Study Abroad | Rome

Housing

Apartment

Students live in apartments contracted by AIFS Abroad in lively, well-serviced neighborhoods, 20 – 30 minutes from the Università Cattolica by public transport. Public transport options are nearby, along with markets, shops, and restaurants. The apartments are generally located in the central neighborhoods of Trastevere or Prati, enabling students to experience daily life in Rome like a local. 

All apartments are fully furnished, and a standard consumption of utilities is included, with AIFS Abroad staff coordinating with property managers if issues arise.

Apartment designs, furnishings, layouts, and locations vary, since they are not U.S. style student residences. They typically house 3 – 8 AIFS Abroad students, with no more than three per bedroom. Students can indicate neighborhood and roommate preferences on their housing application, but final placement depends on availability and the application submission date. 

All student housing is non-smoking and includes:

• Easy access to public transport
• Wi-Fi
• Kitchens with utensils, cookware, and gas stoves
• Shared bathroom (typically up to 4 students share one bathroom)
• Washing machine, towels, and linens
• Air Conditioning 
• Maintenance support

Single rooms in apartments may be available for a supplement fee. Contact your Program Advisor for details. 

Meals

A unique meal plan is included to subsidize the cost of living abroad and to learn how people in Italy eat with fresh, local produce. Students receive meal vouchers to be used for one meal (lunch or dinner) three days per week for the entire duration of the program. The vouchers can be used in selected local restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias located near the apartments and the AIFS Abroad Center. Students may opt out of the AIFS meal plan and pay a reduced program fee. 

Additionally, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore offers several on-campus dining options serving as the main cafeteria and providing a welcoming space where students can enjoy quality Italian-style meals at reasonable prices while experiencing an important part of daily campus life. 

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. 

Additionally, 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.

UCSC Sport Facilities

Students will have access to the UCSC campus sporting facilities, including:  

• a football (soccer) field
• three tennis courts
• a volleyball court 
• a basketball court 
• a 5-a-side field 
• a gym for judo and gymnastics 

Additionally, occasional sport events are held on campus such as football, basketball and volleyball tournaments between teams made up of University students, doctors and staff.

Please note that sports equipment is not provided. Students are required to bring their own equipment and can book the sports facilities through the Sportclubby App.