Studying in Rome is a critical component of architecture education at Notre Dame. As the only architecture school that requires all students to spend a full year abroad, Notre Dame architecture students and alumni often reflect on their Rome Studies program experience with unmatched fondness. During their time in Rome, students are immersed in architecture history and Italian culture and are given the opportunity to explore the foundations of urbanism and traditional architecture. Upon arrival back to campus, the School hosts the annual Expo Roma event to celebrate fourth-year students’ year in Rome.
Students and their families are invited to the weekend event, where students share memories of time spent in Rome. Families are also invited to view a student work exhibition featuring work completed during the year abroad. Another exciting tradition for the Expo Roma celebration is the student produced video yearbook. The video yearbook has emerged as a highlight during the event and is accompanied by student’s recounting some of their favorite stories from Rome.
“It was amazing to see everyone's works pinned up next to each other. Rome is such an integral and transformative part of our education. It is one thing to share pictures of our work with our family and another to show and explain it to them in person,” says fourth-year architecture student William Marsh reflecting on the Expo Roma experience.
This year marks the first Expo Roma held in the new Matthew and Joyce Walsh Family Hall of Architecture, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Rome Studies Program.