Study Abroad
Nurturing Global Citizens
Detroit Mercy's School of Architecture & Community Development aspires to nurture engaged global citizens who can think broadly and act locally. Students who can attend one or both of our two semester-long international studies programs benefit from the full immersion into an unfamiliar culture, which is described by most who participate in these programs as a truly life-changing educational experience.
An international perspective will give you the ability to compete in an increasingly global profession and provides a priceless opportunity where an entire country is your classroom. Students in all our programs have study-abroad options that are fully integrated into the curriculum
Learn more about our study abroad programs below.
Volterra, Italy
Established in 1985, the Volterra program takes place in the summer semester of the third year. The students are accompanied by one or two SACD professors. Volterra is a 3,000-year-old Etruscan hill town of approximately 10,000 citizens, which served as a major urban hub for multiple ancient cultures.
The students and faculty live, learn and teach in an extension of Detroit Mercy’s campus within the medieval city wall. It houses studio space, residential units and communal kitchen and lounge for the students, two apartments for faculty, public exhibition space, administration offices, as well as other day-to-day educational facilities.
SACD is more than just a building or a college – it is an innovative institution that transforms students into accomplished architects, designers and community developers in a setting that promotes creativity, compassion and inclusion.
Warsaw, Poland
Established in 1980, the Warsaw program is the longest operating exchange program in Poland. During the winter semester of their third year, Detroit Mercy students can attend the Warsaw Institute of Technology. Their courses in language, cultural history and studio are taught in English by Polish faculty.
A SACD professor accompanies the American students and teaches the Polish students. SACD students and faculty live in the middle of the Warsaw in a public residential complex. They take trams and other forms of public transportation to and from the school, which further immerses them in a unique urban setting.
Havanna, Cuba
For those students who do not have the ability or resources to study abroad for a full semester, SACD also provides a 10-day program in Cuba (established in 2012), which occurs during spring break.
Though primarily attended by our Community Development students, Architecture students have participated regularly, and SACD views this as a future opportunity for cross-collaboration between both programs.
The program is primarily centered in Havana, with travel to various parts of the island. Students and SACD faculty focus on community-based architecture and community development.
“The classroom goes beyond the four walls and the experience was more than what I could ever have imagined — architecture, traveling, cultural immersion, history, learning Italian and sculpture. I wish every semester could be like my time in Volterra.”