Spring Semester 2009

Early March to late April

Sponsored by the School of Planning, Design and Construction, Landscape Architecture, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Landscape architecture abroad provides students with a rich diversity of studio and field trip experiences.  Academics focus on the study of historical and cultural landscape design and the analysis of public parks and urban plazas.  Coursework explores landscapes from a number of perspectives.  The European heritage of landscape architecture is studied through field trips to major cities and gardens, including Barcelona, Paris, Versailles, Edinburgh, Berlin, and London.  Field trips will expose students to important issues relating to place identity, site design, and garden style.

This program has been integrated into the Landscape Architecture design curriculum.  Students opting to study abroad will stay on track for graduation and benefit from the unique advantages of study abroad.  The first half of the semester will be spent at MSU, where students will study the history and culture of the countries to be visited and complete design projects and graphic problems that satisfy normal curriculum requirements.  This prepares them for the experience abroad.  The second half of the semester will be spent in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Germany.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for twelve (12) credits in the following courses:

Throughout the program, students will be asked to sketch and discuss the design qualities of urban, garden, and historic environments.  The class will participate in a joint urban studio design problem with European landscape architecture students.  The design project is intended to give students an opportunity to meet their European peers and learn first-hand about landscape design in Western Europe.  The program will include the development of a student design journal which graphically portrays the works of noted designers and explore cultural aspects of landscape design.

What are the requirements?

Participants must be fourth year Landscape Architecture students at Michigan State University and 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.

In some cases, students from other disciplines may be able to join the program with approval of the program faculty.

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?

The program provides accommodations in centrally located student-friendly hotels, hostels, and university dormitories in Barcelona, London, Edinburgh, Paris and Berlin.  Students are responsible for their own meals unless included in hostel fees.  A variety of inexpensive local restaurants, markets, and food stores are located nearby for student use. 

Who can tell me more about this program?

Associate Professor Warren Rauhe
School of Planning, Design and Construction
Landscape Architecture
101 Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture Bldg.
Phone:  (517) 353-7880

Professor Duane Mezga
School of Planning, Design and Construction
Landscape Architecture
101 Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture Bldg.
Phone:  (517) 353-7880

Duane Mezga and Warren Rauhe have traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. Professor Mezga is a registered Landscape Architect and teaches Landscape Architecture in the School of Planning, Design and Construction at Michigan State University.  He has led nine previous study abroad programs to the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Eastern Europe.  His interest areas include urban design and freehand drawing. Associate Professor Rauhe is a registered Landscape Architect and also teaches Landscape Architecture in the School of Planning, Design and Construction at MSU.  He has led four previous study abroad programs to Europe.  His interests include community design and professional practice.

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 in 2008 was $5,914 and included 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.

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.

Be sure to also check with the School of Planning, Design and Construction as it offers special scholarships to students participating in this program.  The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources also offers its students special study abroad scholarships.  Pick up scholarship applications in Room 121 Ag Hall by November 1st.

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 October 15th for winter break and spring semester programs; February 1st for spring break programs, and by March 1st for summer, fall and academic year programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

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.

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