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A student in Rome, Italy.
A student posing in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

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Overview

Spend a semester 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.

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.

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  • Tuition

    Up to 17 credits depending on program and course selection

  • Courses

    Wide variety of courses available; taught in English and Italian

  • Housing

    in program arranged, centrally-located apartments

  • Meals

    Group meals, tastings, meal and grocery vouchers for lunch (or dinner) five days per week valued at $1,400 to subsidize the cost of your meals overseas and to experience the delight of the Italian cuisine like a local

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    3-day trip to Florence, 3-day trip to Sorrento, Naples, Capri and Pompeii and day trip to Assisi and the Umbria region

  • 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

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. Academic credit for the AIFS Rome program is awarded by Fairfield University.  

This program is designed for students who wish learn about the Italian culture and take courses in art history, communications, design and media, economics, engineering, fashion, food studies, Italian language, history, international business, international relations, literature, management, marketing, political science, psychology and religion. Italian language study is optional. Students choose to take Italian Language courses and/or electives taught in English for a total of up to 18 semester credits. A number of courses are offered which relate specifically to the history, art, culture, economics and politics of Italy and make special use of the resources available in Rome. Many of these classes also satisfy major or general education requirements. Site visits, interviews, guest lectures and field trips complement classroom teaching and enhance students’ learning experience. The city of Rome with its wealth of resources, from art and archaeology to religion, business and politics becomes your classroom for an immersive educational experience abroad.

This program is designed for those interested in spending a semester focusing on Italian language and culture. Students take three 4-credit courses taught progressively throughout the semester for 12 credits, plus one 3-credit course at choice among those offered at the Rome Global Education Center for a total of 15 credits. Classroom-based learning is supplemented by practice in an authentic context, cultural immersion and home study, enabling students to quickly increase their proficiency. The program is available to all students from Beginner to Intermediate I level and provides an understanding of the cultural contexts associated with Italian language in addition to language proficiency. 

The Intensive Italian Language Program is a great way to incorporate foreign language proficiency into an undergraduate curriculum and will make a meaningful addition to your résumé as you begin your career and/or apply for graduate studies in any field. 

For music majors who do not want to fall behind during a semester abroad, or for those with an interest in music an exciting Music Program is available, taught in a multicultural environment in conjunction with Saint Louis College of Music, founded in 1976 and authorized to issue Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research. Students take up to 5 courses from the Traditional Program plus possible extra credit from Saint Louis College of Music. Courses are available in bass, drums, guitar, percussion, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and vocals. 

Working side by side with locals is an ideal way to gain insight into another culture, to understand different approaches and to prepare for the realities of working in a multicultural and interdependent world. AIFS Abroad has designed the Study + Internship Program to combine a traditional academic learning experience with a unique opportunity to study working life in Italy first-hand with placements in Rome based organizations. Internships are individually tailored to students, taking into account your strengths and your career goals.

Students select two courses of 3 credits each from the regular offering of courses on the Traditional Academic Program and enroll in the following:

  • INTL 310 International Internship in Italy (3 credits) – 120 hours of work placement through 12 week program
  • SOCI 360 Italian Culture and Traditions (3 credits) – taught online

Students are enrolled in a total course load of 12 credits, plus, one optional 1-credit independent study course.

The Study and Internship Program provides vital insight into a career field, experience in the global workplace, practical exposure to the demands of specific jobs and development of professional and personal skills.

Students may earn up to 2 additional credits while deepening their academic experience during one or two program arranged weekend excursions. A research paper and active engagement in the site visits is required.

This program is designed for students who wish learn about the Italian culture and take courses in art history, communications, design and media, economics, engineering, fashion, food studies, Italian language, history, international business, international relations, literature, management, marketing, political science, psychology and religion. Italian language study is optional. Students choose to take Italian Language courses and/or electives taught in English for a total of up to 18 semester credits. A number of courses are offered which relate specifically to the history, art, culture, economics and politics of Italy and make special use of the resources available in Rome. Many of these classes also satisfy major or general education requirements. Site visits, interviews, guest lectures and field trips complement classroom teaching and enhance students’ learning experience. The city of Rome with its wealth of resources, from art and archaeology to religion, business and politics becomes your classroom for an immersive educational experience abroad.

This program is designed for those interested in spending a semester focusing on Italian language and culture. Students take three 4-credit courses taught progressively throughout the semester for 12 credits, plus one 3-credit course at choice among those offered at the Rome Global Education Center for a total of 15 credits. Classroom-based learning is supplemented by practice in an authentic context, cultural immersion and home study, enabling students to quickly increase their proficiency. The program is available to all students from Beginner to Intermediate I level and provides an understanding of the cultural contexts associated with Italian language in addition to language proficiency. 

The Intensive Italian Language Program is a great way to incorporate foreign language proficiency into an undergraduate curriculum and will make a meaningful addition to your résumé as you begin your career and/or apply for graduate studies in any field. 

For music majors who do not want to fall behind during a semester abroad, or for those with an interest in music an exciting Music Program is available, taught in a multicultural environment in conjunction with Saint Louis College of Music, founded in 1976 and authorized to issue Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research. Students take up to 5 courses from the Traditional Program plus possible extra credit from Saint Louis College of Music. Courses are available in bass, drums, guitar, percussion, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and vocals. 

