tudy Tours
On a regular basis, the Department of Design and Merchandising offers students the opportunity to participate in domestic and international study tours designed to broaden students’ experiences and knowledge about their academic field of study and the world in which we live.
New York City Study Tour (offered every other academic year)
The Department’s study tour of New York City offers exciting learning opportunities for students in apparel design & production, merchandising, and interior design. Students who wish to participate enroll in a 3-credit semester course that involves classroom learning and a week-long field study in New York City. While in New York, students visit firms in the apparel and interior design industries and engage in a variety of cultural and entertainment activities, which may include visiting historic sites and museums, taking in a Manhattan dinner cruise, and attending Broadway shows. Apparel design and production students visit designer studios, textile companies, trade showrooms, and production facilities to learn firsthand the opportunities available in the industry. Merchandising students visit designer showrooms, fashion forecasting firms, fashion magazines, and retailers to gain understanding of all aspects/phases of merchandising. Interior design students visit architectural and design firms, tour project sites and showrooms, and network with design practitioners to advance their appreciation of industry practices and professionalism.
International Study Tours
The Department also offers a variety of international study opportunities that provide students with understanding of cultural, economic, and political issues in the global environment. In spring 2006, Dr. Mary Littrell led a student tour to Guatemala where students engaged in the study of apparel and textile design, production and retailing. In the near future, the Department plans to offer study tours to:
Hong Kong/Thailand 2009 – Dr. Molly Eckman
Informational Session - Wednesday, March 11, 2009
India 2010 – Dr. Ajoy Sarkar
Please note: The Department’s ability to offer study tours is contingent upon student interest (i.e., enrollment) as well as economic and political factors.