Study Abroad in Rome: Student Life

Language preparation/orientation in Florence

Language study and orientation are essential to a successful experience in a foreign country. Before the semester begins, students participate in a 3-week language and orientation program in the historic city of Florence for a grounding in written and conversational Italian. Students develop Italian language skills during three hours of classes Monday through Friday at the Eurocenters Study Center. The orientation consists of 45 contact hours, equivalent to three semester credits.

Eurocentres Study Center is the oldest state-recognized school of foreign languages in Florence. Located in Palazzo Guadagni, a 16th century palace between the Arno River and the Pitti Palace, the Study Center is a few minutes from the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo and many of Florence’s great museums. With its elegant, gracious rooms, the Study Center serves as a convenient, attractive, welcoming environment for students and teachers. Student facilities include computers with internet access, a multimedia learning center, a lecture room and a student lounge.

Orientation activities
The Richmond staff in Florence organize a wide variety of cultural and social activities during orientation including visits to some of the most famous museums, churches and palaces in Florence. Highlights are day trips to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistry, and to Siena to enjoy its central piazza, cathedral and museums.

Orientation housing
Students stay in a student residence or hotel. Breakfast and dinner are provided.

Activities

To broaden the students’ experience, Richmond staff organize an excellent program of cultural and social activities and advise students on how to get the most from cultural life in Rome. Visits to museums, art galleries, churches and theaters, cooking classes, dinners and parties with Italian students are just some of the activities occurring regularly. Half-day excursions to Villa d’Este, Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli and to archaeological sites like Ostia Antica are included in the fee. An exchange conversation program with Italian students is arranged for interested students. In Rome students may enroll in the volunteer work program in order to get to know better many aspects of the society they are living in and to receive hands-on training in one of a range of volunteer work associations.

Richmond Study Center

Located in Piazza Sant’Andrea della Valle, near the Piazza Navona, in the heart of the historic center of the city, the center has administrative offices, a student computer lab, a reference library and five classrooms.

Computer facilities

Students have exclusive access to fifteen computers and a laser printer in the Richmond Study Center, where they may write and print documents, browse the Internet, listen to CDs and watch DVDs at no extra charge. Wireless internet connection is also available for students who bring their own laptop. The lab is open during office hours.

Transportation

Students should budget approximately $45 for a monthly pass for unlimited travel on the Rome bus and underground system. Rome has an extensive public bus and train system that students can use to travel between their housing and classes. It is easy to walk to destinations in the center of town.