ICE Rome - Erasmus Cultural Meeting

The Erasmus Cultural Meeting in Rome

The Erasmus Cultural Meeting, known to all as ICE, is the winter national event of Erasmus Student Network Italy. Every November, it transforms Rome into the capital of the Erasmus generation. For three days, the Eternal City welcomes international exchange students arriving from every corner of the peninsula with their respective ESN sections to experience culture, history, and fun in the heart of the Lazio region.

An event born in 2008

ICE was launched in November 2008 with the goal of welcoming Erasmus+ students and turning the start of the academic year into a major cultural gathering. From a few hundred participants in the early years, the event has grown to host over 3,000 students from the numerous ESN sections active in Italy. It has become one of the most anticipated events for anyone experiencing a mobility period in the country.

The program: culture, city, and parties

The ICE formula combines the discovery of Rome's artistic heritage with the social and participatory spirit typical of the Erasmus world. The editions typically include:

• city tours with official guides through monuments, squares, and historic streets;
• a visit to the Vatican Museums and other iconic landmarks of the capital;
• the spectacular Flag Parade, a procession of flags that brings together all the sections;
• a welcome conference dedicated to topics related to international mobility and volunteering;
• tastings of traditional Italian dishes;
• themed evenings and parties in Rome's venues, a key moment for socialization among the groups.

Who participates

ICE is attended by international students currently studying in Italy, accompanied by volunteers from the local Erasmus Student Network sections. Each section organizes the trip to Rome, and participation requires the ESNcard. For many foreign university students, ICE represents the first major collective trip of the academic year and a unique opportunity to meet peers from all over the peninsula.

Rome, the Erasmus capital

Whether it's the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter's, or the liveliest nightlife districts, the Municipality of Rome provides the ideal backdrop for an event that celebrates European cultural exchange. ICE highlights both the historical richness of the capital of Lazio and the sense of community that defines the ESN network, confirming Rome as a landmark for the entire Erasmus generation in Italy.