Students live in a 300 year old building maintained by the Scuola.
The residence is located in Campo San Maurizio, a 5 minute walk from St. Mark's Square and 2 minutes to the waterbus stop.
Apartments house 4-6 people.
Each furnished apartment has a sitting area, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms.
Most bedrooms a redouble-occupancy.
Since the residence is used by all visitors to the Scuola, do not be surprised if a new person appears from time to time.
Artists-in-residence and artists giving special workshops may come and go during your term of study.
It's a great way to meet accomplished artist, and it contributes to the familial feel at the Scuola.
Most students take the opportunity to learn to cook Italian-style, using healthful ingredients such as tomatoes, olive oil and garlic.
Grocery stores and open-air markets are plentiful in Venice.
There are numerous cafes, pizzerias and restaurants in Venice - ranging from affordable to luxury.
Venice also has a student cafeteria or mensa.
Prices at the mensa are lower, but students have mixed feelings about the food.
Venice is a city of art and culture.
Venice is often referred to as a museum because of its architectural beauty, unique environment and art on every corner.
Most students simply enjoy exploring the city and going to museums, galleries, exhibits and concerts.
At night, most students meet at cafes or go dancing at discos.
KEI students are encouraged to form friendships with the Italian students at the Scuola.
Italian students are the best guides to Venice.
Most have lived in Venice or Venetto most of their lives.
Venice is entirely vehicle-free. There are no buses or cars on the islands, and there are no paved roads for them to drive on! Instead, public transportation is done by a series of boats that run along the canals.
Traghetti are large gondolas that cross the Grand Canal at major points where there is no bridge.
Vaporetti are large boats, or waterbuses, that travel along the Grand Canal. It is best to buy a bus pass, as you will take the vaporetti every day to get back and forth from home to class.
Water taxis are more convenient, but more expensive and contribute to the erosion of buildings bordering the canals.
We recommend that you bring good walking shoes for your time in Venice. There are many bridges and stairs. Absolutely do not bring high heeled shoes—it is nearly impossible to walk on cobblestones in high heels!
KEI gives each student a prepaid mobile phone handset.
The phone will have a small amount of credit to get you started
KEI's On-Site Coordinator will show you how to place calls.
Credit can be refilled by purchasing additional minutes from local convenient stores and kiosks.
The Scuola has a computer lab and wireless internet on campus.
In addition, there are plenty of internet cafés in Venice.
Robin Frood is the KEI On-Site Coordinator in Venice.
She also teaches printmaking and painting at the Scuola.
Robin is originally from Britain, and speaks fluent Italian and English.
Robin will meet students at the airport, oversee the orientation and help resolve any problems or issues that may arise during the program.
She is often on campus and available at any hour by mobile phone.
Robin has plenty of experience, having served as KEI's Onsite Coordinator for the past seven years.
Don't hesitate to approach her with questions about life in Venice, Italian culture or anything else!
KEI's orientation is conducted in conjunction with the Scuola.
The main objective is to help students adjust to life in Italy and the Scuola.
The orientation includes:
using the waterbus and getting your waterbus pass
shopping for food
academic expectations
safety and security in Venice
cultural adaptation
the history and culture of the Venetto region
a few social activities to meet your fellow students
