About us
Erasmus Cultural Encounter ICE '26
The Erasmus Cultural Encounter (ICE) is the national event organized by Erasmus Student Network Italy (ESN Italy), founded in 2008 and reaching its 18th edition in 2026. Four days in Rome dedicated to culture, integration and international mobility, bringing together Erasmus students and ESN volunteers from across Europe.
How the Encounter began
“We wanted those arriving from abroad to see more than postcards, to step inside and truly experience Italy.”
The Erasmus Cultural Encounter was created to provide a space for cultural exchange and cooperation among European students who choose Italy as part of their international mobility experience.
Since its first edition, ICE has welcomed Erasmus and international students arriving at Italian universities, giving them the opportunity to discover Italian culture, history and local heritage up close. The event turns the beginning of the academic year into a moment of connection, bringing together students from across Europe and beyond.
Rome was chosen as the host city for ICE thanks to its extraordinary historical and cultural heritage. The capital thus becomes a meeting point for students, cultures and Erasmus communities from across Europe.
ICE is organized by Erasmus Student Network Italy (ESN Italy), the national network bringing together local ESN organizations active at Italian universities.
The journey
Our story in milestones
- 2008
The Erasmus Cultural Encounter is born
ICE is launched by ESN Italy for Erasmus students, with the aim of giving international students a warm welcome and introducing them to Italian culture and heritage.
- 2008–2019
A growing tradition
Year after year, ICE becomes a regular gathering for international students and ESN volunteers, growing from just a few hundred participants in its early editions to an increasingly popular event.
- 2020
A forced pause
The ICE edition is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily interrupting an already well-established tradition.
- 2021–today
Over 1,000 participants
ICE returns to bring together students from across Europe, exceeding 1,000 participants in recent years and involving the 52 local ESN organizations active throughout Italy.
- Today
A gathering for integration
Four days, from Thursday to Sunday, dedicated to culture, history and discovering the host city. ICE embodies the values of ESN Italy: volunteering, community, non-discrimination, integration and social awareness.
The experience
An experience of culture, integration and mobility
Four days in Rome combining culture, integration and international mobility. The ICE programme brings together educational moments, recreational activities and institutional meetings, offering Erasmus students a different way to experience the city and discover Italy.
Italian culture and heritage
An opportunity to discover Rome and Italy's historical and cultural heritage through experiences, visits and moments of exchange.
Integration and exchange
Erasmus students and ESN volunteers from across Italy come together, share experiences and build new connections.
Activities and fun
A programme combining educational moments and recreational activities, allowing participants to experience Erasmus beyond the university.
Institutional meetings
Opportunities to engage with key organizations and institutions supporting ESN, promoting international mobility and the role of students.
“Culture is not something you explain: it is something you experience, together.”
— The ICE team
Ready to discover the programme?
Explore the days, the event locations and how to reach them on the map.