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Study Abroad | Rome

Italy | AIFS Global Education Center | Summer 2025

Select Your Program Option:

  • Summer 2025

Overview

Spend a summer in the Eternal City, where world-class education meets centuries of history and culture. With AIFS Abroad, you’ll earn academic credit while choosing courses in Sociology, Classics or with an internship placement. Immerse yourself in hands-on learning — from examining ancient Roman civilization on-site to exploring contemporary social dynamics, art, and architecture in one of the world’s most intellectually rich cities. In Rome, Italy, every street becomes part of your classroom and every experience fuels your inspiration. 

Credit is awarded by Fairfield University.

3 Weeks Not Enough? Stay Longer in Rome! 

Combine one or two summer sessions with the Rome May Term program for a longer study abroad experience:

  • Food Studies + Sociology
  • Food Studies and Study + Internship
  • Food Studies + Sociology + Classics

What’s Included

The AIFS Abroad 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.

Review Our Policies
  • Tuition

    Up to 10 credits (depending on program selection)

  • Courses

    Courses offered in sociology, photojournalism, art history, history, mythology, Italian language

  • Housing

    in centrally-located apartments

  • Meals

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

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    Perugia and Assisi (2 days) (Sociology program, Study + Internship)

    Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples and Capri (3 days) (Classics program, Study + Internship)

  • 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.

    Additional co-curricular activities arranged to complement the academic program.

  • 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

Program Details: Study Abroad | Rome Food Studies + Sociology

Program is closed

Dates

May 16, 2025June 28, 2025

Term

Summer

Institution

AIFS Global Education Center

Application Deadline

March 10, 2025

Inclusive Fees

$10,490

Eligibility

Open to High School Graduate, First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.5 GPA

Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Visa Requirements

A visa may be required for this program. Please contact your advisor or log into your portal for more information.

Academic Interest

  • Anthropology
  • Communications
  • History
  • Photography
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Rolling Admissions

Admission into this program is done on a rolling basis. You can expect confirmation of your acceptance within 2 working days of completing all required tasks.

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

The AIFS Abroad 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. 

Fairfield University

Academic credit for the program is awarded by Fairfield University. Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university founded in 1942 in Fairfield, Connecticut, well known for their commitment to international education. Fairfield is a fully accredited university and member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.  

In 2020 Fairfield and AIFS Abroad partnered to develop a school of record relationship that will allow academic credit to be available for both Fairfield and non-Fairfield students.

Course syllabi and faculty credentials are reviewed and approved by Fairfield University. 

  • Anthropology
  • Communications
  • History
  • Photography
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Courses on this 3-week program collectively offer a multidimensional exploration of Rome and Italian society, encompassing contemporary social issues, historical legacies, cultural dynamics, and visual representations through photojournalism.

Choose one course for 3 credits. All courses are taught in English.

Courses on this 4-week program offer a comprehensive study of classical civilizations, encompassing their historical development, artistic achievements, and mythological traditions, while also exploring their enduring influence on subsequent periods of Western culture and civilization.

Students earn up to 7 credits choosing one or two 3-credit courses among those offered plus the 1-credit independent study AHST 210. All courses are taught in English apart from Italian language.

Programs run consecutively. Take both and earn up to 10 credits.

Programs run consecutively. Take both and earn up to 6 credits.

Programs run consecutively take all three and earn up to 13 credits.

Please bear in mind that due to the intense summer schedule several courses are held at the same time and you may need to be flexible in your choice of course combinations.

The Study + Internship Program consists of the 3-credit online course SOCI 360H Italian Culture and Traditions plus the 3-credit INTL 310 International Internship with 120 hours internship placement for a total of 6 semester credits. Students can also take AHST 210 Italian Art: Selected Topics for an additional 1 credit.

Please note that you can combine the Food Studies program in May with the Study + Internship Program for a longer stay and 10 credits.

The program includes a guaranteed internship in your chosen career field, complemented by an award-winning professional development program. You’ll receive personalized support with résumé, cover letter, and interview preparation; LinkedIn profile coaching; on-site orientation; and 24/7 assistance from full-time local staff. After your program, you’ll also gain access to a comprehensive career development toolkit to help you take the next steps in your professional journey. 

Students should be prepared for an average commute of approximately one hour between accommodations, the AIFS Abroad Center, and internship placement locations. 

The internship is designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experience in a professional environment, allowing students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings. Under the guidance of a mentor, you’ll contribute to projects through analysis, decision-making input, and the presentation of ideas, while also completing occasional routine tasks such as data entry or phone calls. By the end of the internship, students will be able to reflect on their professional growth and envision their next steps on their career path. 

While every internship is different, AIFS Abroad has adopted the internship definition recommended by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE.)

