Spotlight: internationals in… Bologna
Bologna is known worldwide as the capital of Emilia-Romagna and as the home of the oldest university in the Western world, founded in 1088. Famous for its food, its endless porticoes — recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and its red rooftops, Bologna is also a young, energetic and welcoming city with one of the largest international student communities in Italy and a packed calendar of cultural, civic and social opportunities.
International and social communities
The main reference point for international students is ESN Bologna, the city’s international student association, which organises affordable trips, meetups, language tandems, sports events, themed parties and cultural activities — one of the easiest and most popular ways to meet other students from around the world. ESN Bologna also runs SPEAK Bologna, a peer-to-peer language learning programme.
For internationally-minded women living in and around Bologna, the International Women’s Forum (IWF Bologna) is a non-profit, volunteer-run network founded in 1998 for English-speaking women of all nationalities, ages and backgrounds. With more than 180 members from 20+ countries, IWF organises monthly meetings, professional networking events, business expos, interest groups and cultural activities. The Forum also produces and updates the Bologna Inside Guide, a comprehensive online guide for international women living in the city.
For a broader and more heterogeneous expat community, several Bologna-based groups bring together internationally-minded people for meetups, language and cultural exchange, and exploration of local life — from informal Facebook and Meetup groups to Porta Pratello, an open community space that hosts intercultural events, workshops, language exchanges and the welcoming Casa Rider, a hub built around food delivery riders, many of them international workers.
The University of Bologna offers dedicated services for international students, researchers and visiting professors through its International Desk, providing support on bureaucratic procedures, housing, tax code and orientation to life in the city.
Italian language courses and language exchange
CPIA Metropolitano di Bologna offers free or low-cost Italian language education for adults aged 16 and over, including literacy pathways, language courses from A1 to B2 and preparation for the A2 certification — useful for residence permit procedures.
For a more informal and free setting, several volunteer-based associations offer Italian classes across the city, including ApriMONDO – hosted at the Centro Amilcar Cabral (Via San Mamolo 24), the Scuola d’Italiano By Piedi (Via De’ Buttieri 13/b) and the Associazione Interculturale UNIVERSO (Piazza XX Settembre 7).
The Emilia-Romagna Region funds free Italian language courses specifically for international talents living in the area. As this offer is updated regularly, for up-to-date information on available courses and how to enrol, get in touch directly with Bologna for Talent — the Talent Welcome Desk team will be able to guide you to the right option based on your level and schedule.
Private language schools such as Madrelingua Italian Language School in the historic centre, certified to the UNI 11863:2022 quality standard, are also available for those seeking paid options, with standard, intensive and online courses for adult learners.
For language exchange in informal settings, ESN Bologna organises Papaya Tandem Matching System which is a great free option to practise Italian with locals while meeting other internationals. Many municipal libraries also organise free conversation groups (gruppi di conversazione).
Sports and outdoor activities
For university students, CUSB – Centro Universitario Sportivo Bologna manages a wide range of sports activities — fitness courses, team tournaments, swimming, climbing, martial arts, dance — with reduced rates for students and staff of the University of Bologna.
Beyond the university, Bologna has a dense network of sports clubs, swimming pools, gyms and outdoor spaces across the city. The hills surrounding Bologna are a favourite spot for hiking, running and cycling, with paths leading up to the Sanctuary of San Luca and along the historic Portico di San Luca — the longest in the world. The city also has municipal swimming pools offering both organised swimming courses and free swimming sessions.
Volunteering
The main reference for volunteering in Bologna is VolaBo – Centro Servizi per il Volontariato della Città Metropolitana di Bologna, which collects opportunities across the local third sector and offers training and orientation to those who want to get involved. For more specific guidance, you can also turn to Sportello Finestra sul Mondo at Flashgiovani, dedicated to international experiences and volunteering, ScambiEuropei for European volunteering and exchange opportunities, or the Gruppo Yoda youth association. You can also 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, Bologna has a rich offer of coworking spaces. A regularly updated overview of opportunities and resources for young people in the city is available on Flashgiovani, the youth information portal of the Municipality of Bologna. Among the notable options, Dumbo Space is one of the city’s largest creative coworking communities, hosted in the former railway warehouses near the Bolognina district, with shared studios, events and a strong international vibe. Casa Ruozi is another popular space, hosting cultural events, talks and informal networking opportunities for the local creative community. Other well-established hubs in the city include Kilowatt at Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita. Porta Pratello is an open community space run by Arci Bologna that hosts intercultural events, workshops, language exchanges and the welcoming Casa Rider, a hub built around food delivery riders, many of them international workAdditional information and local support.
TEST – Bologna is a newly opened temporary space at the former state-owned Villa Turri, combining a large public park, a home for crafts and independent production, and a hub for culture, creativity and community participation — with an open call for associations, informal groups, artists and designers to carry out activities or request space.
If you’re new in Bologna and looking for up-to-date information on living, working or studying here, Bologna for Talent, the Talent Office of the Metropolitan City and Municipality of Bologna, is the main point of reference. The Talent Welcome Desk — located inside Bologna Innovation Square (Piazza Liber Paradisus 11) — provides free one-to-one guidance in Italian and English on entry procedures, residency, healthcare, housing, schools, transport and leisure, by appointment only (online Tuesday–Thursday, in person on Thursday). Bologna for Talent also runs BET – Bologna Empowering Talent, a programme designed to attract young talents and support their integration into the local job market through innovation challenges.
Metropolitan Forum of Innovation Spaces is a network bringing together over 50 coworking spaces, fablabs, incubators, accelerators, technology parks and public institutions across the Bologna metropolitan area, with the shared goal of building an attractive and welcoming ecosystem that supports innovation, new entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange.
For broader resources on study, work, sport and everyday life, Flashgiovani and Informagiovani Bologna are key references for younger residents. For university-related matters, the University of Bologna International 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 Bologna, 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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