Graduate Students
The Interdisciplinary Design Institute annually welcomes over 100 undergraduate and graduate students from all over the world to study in the interdisciplinary context offered on the WSU Spokane campus. We are currently hosting international students from Iran, Turkey, India, Korea, China, Palestine, Ethiopia, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic. These students bring diverse cultural backgrounds that add to the environment and the experience.
Cross-Cultural Experiences
Students also have the opportunity to live and study in the context
of international cultures abroad, while pursuing studies at Washington
State University Spokane. One example is Aaron Pasquale, a
Master of Architecture
student.
Aaron is spending his 2007–2008 academic year at WSU’s sister university, the Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (XUAT) in Xi’an, China, and working with the Green Architecture Research Center of XUAT in developing prototype solar housing for rural families in Tibet.
In addition to these responsibilities, Aaron is completing his M.Arch courses via distance connections with the School of Architecture, as well as teaching English to Chinese graduate students.
He is directed by architecture faculty David Wang, Greg Kessler and Matthew Cohen. The opportunity arose out of a 2-week visit to Xi’an and Tibet of 8 design students last May, led by David Wang and the director of WSU’s Interdisciplinary Design Institute, Nancy Blossom.
What do students say about their experience at the Design Institute?
Jeff Walls, graduate of the Master of
Architecture program currently employed with Jon Graves Architects and
Planners, Tacoma, WA:
- "Having completed my BS in Architectural Science at WSU, choosing a graduate school was easy. WSU Spokane's graduate program offers a well-rounded education, with a small student-to-faculty ratio that enables close interaction, both in and outside of the classroom. I enjoyed the study tours, particularly the architectural tour of the Netherlands in my last year!"
Leylan Fernandes-Richards, graduate of the MA Interior Design program currently teaching as an adjunct faculty member:
- "Transitioning from a non-design profession to the world of interior design was eased by the WSU Spokane staff and interior design professors. The combination of their guidance and stimulating course work challenged me to develop a solid knowledge base and valuable work habits in a short period of time."
Catherine Fritz, City Architect for the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska, graduate of the MS Architecture program:
- "The MS Arch program provided many personal and professional challenges at a midpoint in my career. It was rejuvenating to return to an academic setting and I am already seeing the benefits of having taken a year away from my busy practice to study and interact with other students and professional educators."
Michael Bishopp, GIS Specialist for the Environmental Protection Agency-Indus Corporation in Newport, OR, graduate of the MS Landscape Architecture:
- "It has been great to work with quality professors and with state-of-the-art equipment to further my understanding of GIS and its application within landscape architecture. I know the skills and contacts that I have garnered from my educational experience at WSU Spokane will open new doors and new possibilities for the future."