If you thought RPI students only learn in Troy, NY, think again! Amanda Alexander is one of the students who has taken full advantage of the opportunity to study abroad.

The school of architecture offers a five-month cultural based program in Rome, Italy for students with impressive portfolios. While in Turino, Amanda collaborated with Italian students at the Polytechnic of Turino. In an effort to learn from others, she was placed in a group of Italian architecture students and she was challenged to communicate design through hand drawing and 3D modeling.

While studying abroad, Amanda traveled throughout Italy, Switzerland, and Great Britain. But one of her favorite sites to see was the Sagrada Familia Cathedral by Gaudi located in Barcelona, Spain.

"As an architecture student, we study and learn about architecture of the past, and how we can improve it for the future, but I was able to see in person historical works of architecture that I had previously only seen in textbooks."

With its multicolored stain glass windows and curvature of the columns, the project that began in 1882 makes for a very unique atmosphere despite its unfinished construction.

From fishing villages in Cambodia, to new skyscrapers in London, Amada has witnessed the ever-growing development that is occurring in every part of the world.

Not only did Amanda learn about ancient and futuristic architecture while abroad, but she was also able to sharpen her skills on the tennis court while doing so!

"I love that tennis is an international sport, so wherever I am I can find others who love the game! I always travel with my rackets!"

Amanda's travels abroad have enabled her to come back to RPI with a renewed sense of appreciation for her studies, classmates, and tennis team. To continue her international studies and interests, Amanda will be spending this summer in London for an architecture internship.

With her strong desire to transform environments, Amanda is confident that architecture will directly provide positive change. Her studies abroad have solidified her belief that in order to be successful in any career, one must have an international experience, which will lead to an even better understanding of how the world is evolving.  With eight countries and counting, Amanda's path to success is great!

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