Testimonials

What was your most memorable moment in italy?

"Too many memorable moments to have one top the list. Sitting on the river bank of the Arno in Firenze with a couple bottles of wine was heaven. I was in awe while walking down the windy roads of Rome and then seeing the Pantheon slowly emerge from the corners of buildings. Feeling very poor in furniture design stores in Milano. Entering into St. Peter's Basilica and almost crying. Sting Concert in Circo Maximo. Following Fabs to Massive Attack and Fatboy Slim. Falling asleep in piazzas. Falling in love with the Vino Shoppe!"

-Nathan Charley, Italia Field Study 2004

"My most memorable moment in Italy would be hiking up the hill to Piazza Michelangelo in Florence from our hotel, and being rewarded with one of the most beautiful Tuscan sunsets I've ever seen."

-Cam Wu, Italia Field Study 2004

Why should others do this study?

"Because you would go to Italy! Go there, emerge yourself in the culture and immediately become surrounded by all things beautiful. If you are truly passionate about any field of design, this study will open your eyes to the past, present and future of design."

-Nathan Charley, Italia Field Study 2004

"Participating in the Italia Design Field School (2004) was the best thing that has happened to me in my entire life; a lifetime of memories, of stories, of experiences, of inspiration and of knowledge. What I learned in Italy I could not learn sitting in a classroom, in front of a computer or reading a book. This experience opened up my eyes and for that, I am grateful; words can do it no justice."

-Harv Nagra, Italia Field Study 2004

"The Italia Design Field study is not a 'trip,' but an amazing experience where I learned, studied and was inspired by the best in the industry of design. Coming home from this field study, I feel like I've matured on thought and work level because I saw how hard people worked in Italy to gain what they have, and saw how they approached their work ethic and way of life. I've gained a life time of experience and knowledge that is so valuable to me that I would do this field study again in a heartbeat. It's opened my eyes up and I feel a driven desire to make a place in the design field and the Italia Design Field Study helped me gain this goal. Most of the special moments I had in Italy was with the people in this group of 12 and those experiences will only ever be remembered by us; we will never have the same experience with anybody else again! Grazie mille!

-Helen Lam, Italia Field Study 2005

One of the greatest things that I take away with me from the Italia field school experience is being able to work in a dynamic environment. Having the opportunity to work in a team based situation where resources, among other things, can be limiting, gave me the chance to really appreciate and empathize for others. To this extent, I would deem the field school invaluable as a resource for building character and strengthening bonds.

-Akash Murgai, Italia Field Study 2005

The Italia field study is an amazing and unique opportunity that you wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. You'll meet new friends and share amazing memories from traveling alone. But more importantly, you have the opportunity to meet and talk to the great Italian designers that we've studied such as Andrea Branzi or find out more about emerging designers like IaN+ or Cliostraat. This is not your average Contiki tour of Italy, this is a chance to study and explore beyond a tourist experience. This field study is a way to leave your mark and be a part of something great.

-Joanna Li, Italia Field Study 2005

"I came into this field school experience as an outsider; yet left it feeling a part of a tightly knit group. I am a Visual Arts and Urban Geography student from SFU Burnaby, Harbor Center and Alexander Center. I had never been to SFU Surrey before, nor had I ever met any of the other students that were a part of the SIAT program. Actually, I have to admit that I didn't even know what their program entailed or what they studied. It was intimidating at first. I walked into our first class and was immediately overwhelmed by our schedule and assignments when I had a sudden moment where I thought, "I'm not cut out for this!". I lacked the computer knowledge and technical language that all of the other students shared and studied, but one thing was evident, we all shared an incredible passion and excitement towards the study - Italian design and innovation. I knew this was what I wanted to do, and in my application, Russell knew that this was something that I wanted to do. I instantly felt as though I belonged, and the outstanding support I received from my group members has created a new found knowledge that I probably never would have discovered had it not been for this field school experience."

-Lani MacGregor, Italia Field School 2005

"The italiaDesign field school was given much thought by its main director that it almost guarantees not only a unique experience, but one that will be forever remembered. I often try to focus on the field study's academic gain and its value, but although we did perhaps learn too much for us to fully understand, what I keep remembering from the experience is connections and friendship. It may be more scholarly to speak of Italian Design, design studio interviews, and list ten different dinner dishes in Italian, or may be it is simply too sentimental to mention bonds and communion, but it's true. When I'm finally a senior and retired, I might forget who leads Alessi or what the Superleggera symbolizes, but I will never forget slideshows and dinners, Marino and small vans, 'toccami qui' and 'The Scientist'."

-Jack Liu, Italia Field School 2005

"Whatever you are looking for from a field school... just go. It'll be there and you will find it."

-Arthur Leung, Italia Field School 2005