In the meantime, please contact Linda Erasmus (621.9189; erasmus@u.arizona.edu)

Denmark

• Denmark's Institute for Studies Abroad (DIS)

Faculty advisor:  To be announced.  In the meantime, please contact Linda Erasmus (621-9819, erasmus@u.arizona.edu)

Mexico

• Universidad La Salle
• Universidad Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM)

Faculty advisor:  Christopher Domin (621.6743; cdomin@email.arizona.edu)

Spain

• Escuela Tecnica Superior de Arquitectura, Madrid (ETSAM)/Universidad Politecnica de Madrid

Faculty advisor:  Alvaro Malo (626.3545; malo@u.arizona.edu)

Study Abroad Programs

The UA Office of Study Abroad and Student Exchange offers a wide variety of options for all UA students.  Explore on your own for archtiecture programs, in consultation with an academic advisor (erasmus@email.arizona.edu).

Why choose to study abroad, rather than participate in an international exchange?

Study abroad may be a more suitable choice for you if:

• The country or institution you want to visit is not on the SASE list of exchange programs
• The tuition and fees at the host institution are lower than those at the UA
• The available exchange slots for a particular semester have been filled

Tip:  always choose a university that has an official exchange/study abroad relationship with the UA, which will:  1) ensure that the quality of education and accreditation status meet UA standards; and to 2) ensure that you are eligible for the many support services offered by SASE.

Steps in the process:

1. Consult the SASE website for information about available programs, deadlines, visas, financial issues, health insurance, course registration, and much more.
2. Determine whether courses offered at the architecture school you're interested in will transfer to the UA, and will be acceptable substitutes for CALA courses, especially design studios.
3. Create a draft course schedule for your semester abroad.
4. Complete the Course Selection for Study Abroadform from the SASE website in consultation with Linda Erasmus (erasmus@email.arizona.edu).
5. Complete a Transfer Credit Pre-Approval form (obtainable from Linda Erasmus) and submit it to the UA Office of Admissions.
6. Apply online at the SASE website.

Another option to explore is CALA's Mediterranean Summer Study Abroad program.

Study Abroad Programs Offered by Other Universities

•  Berlin Summer Architecture Program
• Cornell in Rome
• Denmark's International Studies Program (DIS)
• KSU Florence - Design Studies in Italy/Europe
• San Gemini Preservation Studies Program, John Cabot University, Rome
• Syracuse University Study Abroad: Florence

Other Sources of Information About Study Abroad Programs

• StudyAbroadDirectory.com
• Google search for architecture study abroad

Financing Your Travels

CALA resources:

• Charles A. Albanese and  Claire Albanese Travel Scholarship:  Approximately $1,000.  Apply December 10 for travel the following summer.  Available to 3rd year students.
• Clark Memorial Travel Scholarship:  Approximately $1,000.  Apply December 10 for travel the following summer.  Available to 3rd and 4th year students, and graduate students who will return the Fall after their travel.

Other resources:

Office of Study Abroad and Student Exchange

The American Architectural Foundation: RTKL Travelling Fellowship

InternationalScholarships.com

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship