Rice University → Venice International University (VIU)

Globalization Program

Globalization Program — Fall 2026

Rice undergraduates now have the opportunity to study abroad at Venice International University (VIU), located on the island of San Servolo in Venice, Italy. Venice International University is a global consortium of universities and research institutions dedicated to advancing international, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning, teaching, and research cooperation.VIU’s Globalization Program is a unique, interdisciplinary semester that brings together students and faculty from universities across the world to address pressing global issues in an international classroom.

Applications for FALL 2026 nominations are now open! APPLY HERE.

Program Overview

  • Location: Venice, Italy (San Servolo Island)

  • Term Dates (Fall 2026):

    • Orientation: September 7–11, 2026
    • Classes: September 14 – December 11, 2026
    • Exams: December 14–18, 2026

  • Language of Instruction: English

  • Credits: Credit will be transferred back to Rice. Each VIU course carries 6 ECTS (equivalent to 3 Rice credit hours).

    Global Affairs major credits: Rice’s School of Social Sciences is working with the Registrar’s Office to streamline how VIU coursework will be processed as Rice credit. The current plan is for most VIU courses to count as elective course credit within the Global Affairs major. These courses are expected to align with the program’s three fields of specialization: Global Order, Peace, and Conflict; Global Wealth and Sustainability; and Regional Identities and Communities.

The Globalization Program combines core courses, elective tracks, and co-curricular activities. Students engage in interdisciplinary coursework, field trips around Venice, and seminars with experts and practitioners.

Rice students remain enrolled at Rice while abroad, pay regular Rice tuition, and may apply financial aid toward the program. Housing and student support are arranged through VIU.

Academics

Core Themes

  1. Global Challenges — courses that address current, global issues, preferably from an interdisciplinary perspective.
  2. Italy & Venice — courses that critically analyze Venetian and Italian life, culture, art, and history.
  3. Cultures of the World — courses that examine the cultures of the world; courses that make the most of the intercultural classroom.

Courses

Students typically take four courses (24 ECTS total, equivalent to 12 Rice credit hours). Although VIU has not yet announced their Fall 2026 courses, you may reference the listing pages for Fall 2025 courses and Spring 2026 courses.

Specialization Tracks

3-6 courses will be available in each track and will vary each semester. Once VIU announces their Fall 2026 courses, the specialization tracks will be found on the course listing page.

Student Experience

As a Rice participant, you will receive:

  • Pre-departure advising on credit transfer and course selection
  • Housing in Venice coordinated by VIU (student residences or apartments)
  • On-site orientation and staff support
  • Access to Rice resources while abroad

The VIU campus on San Servolo offers classrooms, a library, gardens, and student common areas, just a short boat ride from St. Mark’s Square.

Eligibility

  • Open to Rice undergraduate students in good academic and disciplinary standing.
  • Recommended for rising sophomores and juniors, plus seniors not planning to graduate in the semester they will be abroad.
  • Must enroll in a full course load and participate fully in VIU orientation and activities.

Program Costs & Financial Aid

  • Tuition & Rooming Charges:
    Students pay the same Rice tuition and rooming charges as they would for a regular semester on campus in Houston. These payments are made directly to Rice University in the usual way.

  • Housing in Venice:
    The standard Rice rooming charge covers your housing in Venice, which is arranged through Venice International University (VIU).

    Accommodations are apartments in Venice, arranged by VIU, shared by 3-4 students in the program. However students may also request housing on San Servolo, and a very limited number of single rooms are available.

  • Financial Aid:
    If you receive—or are eligible for—financial aid at Rice, your aid will automatically apply to this program just as it would for a semester in Houston. You will continue to pay Rice as usual, and your financial aid package will be applied through Rice to cover your VIU tuition and housing costs.

Estimated Additional Costs Overview
For planning purposes, students should budget approximately $3,800–$7,700 in additional expenses beyond Rice tuition and housing for the semester in Venice. This estimate includes:

  • Round-trip airfare: $1,200–$2,000
  • Visa and residence-permit fees: $200–$350
  • Meals and groceries (depending on lifestyle): $1,500–$3,700
  • Local transportation and activities: $450–$900
  • Personal or travel buffer: $500–$800

Actual expenses will vary based on exchange rates, timing of bookings, and individual spending habits.

Additional Aid and Funding Opportunities
Need assistance with costs? The following two funding sources may be available to you:

The Moody Gateway Program

  • Commits to assisting up to twelve social sciences students with the cost of airfare for this program
  • Please contact agodley@rice.edu for more information


Italian Cultural & Community Center (ICCC) Scholarships

  • External scholarship opportunity (not affiliated with Rice University)
  • Receive $2,500 towards studying abroad in Italy
  • Minimum GPA requirement: 3.0
  • Recipients selected based on academic performance and essay submission; finalists may be invited to interview with the scholarship committee
  • Awardees must provide 3-5 minute video about their experience upon return
  • https://www.iccchouston.com/scholarships/

 

How to Apply

Applications for Fall 2026 nominations are now open. APPLY HERE.

Application process:

  1. Rice Application Form — submit basic information, statement of intent, statement of personal readiness & adaptability, and statement of cultural awareness & representation
  2. Nomination to VIU — selected Rice applicants will be formally nominated to VIU
  3. Departmental Transfer Credit Approval — ensure your courses will transfer back to Rice if accepted to program


Admissions Process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Students will be notified by early spring if they have been selected for nomination to VIU. Please note that participation in the Globalization Program requires a two-step process: first, Rice University reviews applications and nominates selected students to Venice International University (VIU). Final admission decisions are then made directly by VIU. Nomination by Rice does not guarantee acceptance.


Learn More

Info Session Slides

CLICK HERE to access the presentation slides from our info session in November 2025.

Contact

For questions, contact:
📧globalowls@rice.edu