Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

What were the biggest cultural differences you experienced?

The expectation of time. Whereas in Canada we are very regimented in when things are due and must be done, in Bolzano they are much more relaxed concerning certain things. This is both a good and a bad thing, depending on if you are waiting for someone to get back to you.

What is the best form of transportation within Bolzano?

Bus. It is the easiest, but also can add up to be expensive. If you have the ability to buy a bike, this is also easy. Just know that biking within the city has certain rules that are easy enough to learn. Otherwise, most places can be reached by walking.

What was your favourite place to visit in Bolzano?

Me personally was the Butzen Pub. Especially on Tuesdays when they have student night, which includes discounts on food and drink. It was the place where everyone met after a long day of studying, and also a great social spot to watch sporting events.

Were there any special events, festivals, or holidays you would recommend others attend?

Every Sunday there is a Market where you can buy anything from clothing to good local foods. This is a great place to visit if you are looking for good food, or even gifts for people back home.

On average, what was the weather like?

The weather was relatively good. We had a span of very hot weather which lasted about 2 weeks, and temperatures got up to 33 degrees. However, we also had some weeks of constant rain. I would advise the purchase of an umbrella.

Additional comments about Bolzano?

It is a gorgeous city that half German half Italian. English is not spoken by everyone, but just be polite and you will get by fine. There is a strong police presence so there is not much crime, but that said always be aware of your surroundings. The train station is the sketchiest place in the city, so don't let that fool you, it is an amazing place. If you want a great Donair, go see Erivs at his kebab stand called friends (He speaks English very well, and it is an easy place to get a meal).

Did you have a favourite course you would recommend to future students?

I would recommend taking a language course while you are there. Preferably Italian, as they create a intriguing and welcoming learning environment. Most courses are easier than Lethbridge, and the professors give exchange students a break on most things

Did unibz provide the following?

• Airport pickup on arrival - no
• Buddy program - yes

What is the best way for students to travel to the university upon arrival?

If you fly into Verona, take the bus (you can buy tickets on a machine nearby)/cab from the airport to the Verona train station. At the train station you can buy a ticket to Bolzano( Not "Bolzano Sud") either from the ticket office or at any of the machines(which are in English). The train ride should take about 2 hours. After you disembark from the train it is a 10-15 min walk to the university. I would recommend traveling during the day so people are there to help you if you have any questions.

Additional comments about your host university?

They were available for any questions you might have.

Were the following provided in your student dorm?

• Bedding - yes
• Kitchen - yes
• Pots, pans, etc. - no

Please list the furniture that was provided in your room.

Bed, Desk, Chair, Nightstand, Lamps, and Dresser/Cabinets

How long did it take to travel from your accommodations to classes?

5 min, if that. It is right down the street from Rainerum.

Do you have suggestions for future students who are looking for accommodations?

There are two Dorms that the university provides. Unicity and Rainerum. Rainerum is 2 min from the university and Unicity is about 20 min by bus. Unicity is the nicer and newer building, and Rainerum is a little older but still nice. Both have their benefits.

Which company would you recommend students purchase a sim card/e-sim through?

I did Maya Mobile, which cost me $68 a month for unlimited data and calling.

Any comments regarding costs?

Groceries are much cheaper there than in Canada, as well as street food.

What would you suggest students pack before leaving Canada?

Bed sheets, there are stores in town but they charge about $150 per set(single). Also bring a pillow if you can. Harder things to pack like pots and pans, buy there or share with friends.

Any advice for future students going to unibz?

Have fun! It is easy to get stressed when there are so many things to prepare for, but attempt to live in the moment and laugh when something unexpected happens. Also know that every other exchange student is feeling the same way you are, try and socialize and go to every event you can. The postal office is a little hard to use and expensive, whatever you need buy in Bolzano if you can, don't mail it. The Resident permit application is the hardest thing to do and in the end I didn't even receive it so try not to stress.

What is the best form of transportation within Bolzano?

Bicycle, walking

What was your favourite place to visit in Bolzano?

Mendociotto Gelao

Were there any special events, festivals, or holidays you would recommend others attend?

Join the exchange students platform to attend the events.

On average, what was the weather like?

In summer it's hot but the winter is not too bad.

Did unibz provide the following?

• Airport pickup on arrival - no
• Buddy program - yes

Were the following provided in your student dorm?

• Bedding - yes
• Kitchen - yes
• Pots, pans, etc. - no

Please list the furniture that was provided in your room.

Bed, study table, fridge and microwave

How long did it take to travel from your accommodations to classes?

5 minutes

Do you have suggestions for future students who are looking for accommodations?

Stay in Raneirum.

Which company would you recommend students purchase a sim card/e-sim through?

Maya Mobile

What would you suggest students pack before leaving Canada?

Summer or winter clothes

Italy is a country in Southern Europe known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. It is famous for its ancient ruins, such as the Colosseum and Pompeii, as well as its Renaissance art and architecture, including Michelangelo's David and the iconic city of Florence. Italy is also renowned for its delicious cuisine, including pizza, pasta, gelato, and fine wines. From the romantic canals of Venice to the picturesque Amalfi Coast and the cultural hub of Rome, Italy offers a diverse array of experiences for visitors to explore.

