School of Planning, Design and Construction

The School of Planning, Design and Construction traveled from East Asia to the furthest part of West Asia all in two weeks. This wonderful group of students, along with Faculty Drs. Armagan Korkmaz and Sinem Korkmaz, traveled first to South Korea and then to Turkey.

The SPDC is committed to preparing the students to be globally aware through international academic and professional experience. The school’s goal is for as many students as possible to benefit from international experience and to graduate with knowledge of the three major worlds regions, North America, Europe and Asia. The Study Abroad program’s goal is to immerse and experience the cities and culture of these areas.

So this year’s experience was wonderful. The study abroad program trip consisted of a visit to South Korea and then Turkey. In South Korea, they traveled to Seoul and collaborated with Hanyang University. The local students from Hanyang University helped the Spartans discover Seoul and Asian Culture. They visited different construction sites, including high tower and bridge constructions.

After about a week in Seoul, the travels were headed to the furthest western part of Asia to Istanbul, Turkey. There they were met by students from Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul, which is one of the best universities in Turkey. In Istanbul, the group visited new construction and also historical locations. Besides Istanbul, visits were made to Capacoica, Antalya, Izmir and Konya. Also in Istanbul, the Ottoman Palaces and historical towns were toured. While in Izmir, a stop was made to Ephesus, which is one of the Wonders of the World.

At the end of the program, lectures about new and historical backgrounds of Turkey were attended. The group learned and enjoyed a quite a bit about Asian, European and Middle Eastern culture on one continent in a one-month program.