What to Expect from Student Life in Venice

Venice is an incredible destination for your studies.

When it comes to studying abroad, selecting the right destination can dramatically shape your academic experience and personal growth. If you're looking for a place that's out of the ordinary and steeped in history, Venice might be your perfect match.

This city can offer a uniquely rich international study experience that's hard to beat, and with access to some of the best universities in the region, choosing to study abroad in Venice might just be the quintessential international study experience you are looking for. These institutions blend rich traditions and histories with a contemporary, international approach to teaching, learning, and research—helping to foster an environment that encourages intellectual growth and practical skill development.

By choosing to study abroad in Venice, you aren't just choosing a city—you're selecting a transformative, culturally immersive educational adventure that's truly difficult to match!

Why study abroad in Venice?

Known for its beautiful canals, breathtaking architecture, and rich cultural heritage, Venice offers much more than an aesthetic appeal. As a student in Venice, you'll be living in a city that's much more than just an open-air museum.

However, Venice isn't just about exploring historical landmarks or gondola rides. While its intricate waterways and majestic palaces will captivate you, student life in Venice will offer you a vivid, eclectic, and enriching experience that sets it apart from other study destinations.

The city can offer you the unparalleled privilege to learn within its ancient walls, while also being part of a modern, vibrant community. University life here extends beyond the classroom to lively discussion in cafes, innovative ideas discussed along the canal banks, and meaningful connections at local festivals. The opportunities for cultural immersion and personal growth are boundless as you navigate this timeless city steeped in art, history, and tradition.

Choosing to study abroad in Venice also places you in the heart of a city that's vibrant with student energy, academic activities, and a rich social culture. If you're looking to truly immerse yourself in a unique cultural ambiance while pursuing a top-notch education, then diving into student life in Venice would surely be an exciting chapter in your international study experience.

Plus, when teaming up with a top university like Ca' Foscari University of Venice, this city can offer a one-of-a-kind experience that blends your personal and academic goals.

13 things to know about student life in Venice

Your experience is guaranteed to be enriching and worthwhile!

So if Venice really is about a whole lot more than gondolas, historic buildings, and tourists, what else is there? Here's what you should know:

1. Food and Lifestyle

One of the many things to know about Venice and its inhabitants is their ferocious dedication to maintaining stellar traditional culinary practices. Venetian cuisine is an eclectic blend of local flavors and global inspirations.

How about a fried polpetta or a crostino with creamy baccalà mantecato? Prepare yourself for a gastronomic joyride when you study abroad in Venice. The city also teems with café cultures where your caffeine trials can take a charming turn as you sit around historic campi, observing this bustling city's life.

Equally intriguing is the Venetian lifestyle, presenting a unique adaptation to the city's network of canals and bridges that can turn seemingly mundane commutes into an exploration. Embracing this lifestyle fosters skills such as nimbleness, resilience, and adaptability—qualities that have immense value in a student's life in Venice.

2. Excellent Education (and in English!)

No Italian fluency? No problem!

Education in Venice, particularly at institutions like Ca' Foscari University, greets international students with a warm, comforting welcome. The university offers a variety of degree programs taught entirely in English, providing students with access to robust academic training through comprehensive courses and internships. Accommodation options are ample, with comfortable residences provided at various campuses like Santa Marta. So, if you aren’t fluent in Italian, no worries! You’ll do just fine.

3. The Myth of Overtourism

Yes, Venice is a popular tourist spot. But this doesn't mean the city only plays host to tourists. An often overlooked aspect is its significant student population, which proves there's more to the city than its postcard beauty. The city comes alive with a youthful vibe making it a fantastic place to study and live. You’ll have no shortage of friends to make or new experiences to enjoy.

4. Flooding Concerns

You might have heard about Venice's issue with flooding. Initiatives such as MOSE, an innovative flood barrier, have considerably mitigated these concerns to improve living conditions in the city, making it more inviting for students who want to study abroad in Venice. Of course, the risk of flooding is never 0 in Venice, but it’s not something you need to actively worry about day to day. And even if it does happen, as a student, you'll have the chance to experience it not as tourists do, but with the locals' state of mind.

You’ll enjoy the unique ways of getting around Venice!

5. Sustainable Living

Another charming thing to know about the historic center of Venice is that it's a pedestrian city and cars are non-existent. As a student, this results in lots of walking, promoting a sustainable lifestyle. This pedestrian context translates into spontaneous socializing opportunities, making the streets of Venice part of your extended campus; imagine frequently bumping into friends or making new ones as you explore the city!

