Student Inclusion Support recognizes that each student arrives at VIU with unique experiences, identities, and aspirations. Studying in an international and interdisciplinary environment such as the VIU Globalization Program can be both exciting and challenging. Student Inclusion Support is available to help students navigate these transitions and make the most of their time at VIU.

Living and learning in a new setting, adapting to different academic expectations, and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds can bring a range of emotions. Students may experience enthusiasm and curiosity alongside moments of uncertainty or stress. At VIU, we understand that these experiences can be a natural part of studying in an international context.

Student Inclusion Support is rooted in VIU’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging, empowering students to thrive both academically and personally. You can read about the experiences of Globalization Program alumni here. You can read more about diversity, inclusion and belonging at VIU here.

The learning environment and inclusion activities in the Globalization Program are designed to encourage active engagement among students and professors, creating different opportunities to learn with and from one another. Student Inclusion Support aims to ensure that all students feel supported and able to fully engage with the academic and community opportunities offered through the VIU Globalization Program.

Diversity, inclusion, and belonging are dynamic concepts shaped by our individual experiences and by the contexts in which we learn and live. To encourage reflection on these themes, students are invited to take part in a supplementary reflection exercise on diversity, inclusion and belonging at VIU. This exercise supports personal reflection while contributing to the co-creation of a campus culture that cultivates dialogue, mutual respect, and thoughtful engagement. The reflection exercise is available to all students in the VIU e-learning platform.

How to Contact Student Inclusion Support

VIU staff are available to provide guidance and support throughout the Globalization Program. In addition to talking to your professors and the Vice-Dean and Director of the Globalization Program, Prof. Luca Pes, students can also reach out to Diana Mattiello, Student Inclusion Support, Office 5Y, to talk about their experiences in a confidential and supportive space, whether related to academic participation, adjusting to campus life, raising awareness and outreach initiatives, or simply navigating the transition to a new environment.

Diana Mattiello
Student Inclusion Support

tel. +39 041 2719578 
email: diana.mattiello@univiu.org

The Globalization Program (GP) Office at Venice International University supports students, faculty, and visiting scholars involved in our GP semesters and summer sessions. Whether you need help with registration, visas, housing, or mobility opportunities, this office is your central hub for guidance and assistance.

Location & Contact

Office: 2G, Ground Floor
Phone: 041 2719 563 / 041 2719 565

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10.30 am - 1.30 pm

Email Contacts:

• Students: student-services@univiu.org
• Professors/Faculty: gpoffice@univiu.org
• Virtual Appointments: [Book a virtual appointment link - upcoming]

Student Services

We assist students with academic and administrative matters throughout their time at VIU.

Admissions & Registration
Your first step is to confirm your eligibility, application procedures, and deadlines at your home university. Check with your home university about credit recognition, financial aid, and continuity of inclusion support while studying away.

 After being nominated by your home university, VIU will guide you through pre-registration, course registration, admission petitions, transcripts, certificates, and attendance records.

• Find out who to contact in your home university   

After being nominated by your home university, VIU will guide you through pre-registration, course registration, admission petitions, transcripts, certificates, and attendance records.

• Step-by-step guide to registration  

Make sure you are aware of the regulations on attendance, exams, and special arrangements.

• Consult GP regulations 

 Who to contact: Francesca Zennaro

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VIULife & Community

Housing Support - Living with students from different countries is an integral part of the intercultural experience at VIU. We provide housing support for semester, year-long, and summer session students. Options include on-campus shared rooms or apartments in Venice.

• Consult housing services 

Who to contact: Miriam Rivas Medina

Co-Curricular Program - the Meeting Venice co-curricular program allows students to explore the city, its lagoon, and hinterland, taking learning out of the classroom, and providing students with the opportunity to do interesting activities together. Many activities are related to include site visits related to the courses, a Plenary Workshop, weekly meetings among students and professors for conversations about topical issues, cultural visits, sports and community opportunities. 

• Learn more about the co-curricular program

Who to contact: Miriam Rivas Medina

Need a doctor? Contact student-services@univiu.org for support

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Visa and Residency Permit Support

Students from non-EU countries require an Italian student visa. After arrival, students will apply for a residency permit. A meeting during orientation will walk you through this process.