The criteria are as follows: 

  • The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
  • The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
  • The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
  • There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
  • There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
  • The experienced supervisor will provide routine feedback.
  • There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals. Students are expected to dress and behave professionally throughout their internship assignment and adhere to the agreed-upon internship standards and requirements as described by GE and the host organizations.

Internship locations: internships can be arranged in a wide range of relevant areas including art, architecture, business, communications, design and fashion.

View All Courses For Food Studies + Sociology
Jenna Instagram Takeover

A DAY IN THE LIFE ROME

Say ‘buongiorno!’ to Jenna, a college student from the Ohio University! Jenna took over the AIFS Abroad Instagram story to answer questions about what it’s like to study abroad in Rome, Italy this summer and highlight what a typical day in her life looks like there.

AIFS Abroad students in Rome, Italy, on a rooftop patio.

Living Abroad

Apartment

All AIFS Abroad students studying in Rome have the option to live in program-arranged apartments during their time abroad. 

These apartments are generally located in the central neighborhoods of Trastevere, Campo de’ Fiori, Prati, or Monti, offering students the chance to experience daily life in Rome like a local. Commute times to key attractions and the AIFS Abroad Center vary depending on the neighborhood, with typical walking distances ranging from 10 to 40 minutes. 

Each apartment is equipped with dishware, cooking supplies, and bedding. A biweekly cleaning service is provided; however, students are responsible for their own toiletries and cleaning products.

ROOMMATES

  • typically 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 or AC provided

Single rooms in apartments may be available for a supplement. 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 Abroad Center.

Students may opt out of the meal plan and pay a reduced program fee.

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. 

AIFS Abroad in Rome Director, Summer Program

Rosanna Graziani headshot.

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. 

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.

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:

Assisi, Italy.

Perugia, Assisi and the Umbra Region

Explore Italy’s green heart beyond the big cities. Visit Assisi, worldwide known as a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Admire Giotto’s frescoes in the beautiful basilica and continue to Montefalco for a wine and oil tasting in a local farm. Overnight in Perugia, where you’ll stroll past top sights like Palazzo dei Priori, Rocca Paolina, Piazza IV Novembre, and the Roman aqueduct. Trip includes round-trip transportation, accommodation with breakfast, entrance, guided sightseeing with art professor.
  • Italy
  • 2 Days
  • Included in Program Fee (Session 1, Study + Internship)
Sorrento, Italy.

Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii and Capri

Take an exciting getaway to Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii and Capri Island. Visit the Pompeii excavations and the National Archaeological Museum. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations and breakfast. Students take a Hyrofoil to/from Capri island.

  • Italy
  • 3 Days
  • Included in Program Fee (Session 2, Study + Internship only)
Assisi, Italy.

Perugia, Assisi and the Umbria Region

Explore Italy’s green heart beyond the big cities. Visit Assisi, worldwide known as a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Admire Giotto’s frescoes in the beautiful basilica and continue to Montefalco for a wine and oil tasting in a local farm. Overnight in Perugia, where you’ll stroll past top sights like Palazzo dei Priori, Rocca Paolina, Piazza IV Novembre, and the Roman aqueduct. Trip includes round-trip transportation, accommodation with breakfast, entrance, guided sightseeing with art professor.
  • Italy
  • 2 Days
  • Included only in the May term + Summer sessions (Food Studies+Sociology, Food Studies+Sociology+Classics, Food Studies+Study/Intern)
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Cultural Resources

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 the General Cultural Resources and Site Specific Cultural Resources for you to review. Your program staff will also provide you with more details during pre-departure and orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

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Closed

Program is closed

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    March 10, 2025
  • Deposit Deadline
    March 20, 2025
  • Scholarship Deadline
    March 1, 2025
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Balance of Fees Payment Deadline
    April 1, 2025
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    May 15, 2025
  • Program Begins
    May 16, 2025
  • Program Ends
    June 28, 2025
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    June 28, 2025
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

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.

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $2,360
  • Boston
    $2,260
  • Buffalo
    $2,340
  • Charlotte
    $2,460
  • Chicago
    $2,440
  • Cincinnati
    $2,440
  • Columbus
    $2,340
  • Dallas
    $2,540
  • Denver
    $2,620
  • Des Moines
    $2,440
  • Detroit
    $2,440
  • Houston
    $2,620
  • Los Angeles
    $2,640
  • Miami
    $2,360
  • Minneapolis
    $2,440
  • New York
    $2,260
  • Newark
    $2,260
  • Orlando
    $2,280
  • Philadelphia
    $2,380
  • Phoenix
    $2,580
  • Pittsburgh
    $2,340
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $2,360
  • San Francisco
    $2,620
  • Seattle
    $2,640
  • St. Louis
    $2,440
  • Washington/Dulles
    $2,680
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in Rome?

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