Summer Education Abroad
Fashion in Florence
Italy
3 credits in Fashion Design and Merchandising
June 3–July 3, 2009
Professor Kimberly Guthrie
$2,450 plus airfare and VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 1, 2009
Status: Program full
The Office of International Education and Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising, in conjunction with Santa Reparata International School of Art, are proud to present a one month program in Florence, Italy. Students will have the wonderful and unique opportunity to inspire and fuel their creativity from the art, culture and fashion of Florence and apply it to projects for the computer-aided design fashion course and help reinforce the learning in the survey course.
Course and credit options: 3 VCU credits
FASH 402: Design Theory and Illustration
FASH 391: Survey of Contemporary Italian Fashion Design and History
Prerequisite: FASH 145 recommended
Course description
While generating ideas and expressing them visually, this advanced course promotes innovative, experimental and creative approaches to fashion design and will further develop the student’s computer-aided design skills to prepare them for upper level illustration and portfolio classes. The course is project structured to enable students to acquire skills and techniques of design most effectively and to develop a research approach that will open up a myriad of pathways to designing. Projects are designed to deepen the student’s textile knowledge and fabric application. Completion of this course will ensure that the student will be equipped with the required digital design and presentation skill set needed in many areas of the fashion industry and to communicate design ideas professionally.
The contribution of Italy to the world of fashion can be seen in every area of fashion, from fabrics and textiles to style and design. The culture, art, and fashion of Italy have had great influence over the fashion industry around the world. The course will present a visual history of contemporary Italian fashion while making connections to other historical events. There will be a strong emphasis on research and project presentations. Completion of this course will provide the student with greater understanding of Italy’s art and cultural contributions to fashion.
Professor Kimberly Guthrie received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design from VCU’s School of the Arts. While a student, she was selected as a U.S. finalist to attend the Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode in Paris, France. She worked in New York for designer Hal Bernfeld as an assistant patternmaker and draper. When she moved back to Richmond, she joined the faculty at VCU’s Department of Fashion. Guthrie teaches across the design and merchandising curricula allowing her the opportunity to teach both design studio courses and computer-aided design. Her research has provided her with many opportunities to be a presenter at national and international conferences and symposiums.
Registration deadline: March 1, 2009
Applications will be accepted until the deadline. Participant space will not exceed 10 placements. Early application is recommended.
Program cost
$2,450 plus applicable VCU tuition and airfare
The program fee is $2,450 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Access to SRISA facilities and activities
- Assistance by SRISA staff for all matters
- 24 hour emergency assistance
- Welcome dinner, two historical walking tours of Florence, transportation and guided visit of Siena
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International Student Identification Card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Most meals
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (ex. spending and grocery money, museum entry fees, train tickets) (estimated at $1,000)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Airfare is not included.
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Eligibility
Students must have a 2.0 GPA in order to participate in the VCU summer study abroad program. Applicants will be interviewed individually by the program director to be eligible and applicants are accepted on a rolling basis.
While in Italy
Projects will require touring and conducting research in assigned areas in Florence. SRISA will provide two historical walking tours of Florence with transportation and a guided visit of Siena.
Students will reside in shared, fully furnished apartments with kitchens that are equipped with necessary cooking utensils and most bedding and linens. Meals are not included. Housing coordination and assistance are available 24 hours in case of emergency. A housing coordinator assists students with questions and concerns related to housing before and after arriving in Florence. When students arrive in Florence, a staff member is waiting to accompany them to their apartment and welcome packets are given for each apartment, which include a few essentials to get each student through the first day or two.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $208.55 (per 3 credit class: $619.05); undergraduate out-of-state, $421.20 (per 3 credit class: $1,257); graduate in-state, $428.68 (per 3 credit class: $1,279.44); graduate out-of-state, $543.90 ($1,625.10 per 3 credit class).
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2009 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to Jan. 8: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After Jan. 8, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After Jan. 8: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after Jan. 8, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees, and fee collection procedures at any time.
