Duke in Venice
A 4-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM
STUDY ART AND POLITICS IN VENICE
Apply NowTaught in English
The program is designed to provide you with the opportunity to study the art of politics and the politics of art. Venice International University, which is located on the island of San Servolo in the spectacular Venetian lagoon, will be the site for both student residences and indoor classroom facilities.
Program Fast Facts
Location: Venice, Italy
Term: Summer I
Dates: May 25 - June 22, 2025
Application Deadline: February 1
Academic Theme(s): History, Public Policy
Language of Instruction: English
Credit Type: Duke Credit
Eligibility: No prerequisites. Suitable for all majors. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply.
Duke Affiliation: Duke Sanford School of Public Policy
Housing: Residence Hall
Primary Contact: Ken Rogerson
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Photo Credit: Ge Jin, Duke in Venice student
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Photo Credit: Ge Jin, Duke in Venice student
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Photo credit: Amarie Bremel, Duke in Venice student
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Bridge of Sighs. Photo Credit: Lei Zhang, Duke in Venice student
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Photo Credit: Ge Jin, Duke in Venice student
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Duke in Venice students
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Photo Credit: Ge Jin, Duke in Venice student
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Aerial photo of San Servolo Island
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Aerial photo of San Servolo Island
ACADEMICS
All students enroll in the program's rotating signature course offering one Duke credit. The program course title, content, course number(s), and curricular codes will be determined by that year's incoming faculty director/instructor. No pass/fail option or auditing is permitted.
The course of summer 2025 will be:
PUBPOL 390A/ARTHIST 390A/HISTORY 390A/VMS 390A
The Art of Politics and the Politics of the Arts: Music, Art, Politics and Policy
(ALP, CZ) 1.0 Credit
ACTIVITIES
Past activities have included: trips to Florence, Verona, and Ravenna.
HOUSING & MEALS
Accommodations
Housing for this program will be in residence halls on the island of San Servolo in Venice.Please note: As per Venetian policy, air-conditioning is not in use until June 15th. Students have access to laundry facilities and internet.
Meals
Students can purchase their meals at Venice International University (VIU) cafeteria and also in a wide network of cafés, restaurants, and supermarkets around Venice.
Costs
Estimates are based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
Summer 2025
| Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $2,970 | $2,970 |
| Program Fee | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Transcript Fee | N/A | $120 |
| Other Costs | Other Costs | Other Costs |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $12,225 | $12,345 |
Explanation of Costs
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations
- International SOS Coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Student support services provided by Venice International University
What is not included?
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
- Meals
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from program site form airport
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Visa and/or residency permit (if needed)
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Mobile phone
- Internet usage
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Laundry
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
US citizens do not need a visa for this program. However, if you are not a US citizen, you may need a visa. Please be sure to research the cost of obtaining a visa for Italy, including any required travel to a consulate or embassy.
If you receive financial aid, and need assistance with travel costs, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyGlobalEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $2,000-3,000.
Step 2: Summer invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving financial aid are eligible for aid for this program (work-study funds must be converted to loans). Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support and the Duke Bursar’s Office.
Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.
Scholarships
This program offers the following scholarship opportunities:
DATES
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.
- Arrival: May 25
- Departure: June 22
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyExperientialEd to update your travel registry.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
VISA & PASSPORT
VISA
No visa is required of U.S. citizens to participate in this program. Non-U.S. citizens should pay special attention to the visa requirements for their specific citizenship by contacting the country embassy to find out if any visa restrictions are in effect.
PASSPORT
All participants must have a valid passport. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond the program end date to avoid unintended disruptions. For instructions on obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit passports.state.gov.
Program Faculty & Staff
The faculty director can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the Global Education Office.
ADMISSIONS
Deadline: Extended to February 15
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. Application opens November 1.
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program. You must be a degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited college or university. Consult your university’s registrar and/or study away advisor for assistance with transfer credit. Students who are not matriculated at a college or university are not eligible to participate in Duke’s study away programs.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
Physical Requirements
Before applying to this program, you should assess and determine if you are physically or emotionally able to participate in the following physical demands required by some of this program’s activities:
- Walking approximately a mile in a day, sometimes for two or more days in a row, sometimes on hilly, uneven, or cobbled terrain
- Climbing and descending stairs
- Using public transportation, including sometimes crowded buses or trains
- Standing during tours and site visits
- Entering into older buildings with narrow and sometimes steep staircases, at times with limited or no access to elevators
- The possibility of warm/hot temperatures while residing in locations without air conditioning
If you have questions or are concerned about these or any other program activities, please contact the Duke Office of Global Health and Safety (oghs@duke.edu)
APPLY
Start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
Submit the following items using MyGlobalEd:
- Online application
- Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate.
STUDENT STORIES
"While we spent time in the classroom discussing readings and analyzing artwork, the real learning took place in the city of Venice. We explored museums, famous basilicas, the Rialto Market, the Architecture Biennale, and more. This was something I could have never done at Duke, or even in the United States."
As an art student, the original art and architecture were priceless to see in person."
–Brandi Feemster
GEO ADVISING IS HERE FOR YOU
Get advice on choosing a program, exploring courses and credits, and covering the costs of study away when you engage the Global Education Office's advising network.