Before arriving in Belvedere Marittimo, each participant completes a Pre-Program Online Phase designed to introduce the academic content and ensure a shared foundation of knowledge.
The online component consists of four one-hour recorded lessons, one for each thematic area of the SPU Program: Geopolitics & International Relations, Global Economy & Sustainability, Conflicts & Security, and Innovation & Human Development.
These lessons are delivered by the same professors who will later conduct the on-site sessions, thus establishing continuity between the virtual and residential phases. Participants also receive reading materials, case studies, and discussion prompts.
The online platform enables early interaction among students and faculty, forming a virtual learning community even before arrival. It familiarizes participants with the methodology, logistics, and evaluation system of the SPU.
By the time students reach Belvedere, they already share a common conceptual language and an understanding of the program’s objectives, allowing the in-person phase to focus on application, dialogue, and collaborative creation.