International Welcome Week
for degree-seeking students
International Welcome Week, 14th September - 4th October 2025
In order to help new international students settle in to life as part of the Ca’ Foscari community, the International Office organizes a series of institutional orientation events and social activities known as the International Welcome Week. These events transpire in the period leading up to and during the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, with the bulk of them taking place in the weeks around the beginning of classes.
If you are an international student planning or preparing to join us in Venice, read on to learn more about how the International Welcome Week can make the beginning of this adventure much smoother and more enjoyable. Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with Ca’ Foscari’s Buddy Programme, which offers the opportunity to connect with current students who are keen to lend you a helping hand.
Instagram contest "My first days in Venice"
From September 14th until October 12th, share your first experiences in Venice. Describe your first days in Venice by writing a creative description that includes four specific highlights: the first should be a personal selfie moment, and the other three should capture distinct spots, places, or experiences you've encountered since arriving in the city.
Follow our Instagram account @studentlifeinvenice and read the Call for Applications to be sure not to miss any important detail.
Orientation events
International Office - Welcome Unit
tel. +39 041 234 7575
incoming.mobility@unive.it - for international exchange students
welcome@unive.it - for international degree-seeking students
One of the most useful events is the International Welcome Day, which helps you learn about essential administrative procedures and get a clearer sense of your new life as an international student at Ca’ Foscari.
Some of the themes addressed include:
- how to complete your enrolment;
- how to carry out essential immigration procedures, including obtaining your Italian permit of stay, health insurance and fiscal code;
- academic and social opportunities.
You can also take advantage of in-person tours of the Economics, Humanities, Scientific and Linguistic campuses so that it is easier for you to get around.
The International Office will email new international students with more specific information about the schedule of events a month or so before the academic year begins.
The Welcome Unit has prepared a welcome bag for you with a small gift. You can arrange in advance to pick up yours at the Information Session that will take place on September 18 during the Welcome Day. If you cannot come that day it will be possible to pick your kit up at the Ca’ Foscari Shop in another moment.
More information has been emailed to each student.
If you cannot participate in person at the Welcome Day, you can connect via live streaming
New incoming exchange students
- When: September 18th from 9 am to 10.45 am
- Where: Santa Margherita Auditorium, Dorsoduro 3689, 30123 Venice
- Spots available: 200 – upon registration, the email for the registration has been sent to each student at the end of August
New degree-seeking students
- When: September 18th from 11 am to 1 pm
- Where: Santa Margherita Auditorium, Dorsoduro 3689, 30123 Venice
- Spots available: 200 – no registration needed
If you are not sure which campus is most relevant to you, reach out to the Welcome Unit at incoming.mobility@unive.it.
A Google form to book a reservation will be sent to each student via email.
Linguistic campus
- Meeting point: Courtyard of Ca’ Foscari, Dorsoduro 3246, 30121 Venice
- When:
- September 19, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
- September 19, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Humanities campus
- Meeting point: Courtyard of Ca’ Foscari, Dorsoduro 3246, 30121 Venice
- When:
- September 19, 10:30 am– 11:30 am
- September 19, 3 pm – 4 pm
Economic campus
- Meeting point: Courtyard of Ca’ Foscari, Dorsoduro 3246, 30121 Venice
- When
- September 19, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
- September 19, 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
Scientific campus
- Meeting point: In front of the Alfa Building on the Scientific Campus, 155 Via Torino, 30170 Mestre
- When: September 19, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Video "Welcome presentation for new incoming exchange students" (valid for the academic year 2024/2025)
- Video "Learning Agreement workshop (Overseas)" (still valid for 2025/26 A.Y.)
- Video "Learning Agreement workshop (Erasmus)"(still valid for 2025/26 A.Y.)
Social events and activities
International Office - Outreach and Recruitment Unit
tel. +39 041 234 7575
studentlifeinvenice@unive.it
The International Welcome Week also includes some light-hearted events whose purpose is to put you and all of the other new degree-seeking and incoming exchange students in contact with one another in order to facilitate the creation of a sense of community and belonging from the very start of your Ca’ Foscari experience.
The social activities that comprise the International Welcome Week are of three different kinds:
- events without a participation cap
- events with a participation cap that are managed on a first-come, first-served basis
- events with a participation cap that require you to reserve a spot
Here are the activities we have in store for you for the International Welcome Week – 2025
Events without a participation cap
Discover one of Venice's most beautiful spots and meet Buddies, student associations, and other new students. Prepare your own breakfast and a blanket, and bring them to the gardens to enjoy a relaxing morning with your peers.
- When: September 14th at 10 am
- Where: Giardini di Sant’Elena, Castello District, Venice
- Spots available: Unlimited
In case of rain, the event will be cancelled.
Is this your first time in Venice? Are you curious to discover the city's unique historic districts, the "sestieri", with fellow students and buddies? Then this is the perfect event for you.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water, and some money for anything you'd like to buy along the way. Get ready to walk a lot - the tour has no set end time.
Sestieri Dorsoduro and San Marco
- When: September 20th at 10 am
- Where: meeting point Ca’ Foscari University’s main building
- Spots available: Unlimited
Sestieri Santa Croce and Cannareggio
- When: September 27th at 10 am
- Where: meeting point Papadopoli’s garden
- Spots available: Unlimited
Sestieri San Polo and Castello
- When: October 4th at 10 am
- Where: meeting point Campo San Polo
- Spots available: Unlimited
In case of rain, the events will be cancelled.
