Summer 2026 in Edinburgh and Dublin

FSC is pleased to offer a Faculty Led Course in Edinburgh and Dublin
(May 26 - June 6, 2026)
 

Study Architecture and Culture (ARC 100) with prof. Orla LoPiccolo in Scotland and Ireland! This 3-credit course provides a foundational study of the art and history of western architecture and the context in which it is built. The course will focus on 20th century to newly built western architectural and urban developments. Course topics include how architecture of today has been influenced by its location, historically significant buildings, art, culture, landscapes, and urbanism. Designed to familiarize students with the architectural thinking of the built environment that surrounds them locally and during an in person or virtual study abroad/away experience to a western city, this course will give students an opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation of the architecture discipline and its design objectives. Course content is drawn from numerous fields including architectural history and theory, design studies, philosophy, and urban studies.  You'll visit iconic monuments such as the Edinburgh Castle and the Guinness Beer factory! Where better to fulfill a General Education/Liberal Arts requirement? 

Open to all students from any SUNY institution. Application deadline, March 15, 2026. 

Cost of tuition, housing, excursions, activities, one-way flight Edinburgh-Dublin, and insurance = $3870 (this cost does not include airfare from/to USA, meals, or personal expenses)

Scholarships:

• Pell awardees should apply for the Benjamin Gilman Scholarship External (March 5, 2026 deadline).
• Other scholarships available at: Scholarship Database

Eligibility:

• For SUNY students in any major
• GPA Requirement: 2.75
• Good disciplinary standing
• Rolling admission until places are filled. Upon acceptance you will be asked for a $500 deposit to guarantee your place (March 1 deadline). 

Bio.: Orla Smyth LoPiccolo is a registered architect, educator, and academic leader whose career bridges professional practice, public service, and innovative teaching. She is a Professor of Architecture and former Chair of the Department of Architecture and Construction Management at Farmingdale State College, SUNY, where she has taught a wide range of courses since 2008 and played a pivotal role in shaping the department’s growth and student success.

She earned her undergraduate and professional architecture degrees with honors from the Dublin Institute of Technology and Trinity College Dublin, followed by a post-professional degree in Architecture, Urban, and Regional Design from the New York Institute of Technology. Her academic credentials are complemented by a Postgraduate Diploma in Building Construction Management from New York University and certification as a Passive House Designer through the Passivhaus Institut in Germany—reflecting her deep commitment to sustainable design and building performance.

Professor LoPiccolo brings extensive professional experience from both Ireland and the United States, having held roles in architecture and construction project management across the private and public sectors. At Farmingdale State College, she has been a driving force in institutional leadership and shared governance. Her service includes key roles on the Applied Learning Review Board (Chair, 2022–2023), Executive Committee (Chair, 2018–2022), and multiple campus-wide initiatives focused on sustainability, public art, and academic planning. As Department Chair from 2017 to 2021, she successfully guided the program through three ABET re-accreditation cycles, strengthened industry partnerships, and created pathways that have connected hundreds of students and alumni with career opportunities.