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Study Abroad | Rome

Italy | AIFS Global Education Center | Summer 2024

Select Your Program Option:

  • Summer 2024

Overview

Spend your summer in the Eternal City and earn credits while immersing yourself in the Dolce Vita of the historical and beautiful city of Rome, Italy, with AIFS! Choose from a variety of course and internship options. Credit is awarded by Fairfield University.

Stay Longer Rome!

The following summer sessions in Rome are combined with the new Rome May Term program for a longer study abroad experience:

  • Liberal Arts — May Term + Session 1
  • Liberal Arts — May Term + Sessions 1 + 2

What’s Included

The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.

Review Our Policies
  • Tuition

    Up to 10 credits (depending on program selection)

  • Courses

    Courses offered in art, art history, history, Italian language, psychology, sociology

  • Housing

    in program arranged, centrally-located apartments

  • Meals

    Group dinners, tastings, meal and grocery vouchers for lunch (or dinner) five days per week to subsidize the cost of your meals overseas and to experience the delight of the Italian cuisine like a local

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    Florence (2 days) (Session 1, Study + Internship)

    Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples and Capri (3 days) (Session 2, Study + Internship)

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    Cooking and wine tasting classes, urban trekking, visits to the Colosseum and the Vatican Museum, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square. Enjoy concerts, the ballet, art exhibits and much more to enrich your experience

  • On-Site Staff

    Your Program Director and their team of professionals support with any questions or advice you may need and facilitate your study abroad experience throughout the program

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance
  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network
  • Green Initiative

Additional Options & Opportunities

  • Flight Package

    Round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways

    Airport transfers to and from campus

Program Details: Study Abroad | Rome Liberal Arts May Term + Session 1

Dates

May 17, 2024June 29, 2024

Term

Summer

Institution

AIFS Global Education Center

Application Deadline

March 1, 2024

Inclusive Fees

$10,490

Eligibility

Open to High School Graduate, First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.5 GPA

Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Visa Requirements

A visa may be required for this program. Please contact your advisor or log into your portal for more information.

Areas of Interest

  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Communications
  • English
  • History
  • Italian Language
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Global Themes

  • Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
  • Health Sciences and STEM
  • Language, History and Culture
  • Social and Criminal Justice
Learn More About Global Themes

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

The AIFS Global Education Center in Rome is located in the heart of the city within walking distance of historic sites such as the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum. The Director and a team of full-time, permanent Student Advisors supervise every aspect of the program and are easily accessible to help students adjust to life in Italy. Free Wi-Fi and printing facilities are available throughout the building. 

Fairfield University

Academic credit for the program is awarded by Fairfield University. Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university founded in 1942 in Fairfield, Connecticut, well known for their commitment to international education. Fairfield is a fully accredited university and member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.  

In 2020 Fairfield and AIFS partnered to develop a school of record relationship that will allow academic credit to be available for both Fairfield and non-Fairfield students.  

Course syllabi and faculty credentials are reviewed and approved by Fairfield University. 

  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Communications
  • English
  • History
  • Italian Language
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Choose one course from the 5 subjects available, which focus on art history, history, Italian language, and sociology. Students on this program can earn up to 3 credits.

Students on the 4-week program choose one or two courses which focus on art history, communications, gender studies, history, Italian language, photography or religion for up to 6 credits. Students can also take AHST 210 Italian Art: Selected Topics for an additional 1 credit.

Italian language is available from Beginner to Advanced. Students do not need to have previously studied Italian in order to take a language course. Students with previous study of the language take a placement test to determine the appropriate level.

Sessions run consecutively. Take both and earn up to 10 credits.

Take the Liberal Arts May Term program and Session 1 of the summer programs and earn up to 6 credits.

Take the Liberal Arts May Term and Sessions 1 + 2 of the summer programs and earn up to 13 credits.

Please bear in mind that due to the intense summer schedule several courses are held at the same time and you may need to be flexible in your choice of course combinations.

