The Ca' Foscari - Harvard Summer School was established in 2006 in an unprecedented joint venture between Ca' Foscari University of Venice and Harvard University, two prestigious institutions eager to develop a unique bond.
Throughout the numerous summers, this unparalleled 8-week program for 100 students, has not only strengthened academic and professional ties between the two Universities and their students, but has also formed long-lasting memories and friendships across the Atlantic.
The uniqueness of the CFHSS, promoted by the Ca' Foscari School for International Education, comes from its direct cross-cultural exchange, its distinguished academic schedule supported through a rich array of activities and events, and - of course - its magical location. Students enrol in two classes from a range of courses in Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Math, and the Humanities, and credits (6 ECTS per course) are recognised at both Universities.
In addition to providing a stimulating and challenging intercultural study environment, the CFHSS also gives its participants the opportunity to take part in extracurricular activities in various locations around Venice and its surroundings, allowing students and professors alike to learn, interact, adventure and grow alongside their peers/colleagues.
To celebrate the beginning of a new edition of this unique Summer School, which started on June 17, we spoke to two Harvard students about their expectations for their stay in Venice.
Let’s get to know Michael Zhu and Sophia Swartz!
What made you choose Venice as your destination?
Michael: I’ve never been to the European continent before and this gives me an amazing opportunity to study social conventions and cultural facets that are different from my own. Additionally, as a Government concentrator focusing on International Relations, living in Venice is sure to give me a lot of insight on what kind of social, political, and cultural identity that Italian college students/Venetians demonstrate compared to their American counterparts. Ca’ Foscari is really appealing to me because of how advanced their academic programming is, and I find the prospect of taking classes with other college students from both Harvard and Ca’ Foscari to be especially rewarding.
Sophia: When I was little, my all-time favorite author was Cornelia Funke. One of my favorite books by her is The Thief Lord, a story of runaway children, a star palace, and a magical carousel in Venice. Her descriptions of the city made me fall in love; to me, Venice was an enchanted and beautiful place akin to other fantasy worlds like Narnia or Hogwarts. But the true magic of The Thief Lord was that although I could only visit Narnia in my imagination, Venice was a real, bustling, completely visitable place.
Fast-forwarding to last fall, early in my freshman year, I learned about a program called the Emerging Scholars Program (ESP). Selected ESP scholars would engage in extra math problem-solving seminars, contribute to a lively academic community, and have the opportunity to study abroad in Venice over the summer. Although I was passionate about the first two components of ESP, I was most excited about studying abroad in Venice. Once I was accepted into ESP, my thoughts became dominated by the prospect of visiting this beautiful city I had dreamed of since reading The Thief Lord. I’m incredibly thankful and excited to arrive at Ca’ Foscari in a few days and finally experience this magical city in real life!
What are your expectations for this experience?
Michael: At first, I am expecting to stand out a little bit due to my lack of Italian language proficiency and understanding of cultural norms—hey, that’s what ‘Survival Italian’ is for—but I am expecting to catch on and get better at both of these pretty quickly, until Venice becomes really familiar and Italy becomes a place I don’t want (but have to) leave. I think so long as I stay patient throughout the learning process and really commit myself to understanding the region, the culture, and the people, this will be a memorable experience for sure.
Sophia: I expect to make new friends, challenge myself intellectually, get outside my comfort zone, and travel to new and exciting places. I’m also expecting to get lost a ridiculous number of times.
What are you most looking forward to?
Michael: I am looking forward to my classes, International Business Law and The Classical Past of Venice, because these specific classes aren’t offered at Harvard for undergraduates. But what I am looking forward to the most is the opportunity to explore and to grow as an individual through new courses, new activities, and new ideas from others. After talking to several college graduates about the prospect of studying abroad, many voiced just how impactful being outside of their comfort zone and their basic academic rhythm was to making their college experience a memorable one. Thus, I am looking forward to explore as much as I can for the duration of this study abroad, like maybe visiting an Italian farmers markets or even learning how to cook Italian home favorites.
Sophia: I’m most looking forward to living in Venice not as a tourist, but as a student with a box seat to Italian language, culture, and cuisine. In particular, I’m very excited for my class, Venetian Art and the Bible; I think it will provide a wonderful artistic and historical lens with which to contemplate Venice. I’m also looking forward to picking up some Italian and finding Venetian landmarks I first learned of in The Thief Lord!
What is it you absolutely want to see/do in Venice?
Michael: My top three things on my bucket list would have to be attending Venice Biennale, visiting St. Mark’s Basilica, and traveling on the Grand Canal. Definitely want to see these attractions over the course of this summer abroad, but that’s just scratching the surface of all the amazing opportunities here in Venice.
Sophia: I absolutely will not miss La Biennale di Venezia and hazelnut gelato!
Want to know more about the Ca’ Foscari - Harvard Summer School? Visit the dedicated webpage
