Support Sam's Architecture Study Abroad

Due to the support and encouragement of both my lovely wife Estie and my professors at UVU, I applied to and was accepted to the architecture study abroad to Greece and Rome this summer!

The study abroad program will begin in Heraklion, Crete in June and continue for 3.5 weeks as we visit cities such as Sounio, Aigosthena, Mycenae, Nafplio, Bassai, Olympia, Delphi, Florence, and Rome! We will have the chance to visit active archeological sites, meet professionals working on ancient restoration projects and digs, visit museums, and experience first-hand some of the structures and cities I have studied and referenced during the past 4 years of my architectural education.

Of particular interest to me will be the opportunity to take my education to the next level. I have found it is one thing to study beautiful things through books and drawings in the classroom, and quite another to experience them in person. I look forward to sketching, doing measured drawings, and plein air paintings of my favorite monuments such as the Parthenon in Athens, the Pantheon in Rome, and many more. The Parthenon in particular has inspired some of my studio projects and was the subject of one of my research projects! I am also looking forward to meeting and learning from some of the world's leading authorities of archeology while in Greece!

Archeology may seem like an unrelated profession to architecture, but I believe them to be complimentary. One of my takeaways from UVU's architecture program is that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before. The study of ancient buildings and civilizations connects us to those who preceded us. Their work can inspire and lift the creations we make to a new level, at least, that's what I believe.

As an independent person I am not one to hastily ask for help and support, but I hope you can see that this opportunity is well worth the request. The estimated cost of the program, tuition, airfare, and other costs adds up to about $8,400. I recently was awarded a $500 scholarship from UVU towards the program and am pursuing work opportunities to raise more funds to go.

Any donations will go towards securing flights and covering the program costs, which include our hotel costs, breakfast, travel during the program, and such things as travel insurance and admittance to museums and architectural tours!

Any size contribution is welcome and very much appreciated! As a thank you, I will send you a print of one of my watercolors from the trip.

Thank you for your support as I raise the funds to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. Please reach out if you would like to hear more about my experience. I look forward to sharing my experiences and what I will learn from this summer!

*Support also available through venmo, see this link: Sam's Venmo