This 4 year:project aims at improving the Knowledge base, skills, and internationatiinderstandlng of students in urban and regionaidevelopment by means of a specialized curriculum focused around international exchange and guided comparative research for 72graduate students (36 EU, 36 USA). The curricuium includes pre-departure distance learning courses; intensive workshops onresearch methods and design; bi-weekìy research seminars; and seminars—one on each continent in each year—aimed atproviding immediate feedback and assistance to students on research design, methods and interpretation of results.