Working side by side with locals is an ideal way to gain insight into another culture, to understand different approaches and to prepare for the realities of working in a multicultural and interdependent world. AIFS Abroad has designed the Study + Internship Program to combine a traditional academic learning experience with a unique opportunity to study working life in Italy first-hand with placements in Rome based organizations. Internships are individually tailored to students, taking into account your strengths and your career goals.

Students select two courses of 3 credits each from the regular offering of courses on the Traditional Academic Program and enroll in the following:

  • INTL 310 International Internship in Italy (3 credits) – 120 hours of work placement through 12 week program
  • SOCI 360 Italian Culture and Traditions (3 credits) – taught online

Students are enrolled in a total course load of 12 credits, plus, one optional 1-credit independent study course.

The Study and Internship Program provides vital insight into a career field, experience in the global workplace, practical exposure to the demands of specific jobs and development of professional and personal skills.

Students may earn up to 2 additional credits while deepening their academic experience during one or two program arranged weekend excursions. A research paper and active engagement in the site visits is required.

Rome Instagram Takeover

A DAY IN THE LIFE Rome

Meet Kailey, a college student from UNC Charlotte who took over the AIFS Abroad Instagram story recently to answer questions about what it’s like to study abroad in Rome, Italy during her fall semester! Watch as Kailey highlights what a typical day in the life looks like there.

A group of students sitting in front of the Trevi fountain.

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
  • Cost of utilities are not included. Students pay a €350 fee in cash upon arrival to the landlord
  • Single rooms in apartments may be available for a supplement of $1,400 Spring 2024 / $1,750 Fall 2024/Spring 2025. Contact your Program Advisor for details.

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 the entire duration of the program. 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.

Transportation

Students should budget approximately 40 euros 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.

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, Academic Year and Semester Programs

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.

AIFS students have access to a local Program Director who provides advice and support throughout the program.

We believe in experiential learning, and we know that education does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of Italian culture and reach out to the local community a wealth of cultural activities and excursions are included in your program fee.

AIFS staff organize an excellent program of cultural and social activities and advise students on how to get the most from life in Rome. Past activities have included:

  • Home-made pasta and cooking classes
  • Visit to the Vatican Museums
  • Visit to the Colosseum
  • Pizza and gelato tastings
  • Dinner with Italian students and families
  • Italian aperitivo
  • Wine tastings
  • Urban trekking
  • Art tours
  • Exhibitions
  • Concerts (jazz, rock, blues)
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Day trips around Rome (including hiking and lunches)
  • “Underground” Rome
  • Opera/ballets/musicals
  • Handicraft market
  • A.S. Roma soccer matches
  • Six Nations rugby tournament matches
  • Rome Zoo
  • Farewell or Thanksgiving dinner
  • Villa d’Este, Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli
  • Subiaco
  • Ostia Antica
  • Viterbo and the Hot Baths
  • Bracciano Lake and Castle

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

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

This program enables students to get to know many aspects of the society and community they are living in and to receive practical, hands-on training and work experience in one of a range of volunteer work associations. Whether students help to teach English in a local school or mail flyers for a local association, they will experience the real world through hands-on work and use this experience to explore major or career interests. Volunteering in Rome offers a unique opportunity to meet and communicate with Italians, to practice the language and to see another side of local culture. 

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:

*Please note optional excursion fees may change slightly depending on the term. Fee will be shown at time of application.

Assisi, Italy.

Assisi and The Umbria Region

Discover the medieval village of Assisi in Italy’s gorgeous Umbria region. Trip includes round-trip transportation, sightseeing with an art professor including a tour of the Basilica of St. Francis and visit to a vineyard.

  • Italy
  • Day Trip
  • Included in Program Fee
Palermo in Sicily, Italy.

Palermo, Sicily

Sightseeing. Visit the Palazzo dei Normanni, the Cathedral, Segesta Greek and Roman ruins, anti-mafia memorial sites and take a “Palermo-No Mafia” tour. Includes accommodations, entrance fees, breakfast and one traditional Sicilian dinner. 

* This trip is part of the coursework for Mafia and Anti-Mafia in Sicily. 
* Once in Rome, staff will advise students on purchasing the cheapest available flights. 

  • Italy
  • 3 Days
  • Estimated fee: $645*
Florence, Italy city buildings.

Florence

This trip is part of the coursework for Italian Art: Selected Topics. 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
  • 3 Days
  • Included in Program Fee
Sorrento, Italy.

Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii and Capri Island

This trip is part of the coursework for Italian Art: Selected Topics. Take an exciting getaway to Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii and Capri Island. Tour includes accommodations and breakfast, round-trip transportation, visit to ruins of Pompeii, and more.

  • Italy
  • 3 days
  • Included in Program Fee
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

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Optional Flight Package

Participants can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS Abroad programs that includes a round-trip flight from 25 U.S gateways and airport transfers to and from campus. Participants who choose to book their own flights will be responsible for connecting with the group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements from the airport.

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 approximately one month prior to departure. Your program fee is guaranteed, and the optional flight package is an additional fee. Please note that once we have finalized the pricing for your flights the cost may change, and you will be responsible for making the additional payment if you want to participate in the flight package. Your program advisor will be in touch should there be any changes in the price of your flights.

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in ?

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