Spotlight: internationals in… Modena
Modena is known worldwide for its extraordinary food culture, as the birthplace of Ferrari, and for its rich historical heritage — the Duomo and Piazza Grande are UNESCO World Heritage sites. But for those who live here, it is also a lively university city with a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to connect and build community.
International and social communities
The main reference point for international students is ESN Modena, the city’s international student association, which organises affordable events, meetups and trips — one of the best ways to meet other students from around the world.
For internationally-minded women living in and around Modena, the International Women’s Association of Modena (IWA Modena) is a volunteer-run, non-profit network that supports women with integration into a new community, personal and professional development, and opportunities to contribute to the local community. Members come from a wide range of countries and the association organises aperitivo evenings, business lunches, talks and interest group meetups throughout the year.
For a broader and more heterogeneous expat community, Modena International Friends is a Modena-based group open to all internationally-minded people, focused on meetups, language and cultural exchange, and exploring what Italy has to offer. They are active on both Facebook and Instagram.
Since 2013, UNIMORE has collaborated with ISU Services and Consulting to provide dedicated services for international students, researchers and visiting professors through the International Welcome Desk, which offers support on bureaucratic procedures, housing, tax code and general orientation to life in the city.
Modena also runs a structured inclusion initiative: the Modena Città Interculturale Programme, launched in 2019 following the city’s membership of the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities Network, which places interculturalism as a strategic axis of local policy.
Italian language courses and language exchange
CPIA 1 Modena offers education for Italian and foreign adults, including Italian language courses at different levels, literacy pathways and preparation for language certification exams.
For a more informal setting, Scuola Penny Wirton Modena (at Centro Papa Francesco, Via dei Servi 18) provides free one-to-one or small group Italian lessons.
Organisations offering voluntary Italian language teaching are brought together in a permanent working table established under the Modena Città Interculturale Programme, which has produced a full mapping of available courses — collected in the brochure “L’Italiano per tutti”, distributed at municipal services across the city.
Private language schools such as Romanica Accademia Italiana and inlingua Modena are also available for those seeking paid options.
In the municipality website you can find all the available courses.
Sports and outdoor activities
For university students, CUS Mo.Re (Centro Universitario Sportivo Modena Reggio Emilia) manages sports activities including fitness courses, team tournaments and more, with agreements that allow students and staff to access sport at reduced rates.
Beyond the university, Modena has a wide network of sports clubs and facilities across the city. The city also has municipal swimming pools offering both organised swimming courses and free swimming sessions. A full overview of clubs, facilities and activities is available on the Talenti@MO portal, the City of Modena’s resource for internationals living in the area.
Volunteering
The main reference for volunteering in Modena is CSV Terre Estensi, which covers the provinces of Modena and Ferrara and collects opportunities across the local third sector. For more specific guidance, you can contact Informagiovani Modena or search the National Register of the Third Sector (RUNTS).
Work and networking spaces
For those looking for places to work, connect with professionals or be part of an innovative community, Modena has a growing offer of coworking spaces. A regularly updated list of all coworking spaces in the city is available on the Informagiovani Modena portal. Among the notable options, Impact Hub Modena (Via Carteria 50) provides a collaborative environment with high-speed internet and networking opportunities. Junto Innovation Hub is a coworking space dedicated to software developers, creatives and digital professionals, with a strong international outlook and a focus on fostering local innovation ecosystems.
Additional information and local support
If you’re new in Modena and looking for up-to-date information on living, working or studying here, Talenti@MO, the City of Modena’s Talent Office, is the main point of reference. The office provides practical guidance, orientation, and links to key resources for navigating daily life, housing, work, services, and activities in the city.
For further information, Informagiovani Modena also gathers resources on study, work, sport and everyday life. For university-related matters, the UNIMORE International Welcome Desk remains the main contact
Stay connected with it-ER: Ambassador Lab
To stay up to date on upcoming initiatives, follow the it-ER website and communication channels. In the coming months, it-ER will launch the Ambassador Lab, a series of meetings bringing together it-ER territorial communities across Emilia-Romagna, offering opportunities to exchange experiences and connect with other internationals living in the region.
A final tip
In Modena, as elsewhere in Emilia-Romagna, many opportunities circulate through personal networks and informal channels. Asking at a language course, a university event or a community meetup is often the easiest way to find your place in the city.
Stay tuned as the Spotlight tour moves to its next destination.
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