Sometimes the best classroom has no walls.

This summer, nine Missouri State University geography and planning students traveled across Romania to explore the country’s history, culture and built environments firsthand. Leading the trip was Dr. Krista Evans, associate professor in the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability.

Romania offered students an experience textbooks cannot: the chance to see how geography, architecture and planning affect everyday life.

Learning beyond the classroom

During the trip, students visited castles, historic cities and the Carpathian Mountains. Highlights included touring Bran Castle, Peles Castle, Corvin Castle and Alba lulia, along with hiking through mountain landscapes known for their abundant wildlife.

“The best way to learn is through adventure,” Evans said.

Students also experienced cities designed for people rather than cars, comparing ancient walled communities with neighborhoods developed during Romania’s communist era. Along the way, they observed architectural styles ranging from Roman and Greek to Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Deco, Modernist and Brutalist.

Lessons that last

Not every lesson came from a landmark.

Travel delays stretched the journey to nearly 55 hours. This setback gave students an unexpected opportunity to practice patience, adaptability and teamwork while passing time with games of Rummy 500 in airport terminals.

Students also navigated some language differences, though English is widely spoken in Romania’s cities and major tourist destinations. Outside urban areas, students occasionally encountered language barriers, giving them opportunities to communicate across cultures and adapt in unfamiliar situations.

“The more you know about other people and cultures, the more adaptable you are,” Evans said.

She believes the education abroad experience will help students become stronger planners and professionals. Seeing communities built around walkability, resilience and human-centered design gave them valuable insights they can apply in their future careers.

The next adventure

Evans encourages students to take advantage of education abroad opportunities while they are in college.

She will lead another program in Quebec in May 2027. It will focus on geography, urban planning and architecture.

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