• Consult relevant information here

Who to contact: Miriam Rivas Medina 

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Student Inclusion Support

Studying in an international and interdisciplinary environment can be both exciting and challenging. Student Inclusion Support helps students navigate these transitions and make the most of their time at VIU.

• Learn more about student inclusion

Who to contact: Diana Mattiello 

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Mobility Opportunities

Several opportunities for mobility supported by scholarships are available to students. 

Who to contact: Diana Mattiello

• RED scholarships - globalization@univiu.org
• Erasmus+ - erasmus@univiu.org
• Internships in Italy - globalization@univiu.org 

Front Office 

The Front Office provides daily on-site support for students and faculty.

• VIU Card issuance
• Copy machine credit
• Sign up for co-curricular activities
• Delivery of packages
• Weekly newsletter “What’s On in Venice” with suggestions for cultural and social activities

Library

The VIU library houses a collection of texts and dvds in topical areas relevant to the Globalization Program. 
Students may also volunteer at the library.

Opening hours (Spring 2026 - from March 24):

• Monday: 1 PM - 4 PM
• Tuesday: 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Thursday: 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
• Friday: closed

• Consult the online catalogue

Who to contact: Elena Bovolenta

Other opportunities:
• Visits to Venice City Libraries during orientation
• Access to Ca’ Foscari University libraries

Faculty Support

We assist professors teaching in GP semesters and summer sessions with support regarding: 

• Immigration procedures for non-EU faculty
• Housing support
• Publication of course descriptions and syllabi
• Course scheduling
• Library resources and classroom equipment
• Faculty and research meetings

Consult relevant resources:

• Teaching at VIU
• Visas for professors and researchers
• Living in Venice

Housing support contact: Miriam Rivas Medina
General faculty inquiries: gpoffice@univiu.org
Interested in teaching at VIU? Check the calls for lectureships.

Scientific Director of Globalization Program
The Scientific Director of the Globalization Program is Prof. Luca Pes – luca.pes@univiu.org – Vice-Dean of VIU
Office location: 2B

GP Office Who’s Who

Orla McLaughlin - orla.mclaughlin@univiu.org
Executive Director of Academic Programs
Head of Communications

Francesca Zennaro – francesca.zennaro@univiu.org
General administrative issues for the GP
Coordination of the GP academic activities in progress
Student Services: registration, transcripts, certificates, attendance records
Communications (Website)
E-learning tools (Moodle and Zoom)

Miriam Rivas Medina – miriam.rivas@univiu.org
Student Services: Housing, visas and residency permits
Housing for visiting faculty
Meeting Venice co-curricular program
Student Guide, VIU events

Diana Mattiello - diana.mattiello@univiu.org
Student Inclusion Support
Erasmus+ paperwork (incoming and outgoing)
Internships in Italy
RED scholarships

Elena Bovolenta – elena.bovolenta@univiu.org
Immigration procedures for non-EU faculty
Support for GP professors pre-arrival

June 29 - July 3, 2026 | 1st edition

Call for applications: closed

This one-week summer school offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of multiple migrations and transnationalism. Traditionally, migration research has focused on receiving countries, primarily examining immigration and integration. In recent decades, increasing attention has been paid to the complex logics and processes of migration. Across many parts of the world, multiple migration— encompassing linked internal and international migration, circular migration, or multinational migration—has become a common migratory phenomenon. Understanding these diverse patterns of mobilities and their trajectories is crucial to addressing the broader social, economic, and political challenges faced by migrants and the countries they move through.

Student participants in this course will be encouraged to rethink the conventional view of international migration as a straightforward journey from country of origin to country of destination. They will also reflect on the infrastructure and reasons for and the processes and outcomes of multiple migrations, which may include the conscious or unconscious acquisition of resources and knowledge—such as economic, legal, educational, and linguistic capital—that could be beneficial or essential for future migration destinations. This course incorporates perspectives from the fields of law, sociology and social linguistics. Law is a fundamental aspect in the analysis of multiple migrations and return migrations: there are issues of citizenships which can be acquired at the expense of the nationality of origin, but also issues of reunification with one own family, and fear of being persecuted once back to the country of origin. Some cases dealt with by the Court of Justice of the European Union will be examined (loss of EU nationality, new pact on migration and asylum) and a intersectional human rights-based perspective will be offered throughout the analysis.