The Study + Internship Program consists of the 3-credit online course SOCI 360 Italian Culture and Traditions plus the 3-credit INTL 310 International Internship with 120 hours internship placement for a total of 6 semester credits. Students can also take AHST 210 Italian Art: Selected Topics for an additional 1 credit.

Please note that you can combine the Liberal Arts May Term with the Study + Internship Program for a longer stay and 10 credits.

The program offers a guaranteed internship in your desired career field, award-winning professional development program, résumé, cover letter, and interview prep, on-site orientations, full-time local staff and 24/7 support, LinkedIn profile coaching, and post-program career development toolkit.

Students must be prepared to commute an average of 1 hour to/from accommodations, the AIFS Center and the internship placement location.

The internship provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in workplace settings and to translate classroom learning into practice. It is a substantive career development experience with the intent being for the student to be exposed to business ideas and concepts while being mentored. Doing analysis, contributing to decisions, and communicating meaningful ideas should form the bulk of the work, although some low skill work (for example, data entry and making phone calls) can be a part of the assignment. At the end of the internship experience, students will be able to reflect on their personal and professional growth and begin seeing themselves on their career path.

Text Box: Send a MessageWhile every internship is different, AIFS has adopted the internship definition recommended by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE.)

The criteria are as follows: 

  • The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
  • The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
  • The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
  • There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
  • There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
  • The experienced supervisor will provide routine feedback.
  • There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals. Students are expected to dress and behave professionally throughout their internship assignment and adhere to the agreed-upon internship standards and requirements as described by GE and the host organizations.

Internship locations: internships can be arranged in a wide range of relevant areas including art, architecture, business, communications, design and fashion.

View All Courses For Liberal Arts - May Term + Session 1
Jenna Instagram Takeover

A DAY IN THE LIFE ROME

Say ‘buongiorno!’ to Jenna, a college student from the Ohio University! Jenna took over the AIFS Abroad Instagram story to answer questions about what it’s like to study abroad in Rome, Italy this summer and highlight what a typical day in her life looks like there.

AIFS Abroad students in Rome, Italy, on a rooftop patio.

Living Abroad

Apartment

All AIFS students studying in Rome have the option of living in program arranged apartments while studying abroad. Generally located in the central neighborhoods of Trastevere, Campo de’ Fiori, Prati or Monti, the apartments allow students to experience Rome as a local would do.

Distances to certain attractions and the AIFS Center vary depending on the neighborhood. Typical commute is 10-40 minutes walking distance, depending on apartment location.

Every apartment comes with its own sets of dishware, cooking supplies, beddings. Cleaning service comes biweekly.

Toiletries and cleaning products are not included.

ROOMMATES

  • 2-3 students per room
  • 4-8 students per apartment

AMENITIES

  • Shared full kitchen
  • Shared bathroom
  • Bed linens included
  • Internet access
  • Washer only
  • Central heating
  • Fans provided

Meals

A unique meal plan to subsidize the cost of living abroad and to learn how people in Italy eat with fresh, local produce. Students receive grocery and meal vouchers to be used for one meal (lunch or dinner) five days per week for three weeks. The vouchers can be used in selected groceries, local restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias located near the apartments and the AIFS Center.

Students may opt out of the meal plan and pay a reduced program fee.

History

Founded in 735 BC, Rome is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the Vatican, an independent country within the city. With its unparalleled wealth of history, archeology, art, religion and religious culture and delicious food, Rome has more to offer than any other city in the world. The Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, its gardens, parks and art, the world-famous film industry make Rome a city that fascinates with its unique beauty and mesmerizing atmosphere.

Population

Rome, with its population of over 4,000,000, is the capital of Italy and the fourth most populous city in the European Union. The charming eclectic culture of modern Rome is a result of diverse cultures and people who have made this city their home for years. Rome is a modern city that thrives in its cosmopolitan culture but still has a deep reverence to its past.

AIFS in Rome Director, Summer Program

Rosanna Graziani headshot.

