International Labs for USC Price Students

"USC Price's ongoing relationships with organizations that span the globe enable the school to offer students unique, multi-faceted labs every year."
— Dr. Eric Heikkila, Professor and Director of International Initiatives



USC Price group with South China University of Technology students

In the International Labs, students integrate scholarly knowledge with professional practice by providing consulting services in a setting outside the United States.

Teams provide professional-level consultation to real clients from the country abroad where the lab takes place. Local agencies and firms often sponsor a laboratory to obtain valued studies in research, design and analysis. Community groups seek assistance from laboratory/workshops to obtain analytical data, information and recommendations otherwise unavailable to them.

Lab participants work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams to address a particular project identified by the client in the host country. Students analyze information pertinent to the project and its context, then produce a set of recommendations for accomplishing project objectives. This usually takes the form of policy recommendations, a suggested plan or alternative plans, databases, background information, various maps and graphics.

As participants transition from the classroom to a real-world international setting, they gain direct experience with translating professional practice in a cross-cultural context. While some background research and preparation is necessary prior to leaving the U.S., the bulk of the assignment is undertaken on an intensive basis in the field. The on-site work culminates in a presentation to the client.

The International Labs are designed as integrative professional experiences across the Price School of Public Policy; students from all USC Price graduate programs are welcome to participate. The labs provide students with an opportunity to build their credentials and experience while extending their network of professional contacts.

Learn more about USC Price's International Labs:

China International Lab, 2008

Location: Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Foshan, China

Dates: May 26 – June 6, 2008

Partner: South China University of Technology

Clients: The City of Foshan represented by Vice Mayor Deng and the Foshan Environmental Protection Bureau represented by Mr. Yang Yongtai

Topic: Water quality of the Fenjiang River in the Pearl River Delta region

Description: China's unprecedented growth over the past decade has resulted in many benefits, as well as negative environmental impacts to the region. USC Price lab participants collaborated with South China University of Technology students to study the impact of the rapid urbanization of the region and the increased demands from industry on the declining water quality of the Pearl River Delta (PRD). Students researched professional and scholarly journals; reviewed available reports and statistics from the World Bank and others; and conducted numerous briefings and interviews in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Foshan. Then, they prepared and submitted a formal report to the City of Foshan and the Foshan Environmental Bureau entitled: "A Clean Water Future for Foshan: How the City of Foshan Can Promote Water Quality through Sustainable Land Use Development." The report assessed the Fenjiang River's water quality in the PRD region, and suggested means to counteract and reverse the negative trend.

Brazil International Lab, 2008

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Dates: June 16 – June 27, 2008

Partner: The Fundacao Getulio Vargas (FGV)

Clients: Secretaria Municipal de Urbanismo and Secretaria Municipal do Habitat (municipal departments of the city of Rio de Janeiro)

Topic: Improved integration of Rio de Janeiro’s squatter settlements

Description: Plagued by drugs, poverty and violence, Rio de Janeiro's "favelas" (squatter settlements) represent 20-30 percent of the city's urban population. Participants of the 2008 Brazil Lab analyzed the "slum to neighborhood" or "Favela-Bairro" projects, in which Rio's municipal government has tried to improve the favelas living conditions by integrating these settlements into the fabric of the city.

Student teams conducted field research and made recommendations on fundamental issues pertaining to the city's current Favela-Bairro program:

  • Reduction of violence and the increase of citizen security
  • Operation and maintenance of the water and sewage services
  • Control of the urban expansion of the favelas

Student presentations were made and well-received by officials of different city departments and by professors from the Fundacao Getulio Vargas.

China International Lab, 2007

Location: Beijing, China

Dates: May 19 – June 1, 2007

Partner: Beijing University School of Government, Peking University

Client: The Chinese National Committee on Aging (CNCA)

Topic: The impact of China's social and economic change on the elderly

Description: China is undergoing rapid transformation. The country also has one of the fastest growing aging populations and one of the largest aging populations. Lab participants conducted field research in three urban Beijing neighborhoods to study the lives of China’s elderly. Students sought to answer the question: "What are the intrinsic characteristics of a Chinese elder-friendly community?"

Twenty-seven students from Gerontology, Health Administration, Planning, Public Administration and Public Policy teamed with thirteen students from Peking University to conduct the study. Students worked closely with the World Bank China, the China Research Committee on Aging (CRCA), and the China National Committee on Aging (CNCA), the organization that advises the Chinese government on strategies to address the needs of the aging. Students reviewed policy briefings from the World Bank China, the CNCA, and directors of programs serving the elderly. Students also met with elders as they socialized, shopped, exercised and conducted other daily activities. Upon completion of their field research, participants presented their findings in a final report to officials from the Chinese National Committee on Aging.

Brazil International Lab, 2007

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Dates: June 3 – June 15, 2007

Partner: Brasilian School of Public and Business Administration (EBAPE) at the Fundacao Getulio Vargas (FGV)

Client: Dr. Marilene Ramos, president of SERLA

Topic: Water quality and sustainable growth on the Complexo Lagunar de Jacarepagua

Description: The project for the 2007 Brazil Lab focused on the Complexo Lagunar de Jacarepagua, a system of three interconnected lakes in Barra da Tijuca, a growing suburban region of Rio de Janeiro. Lab participants investigated how the quality of water in these lakes could be improved in the short-term and how long-term development could be conducted to insure the lakes serve as a useful resource to local inhabitants and tourists visiting the area. Students addressed four primary themes:

  • Lake restoration ― approaches that could reduce lake pollution and improve existing water quality
  • Regional development ― plans that support sustainable development in the region
  • Organization and governance ― suggestions for the development of effective inter-organizational, cross-sectoral governance mechanisms to better facilitate lake restoration
  • Recreation and tourism ― recommendations on how to build tourism in a way compatible with the principles of sustainable development

Students presented their findings and recommendations in a final report and presentation to SERLA, the agency responsible for projects intended to protect the state's rivers, canals and lakes.

International Labs, 2004-2006

Between 2004-2006, USC Price held International Labs in a variety of locations, including Chongqing and Beijing, China, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Professors Heikkila, Banerjee, Woo, and Speier lead these intensive, field-based, educational experiences. Students were challenged to conduct research and analysis of critical issues that the settings faced, then provide professional-level consulting to address these issues. The labs helped develop the students international awareness while strengthening alliances between USC Price and other international entities.