Migration—why it occurs, how it unfolds, and what social impacts it generates—has long been a central concern of sociological inquiry. It is often rooted in global inequalities, facilitated by social ties, and shaped by social, institutional, and material infrastructures. Migration also has profound consequences for individuals, communities, and the societies in which they are embedded. This course explores multiple forms of migration by engaging with recent literature that investigates their underlying causes, the processes of skill construction and career building they entail, and the often contradictory directions mobility can take across different dimensions.Language and education are fundamental aspects of the migration experience. Migrants have complex sociolinguistic repertoires that may be influenced by their diverse migration trajectories. Topics will include language maintenance and shift, the preservation of linguistic and cultural heritage, and transnational language practices. We will also address the issue of why destination countries often fail to recognise individuals' linguistic and cultural expertise, as well as explore how children who migrate multiple times manage to navigate the challenges of education.

Venice itself serves as an ideal case study, with its largest migrant community—the Bangladeshi community—exemplifying high levels of transnationalism. Many members of this community have engaged in internal migration within Italy, onward migration to other European countries, or return migration. This case will be an integral part of the program.

Faculty
Francesco Goglia, University of Exeter (Scientific Coordinator)
Sara De Vido, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Gracia Liu-Farrer, Waseda University

Who is it for?
Applications are open to MA and PhD students in Sociology, Human Rights, Law, Cultural Studies, Sociolinguistics, Education, Migration Studies. Undergraduate students in their final year of studies can also apply.

Learning outcomes for participants
- The ability to critically analyse and challenge traditional migration theories, particularly those that view migration as a linear process from origin to destination and engage with more complex models such as circular, onward and return migration.
- A multidisciplinary approach to migration studies, integrating insights from sociology, law, sociolinguistics, and education to address the multifaceted nature of migration experiences.
- An understanding of the ethical dilemmas and policy
challenges surrounding migration, with a particular focus on issues such as the recognition of migrants' skills, cultural expertise, and their rights in destination countries.
- The skills to collaborate effectively in cross-cultural settings, fostering a deeper understanding of global migration dynamics through interaction with scholars and peers from diverse backgrounds.
- Practical approaches to migration management, exploring real-world case studies such as the transnational Bangladeshi community in Venice and select cases adjudicated by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Credits
A Certificate of attendance will be issued at the end of the course.
Number of ECTS credits allocated: 2

Fees
Students of VIU member universities:
€ 300 incl. VAT
Students of other universities:
€ 600 incl. VAT

VIU Alumni are eligible for a reduced fee.

The fees will cover tuition, course materials, lunches in the VIU cafeteria and Social events.
Student participants will be responsible for covering their own travel expenses to and from Venice, accommodation and local transportation.

PhD candidates and post-docs from EU universities may be eligible for Erasmus+ mobility grant support. Candidates should consult the International Office in their own university for information about the calls for applications for funding. VIU will provide any supporting documentation requested for such applications. Contact VIU Erasmus office: erasmus@univiu.org

Applicants must submit the application form, a letter of motivation – which should include a brief description of the candidate’s research interests, a curriculum vitae and a photo.

The Program will admit 25 student participants.

For further information, please download the brochure and the program or write to: summerschools@univiu.org

The Globalization Program at Venice International University offers students the opportunity to spend a semester or a full academic year in a vibrant, multicultural, and interdisciplinary environment. With around 120-140 students per semester, the program brings together motivated learners from member universities around the world.

Students can choose from 25 courses, each carrying 6 ECTS credits, with a full course load typically comprising 4–5 courses. Classes are intentionally small, with a maximum of 25 students, fostering close interaction with faculty and peers and promoting active participation in discussions and collaborative projects.

While Italian language skills are recommended for students visiting from abroad to fully engage with the local community, the program also provides a rich co-curricular experience that takes learning beyond the classroom.