Rosanna Graziani
M.A. in Modern Languages from the University of Florence

Ciao! I grew up in a beautiful medieval town in central Italy, immersed in nature.

I earned my degree in Florence, where I joined AIFS in 1995 as a teacher of Italian L2.

When I moved to Rome in 2001, I immediately felt spellbound to the beauty, the wealth of art and history, the colors, the energy, and the climate of this extraordinary city.

I am passionate about international education and travelling; as a study abroad student myself, and through the many countries I visited, I learned how empowering and transformational learning about different people and cultures can be.

I am committed to providing a study abroad program of intensive engagement with Rome and Italy and I will support and advise you throughout your stay to ensure that you make the most of your Italian experience.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of Italian culture, a wealth of cultural activities and excursions are included in your program fee such as cooking and wine tasting classes and visits to some of the most famous museums, churches and palaces in and around Rome with professional art historians. Italian students from the University of Rome intern throughout the program as language and cultural peer mentors, participating in most program arranged curricular and extracurricular activities.

Past activities have included:

  • Opera nights in the beautiful setting of Caracalla archaeological site
  • Cooking and pasta classes
  • Wine tastings
  • Pizza tastings
  • Gelato tastings
  • Visit to the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum
  • Cinema nights on Tiber Island
  • Get togethers and dinners with Italian students
  • Art and discovery tours
  • Lectures and workshops
  • Various exhibitions and concerts (jazz, rock, blues)
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Day trips around Rome (including the beach, Bracciano lake and hiking)
  • “Underground” Rome
  • Ballets/Musicals
  • Handicraft market
  • Food markets
  • Visit to the zoo
  • Group dinners
  • Farewell dinner

Please note that students may pay a small additional fee for some of the activities above.

In addition, a Language Peer Mentoring Program as well as a conversation exchange program with Italian college students is available for all students.

Excursions

This program offers a range of day trips and excursions that will take you outside Rome and deepen your social, historical and cultural understanding of Italy. Previous excursions have included:

Florence, Italy city buildings.

Florence

Explore Florence, the jewel of Renaissance Italy, during an unforgettable visit that includes guided sightseeing tour, viewing of Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, and visits to the Palazzo Pitti and Santa Croce.
  • Italy
  • 2 Days
  • Included in Program Fee (Session 1, Study + Internship)
Sorrento, Italy.

Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii and Capri

Take an exciting getaway to Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii and Capri Island. Visit the Pompeii excavations and the National Archaeological Museum. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations and breakfast. Students take a Hyrofoil to/from Capri island.

  • Italy
  • 3 Days
  • Included in Program Fee (Session 2, Study + Internship only)
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Social identity & access

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

Request Info

Open

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    March 1, 2024
  • Deposit Deadline
    March 20, 2024
  • Scholarship Deadline
    March 1, 2024
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    May 16, 2024
  • Program Begins
    May 17, 2024
  • Program Ends
    June 29, 2024
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    June 29, 2024
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Flight Package

Students can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS programs. Students who choose to book their own flights should meet up with group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed in your account 6 months prior to departure. (Program fee is guaranteed.)

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $2,260
  • Boston
    $2,160
  • Buffalo
    $2,240
  • Charlotte
    $2,360
  • Chicago
    $2,340
  • Cincinnati
    $2,340
  • Columbus
    $2,240
  • Dallas
    $2,440
  • Denver
    $2,520
  • Des Moines
    $2,340
  • Detroit
    $2,340
  • Houston
    $2,520
  • Los Angeles
    $2,540
  • Miami
    $2,260
  • Minneapolis
    $2,340
  • New York
    $2,160
  • Newark
    $2,160
  • Orlando
    $2,180
  • Philadelphia
    $2,280
  • Phoenix
    $2,480
  • Pittsburgh
    $2,240
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $2,260
  • San Francisco
    $2,520
  • Seattle
    $2,540
  • St. Louis
    $2,340
  • Washington/Dulles
    $2,580
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in Rome?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com