Rendering of Matt Shew design set in existing site in Rome

Student: Matt Shew
4th Year Design

AIRC Program in Architecture

The Rome Program is conducted through La Magia Institute, an educational organization located in the very heart of historical Rome. The program for Cal Poly students is one semester (the equivalent of 1 1/2 quarters) and provides 24 quarter credits; it begins in late August and ends in December.

Students in Rome are VERY active, learning from instructors and from the Eternal City itself. You will pursue four principal activities:

  1. One semester of classes in architectural design, urban studies, architectural/landscape analysis, history/theory/criticism, sustainability studies, drawing, and Italian language.
  2. Hands-on fieldwork documenting both active archaeological sites and contemporary construction.
  3. Interaction with local designers and cultural, professional, and governmental experts.
  4. Organized academic travel throughout Italy.

Throughout these activities, you will benefit from the expertise of instructors who know Rome inside and out. You will experience Rome and other sites as an insider.

The semester is designed to help you take command of your experience abroad. We have structured the program to encourage you to develop your own interests within the framework of the curriculum so that your own experiences outside the classroom inform your academic work. Tuition for the Rome Program is $12,500. This fee covers all textbooks, admissions to museums and historical sites, and most travel costs for two weeks of guided travel within Italy. There are no hidden costs, and you do NOT pay Cal Poly tuition and fees while on the Rome Program. Students will live in the heart of historical Rome. Housing is estimated to cost 625 Euros per month, including utilities and weekly housecleaning.

Faculty Coordinator: Don Choi