Study architecture in the historic “floating city” of Venice. Built across 118 small islands, connected by bridges and canals, Venice’s rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty offers students a unique opportunity to study architecture, art, infrastructure, and the challenges facing a sinking city in the age of sea level rise. The FAU Venice Study Abroad program takes place during the first six weeks of the summer session (May-June). It is organized by the Italian Program in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters in conjunction with the FAU College of Science and the School of Architecture in the College for Design and Social Inquiry. The School of Architecture participates during the even-numbered years.

Courses offered include Architecture and Urbanism, taught by Associate Professor John Sandell, Venice and Its Reflections, about Venice’s cultural history, and Advanced and Beginning Italian Conversation taught by Dr. Emanuele Pettener and Dr. Ilaria Serra. Students must enroll in two three-credit courses. All courses are scheduled Monday through Thursday, leaving students ample time to study, visit the city’s museums and historical sites, and take advantage of many cultural events, such as concerts, films, operas, and major art and architecture exhibitions happening during the summer.

Excursions for School of Architecture participants include a three-day field trip to Florence, Italy, where they visit some of the most important architectural works of the city, like the Uffizi Museum. Day trips to Vicenza and Verona are also planned. In addition, two Fridays are reserved for organized group excursions to the Venetian Villas along the Brenta Canal, by the ancient boat “Il Burchiello.” Students visit some of the summer residences of the 16th century: Villa Gradenigo of Oriago, Villa Widmann, Villa Foscari Malcontenta, among others. Self-service lunch is provided. A second planned excursion to the Dolomiti mountains includes Cortina, Lagazuoi, Lago di Misurina, and a one-day panoramic walk at a high altitude (2700 meters above sea level), where lunch is provided in a mountain refuge. Numerous other activities are organized for all participants, including guided tours of St. Mark’s Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, the venetian lagoon, the islands of Torcello, Burano, and Murano, an opera at the La Fenice theater, and much more.

Acceptance into the program is on a first-come basis. Contact Professor Sandell for details. Details All students and faculty live in apartments in central Venice. Scholarships and travel awards are available.

Contact John Sandell, Associate Professor in the School of Architecture (jsandel1@fau.edu) or Tania Tucker, in the FAU Education Abroad, Center for Global Engagement (trtucker@fau.edu)