Semester in Rome
American University of Rome
Vivi all'italiana! Live like an Italian!
Study and live in the timeless, exciting city of Rome, where ancient ruins rub shoulders with modern buildings, mopeds, and macchiatos. Your Semester in Rome takes place at the American University of Rome, located in the historic Trastevere district and near the Vatican and a collection of international embassies. You’ll feel at home at this US-style campus on a hill that offers the same atmosphere and amenities you can’t imagine living without. It’s the perfect setting for you to take roots while exploring the city and its unique blend of ancient and modern that only Rome can offer.
What to Expect:
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Language: English and Italian
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Average Courseload: 4-5 classes (12-16 U.S. credits)
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GPA Requirement: 2.75
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Visa Requirements: YES - Pre-departure
Highlights:
- Museums, monuments, and concerts galore
- Student excursions, activities, and social opportunities
- U.S.-style campus on Rome's highest hill
- Beautiful apartments in traditional neighborhoods
- Vast caches of impressive art, sculpture, and treasures
Program Details
American University of Rome
Here’s your chance to experience Rome on a genuine and profound level. Seated on the green, quiet Janiculum hill overlooking one of the oldest cities of civilization, the American University of Rome (AUR) offers students a unique and insightful educational opportunity. AUR is proud of its challenging and authentic curriculum, as well as its vibrant international community. You’ll meet people from all over the globe. The student body includes Americans, local Italian students, and other international students from over 40 countries.
Simply visiting Rome as a tourist isn’t enough to understand this complex city. As a student living at AUR, you’ll gain deeper insight and appreciation into the life of Rome. Exciting student activities and AUR’s expert staff will help you feel right at home. You’ll have the experience of a lifetime!
Founded in 1969, the AUR is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The university has been offering study abroad programs for over 40 years.
Accreditation(s): Regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Areas of study with 3 to 7 classes available
- Natural & Applied Sciences
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Areas of study with 8 or more classes available
- Art & Design
- Business
- Communications
- Humanities
- World Languages
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
For course descriptions and syllabi for available terms click here.
You can use the courses from previous terms as a good indication of what to expect for your semester, as they don’t typically vary too much from year to year. Once the new courses have been finalized they will be updated here.
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 The Local Life
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
Student Apartments
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
The apartments have full kitchens, typical basic Italian cookware, and kitchenware, a table, and chairs so you can cook all the Italian feasts your heart desires.
Inclusions and Amenities
- BathroomShared
- Bed linens
- CommutePublic TransportationWalking
- Desk
- Kitchen Equipment
- LaundryOn-site
- Maintenance Service
- Study Areas
- Towels
- Wi-Fi
Note on Apartment Assignment
What's Included
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
- The Local Life 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.
Program Excursions
Eataly Food Tour
If you’ve never been to Italy before . . . this is a must when in Rome. Eataly’s goal is to demonstrate how high-quality products can be easily available at affordable prices. You’ll taste the famous durum wheat pasta from Gragnano, Piedmontese egg pasta, the water of the Maritime Alps, and Piedmont and Veneto wine, as well as Italian meats and cheeses.
Castel Gandolfo Day Trip
Castel Gandolfo is a beautiful, small town located in the green Alban hills, overlooking a breathtaking volcanic crater lake. The area is now famously known as the Pope’s summer residence. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at Sorcapanna restaurant, located a few steps away from Palazzo Pontificio. After lunch, you’ll have some free time to explore the town and treat yourself to gelato before returning to Rome.
Gianicolo Walking Tour
The Gianicolo is the second tallest hill in Rome, which provides the most breathtaking view of the city. The tour includes exploring famous monuments, churches, and the beautiful Fontana dell’Acqua Paola. The walk is quite the hike, but the wonderful view will be worth every step. You’ll also discover the reason behind the traditional firing of the cannon at noon that sets off the church bell towers of Rome.
Site Director
Travel Tip:
If while traveling there’s no internet, embrace it. Play a card game with someone in the hostel common room, read a book, lie on the beach, go for a walk, talk to a stranger, think about life. Some of my favourite travel memories are from times when I didn’t have an Internet connection.
Travel Tip:
If while traveling there’s no internet, embrace it. Play a card game with someone in the hostel common room, read a book, lie on the beach, go for a walk, talk to a stranger, think about life. Some of my favourite travel memories are from times when I didn’t have an Internet connection.
About:
Romina is a native Roman with degrees in International Communications (2005) and International Relations (2007) at the University for Foreigners of Perugia. Shortly after graduating, she moved back to Rome and began her study abroad career working for IES. In Rome, she began pursing her M.A. in International Affairs at the SIOI. After completing an internship at the Italian Development Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, her career took a turn as Romina was offered a position to work as a Communication and Public Information Officer within the civilian component of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Herat for the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Between 2008-09, Romina completed two missions in Afghanistan. In 2009, she began working for the Italian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, which then led her to cover the same position at the Italian Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen. In Spring 2011, the Italian government ordered embassy staff to return home due to the uncertain situation of the Arab Spring. Ever since, Romina has enjoyed her return to the eternal city, and to her career in study abroad through CIS Abroad.
Travel Tip:
When I travel, I always try to find places where the locals are and just observe the lifestyle from a non-tourist perspective.
Travel Tip:
When I travel, I always try to find places where the locals are and just observe the lifestyle from a non-tourist perspective.
About:
Elizabeth is grew up in Oswego, NY where she fell in love with the great lakes, nature and the college town atmosphere. After graduating from high school she headed south to attend college at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she discovered that nothing fascinated her more than exploring cultural diversity. After catching the travel bug she hopped around and managed to live and work in seven different cities located in four different states and spanning 3 countries. She finally settled down in Italy wither her Roman husband and has dedicated her life to helping others embrace both the beauty and the difficulties that inevitably come along with intercultural engagement experiences. Elizabeth has a BA in Communications, an MA in International Education and is currently pursuing an EdD in Global Education. She loves showing students the sites in Rome, but she gets particularly excited when she has a chance to help people overcome challenges associated with living and studying abroad.
Your Support Staff
Create an impromptu picnic. Find some strawberries from a farmers market or some bread and cheese from a little shop or maybe a fresh pastry, make your way to a green space, and just take it all in.
You’ll be supported every step of the way!
Advising
Kaylee Klinger, our student advisor and 2x CIS Abroad alum, can help match you with a program that fits your academic and personal objectives. It’s not always an easy choice, but you can’t go wrong! Once you’ve decided, we’ll guide to you submit an online application.
Enrollment
Once you’ve submitted your initial application and the fee, you’ll be assigned a Program Enrollment Coordinator. We’ll work closely together to guide you through the enrollment process and prepare you for a life-changing experience!
Dates & Prices
ADVISOR TIP: Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
- Application Deadline: Jun 15
- Arrival: August 30
- Departure: December 15
- Price: $16,990
- Application Deadline: Nov 1
- Arrival: January 17
- Departure: May 8
- Price: $17,890
- Application Deadline: Jun 15 (Estimated)
- Arrival: August 28 (Estimated)
- Departure: December 13 (Estimated)
- Price: $17,890 (Estimated)
As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.