Events managed on a first-come, first-served basis
These events are a chance for you to finally meet the Buddies you've been in touch with over the summer. You can also connect with other new students while enjoying a coffee break at one of Ca' Foscari's most beautiful buildings.
- When: September 15th at 10 am and September 30th at 4 pm
- Where: Aula Magna Silvio Trentin, Ca’ Dolfin, Dorsoduro 3859/A, 30123 Venice
- Spots available: 40 spots on September 15th; 50 spots on September 30th
What is the most famous Italian food? Pizza, of course. And who are the people who can best help you upon your arrival in Italy? Buddies, naturally. This is why we have organized a moment that allows you to meet some of our buddies in person while eating some slices of pizza.
- When: September 18th and September 24th from 6 pm to 7:30 pm
- Where: Mensa ESU Rio Novo (ESU Cafeteria), Fondamenta Rio Novo, Dorsoduro 3547, 30123 Venice
- Spots available: 40 for each date
Some people find it easier to make new friends around a game of cards or playing a board game. While it isn't flashy, it can definitely be a good time, so feel free to drop in and see who's up to play something - we've got everything from Mahjongg to Jenga.
You can bring your own games if you want. You might get a chance to teach someone else a game you love or learn one of theirs.
- When: September 23rd at 4 pm
Where: Mensa ESU San Giobbe (ESU Cafeteria), Fondamenta San Giobbe, Cannaregio 873, 30121 Venice - Spots available: 30
Maybe one of the reasons you decided Ca' Foscari was for you is because it is surrounded by centuries of Italian (and more specifically, Venetian) history and culture. If that's the case, you should sign up for our official tour of some of the historic spaces and buildings that belong to the university.
First tour
- When: September 25th at 10 am and 10:40 am
- Where: Ca’ Foscari, Dorsoduro 3246, 30123 Venice
- Spots available: 25 for the fist round and 25 for the second one
Second tour
- When: September 26th at 10 am and 10:40 am
- Where: Economic Campus San Giobbe, Fondamenta San Giobbe 873, 30121 Venice
- Spots available: 25 for the first round and 25 for the second one
While dragon boating is a grand Chinese tradition, Ca' Foscari - thanks to its long-standing interest in China's culture and language - has gotten on board. We even have a university team together with the IUAV (Venice's architecture and design university) that competes internationally! But this event is all about just giving this remarkable sport a try. It truly is a team effort, so you're sure to feel like a part of the community right away. Be sure to wear comfortable, sporty clothing and shoes that can get a little wet (just in case!).
- When: September 25th at 2:30 pm and 3:30pm
- Where: Palazzo Cosulich, Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1405, 30123 Venice
- Spots available: 32 each round
What better way to get to know some new people and your new city than a (only mildly competitive) small-group-based Treasure Hunt? Our ESN association (Erasmus Student Network) is the organizer of this incredible and funny event. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes and get ready to zip around town with your group in search of clues.
- When: September 27th at 4 pm
- Where: Ca' Foscari main building
- Spots available: 40
In Venice the "spritz" is the most famous drink among students and the best moment to meet new friends is during the happy hour. This is why we’ve decided to organise the International Student Mixer, designed to bring together international students in order to help them meet new friends and help them feel a part of the Ca' Foscari community.
- When: October 2nd from 5 pm to 6:30 pm
- Where: Coffee shop at San Giobbe campus
- Spots available: 70
We've found that connecting with others works really well when you have a coffee and breakfast pastry (here in Venice, these are called "brioches" even if they're really a kind of croissant), so those are on us. The idea is to try and use as many languages as you know, and a bunch of our current students will be on hand to get to know and to ask questions.
- When: October 3rd at 9:30 am
- Where: Mensa ESU Rio Novo (ESU Cafeteria), Fondamenta Rio Novo, Dorsoduro 3547, 30123 Venice
- Spots available: 70
Event requiring a reservation
The CUS is our university sports center, and this event is part of the "University Open Sport Day" initiative, which runs from September 17th to October 9th.
At the CUS Open Day, you'll be able to learn about all the different sports and activities you can get involved in. It's the perfect opportunity to meet fellow sports enthusiasts.
- When: September 17th
- Where: CUS sport centre, Dorsoduro 2407 – Fondamenta dei Cereri, 30123 Venezia
The sports/activities you can try and the spots at disposal are:
- Volleyball: from 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm; spots available: 20;
- Walking/Running: from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm; spots available: unlimited;
- Zumba: from 6:15 pm to 7 pm; spots available: 20;
- Calisthenics: from 7 pm to 7:30 pm; spots available: 12;
- Fitness (Gym):from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM; spots available: 10 for each round;
- Judo-Jujitsu: from 7 PM to 7:30 PM; spots available: the CUS will define the total amount available according to the requests that it will receive
To reserve a spot for one or more activities, please write to eventi@cusvenezia.it indicating your name, surname and maximum two activities that you wanna try.
The CUS sport centre will confirm your participation maximum by September 10th.
Last update: 24/09/2025