Morgan State University Architecture Students Share Cross-cultural Learning Experiences During 10-Day Study Abroad Excursion to the Netherlands

With the COVID-19 pandemic-related travel bans lifted, students from Morgan State University’s School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) sought the life-affirming experience of international travel and crossed the maritime for a memorable study abroad during the 2023 Spring Break. Morgan’s SA+P travelers journeyed to the city of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport located in the Dutch province of South Holland. Internationally known for its modern architecture and design, the City of Rotterdam was completely rebuilt after World War II when the Germans invaded the Netherlands destroying the city with heavy bombing. The reconstruction of the city was done with a focus on innovation and modernization, making it one of the most robust Dutch cities for tourism, attracting millions of visitors throughout the year.

Cristina Murphy, assistant professor at Morgan State University, SA+P, blogged about the student’s Spring 2023 study abroad experience through a robust BTS (behind-the-scenes) collection of pictures, sketches, videos, and quotes.

Inspiring the New Generation of Morganites!

This is the third time that I have initiated, curated, and led 10 days of travel and study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, for students, faculty, and local professionals. During these trips, I give back, I learn, I test my knowledge, and I use my experiences to share ideas and concerns about designing the right world for people.

Arrival in Rotterdam

The Morgan students landed in the Netherlands on March 9, 2023. After a few years of the travel ban, the trip to Rotterdam has been revamped! This year the Netherlands is experiencing rather unusually rough March weather. While the average temperature should be around 9°C (48.2°F) with at least six to nine hours of sunshine a day, the average temperature this March is 4°C (39.2°F), with plenty of rain, some icy snow, and freezing northern winds...

Read more about the group’s daily excursions and notable moments through the daily blog posts:

Day 1 – UNStudio Visit

Day 2 – Black Heritage Tour

Day 3 – Amsterdam Walking Tour

Day 4 – Delft-Rotterdam – Back Down Memory Lane

Day 5 – Architecture Evolving

Day 6 – Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen

Day 7 – Office for Metropolitan Architecture

Day 8 – Time to Say Goodbye