University of Virginia
AC-5: Immersive Experience

UVA offers several sustainability-focused immersive experience programs: On Grounds: Initiative reCOVER is an architecture design studio program that focuses on the research, design development, and fabrication of transitional disaster relief shelters. As a pedagogical framework, the initiative focuses the students’ attention on a finite architectural scope with the intention of ensuring comprehensive and thorough design processes and viable building proposals. The principal goal for reCOVER is to contribute in a substantive way to the emerging network of Open-Source Humanitarian Design. Ultimately, the collective goal is to positively affect and promote the design and building of safe, healthy, and sustainable communities around the world. http://www.studiorecover.virginia.edu Off Grounds: The Morven Summer Institute is an intensive summer academic program rooted in interdisciplinary place-based learning. The Summer Institute is a collaborative institute involving faculty from UVA's School of Architecture, College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the Office of Summer and Special Academic Programs. Designed for people with interests in sustainability, design, food systems, and ecology. http://www.uvafoundation.com/morven/summerinstitute/ Overseas: The University offers several sustainability-focused study abroad programs. Two examples: Sustainable Europe: The four-week course is designed around a sequence of three interrelated modules that contrast trends, planning and policies in sustainability, sustainable urban development, and sustainable urban transport in Europe and the USA. Through visits to eight cities in Europe, students analyze lessons learned and their applicability in the United States. Specifically, the course will address water and water management, urban transport, urban infrastructure, and the role of multi-level government policies on sustainable practice. http://www.studyabroad.virginia.edu/ Sustainable Practices in Denmark & Sweden: Local Solutions to Global Challenges: This course is an intensive examination of how two progressive countries in Europe is working toward sustainability through a variety of interconnected programs. This course studies several programs being undertaken by local leaders to promote sustainability in four areas: green energy, sustainable transportation, food security, and what are called “livable cities.” The program is cross-listed in the McIntire School of Commerce and Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. http://www.programs.studyabroad.virginia.edu Batten Global in Dominica: Sponsored by SE@UVA, this course is designed to expose undergraduate and graduate students with the unique dynamics of social entrepreneurship in a small island developing state. It presents the challenges that entrepreneurs face in countries with limited resources, narrow economy base, limited product and market diversification, low economies of scale and a high dependency on international trade. It also highlights the inescapable need for social ventures for sustainable growth and development. http://batten.virginia.edu/research/centers/global-policy-center/education-abroad Additional: http://globalstudies.virginia.edu/gsvs/study%20abroad