You can also experience the vaporetto (the water bus), which will help you move faster around the city or reach the furthest locations when you’re tired, but also enjoy the numerous islands and beach life during the summer.

6. The Interest to Attract Foreign, Young Talent

It’s no secret that Italy has been experiencing brain drain, and like the rest of Europe, is grappling with a rapidly aging population. However, Venice is investing in unique initiatives aimed at contrasting the population decline in Venice by attracting young, active, and skilled talent.

For example, Project Venywhere (run by Ca’ Foscari professor Massimo Warglien), offers a variety of services for foreigners ranging from pre-arrival assistance to experiential activities, aiming to create a new layer of "temporary citizens" who integrate into the local community. As a student in Venice, you are one easy step away from experiencing La Dolce Vita as a more long-term resident!

7. The Spritz Life

An essential part of student life in Venice is adapting to and partaking in local customs. Embrace the local culture and indulge in aperitivo, a social ritual involving finger foods, drinks, and friends. Being able to easily find fun, welcoming atmospheres in Venice is definitely one of the top aspects of being a student here. And don't forget to try a Select spritz—it's a local favorite you're bound to love!

8. Living Like a Local

Your commute to class is sure to be unlike any other.

Enjoy extracurricular activities around the city to fully integrate into the local ethos. Take lessons in Venetian rowing, participate in neighborhood sagre (local festivals), and attend traditional events like the Redentore Festival. Living like a local is an invaluable part of studying abroad in Venice. It offers a chance to understand, admire, and respect the rituals and rhythms of a city that's stood the test of time.

9. Gateway to Europe

One of the important things to know about Venice is that it offers easy access to the rest of Europe and beyond. With efficient rail and airport networks, it's a great base for students with a penchant for wanderlust and who want to make the absolute most of their weekends. Plus, you can take advantage of the diverse outdoor experiences Venice has to offer from water to snow sports!

10. The Lagoon City's Art and Culture

Famed for its rich artistic and historical heritage, living in Venice means living amidst great masterpieces of the past, and interacting with contemporary art forms. The city's architectural ensemble and the gorgeous lagoon alone are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For a student, navigating through this artistic landscape can be a form of education in itself.

And don’t forget that world-class events like the Venice Biennale for contemporary art makes this city the place to be for exploring the latest cultural phenomena. In other words, your time both in and out of class will be immensely valuable and enriching!

11. A Public Transportation System Like No Other

Unlike any other city, the main means of public transport in Venice is water. The famous vaporetto, or water buses, as well as regular public ferries, ply the Grand Canal and various other routes, connecting different parts of the city.

Students quickly become accustomed to this distinctive way of commuting, making the experience of studying in Venice unique. You can get per ride or one- to three-day passes for easy travel around the city.

You could also get a Venezia Unica card, which is a city pass offering discounted access to various kinds of public transport in the city’s historic center and its more modern part on the Italian mainland.

12. Engage with Local Craftsmanship

Venice is home to age-old artisan traditions like glass-blowing in Murano, lace-making in Burano, and mask-making for the iconic Venetian Carnival. As a student, you can enroll in workshops or short courses to learn these crafts firsthand. Not only does this provide a unique skill and understanding of Venetian traditions, but it also serves as a therapeutic and creative outlet to help deal with any academic pressures.

13. Engage in Student Buddy Programs

Universities like Ca' Foscari have a Buddy Program that pairs incoming international students with experienced student volunteers to facilitate integration, promote cultural exchange, and enrich university life. Buddies assist with practical tasks, campus tours, and social meet-ups. Incoming students will receive a list of available Buddies two months prior to arrival, and what would be a better way to get your Venetian adventure started than receiving guidance from someone who already knows the ropes?

Find and compare study abroad programs in Venice with MyGoAbroad

Now that you know more about studying abroad in Venice—are you ready to dive in?

Next stop: Venice!

Deciding to study abroad is a big step that opens doors to a wider understanding of the world. Living in Venice teaches you to appreciate the modern realities of life. Dive into the Venetian way of life, take advantage of all the opportunities offered, and enjoy an unforgettable study and living experience that will stay with you long after your study abroad in Venice. It's an experience that's sure to boost your personal development and broaden your career horizons.

So, are you ready to embark on your Venetian study adventure?

This article was written with help from Ca' Foscari University of Venice, who also provided all photos seen above. Founded in 1868, Ca’ Foscari offers cutting-edge bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the metropolitan city of Venice.