SLICE II Summer School

Period

2 weeks, from Monday 29 June to Friday 10 July 2026 with students present in Trento, PLUS a compulsory 2-hour follow-up online workshop by end of July 2026 (date to be confirmed).

Contents

The Summer School explores the theme of the encounter between languages and cultures as a fundamental resource for dealing with the complexity of an interconnected society. To this end, crucial topics such as Heritage languages, bilingualism and multilingualism, language interference and interaction, as well as phenomena of applied linguistics, intercultural pragmatics, and discourse analysis will be discussed. 
The adopted interdisciplinary perspective will integrate the tools of linguistics, cultural studies, media studies, sociology, anthropology and ethnography, thus offering a broad and articulated view of the addressed phenomenon. 
Special attention will be given to participants’ personal stories of linguistic and cultural encounters, related to authentic travel, education, art, culinary experiences.

The Summer School offers lectures by international and local experts on:

Multilingualism
Heritage languages
Intercultural communication
Specialised discourse

Workshops based on individual and group work are offered on:

• Linguistic landscapes
• Cultural portfolios
• Language learning
• Digital storytelling

By the end of the Summer school, participants: 

• will be able to critically discuss language stories from an intercultural perspective
• will have acquired applied knowledge through experiential learning
• can improve communication skills, as well as collaborative skills through teamwork

International speakers

• Eleonora Buonocore, School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures, University of Calgary, Canada
• Wendy d’Angelo, Department of Linguistics and Languages, University of MacMaster, Canada
• Nadine Kolb, Department of Cultural Studies and Languages, University of Stavanger, Norway
• Monika Messner, Institute for Romance Studies, University of Graz, Austria

Workload and Credits

All lectures, seminars and activities are in English.
The program includes approximately 7 hours per day of the activities described above, including visits and social-cultural programs. 
All participants will receive a certificate of attendance after satisfactory completion of the in-person part.
Participation in the online session will earn external participants an official UniTrento transcript certifying 6 ECTS and an evaluation mark.      
Participation in all activities included in the program is mandatory and attendance will be tracked daily.

Participant Background

Admission will be open to a maximum of 22 international senior Bachelor’s degree students (who have finished the 2nd year) and all Master’s degree students from any background related to: applied linguistics, cultural studies, communication studies, media studies, sociology, anthropology, ethnography, or similar, with an interest in languages and cultures. 
Participants should be confident in English-language use (B2).

Application Process 

Starting from 2nd February until 2nd March 2026, you can apply through an application link. 
To apply you will first be asked to create a UniTrento guest account. To do so, please see the instructions in the document "How to login to UniTrento application tool" available at the bottom of this page. 
All students are required to upload their CV, most recent ToR (Transcript of Records), complete identity document, English certificate and a motivation letter.
The Summer School will take place with a minimum number of 10 participants.

Deadlines

Applications by international external students: 2nd March 2026, noon.    
Up to 2 local UniTrento students can be admitted if places are still available and must apply starting from 15 March 2026.

Participation Costs

Since you will be selected and come from a University Partner of UniTrento, you will receive a fee waiver.
If you come within the Erasmus+ Programme K131 or the ICM K171 Program, you can also apply for a short-term mobility scholarship. Ask your international office for details.UniTrento organizes and covers the costs of the social-cultural program consisting of: 
●    a guided visit of the town;
●    a welcome coffee and a farewell lunch;
●    a one-day and a half-day outdoor activity;
●    a guided visit to a museum or other cultural institutions.
Participants are responsible for covering the following expenses:
●    Meals: approximately from 6 to 9 euros (€) in the university canteen, 15-30 € at a café or restaurant, less if you cook by yourself or with others;
●    Housing: approximately 35 €/day in shared accommodation, hints to find one will be sent to prospective participants (on campus housing is not available);
●    Travel;
●    Transportation expenses once you arrive at UniTrento and in the surrounding area unless you get from your host the Trentino Guest Card;
●    Visa and health insurance, if needed (students living outside the European Union). 

Accommodation

All participants are responsible for planning and paying for their own lodging during the School.
Details and possible housing solutions will be sent to applicants.
You are recommended to book in advance since the summer period is quite busy. 

Academic Coordinator

Prof. Sabrina Francesconi (Department of Humanities - UniTrento)

Contacts

International Relations Division 
international-stp@unitn.it
Tel + 39 0461 283224