Living Abroad
AIFS in Rome Resident Director, Summer Program
Ciao! I have been with AIFS since 1995; first in Florence, and then in Rome. I received my Laurea (MA Hons) in Humanities from the University of Florence and a post degree diploma in Museum studies from the University of Perugia. I studied abroad as a student, spending time in France, Spain and the U.K. I love yoga and traveling and I have visited many countries including the U.S.
Each program is a new adventure and what I love the most is to experience Rome through new eyes and to hear about your stories and discoveries in our beautiful country. Together with my colleagues I look forward to advising and supporting you throughout one of the most empowering experiences of your life.
The Resident Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.
AIFS Campus Staff with First Aid Training
Because health and safety are top priorities at AIFS, at least one member of the staff at this campus has taken a first aid course in order to be available to help any student until a doctor or nurse can provide help. This is just one of many services that we provide to our students.
Housing and Meals
Apartment
Each apartment is privately owned and is unique in atmosphere, size, design, facilities, floor plan, and number of bedrooms.
- Shared with 2 to 6 other AIFS students
- Double rooms (some single rooms may be available)
- Kitchen supplies and furnishings
- Washing machine
- Weekly cleaning
Homestay
Living with an Italian family gives you invaluable cultural insight and fast progress with the Italian language.
- Shared room with another AIFS student
- Own key
- Access to kitchen
Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Rome
Meals
The meal plan is one of the highlights of the Rome program, with almost 100% of students rating it “excellent” or “good” every session.
- Vouchers worth $400 for Session 1, $550 for Session 2 and $950 for Sessions 1+2 Combined. These can be used in selected restaurants or neighborhood grocery stores
- Students may opt out of the meal plan and pay a reduced program fee
Cultural Activities
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.