Summer Study Abroad 2025: Venice Italy
This blog is about my three unforgettable weeks studying abroad in Venice, Italy with the Department of Interior Architecture at UNCG. It will showcase exploration, learning, and inspiration, some of my sketches, and show the incredible views and architecture I got to experience. Every moment offered something new, whether it was standing in front of world-renowned architecture or finding my way through alleys and alongside canals back to my Airbnb, it was an unforgettable experience. My goal with this collection is not just to document what I saw, but to share how Venice made me feel. Through these photos and reflections, I hope to bring the city’s beauty, complexity, and charm to life, and to give you a glimpse into the journey that deeply shaped my perspective as both a student and an artist.
We took an overnight flight and landed mid-morning, buzzing with excitement. Despite the long travel, I really did not feel too jet lagged, just pure joy to finally be in Venice. From the airport, three classmates and I squeezed onto a water taxi with our two suitcases each, backpacks, and boat tickets in hand. The boat ride into Venice was such a unique and unforgettable experience. Cruising through the water, surrounded by the beauty of the “Floating City,” gave us our very first glimpse of the stunning canals, colorful buildings, and bridges. Arriving by boat was the perfect way to be introduced to this magical place, and it set the tone for an amazing start to our study abroad adventure in Venice.
A part of our experience and curriculum of this trip in Venice was sketching the environment around us. This trip made me find a new love for sketching the world around me and also helped me develop my own style of sketching. I learned I prefer sketching exteriors much more than interiors, I learned drawing super straight, non-sketchy lines are not exactly my thing, and I learned watercolor can bring so much life to a sketch. I particularly fell in love with the skylines of Venice. I would find the highest point of what I could see around me, whether it was a church dome, a bell tower, or just one of the city’s countless charming rooftops, and sketch what I saw. These sketches are not just as a personal reminder, but to encourage anyone reading to pause, look up, and take in the beauty around them.
Never in my life have I seen anything like the buildings and architecture in Venice. I truly was in awe with each and every corner I was turning. Here are just a few (of my many pictures) of the architecture in Venice.
Another key part of our study abroad curriculum was attending the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale. It was an unforgettable experience and my first time seeing anything like it. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was amazed by how creative and forward thinking the exhibits were. The theme this year, Intelligens: Natural. Artificial. Collective., explored how architecture can respond to today’s biggest challenges, like climate change and new technology. The event took place in two huge venues, the Arsenale and the Giardini, which were filled with models, videos, and interactive displays. It was exciting to see how architects from around the world are using new materials and ideas to build smarter and more sustainable buildings. Some exhibits even used artificial intelligence and biodegradable materials. It really opened my eyes to how much architecture can shape our future. Seeing it all for the first time in Venice made the experience even more special. I left feeling inspired and hopeful for the future.
Another part I want to mention is how much fun I had! If you are unsure about study abroad, I say, go for it! I built friendships, learned to make pasta, had a mask making class, and so much more. I had so much fun on my faculty lead trip and saw and experienced so many things. If I were to do this as a solo trip, I feel I would not have had the same experience as I did studying abroad with UNCG.
It’s hard to fully express just how much these three weeks in Venice have impacted me. I had never been to Europe before this, but Venice taught me to slow down, especially since there are no cars. It reminded me to hold my head up, not just literally to make sure I didn’t miss the highly ornate ceilings in almost every building, but to simply look up and take in the world around me. Lastly, it taught me to observe more closely, and appreciate the details that often go unnoticed. I gained new perspectives, not just in architecture and design, but in how I see the world around me. Most of all, this experience reminded me why I chose to pursue a creative path in the first place. The lessons I’ve learned in Venice will influence how I see, create, and move through the world in the years to come. And to Venice, I will continue to ask myself “How in the world do you even construct a building like that?”
-Leila Goetsch