The Interplay of Cultures studio has run under different names since 1993. The course aims to teach students about the environmental, economic, cultural and social impacts of development, architecture and urban planning. Collaborating with universities, NGOs and municipal and national authorities helps students gain a broader understanding of the local context, but also aims at long-term capacity building in the host country. Over the years, the field trips have taken Aalto students to Senegal, Benin, Cambodia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Philippines, Zanzibar and Ghana.