Study Abroad/Travel Programs

Chris Szczesny-Adams, Ph.D., MIAD Professor of Art History, has taught at MIAD over the past 20 years. Her scholarship includes architecture, design, and art from the 19th to 21st centuries. She has also developed and taught MIAD classes on the History of Video Games. Chris previously led MIAD study abroad programs to Paris as well as Florence.

Jason S. Yi, MIAD Professor, has taught in MIAD’s Fine Arts and First Year programs for 29 years. Jason received an undergraduate degree in Architecture and worked as an architect for 5 years prior to teaching and focusing on fine arts. His studio work crosses multiple disciplines, including drawing, photography, installation and sculpture. Jason has exhibited his work nationally and internationally and has been awarded the prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation grant. He has led multiple MIAD-led study abroad trips to Florence, China, and Thailand.

Estimated Travel/Course Fee: $7225

Includes 6 credits MIAD summer tuition, housing, field trips and museum admissions, travel health/safety insurance during program dates, and several group meals. Students’ will stay in a group apartment in the city with WIFI and access to kitchen and washing machine. Airfare is NOT included. Roundtrip airfare to Florence is estimated at $1200 and will need to be purchased by early March. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Students should expect to spend $800 or more on food and other expenses.

Students are responsible for necessary passports or visas. Participants who do not currently possess a valid passport that is good through December 31, 2026, should apply for a new passport or renewal as soon as possible. Students will need to have their passports by the end of February.

Interested students must apply for the program and complete an application packet available outside of office 265B. Completed application forms must include a deposit of $800 payable to MIAD Florence Program, a statement of interest, 2 letters of support from current MIAD faculty/staff and financial aid form (whether requesting aid or not).

Students must be in good academic and financial standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Minimum enrollment must be met for program to run. Students are encouraged to submit their application materials earlier than the regular deadline. Quality of submitted materials may also influence instructor approval. Full-time MIAD students have priority. SPACE IN PROGRAM IS LIMITED.

Minimum enrollment must be met for program to run. Deposits will be returned if program is canceled because of insufficient enrollment or if student is not accepted.

Students accepted into the program will be required to sign a course commitment letter in early December and return it within 5 days of receiving notification of their acceptance. (After that, deposit will be refunded ONLY if MIAD cancels the program.)

Deposit will apply to total cost of the program.

An additional payment will be required at the end of February ($1500) and balance owed will be due April 17th. The payment schedule will be identified in the commitment document. Payments beyond initial deposit may also be non-refundable if expenses have already been paid on participant’s behalf.

MIAD NEED-BASED Study Abroad Grants: A small number of need-based grant awards will be available to eligible students. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, no business office holds, be in good academic standing and a current full-time MIAD student to apply and receive the grant. Grant awards for $500 – $750 will be based on a combination of factors including need, quality of written statement of intent, with consideration of student’s cumulative GPA. If a student is awarded a MIAD need-based study abroad grant, this award will be credited to course/travel fee owed AFTER deposit. Awards are contingent upon the program running. Students must return signed acceptance/ commitment letter for the program and grant award. Students interested in being considered for this year’s Study Abroad Need-Based Grant just need to check the appropriate box on the application form.

Financial Aid: Aid may be available to qualified students. Interested students should inquire at the MIAD Financial Aid office ASAP to determine individual eligibility. Students should be aware that financial aid cannot be distributed any earlier than 5-7 days before the start of the official summer term. Students should plan other means to cover deposit and plane tickets. Students confirmed eligible for financial aid will be able to apply that towards the balance owed. (Financial Aid CANNOT be used for deposit.)

Nicole Hauch is an Associate Professor and has taught in MIAD’s Communication Design program since 2014. She spent a year studying at the Bauhaus University in Weimer in 2004, an experience which made a lasting impression and inspired her to return Germany multiple times.

Adam Setala, Associate Professor and MIAD’s Chair of Communication Design, has extensive personal travel experience throughout Western Europe and Scandinavia. He has co-led multiple trips to New York City with MIAD students.

Christiane Grauert, Professor of Illustration, has taught at MIAD for over 25 years and will serve as on-site coordinator for the program. A native of Germany, she has traveled extensively throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Christiane was also co-leader for multiple past MIAD student trips to New York City.

Estimated Travel/Course Fee: $6475

Includes 6 credits MIAD summer tuition, housing, field trips, museum admissions, travel health/safety insurance during program dates, ground transportation between cities, breakfasts and several other group meals. Students will stay in hostels while on-site with WIFI and laundry access and private bathrooms. Airfare is NOT included. Roundtrip airfare to Berlin is estimated at $900 – $1100 and will need to be purchased in early March. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Students should expect to spend $700 or more on food and other expenses. 

Students are responsible for necessary passports or visas. Participants who do not currently possess a valid passport that is good through December 31, 2026, should apply for a new passport or renewal NO LATER THAN January 2026. 

Interested students must apply for the program and complete an application packet available outside of office 265B. Completed application forms must include a deposit of $800 payable to MIAD Germany Program, a statement of interest, 2 letters of support from current MIAD faculty/staff and financial aid form (whether requesting aid or not).

Students must be in good academic and financial standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Minimum enrollment must be met for program to run. Students are encouraged to submit their application materials earlier than the regular deadline. Quality of submitted materials may also influence instructor approval. Full-time MIAD students have priority. SPACE IN PROGRAM IS LIMITED.

Minimum enrollment must be met for program to run. Deposits will be returned if program is canceled because of insufficient enrollment or if student is not accepted. 

Students accepted into the program will be required to sign a course commitment letter in early December and return it within 5 days of receiving notification of their acceptance. (After that, deposit will be refunded ONLY if MIAD cancels the program.) Deposit will apply to total cost of the program.

An additional payment will be required at the end of February ($1500) and balance owed will be due April 17th. The payment schedule will be identified in the commitment document. Payments beyond initial deposit may also be non-refundable if expenses have already been paid on participant’s behalf. 

MIAD NEED-BASED Study Abroad Grants: A small number of need-based grant awards will be available to eligible students. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, no business office holds, be in good academic standing and a current full-time MIAD student to apply and receive the grant. Grant awards for $500 – $750 will be based on a combination of factors including need, quality of written statement of intent, with consideration of student’s cumulative GPA. If a student is awarded a MIAD need-based study abroad grant, this award will be credited to course/travel fee owed AFTER deposit. Awards are contingent upon the program running. Students must return signed acceptance/ commitment letter for the program and grant award. Students interested in being considered for this year’s Study Abroad Need-Based Grant just need to check the appropriate box on the application form.

Financial Aid: Aid may be available to qualified students. Interested students should inquire at the MIAD Financial Aid office ASAP to determine individual eligibility. Students should be aware that financial aid cannot be distributed any earlier than 5-7 days before the start of the official summer term. Students should plan other means to cover deposit and plane tickets. Students confirmed eligible for financial aid will be able to apply that towards the balance owed. (Financial Aid CANNOT be used for deposit.)