Designing Memories: UK Students Find Their 'Camelot' in Italy

“Travel programs offer a special type of design learning that cannot be situated in a classroom,” O’Bryan said.  

The six-week itinerary included excursions to iconic cities like Venice, Rome and Verona, alongside deeper dives into Florence’s rich history. Students regularly visited museums, historical sites and of course, some of the hallmark architectural examples throughout the country. Participants can earn up to six hours of design studio credit and three credit hours for an observational drawing elective in addition to a one-hour, mandatory, asynchronous introduction to education abroad course before traveling. Though the program is faculty directed, program organizers partner with educational travel companies Worldstrides and International Studies Abroad to ensure the program runs as smoothly as possible.

Aside from the location, the structure of the course also provided students with a unique experience. Kennedy Lindblom, a senior in interior design, found the blend of structure and flexibility in the program especially appealing. 

“We’d have a couple of hours of class and then the rest of the day to explore,” Lindblom said. “It wasn’t like sitting in a classroom all day in Italy — it was more about experiencing the place and culture.” 

This freedom allowed students to immerse themselves in the local culture, whether visiting historic sites, exploring museums or simply enjoying a walk throughout Italy’s picturesque streets. Daniel Young, a senior architecture major, used this free time to visit some additional locations that interested him.  

“Sometimes I would go back to the places we visited as a group and explore more in depth or just walk around reading the historic plaques I stumbled upon,” Young said. “I was kind of known in the group as the guy who knew every church in the area because a lot of them are free, and they're open until early evening. Every church there, I remember talking about them in class. It was amazing to see these places in person after learning about them.” 

Students credited O'Bryan’s leadership, as well as the presence of his wife, Mary Lee, with creating such a secure, supportive environment, especially for first-time travelers who may have been weary. The O’Bryans lived in Italy on fellowships in 1985 and 1987 and have been avid visitors ever since. This is the seventh time O’Bryan has offered this education abroad opportunity since 2014.  

“It really felt like we had a little family there,” Emma Riney, first-time international traveler and senior interior design student, said. "It really just felt like they were taking care of us the whole time. I never felt anxious about what to do in case of emergency, because I knew Mark, Mary Lee, our TA Bree or our local guide Sarah would always be there to help. It was like, someone knew what you always needed and kept tabs on if you needed anything but not in an overbearing way. It was the perfect balance.” 

The group created lifelong memories in this supportive environment. The group’s time in Venice stood out as a favorite memory.  

“We got off the train, and it’s just the river and boat taxis,” Lindblom said. “It was one of the coolest experiences of my life.” 

“Venice was so beautiful,” Young said. “It was one of those places where you feel like you're in a painting the whole time.”  

Ultimately, O’Bryan described his goal for the program as providing students with a "Camelot experience"— one that leaves a lasting impact. Reflecting on their time in Italy, the students agreed that the experience not only created lasting memories and friendships but also made a lasting impact on their growth as young professionals. 

“I learned so much about myself—how to adapt, how to navigate a new place. It made me a lot more confident,” Lindblom said.  

Young added that the program taught him to value the historical and cultural layers that shape architecture. “It’s about understanding the stories behind these buildings, and how those stories influence design.” 

The experience, particularly the studio project, also introduced students to the collaborative spirit of the design field. 

“It was really beneficial because I got to see how architecture and interiors work together, which we don’t always get to do in our classes. This is how projects work in the real world,” Riney said. For those considering education abroad, Riney offered simple advice. 

 “Do it. Now is the time to put yourself out there. I didn't really know how important it was to get out of your comfort zone until I did it. It's scary, and it's hard, but it is such a rewarding experience that I was really thankful I had the opportunity to do,” Riney said. 

“UK’s architecture program has a robust history and theory curriculum, and abroad experience often reinforces what students have already learned in history and theory,” O’Bryan said. “Education abroad is in itself a historical tradition in the design field. Designers travel and learn how to use history to build careers.”