Twelve students from the Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment (STBE) Department recently completed a successful faculty-led education abroad program (FLEAP) in Japan and South Korea, held from May 25 to June 6, 2026. Led by Dr. Reza Foroughi and Professor Seonwook Park, the program offered an immersive academic experience across the dynamic cities of Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul. Designed to expose students to leading-edge practices in the built environment, the program combined site visits, expert-led sessions, and cultural exploration. Participants examined advanced construction methods, innovative architectural design, and sustainable urban development in some of the world’s most technologically sophisticated and densely populated urban centers.
Throughout the program, students explored Tokyo’s high-tech infrastructure, Osaka’s forward-thinking urban regeneration efforts, and Seoul’s smart city innovations, gaining firsthand insight into how each city integrates tradition with modern development. The experience fostered cross-cultural awareness and deepened understanding of how environmental, social, and cultural factors influence design and construction globally. According to program leaders, the initiative met all intended learning objectives and provided students with valuable professional and academic growth. The success of the program highlights the continued importance of global engagement opportunities in preparing students for careers in an increasingly interconnected and innovation-driven built environment industry.
Summer 2026 Tokyo Japan
Summer 2026 Tokyo Japan