Semester in Rome
American University of Rome

Why Life in Rome

Rome (Roma in Italian) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and the reasons are clear. The city’s unparalleled glimpse into the past is a sight to behold! Rome offers countless historical, cultural, artistic, and even modern attractions to keep you busy while you live abroad. Italy’s capital is home to around 2.7 million people. The mild, Mediterranean climate makes it a great place to live year round.

Rome is a hub of European politics, art, and fashion. Your head will turn in every direction as you explore this city, including the Capitoline museum, Galleria Borghese, the Vatican, and the Coliseum. Snap some photos on the Spanish steps, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and catch a glimpse of the Pope near St. Peter’s Basilica. And did we mention food? You can eat your way through this city! Italy and Rome are known for its delicious cuisine. Cap dinner off with an espresso and you’re living like a true Italian.

While in Rome, you can hop over to one of the smallest countries in the world, Vatican City. It houses the breathtaking Sistine Chapel and endless amounts of beautiful artwork. If you’re inspired to see the rest of Europe, you can easily travel from Rome. Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Greece are each only a two-hour plane ride away!

Live La Vida Local

• Food Festivals - Local “Sagra”

  The sagra is an Italian festival, organized in some towns, or regions, and is always linked to a local tradition or food celebrated in the course of the event. There are several “sagra” around Rome including truffle festival; seafood pasta festival; suppli festival; wine & grapes festival.

• Rock in Roma Music Festival (June-August)

  Rock in Roma Festival is the largest festival in Rome with over forty bands performing over three months at the enormous, Ippodromo delle Capannelle.

• Soccer Games

  Get a glimpse of the Italian soccer culture at one of Rome’s games! It’s a great way to also meet locals and also other study abroad students. Don’t forget to wear the local team jerseys!

• Local Restaurants

  Don’t feel like cooking or simply want to try some local specialties? Venture out to the local tiny restaurants for amazing experiences! Don’t forget to ask on-site staff for recommendations!

• Farmer’s Market

  Check out and get your daily shopping done at the local market. Get to know the farmers, practice your Italian and stay healthy by eating seasonal products!

Location

On Semester in Rome, you’ll live with other AUR program participants in beautiful student apartments. The apartments are located in traditional, well-established neighborhoods (ex. Monteverde, Giancolense, Trastevere, and Colli Portuense). Compared to other parts of Rome, these neighborhoods have more green spaces, better access to public transport, and are conveniently located to the historic center of Rome. All apartments are either within walking distance or conveniently located to public transit routes relative to the university. This housing is ideal for students looking for a “full immersion” cultural experience.

All apartments are same-sex, non-smoking environments, and house 6 students on average in shared rooms with single beds. Students are assisted with maintenance and other issues that may arise during the occupancy.

Watch Mariana’s housing video to get an idea of what apartments in Rome are like!

In addition to the amenities listed below, each apartment is equipped with:

• A personal computer (PC) with unlimited, no additional cost access to the internet as well as wireless access for those with wireless-ready laptops
• A landline phone with unlimited calls to landlines within Italy

Meals

Inclusions and Amenities

• BathroomShared
• Bed linens
• CommutePublic TransportationWalking
• Desk
• Kitchen Equipment
• LaundryOn-site
• Maintenance Service
• Study Areas
• Towels
• Wi-Fi

Note on Apartment Assignment

Inclusions

Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:

• Orientation upon arrival
• Local excursions, 1 day trip and 1 overnight trip
• Full-time tuition and fees
• Housing (apartment)
• Medical and accident insurance
• CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
• Academic advising
• Financial aid counseling
• Assistance with travel arrangements
• Predeparture orientation
• Airport pick-up
• On-site support
• American University of Rome official transcript
• La Vida Local cultural program

Welcome & Orientation

Upon arrival, you’ll take part in a comprehensive orientation program. Learn the “do’s and don’ts” of living in Rome, like where to go out, how to stay safe, how to blend in like a local and where to shop. After orientation, there will be a fabulous welcome dinner at one of our favorite spots in town, featuring local, seasonal products and dishes.

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

At the end of the program, get together for one last epic meal and talk about your adventures and experiences. Your Site Director will also share some precious tips on going back home feeling like a champ! Your study abroad experience is something to be cherished and shared with your family and friends back home.

We believe that study abroad is still possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, but certain policies and procedures will need to be in place to ensure every student can be safe and healthy during their semester abroad.

Learn more about CIS Abroad’s Risk Management Team’s three step process for operating  our programs around the world and important program refund policies.

Read more below for information related to this program:

On-Site Program Modifications

We want your time abroad to be an experience of a lifetime. We also know that it is a unique time to be going abroad. Below is some helpful information to you so you can make the best decision for your finances, academic career, and personal health and safety.

Our Financial Commitment

CIS Abroad is working with international partners to create refund and withdrawal policies that limit the financial impact on students and families should COVID-19 change a student’s plan to travel. See our refund policy page for more information.
To insure yourself from additional loss, such as the loss of airfare, or any other non-recoverable loss after your program begins, we recommend purchasing trip protection insurance, aka CFAR/IFAR insurance.

Our Academic Commitment

CIS Abroad has carefully selected programs where there is minimal to no academic risk.*

If a student must quarantine or miss classes due to sickness, remote academics are guaranteed. These may be synchronous or asynchronous, i.e, live or recorded.

If a city or country goes on lockdown due to sickness, remote academics are guaranteed. These may be synchronous or asynchronous, i.e. live or recorded.

* If a student cannot travel to their destination due to COVID-19 restrictions, remote academics are guaranteed on select programs and in certain courses. If accessing remote academics from the US are important to you, please contact our advising team to learn more about which program locations or courses are right for you.

Our Health & Safety Commitment

CIS Abroad has developed a site-specific risk management plan for every location so that health and safety protocols are monitored, managed and communicated throughout the semester. We have developed a COVID Care Package included in our program fee to make traveling and living in a host country easier on students, especially those first few weeks on-site:

• COVID compliant airport pick-up and transfer to housing.
• Access to quarantine housing upon entry, if quarantine is required when entering the country; this housing may incur additional charges.
• Information and assistance on meal delivery, if quarantine is required when entering the country.
• COVID-safe classrooms and campus facilities as well as access to masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies according to country and location specific standards.
• Vaccine requirements for all participants to ensure COVID-safe program excursions and guaranteed housing with vaccinated students.
• Access to accommodation if isolation is necessary due to positive COVID test or exposure; this housing may incur additional charges.
• Access to COVID testing; this testing may be an additional charge.
• Medical and accident insurance that covers COVID-related illness (except for on programs operating in the USA).
• Cultural activities and reflection that emphasize safe, local exploration geared to the specific context of being abroad at this special time.

*if quarantine is required upon entry, we will let you know 60 days before a program starts, or as soon as the information is known to CIS Abroad. Your program coordinator will keep you updated as to any changes in dates, arrival, local restrictions and costs. If it is required, this may entail an earlier departure date and an additional housing and meal cost.

We recognize not every student, family, or university will allow travel this year, despite the risk mitigation outlined above. Should students apply for 2021 programs, and then choose to defer to a future program, we would be happy to move that student’s application to a program with a later start date. We are committed to providing our innovative virtual programs to meet your internationalization goals.

Excursions

We plan to show you the best of what your location has to offer this term; great culture, great food, and interesting people. On the Excursions tab, you can see the day or overnight trips we usually offer. It is too soon to know if we can offer those same experiences or if we’ll stay a little closer to our program base. Just know that great experiences await you.