The Savanna Studio Travel Experience: From My Backyard to Broader Benefits

Landscape architecture programs often include travel education options as a part of their curriculum. The Savanna Studio, a long-running traveling design program for first-year landscape architecture students, is one such program, though it differs from most other programs because of its regional focus. Through the exploration of the central U.S. savanna region, the program aims to introduce students to the landscape architecture profession, expose them to various landscapes and cultures, and blend course content with travel. This article analyzes survey data from former Savanna Studio participants to document the program’s comprehensive benefits and impacts. Results are analyzed by gender, race/ethnicity, and students’ home location to understand specific identity-based effects. Findings in the survey suggest that the Savanna Studio experience offers a dynamic learning experience that impacts communication skills, cultural awareness and appreciation, and increased interpersonal development. In addition, the Savanna Studio is a powerful vehicle for community building and understanding the landscape architecture field’s breadth and depth. Benefits also differed by gender, race/ethnicity, and home location. The article concludes with considerations for landscape architecture programs that may consider similar travel education initiatives, arguing that these short-term travel experiences are a valuable and feasible option for educational travel.