The Department of Interior Architecture offers a unique study abroad experience for students enrolled in the Cruise Ship and Super Yacht Design certificate program. The purpose of this program is to prepare designers for the specific issues associated with designing cruise ship and yacht interiors.
The cultural exchange workshops involve FIU students and our Italian partners from University of Genoa’s naval design program. The semester-long program includes two workshop sessions – one in Miami, the other UniGe Polo Universitario on the Mediterranean in La Spezia, Italy plus additional travel to neighboring countries in Europe.
This past spring 2018 semester, master’s candidate Jonathan Da Cruz, and other fellow classmates participated in the program. Jonathan is full-time student and intern at Studio Dado. Below Jonathan tells his team about his experience abroad in Italy. Read more:
Written by Jonathan Da Cruz, Master’s Candidate
Featured in Studio Dado
The semester started with a week intensive workshop with naval design students of the Polo Marconi Campus in La Spezia. Working with San Lorenzo Yachts for the semester, we were able to visit their headquarters and tour several yachts under construction. We then moved to Genova, where we continued our studies at the University of Genova.
We traveled throughout Italy (Portofino, Cinque Terre, Venice, Rome, Florence, Milan), and took trips to Switzerland to visit, Basel and the Vitra Design Museum, as well as Saint-Nazaire, France to tour the STX France shipyard.
My favorite part of the semester was going to Saint-Nazaire, France, and visiting STX France shipyards. We toured the Symphony of the Seas by Royal Caribbean, just 2 weeks before it launched. We also toured the progress of the new Celebrity Edge, that was 7 months away from completion. Visiting the shipyard and being able to tour two ships at different phases of construction was truly fascinating and put a real perspective on what I have been studying at FIU and the work I have been fortunate to see be developed at DADO.
One of my favorite experiences was going to Milan Design Week and attending the Salone del Mobile. I was able to witness new collections being launched by many designers and manufacturers that I admire.
Throughout Italy, I have been able to experience architecture and design through the ages. From the renaissance architecture of Florence, to the modern designs at the Salone del Mobile of Milan. I am excited to use my developing knowledge and experiences abroad in my continued education and professionally.
For more information on the Study Abroad programs offered by Department of Interior Architecture, please visit our website.
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