Eighteen Western Carolina University students majoring interior design, along with four Smoky Mountain High School students and three adults, will travel to Greece, Spain and Italy for 12 days in May.

The group will learn about the foundations of architecture and contemporary arts during the trip, said Jane Nichols, trip planner and WCU assistant professor of art and design. “We will see Greek folk dancing, visit the Duomo and watch a Flamenco performance,” she said. “The students will be exposed to many art museums, design studios and showrooms, and architectural masterpieces.”

In between destinations, group members will travel by ship as their primary mode of transportation. While on land, they will use public transportation, eat local food and shop where the residents do, said Nichols. “It will be a total immersion, so we can experience all the breadth and depth of art, architecture, design and various cultures that a travel study tour offers,” she said.

Participating WCU students earn credit for Travel Studies in Interior Design, and the high school students will earn high school elective credit and college credit if dually enrolled in the WCU course.

“Students will write research papers prior to travel and reflection papers after,” said Nichols. “On the trip, they will write in journals, keep sketch diaries and take photos.”

Jessica Sullo, a WCU undergraduate majoring in interior design, decided to write her paper about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. “I had no idea the amount of effort or how long it took to actually complete the structure,” Sullo said. “It amazes me that something so old and rarely refurbished is still standing and influences the up-and-coming designers and architects.”

The trip was organized by WCU faculty in collaboration with Education First Tours. For more information about the trip or future travel studies for college or high school credit, contact Nichols at jnichols@email.wcu.edu.

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Last Modified: Tuesday, May 5, 2009