Italian
Degree in Architecture at the Federico II University of Naples (Italy), specializing with a three-year PhD on the subject of  the representation of light and shadow in Sino-Japanese religious figurative and philosophical cultures.

The field of research and study is related to the History and Theory of Representation Methods, both in West and in Far East cultures. These fields of study have poured into teaching at the VIU: the courses I have held over many years have focused on comparative studies between different and multicultural approaches in the representation of two philosophical and existential categories, space and time.

I chose to teach at VIU because I was initially invited by the Dean of my faculty, but in reality, I wanted my studies and my research to have a bigger audience of listeners and an opportunity for comparison with students and colleagues from other disciplinary fields and other countries.

Teaching at the VIU is an extraordinary experience for many reasons: first of all, logistically. Reaching San Servolo is a real journey out of the secular world, and arriving on the island is equivalent to entering a microcosm where, however, the macrocosm converges. Precisely the interdisciplinarity offered by the academic programs and the possibility of comparing with colleagues and students from the most various backgrounds corresponds to a real personal and academic enrichment.

Because it is an experience of human and professional growth and maturation. You can meet students and colleagues with very different knowledge and fascinating approaches to research. In short, teaching at the VIU helps improve one's place in the world

It was interesting and enriching for me to receive insights from students who came from such different cultures and traditions. Teaching at VIU was a way of learning more about myself and my profession.

Apart from the discussions at the end of the lesson, which were always smart and engaging, the best moments were those in which, while waiting for the lesson or after its end, it was possible to speak freely with the students. An unforgettable experience.

I participated in the [Erasmus+] exchange program with Tel Aviv University, at The Yolanda and David Katz Faculty of Art, where I gave lectures and seminars for the local Doctoral School. I was able to appreciate the high scientific level of that institution and collaborate in seminars and debates of the highest level, a unique opportunity also to show the results of my academic research.

The desire was to deepen the comparison with an academic institution, Tel Aviv University, very renowned and able to expand my cultural and human horizons. If I had the chance I would like to repeat it, since protocols of international scientific collaboration and friendships with formidable and highly skilled colleagues were born.

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Agostino De Rosa's teaching at Tel Aviv University was supported by the Erasmus+ project: 2019-1-IT02-KA107-062057, in the context of the Erasmus+ Mobility Consortium 2017-1-IT02-KA108-036012. 

Italian, 22 years old
3-year interdisciplinary Undergraduate Degree in Global Governance: economics and international law with a specialization track in “Sciences & Technology” at the Tor Vergata Rome University
RED Scholar at VIU

Since I was a child my biggest dream concerned making something amazing with my life, helping future generations to live in a better world full of opportunities and innovation. My linguistic high school path gave me the chance to realize how important was to meet with other cultures. Have international conversations with people coming from different countries with multiple backgrounds can be a useful example in order to see the current world from a different perspective. My Bachelor Degree was the keystone to enter into an international environment, understanding how to make the difference in this world.
Thanks to my home university Rome Tor Vergata, as part of the Venice International University’s consortium, I have had the possibility to apply for the Globalization Program during the Spring semester of 2021. Notwithstanding the difficult period that COVID-19 has created, I chose to start this journey in Venice because I consider it as an incredible and unique opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. I am very interested both in innovation and sustainability and this program offers multiple specialization tracks with different courses, I personally chose the Environmental Management and Sustainable Development one. Moreover, VIU joins lots of projects to promote innovation, technology and sustainability in Venice, establishing a solid network with governmental and international organizations: TEN and MUHAI programs are just two examples.