Bolzano is a charming city located in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy. Nestled in the stunning Dolomite Mountains, Bolzano offers a unique blend of Italian and Austrian cultures due to its historical and geographical position. The city is famous for its picturesque setting, with towering peaks, vineyards, and orchards dotting the landscape. Bolzano's historic center is characterized by its medieval architecture, narrow streets, and vibrant piazzas. With its captivating beauty and diverse cultural heritage, Bolzano is an ideal destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and food lovers alike.

Bolzano tends to have very hot summers and very cold winters. A wind known as the Föhn often blows from the northern Alps in the fall and spring. The coldest month of the year is January (min -15.1°C, max 5.0°C, average 0.0°C), the warmest is July (min -6.2°C, max 29.4°C, average 22.0°C). The annual average is 11.6°C.

The Free University of Bozen–Bolzano was founded on the 31st of October 1997 as a free, state-recognized university. It aims to offer students a multilingual, practice-oriented education. Lectures and seminars are held in German, Italian and English. The emphasis of teaching is to provide theoretically sound and practice-orientated training. A large proportion of educational activities take place as seminars, lectures given by guest-speakers, practical training and workshops. There are about 4,000 students enrolled at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.

Courses in English

To view Unibz's course catalogue click here and select a program. Courses are marked "EN" for English, "IT" for Italian, and "DE" for German.

Language Courses

• There are optional pre-semester intensive German and Italian language courses offered in February, July, and September.
• Unibz also offers German and Italian language courses throughout the semester.
• To learn more about language courses, click here.

• Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences
• Design and Art
• Economics and Management
• Education
• Engineering

The European academic structure varies from the North American system. Courses completed at a European exchange partner will not be transferred back to the U of L on a course-for-course basis. Rather, students will be required to successfully complete a certain number of ECTS (European Transfer Credit System) credits to earn U of L credit equivalency. Typically, a full course load is 30 ECTS, and 6 ECTS = 3 U of L credits.

The Transcript of Records is issued at the end of your exchange period in Italian, German and English. It contains your personal data, your arrival and departure dates, the list of exams and internships you have done, with the date of the exam, the credits (CFU and ECTS) and the grades obtained. The grades are expressed in the Italian scale out of thirty and are converted into the ECTS scale. The Transcript also explains the Italian grading system and provides the “ECTS grading tables”

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time U of L student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

Students must apply for Long Stay Type D visa for study. You must book an in-person interview at the Italian Consulate in Vancouver using the online booking system. Please be aware that the system releases interview slots on a 12-week rolling basis at 4 p.m. and interviews are generally booked as soon as they appear. The administrative fee for processing the visa is C$75 (2025). Processing time can vary from 8 to 25 working days. The consulate will keep your passport until your visa is processed, then mail it back to you with the visa attached.

This information was updated in March of 2025. Visa procedures may have changed, so please ensure you email outgoing@uleth.ca and visit the Consulate's website for current information.

Once you arrive in Italy, you must report to the police station within 8 days of arrival to obtain a residence permit. Unibz will provide information about applying for a residence permit. The permit costs approximately € 150-175 (2023) to obtain.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting Italy, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Campus Residences

• Cost (2023): single bedroom - €300, double room - €230
• Students can apply for campus housing through the link sent to all applicants by the International Relations Office at the beginning of July (for first-semester or whole-year applicants) and at the beginning of December (for second semester applicants)
• Contracts last for 5 or 10 months

Private Housing

• Cost (2023): varies from €350-500/month
• Due to limited spaces in campus residences, students may wish to look for private accommodation
• Advertisements for rooms are posted on the following platforms:
  • Unibz Blogspot
  • Yost
  • Facebook Group

Youth Hostels

• If students need accommodations for a short time upon arrival, they may choose to stay in one of South Tyrol's Youth Hostels
• Youth Hostel Bozen-Bolzano

Arrival Information

South Tyrol's only airport is located in the southern outskirts of Bozen-Bolzano. Beyond South Tyrol, the nearest international airports are in Innsbruck in the north and Verona in the south.

If you arrive at an airport outside of Bozen-Bolzano, the train is the best means of transport to get to Bozen-Bolzano. The train station is only 5 minutes away from the city centre and the university. You can book your ticket online at www.trenitalia.com and www.bahn.com.

In Bolzano

A daily bus ticket in Balzano is €3 (2023), which allows for unlimited travel around the entire city. A Prepaid Card, which charges €0.12/km (2023) can also be purchased, and gives access to the entire train and bus system in South Tyrol. The best option is to purchase a prepaid pass that costs €150 (2023) and allows you to use all public transport services in South Tyrol (excluding EC and high-speed trains) for one year from the date of purchase.

In Europe

For those planning a lot of travel throughout Europe, it is recommended to buy a Eurail pass. The pass must be purchased before going to Italy.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is MANDATORY to obtain health insurance valid in Italy for your entire period of stay. Ensure the insurance is issued in your name. The insurance policy must undergo an approval procedure by the Embassy, and proof of approval is required when applying for a Residence Permit. Ensure the Embassy provides a stamp of approval when you obtain your visa.

A few private health insurance providers unibz suggests are:

• Expat: www.expatinsurance.eu
• Global Assistance Allianz: www.allianz-assistance.it
• Europassistance: www.europassistance.it

For more information about health insurance and the possibility of obtaining a family doctor for the duration of your stay, view unibz's Welcome Guide.

Unibz estimates students will need €600-700/month (2023) for living expenses.