The Meeting Venice co-curricular program offers students the opportunity to discover and relate to the city of Venice, its lagoon and hinterland, taking teaching out of the classroom and into the field. The co-curricular activities are an integral part of the learning experience at VIU.

Many activities are connected to academic courses, allowing students to deepen their understanding of the subjects while engaging in collaborative, hands-on experiences. Others provide informal opportunities to socialize, share ideas, and spark curiosity across disciplines, including weekly gatherings for conversation and reflection (Tea2B), sports, social activities and an interdisciplinary Plenary Workshop.

The Plenary Workshop is a particularly unique feature, inviting students and professors from all courses to contribute short presentations, performances, or creative projects - music, poetry, or other forms - centered on a chosen theme. This experience encourages experimentation, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives.

Students can also take advantage of accommodation services, living with peers from other countries, and further enriching their intercultural experience. This immersive environment supports both academic growth and personal development, preparing students to navigate complex global challenges while forming lasting connections across cultures.

CORE TOPICS

Italy
courses that critically analyze Venetian and Italian life, culture, art, and history

- History of Venice

- Italian Contemporary History in Films

- Art and Architecture in Renaissance Venice 

Cultures of the World
courses that examine the cultures of the world; courses that make the most of the intercultural classroom

- Intercultural Communication 

- Gender Studies

- Comparing East and West 

Global Challenges
courses that address current, global issues, preferably from an interdisciplinary perspective

- Identity, Heritage and Globalization 

- Globalization, Ethics, Welfare and Human Rights

- Global Governance for Peace and Security, Cooperation and Development 

SPECIALIZATION TRACKS 1st semester 
3-6 courses will be available in each track and will vary each semester.  

Economics, Management and Digital Technologies applied to Cultural Heritage 
The aim of this specialization track is to introduce students to concepts such as Natural and Cultural Heritage, both tangible and intangible; to the challenges posed by their management, preservation and development, in relation to development policies and/or citizenship issues. 3-5 courses are typically offered in this track. 

Science and Society
The aim is to explore critically the role and impact of science, technology and innovation within society, and conversely how society, politics and culture affect scientific research and innovation. Courses may examine Science as a profession and the role of scientists as stakeholders within society, or may scrutinize the ethics of science, and explore the many relevant societal issues including science and education, science communication and civic engagement; the economics, sociology and anthropology of science; representation of science in literature and the arts; citizen science and open science; responsible research and innovation.

History and Memory 
This specialization track is intended to offer opportunities to develop an up-to-date understanding of history, historical research and consciousness, Collective and individual memory and forgetting, with their ethical and political implications, in their micro and macro dimensions.

SPECIALIZATION TRACKS 2nd Semester 
3-6 courses will be available in each track and will vary each semester. 

Environmental Management and Sustainable Development 
The aim of this specialization track is to develop awareness of Sustainability concepts and issues, applied to the Environment and the Economy, learning about sustainable practices and management, adopting ethical and cultural approaches. Courses may provide tools of analysis of Environmental changes and of impact valuation (including digital tools), knowledge about policies, law and governance; climate change; sustainable energy; food and water security; corporate social responsibility and industrial ecology; the role of lead firms in fostering environmental innovation; justice and development.

Cities and Global Change
This specialization track focuses on the cities as places where human activities are concentrated, as the chief causes of, and solutions to, anthropogenic global change, providing students with a critical view on the nature of cities and social, economic, political, cultural global change, their interrelation, the way in which cities address problems and opportunities emerging from such change (climate change, transport and mobility, democracy and participation, education, multiculturalism, migration and population trends, tourism, land use, urban poverty) and the tools available for governance of change.

Environmental Humanities
This track aims to capture existing conjunctions across environmental philosophy, environmental history, ecocriticism, cultural geography, cultural anthropology, and political ecology, while also seeking to integrate debates thus far largely shaped by different disciplinary contexts. Environmental Humanities can help to organize humanistic research, to open up new forms of interdisciplinarity, both within the humanities and in collaboration with the
social and natural sciences, and to shape public debate and policies on environmental issues.