Recognizing the importance of global discourse and cross-cultural literacy, RISD Global spearheads a range of learning opportunities on campus, online and abroad. The office serves as a hub for globally focused experiences at RISD—from supporting reciprocal exchanges of ideas and practices to global engagements that broaden perspectives and other opportunities designed to connect students, faculty and partners with diverse approaches to making around the world.
Global engagement + mobility
RISD students are encouraged to engage in off-campus learning experiences that enhance creative practices through multidisciplinary exploration of various cultures. Five-week travel/study courses are available during Wintersession and through Global Summer Studies experiences, with semester-long programs now offered in Rome and Seoul. In addition, the RISD Global Exchange Program offers wonderful opportunities to study at 43 other colleges and universities throughout the world.
RISD in Rome
RISD in Rome’s European Honors Program (EHP) offers highly motivated and self-directed juniors and seniors the opportunity to live and study in Rome, a city infused with art historical significance and pulsing with cultural life. Housed in the Palazzetto Cenci, a 16th-century palace within walking distance of the Vatican, the Pantheon, the Coliseum and the Roman Forum, the 21-week program invites students to explore individual interests in the fine arts, architecture and design.
Faculty global research
As a means of helping students to become globally engaged citizens, RISD encourages faculty mobility and global engagement through practice, research and teaching. Faculty are invited to apply for a Global Faculty Fellowship to pursue globally focused research, along with grants that support Global Engagement for Curricular Development. In addition, they propose and lead Wintersession and summer courses abroad.
Global partnerships
RISD’s approach to global engagement is centered on a model that prioritizes reciprocity of exchange and partnered models of program and research development. A strong network of formal and informal partners includes 43 Global Exchange institutions around the world and Global Futures Lab participants such as the Art University of Isfahan in Iran, the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India, the Universidad Catolica del Peru in Lima, Peru and Zoma Contemporary Art Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition, RISD continues to pursue sustained practice- and teaching-based collaborative projects and research with other partners around the world.
Global stories
New Partnership Centers on Moroccan Craft
Moroccan artisans and designers visit RISD as part of a multiphase cultural exchange program.
Liberating Approach to Practice
As a grad student in Glass, Mays Albaik MFA 19 GL is constantly discovering exciting ways to expand and refine her creative practice.
RISD Cited as a #1 Fulbright Producer
RISD is once again named the top producer of US Fulbright students among special-focus four-year institutions.
Revisiting the Architecture of Apartheid
The Architecture department welcomes Cape Town architect and author Ilze Wolff for the first in a series of globally focused discussions.