For this semester I was selected as a RED scholar together with Olivia Fothergill and Luka Pejic.
VIU is not only an amazing university but also a community of international students full of co-curricular activities and opportunities for its members to discover more about the city of Venice. As RED scholars, we create new contents updating the VIUcommunity website: a space for students and professors to share interesting articles, interviews and pictures. Moreover, we organized casual conversations once a week called LUNCH2B because they took place during lunchtime in order to enable Tsinghua’s students to join them. Distances, international boundaries and different time zones shouldn’t be obstacles to establish connections sharing experiences and emotions. This is why we have worked a lot on our resilience: problems and last-minute snags were not big issues for us.
It has been an enriching experience because it improved my multitasking skills and web design ability. In addition to this, I have had the chance to be part of a great team also with the collaboration with Professor Luca Pes, as a mentor and teacher. I would like to thank a lot past RED scholars for their website heritage and instruments with a common vision: establish a network of amazing people that will change the world.

Before my physical arrival to Venice, we have had two weeks of online lectures with a weekly discussion about common topics: it was called VIU Virtual Exchange. It was very beautiful, I have had the opportunity to meet before the arrival lots of my actual friends here in the program. Debates were full of emotions and an occasion to share our international backgrounds on communication, social media, gender studies and art. I would recommend this co-curricular activity for future VIU students in order to let them enter in a new dimension with the help of the experts that engaged us in the conversations.

VIU adopts an interdisciplinary approach to communicate students' new contents, giving them wonderful food for thought. I have found an inspiring environment thanks to San Servolo’s island, it has enriched my background with new knowledge and passion. Moreover, it offers multiple places for students to study: the MacLab and the library are just two examples of the variety of spaces that this island can offer. It helped also the formation of our spring semester’s group because we have shared lots of moments together, such as lunchtime. Lectures in presence were a unique opportunity to meet each other, interacting also with the teaching staff to trigger interesting debates.
San Servolo offers beautiful sunsets and it creates magical moments and memories that we as students will remember for the rest of our life.

The beauty of Venice is another side of the story. I can attend wonderful courses while enjoying all the beauties of the city in a special time without tourists with the chance to see amazing places, such as St. Mark’s Square, in total relax.
I really like reading books in particular places in the city: Campo San Polo, near Rialto’s Market and Punta Della Dogana.
Moreover, I love making jogging in Giardini della Biennale to have a beautiful view of the lagoon or staring at the magic sunsets that the city offers.
Museums and exhibitions are not open yet but I hope I’ll have the chance to enjoy the artistic heritage of Venice.

I would recommend to every student to join VIU Program not only for the amazing experience in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but also to have a chance to enter in a new world with the special support of professors and experts.

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Francesca Virzì was a recipient of the RED scholarship

from Japan
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major on Artificial Intelligence.

We interviewed Marina, a student of the Globalization Program, to hear more about her experience in the VIU program, and about life in Venice.

“The most attractive feature of the Globalization program for me is its offer of variety of cultures and nationality. One thing I really like about this program is that a lot of professors joined from all over the world.

“I was enriched by my learning experience at VU. The courses in VIU are made of around 20 students, so we can easily ask questions to professors, and students can get each other close easily. So I really like that environment of study.

“The dearest thing in VIU for me was people, because the professors and students are so kind and the staff in VIU are so helpful, they try their best to help you.”

Find out more about Marina’s VIU experience and tips for your trip to Venice: one video about her academic experience, another about VIU life and her Venetian experience.

Marina has been shortlisted for an Internship in Italy for summer 2024.
https://www.univiu.org/study/globalization-program/internships/in-italy

from Russia
MA in Economics and Management of Arts and Culture

To share insights about the VIU program and life in Venice, we had the opportunity to interview Katerina, a former student of the Globalization Program, who shared her experiences with us.

“The learning experience was great and it was different from almost all my previous universities. The collaborative efforts, the non-classical way:  a lot of presentations, a lot of group work, all made the educational process more fun and more productive, and allowed me to dig deeper in the topics we explored in class.

“I really liked in general the San Servolo experience. You go there everyday by boat to the island, this very special life there. And also all the types of extras we did, like visit museums, trip to Pellestrina, see MOSE, as part of our educational journey – that was very enriching.

Find out more about Katerina’s VIU experience and tips for your trip to Venice: one video about her academic and internship experience, another about VIU life and her Venetian experience.