Sustainable Interior Design : International Affairs : Texas State University

Interior Design
Location: Chicago, IL
Course: ID 3321: Contemporary Interiors and Architecture & ID 4302H: Livable Cities
CRN: TBD
Program Directors: Ali Chopra, fcz5@txstate.edu and Amber Branham, ab1390@txstate.edu
Course Dates: Summer I, May 26 - June 29, 2026
Travel: June 5 - 12, 2026
Program Fee: $2,411
Course Tuition: 3-hours $1,068.24, 6-hours $2,136.48
*Financial Aid eligible

Program Itinerary

This Study in America program focuses on individual student’s exploration of interior design through global, sustainable, wellness and diverse lenses. The program provides students with the opportunity to attend the interior design conference NEOCON in Chicago, and to select contemporary issues or problems identified during the conference to develop a design solution.

Date	Activities	Outcomes
Friday, June 5	Travel to Chicago, IL.
Saturday, June 6	Morning meeting, sketching seminar, Robbie House, and Chicago Art Museum. Optional Chicago Blues Festival.	Students will tour contemporary museums focusing on today's contemporary art current issues and past.
Sunday, June 7	Architectural boat tour, NeoCon badge pick up.	Students will attend the architecture boat tour and will be exposed to all architecture from the 18th-21st century. We will discuss the contemporary issues our industry is facing with design and construction. What is it like to design a livable city?
Monday, June 8	Design days/NeoCon. Tour showroom.	NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry since 1969. A launch pad for innovation, NeoCon offers ideas and introductions that shape the built environment today and into the future. The industry’s major manufacturers as well as the latest emerging companies will showcase thousands of new products and services in categories including Furniture, Fabrics, Flooring, Interior Building Products, Interior Finishes and Technology. Design professionals representing markets ranging from Workplace, Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Education, Public Space and Government, converge each year at NeoCon to connect, learn and do business. The NeoCon exhibition is complemented by first-class educational and inspirational programming offering expertise and insight into the most relevant topics in the industry today.
Tuesday, June 9	Design days/NeoCon. Tour showroom.	See outcomes from June 8.
Wednesday, June 10	Glessner House, firm tour.	Students will engage with leading professionals in the interior design industry to discuss contemporary issues, career opportunities, and the future of design, followed by a tour of a renowned international architecture office.
Thursday, June 11	The Public City walking tour, Roosevelt Square Urban Farm, Cultural Center, Downtown walking tour.	Explore downtown and the early financial district architecture. A blend of 19th and 20th century architecture will be toured and understand historical preservation projects. Understand how sustainability is introduced in a walkable and livable city.
Friday, June 12	Travel home.

*Itinerary is subject to change.

Application Process

Follow these steps to enroll.

STEP 1

Complete SIA student application. Deadline is February 1, 2026.

STEP 2

Applications reviewed by Program Directors & SIA.

STEP 3

Pay $50 program deposit. Deadline is February 22, 2026.

STEP 4

Program FAQ

Expand FAQ List

General Information
- Who is eligible to participate in the program?
  
  The program is open to Interior Design majors who have successfully passed both the portfolio review and Basic. To be eligible for the SIA program, students must also maintain a minimum Texas State GPA of 2.7.
- Will I need to be in person at the San Marcos campus for the course?
  
  No, you do not need to be in San Marcos to participate in the program. Instruction before and after the program trip will be online.
- What supplies will I need to participate?
  
  Sketchbooks, PC, pens and pencils.
- Do students have to enroll in both courses?
  
  Students can choose to enroll in one or both of the courses associated with the SIA program.
Costs
- What is included in the program fee?
  The program fee includes:
  - Lodging at a hotel in Chicago.
  - Breakfast throughout the duration of the trip.
  - 2 group dinners.
  - Admission to all program activities.
  - NeoCon conference.
- What is NOT included in the program fee?
  The program fee does not include:
  - Airfare to/from Chicago.
  - Lunch throughout the duration of the trip, 5 dinners.
  - Metro Pass and rideshares.
  - Any additional activities students participate in during program free time.
  - Course tuition.
  *Per SIA policy, airfare is purchased by the student is not refundable by the university. Students are encouraged to purchase flexible airfare or travel insurance in case of the event they are unable to travel.
- What is the program deposit?
  
  Students are required to pay a $50 nonrefundable program deposit to secure their spot in the program. The deposit is applied to the overall program fee.
- Is Study in America Financial Aid eligible?
  
  Yes, SIA programs are financial aid eligible; however, eligibility can vary by student award. Students should always confirm with TXST One Stop whether their financial aid will cover the course tuition and program fee.
Program Preparation
- Will I need to provide my transportation?
  
  Students are responsible for purchasing airfare to/from Chicago, a Metro Pass upon arrival, and possible taxi/rideshares.
- Is there a dress code for specific visits?
  
  Business casual for NeoCon and casual for other activities.
- Will there be downtime on the trip?
  
  Yes, students will have downtime in the evenings.
Drop & Refund Policy
- Course Tuition Refund
  
  Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.
- SIA Program Fee Refund
  
  Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs. See full drop/refund policy.
  Please note the course start date is not the first day of travel.