Summer 2008 closed

3 weeks (May 18 - June 9, 2008)

Sponsored by the Interior Design Program in the School of Planning, Design and Construction in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

During the summer of 2008, the Interior Design Program in the School of Planning, Design and Construction will offer, for the 34th consecutive summer, an international study program in interior design. The program will address Classicism and its influence on the Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Classic and 20th Century styles. The itinerary will provide participants with an opportunity to experience exciting historical sites and contemporary design developments in Italy from Rome to Milan.

The program offers a full and varied daily schedule of educational experiences in the form of guided site visits. Ample personal time is allotted to provide students with the opportunity to visit sites of individual interest and to enjoy such experiences as theater, art galleries, showrooms, historic sites and shopping.

The 2008 program will take place in Italy; however, arrangements are subject to change due to accessibility of sites in each location.

Where does it take place?

In Rome highlights will include the work of Bramante (Tiempietto), Michelangelo and Bernini (St. Peter’s) and a visit to the Vatican Museum. The Vatican Museum is possibly the greatest museum in the world housing the art collections of the Popes and the Roman Catholic Church.

In Florence, historic interior design will be represented by such facilities as the D'Avanzati, Bargello, Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Castalo Bel Vedere and Giardini Boboli, the Palazzo Pitti and Uffizi Gallery. Countryside day trips to various significant villas are also planned.

Architectural walks in Venice will provide the opportunity to understand the Gothic style. Also planned are visits to such marvelous Gothic examples as the Frari’s Basilica and the Doges Palace in St. Mark’s Square. Classicism of the 16th century will be seen at the Scuola S. Rocco and S. Giorgio Maggiore (Palladio). The Scuola dei Carmini will demonstrate the Rococo style.

In Milan, the design center of Italy, students will have the opportunity to visit contemporary furniture and lighting showrooms. They will be able to experience magnificent historical architecture in such examples as the Sforza Castle and the Santa Maria delle Grazie: Gothic with the Bramante work of 1492 in the Classical Renaissance style, and the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.

What can I study?

Credit is based upon program participation and completion of focused projects in the student's special area of interest. A list of selected readings is provided prior to the beginning of the program.

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of six (6) credits in any of the following courses:

IDES 344	History of Interior Design: Ancient through Rococo	3 cr.
IDES 490	Independent Study	3-6 cr.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will share rooms in local bed-and-breakfast hotels. Breakfast is usually included with housing.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Donna Schmidt
Interior Design Program
School of Planning, Design and Construction
203E Human Ecology Building

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $4,571 and includes the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu