With the growing technologies in information,
communication and transportation, the world is getting smaller. Cultures have
become closer and more interactive. Understanding other cultures has become a
must in life. As we live through this transition of the global setting,
providing our students an opportunity to learn about the lifestyle and thought
process of people from other lands would more adequately prepare them for their
future career. It is even more critical for design students since design has
become more and more cross-cultural.
Exposure to new cultures, experiences and
communication challenges can be accomplished by providing opportunities for
students to travel and live in other countries, learning design with students
of that country.
Since students will spend time in the host
school and actually deal with people daily in and outside the classroom,
interaction will happen naturally. The ability to communicate is essential for
design students. The exchange program
will provide an environment for students to communicate with other students
within their discipline but also with people from a different culture.
The program also provides a learning
environment for students to understand design from a different perspective.
Because of the interactions among students of
the visiting and the host school, both schools will gain mutual benefit from
the program. Besides cultural exchange, students would stimulate one another in
a constructive way. Positive competition between schools would help students be
more serious about their profession.
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The program is primarily joint with
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Besides the design studio, students are
required to take four craft classes, namely, glass, pottery, metal craft
(jewelry), and Chinese painting.
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Outside class activities include a
design workshop with other universities, visits universities, design firms, and
industries.
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Within the program, there will be a
visit of