IRGS Student on Studying in Italy

Elizaveta Goryunova, a fourth-year student of the International Relations and Global Studies programme, spent the first term of the academic year in Italy through a mobility programme. In her notes, she shares the details of the application process, describes some interesting features of studying at Ca' Foscari University, and lists the opportunities an internship abroad offers.

Getting Ready for the Trip 

Italy has always been my dream country. I was attracted by its culture and its values, which, despite the stereotypes, include much more than the world-famous dolce vita. Moreover, Joseph Brodsky, one of my favourite poets closely associated with Italy, considered Venice the cradle of his ‘Italian paradise’.

For many students, the opportunity to study abroad is a goal; for me, as for an international relations student, it also has special practical significance. In the middle of my third year, I realised that I wasn’t studying Italian in vain and that I really wanted to study in a country I admired. So I started gathering documents to apply for a mobility programme.

The most challenging part turned out to be an individual study plan. It was important to find similar courses in terms of content and credit weight at foreign universities and get approval from the study office and my academic supervisor. In my year, the Erasmus fund suspended scholarships and grants to students, so all financial issues became students’ responsibility. The document package included a so-called expense estimate, compiled and signed by a student. It had to include all possible costs including a visa fee, housing rent, etc.

After gathering all the necessary documents, I applied and received a letter a month later stating that I was nominated for mobility at my top priority university — Ca' Foscari in Venice.

Next came an equally interesting period: looking for an apartment and applying for a student visa. Although the administrative office tries to help newcomers, the responsibility for accommodation rests entirely on students. The general recommendation for anyone planning to study in Venice is to start looking for a room or an apartment in advance.

First Impressions 

At the beginning of September, I arrived in sunny, colourful, and summery Venice. Studies started on September 7, but before that day (and after as well), the university held various welcoming events for students to get to know each other and settle into a new place. We had Italian breakfasts, brunches, Aperol evenings, and sport events organised by Ca' Foscari. Overall, the university's name reflects its attitude to students: "Ca" is shortened from the Italian "casa” and means home. All students feel at home at Ca' Foscari and are very friendly to each other.

To my great surprise, Venice turned out to be not only a tourist, but also a student place. Apart from Ca' Foscari, there are other popular universities in the Veneto region of Venice with extensive exchange and mobility programs. Thus, Venice features a vast international student community with people coming from various CIS and EU countries, the USA, Japan, China, South Korea, Brazil, and Mexico. For me, as an international relations student, this was absolutely incredible: we all, so different, spent our time together in the city on water.

On Studies 

Once the studies began, I realised I was in a completely different academic environment. I attended the courses for second-year master students, which was a bit challenging. At Ca' Foscari, there are no set groups for undergraduate and master's courses; all students are mixed and can attend courses at different levels, which promotes communication and a deeper immersion in Italian life.

Classes are also different at Ca' Foscari. There are no lectures and seminars, but interactive lectures instead, most of which are optional. Communication between students and teachers is primarily carried out through Moodle, similar to our LMS, but with a broader functionality. Through Moodle, you can view syllabuses and all course materials, and register for exams.

At Ca' Foscari, studies began quite early compared to HSE in Moscow; our first classes started at 8:45 AM. On Wednesdays, we had classes in an Italian cinema hall. Among posters of contemporary Italian films, we studied the course on global negotiations. I was often struck by the university halls and classrooms, which felt more like a summer school with palm trees outside the window or a museum with frescoes on the walls.

The grading system in Italy is also different: while HSE students study on a 10-point scale, in Italy it’s a 30-point scale.

Undoubtedly, learning and practising the Italian language at Ca' Foscari was my main priority. The university eagerly supports those who want to learn Italian and offers language courses for exchange students. I attended Italian classes 4 days a week and can confirm that learning the language is much easier among the Venetian canals and ancient palazzos. Our teacher was a native Venetian and showed us the most secret and magical places of the city with the best croissants and coffee.

On Student Daily Life

My commute to the university was rather unusual. Though not by gondola, but still by water. The most basic transport for Venetians is a water bus (vaporetto) that navigates the canals day and night. But there are also challenges. Venice, being a city on the water, regularly experiences periods of flooding. So, in addition to the weather forecast, we had to monitor the sea level. Additionally, trade unions are very active in Italy, and nationwide strikes are held from time to time. If it happens, public transport (buses, vaporettos, trains) does not operate, and many students cannot get to the university. It is important to note that the buildings of Ca' Foscari are scattered not only on the island but also beyond, on the mainland part of Venice.

Undoubtedly, a huge advantage of studying in Europe is the opportunity to travel. During my internship, I travelled across the Veneto region, celebrated Christmas in Prague and New Year in Vienna, and saw the waves of Portugal.

The mobility period in Italy gave me the brightest student memories, that was a choice I’ve never regretted. Studying in a different environment, with different standards, and in the heart of an international community had been my academic dream for many years, and I am very happy that HSE helped me fulfil it.