Global Track Returns: GT14 Begins a New Chapter

After several years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Track program returned with the arrival of the GT14 cohort. Their journey marked an important new chapter for the program, bringing students back together to learn, travel, and experience architecture and urban life across Asia.

The cohort commenced their semester in Shanghai, where the city served as an extension of their classroom. Immersed in a dynamic urban setting, students explored the connection between Shanghai's historic neighborhoods, modern architecture, infrastructure, and rapid growth. Through studio projects, site visits, and daily exploration, they gained a deeper insight into the cultural and social dynamics shaping the city.

Their studies also reached beyond Shanghai. In Suzhou, the cohort examined the city's historic gardens, canals, and traditional architecture, observing the careful integration of landscape, water, and built form over time. Visits to villages throughout China offered another perspective, enabling students to experience rural communities, regional building traditions, and approaches to preservation and development outside major urban areas.

The group also visited Singapore to explore an alternative model of dense urban development. The city's public spaces, transportation systems, tropical architecture, and incorporation of greenery provided important insights into sustainability and urban planning.

These experiences allowed GT14 to rejuvenate the essence of the Global Track program. Their semester signified more than just a resumption of travel; it revitalized the program's dedication to learning through cultural exchange, exploration, and direct interaction with the locations where students conduct their studies.