The Global Columbia Collaboratory provides undergraduate students with a forum and a framework for learning about global issues from experts and peers around the world. You, the undergraduate student participant, will sharpen your cross-cultural and collaborative skills, enhance your global network, and build your professional portfolios.
Overview
During the Summer 2023 Global Columbia Collaboratory in Venice, students will participate in virtual sessions starting in late May, paired with a two-week residential module in Venice, Italy (17 June to 1 July), followed by additional virtual sessions through the middle of July. The module entitled A Sustainable Serenissima: Water and the Future of Venice is taken for credit through the University of Warwick in Venice. The module examines the ways in which contemporary Venice confronts sustainability challenges and develops resilience. Students will have an opportunity to work on the final deliverable (case study/research) for the course through the summer and are expected to present their experience at a global engagement showcase in Fall 2023.
We will consider past, present, and future threats to a sustainable Venice, along with complex and unique local solutions using the three main pillars of sustainability (social, environmental, and economic areas) as lenses to focus our interdisciplinary discussions.
The theme of ‘water’ will serve as a conceptual anchor to ground our consideration of issues such as rising sea levels, urbanization, resource management, energy production and distribution, along with historical Venetian industries such as publishing, shipbuilding, munitions, glassmaking, finance, and tourism. We will also consider Venice’s long tradition of hospitality as a sanctuary city and the challenges Venice faces when welcoming migrants and refugees today.
Tentative Schedule for Summer 2023
[Finalized Schedule Provided in April/May 2023]
Week 1 [May 29 - June 2] Virtual Collaboratory Meeting
Collaboratory overview
Positionality and Land Acknowledgement
Week 2 [June 5 - 9] Virtual Collaboratory Meeting
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals & Global Citizenship
Week 3 [June 12 - 16] - Online Course Preparation Week
UNESCO Story Circles (Virtual Collaboratory Meeting)
Week 4 [June 17 - 23] - Onsite Coursework in Italy
Week 5 [June 26 - July 1] - Onsite Coursework in Italy
Week 6 [July 3 - 7] Virtual Collaboratory Meeting
Globalize Your Resume
Week 8 [July 10 - 14] Virtual Collaboratory Meeting
Resiliency in the Face of Wicked Problems
Late August/Early Sept: Final Deliverable: Case Study/Research Project
September: Global Engagement Showcase Presentation
If you have any questions, write to globalcollab@columbia.edu or apply here.
Academic Credit
Please check with your school's policies about academic credit. Students will receive a transcript from the University of Warwick (UK) for the in-country portion of the Venice Collaboratory. For Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, and General Studies students, the Venice Collaboratory can be taken for transfer credit to fulfill requirements in Earth and Environmental Biology, Sustainable Development, and Urban Studies.
Other students should check with their major/concentration departments to discuss course credit and their major/concentration requirements.
Regardless of transfer credit status, all students are expected to participate in all aspects of the course, including assessment and other deliverables.
Eligibility and Application
ELIGIBILITY
Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
APPLICATION DEADLINE
- March 22 (email globalcollab@columbia.edu if you are interested in applying after the deadline)
HOW TO APPLY
Want to apply? Click the “Start Your Application" button at the top of this page. If the button doesn't appear above, the program is not yet accepting applications. You will be asked to set up a short profile, which will allow us to send you relevant information about your application. Once you’ve created a profile, you will see a checklist of items that you will need to submit. These generally include:
- Application questionnaire(s)
- Personal statement
Students who confirm participation will be expected to complete the registration process with both Columbia and our partner (the University of Warwick)
Financial Considerations
The course, housing and excursions are funded for eligible students. Students accepted to the program are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit ($500) as well as ensure funding and independently coordinate their travel to and from the program site in Venice.