Study Abroad | Rome

City Facts

Founded in 735 BCE, Rome is one of the world’s oldest and most captivating cities — a place where history, art, and culture are present in every stone, piazza, and winding street. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Vatican, this remarkable city is a living testament to centuries of human achievement. From the grandeur of the Colosseum and the elegance of the Spanish Steps to the charm of the Trevi Fountain and the tranquility of its gardens, Rome invites endless discovery. Its celebrated cuisine, rich religious heritage, and world-renowned film industry make it not just a city that preserves stories, but one that continues to inspire them. 

Today, Rome is a thriving metropolis of more than four million people — the capital of Italy and the fourth most populous city in the European Union. Its dynamic character is shaped by centuries of cultural exchange and the diverse communities who have made it their home. Rome is a city where ancient traditions and modern innovation coexist, where cosmopolitan energy hums through its streets, yet a deep reverence for the past remains at its heart. It is a city that feels both timeless and constantly evolving, offering visitors and scholars alike a rich and layered experience that few other places in the world can match. 

Site Staff

AIFS Abroad in Rome Director, Summer Program

Rosanna Graziani

I hold an M.A. in Modern Languages from the University of Florence. Growing up in a charming medieval town in central Italy, I was surrounded by nature. My journey in education began in Florence, where I started teaching Italian as a second language with AIFS Abroad in 1995. 

In 2001, I moved to Rome and was immediately captivated by the city’s stunning beauty, rich art and history, vibrant colors, dynamic energy, and pleasant climate. 

With a deep passion for international education and travel, I understand firsthand how transformative and empowering it is to learn about different cultures, having been a study abroad student myself and traveled to many countries. 

I am dedicated to offering a study abroad program that fosters intensive engagement with Rome and Italy. Throughout your stay, I will be there to support and guide you, ensuring you fully embrace your Italian experience. As the Program Director, I provide academic advice, help you integrate into the community, and manage communication with the university. 

Cultural Activities

Learning extends far beyond the classroom. To give you an authentic experience of Italian culture, your program fee includes a wide range of cultural activities and excursions. These include cooking and wine-tasting classes, as well as visits to renowned museums, churches, and palaces in and around Rome, guided by professional art historians. 

Throughout the program, Italian students from the University of Rome serve as language and cultural peer mentors, actively participating in both 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.