AIFS Study Abroad in Rome, Italy
Study abroad in Rome, Italy with AIFS as your guide. Explore the history, culture and architecture of this 3000 year old city. Places like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums are waiting for you to witness their testaments of time. Visit other Italian cities as well, including Naples, Pompeii and Venice.
Study from a large number of subject areas including Italian language. Stay in an apartment, or as a guest in a house. Let AIFS take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy every moment of your trip. The AIFS website has all of the details, so don't hesitate!
Reviews
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The people were great!! The shopping was amazing!! The food was to die for and worth every minute of the flight... It was the first time I've ever been out of the country but I still felt at home. You're so close to many different cities which are a train ride or quick flight away. If you only take one class, which I did, you will have plenty of time to explore the city! I took a renaissance class where we visited the Vatican for class as well as the pantheon among many other amazing sights. Bring comfortable shoes and try the bruschetta!
Shelly Martin
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AIFS Richmond in Rome is an absolutely wonderful program. The staff are friendly, inviting, and want to help you to have the best experience in Rome as possible. The location of the school is in the heart of the city, and my apartment arrangement was fantastic - it overlooked the Tiber River and was only feet away from the Roman Forum. There is no better way to experience and learn about history and art than to do it with AIF in Rome. Classes are taught mainly on site and not in classrooms, making learning so much more of an experience and adventure rather than a boring task.
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Everyone was nice, helpful and fun. I made friends amazing friends and had the best 4 months of my life. I had class Monday - Thurs and used the weekends to travel. The food in Rome is absolutely amazing and this program includes so much!!
I would go back in a heart beat!!
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The staff at Richmond in Rome honestly and truly care about each individual's experience in Rome. They go out of their way to have a packed schedule of not only awesome classes, but events most nights of the week. Including: Wine tasting, dinner with Italian friends, Museum visits with personal tour guides, Excursions and Soccer games. And the best part--the staff usually comes with you to these events, so they become more like you're friends than the front office workers. The academic scene is typical of a study abroad program-- light, but informational. There are tons of trips to museums, churches, and monuments so you actually learn the information onsite, which makes it not only memorable but exciting as well. The apartments are actual apartments, with actual Italian landlords that speak only italian. This helped you get a feel of living in Rome rather than just going to school there and living in a dorm with only american students. This program was the best decision, and I would never have changed it.
90%Overall
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This trip was definitely the trip of a lifetime and one I will never forget or ever be able to replace. I learned so much during my time abroad that now I want to travel the world! The social scene was fantastic in Italy and the classes outside in front of the real architecture was to die for! I would go back in a heart beat. I recommend this study abroad experience to everyone and their mother!!! IT IS SO WORTH EVERY PENNY! You will never get the life experiences anywhere else! CIAO! ~Kalie
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The weekend excursions to London, Venice and Capri were amazing and so was the 2 week orientation in Florence! The meal tickets saved me a ton of money and they were widely accepted by top restaurants to cool dives. The faculty and staff treat you well and the location of the school is right in the City Center. My favorite detail of the semester was taking Art History courses which were frequently taught on-site of the art piece being discussed. i.e. I had two classes taught right inside the Vatican!
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AIFS was the best program in Rome. Every program gives students the opportunity to study abroad but AIFS is fully supportive, provides travel with the group, covers lots of food/drinks and provides for lots of opportunities to do special things in Rome that they organize such as cooking lessons and tours. They also provide great little extras like happy hours with the staff and welcome events every time we travel.
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I went to Rome last Summer and had the time of y life! The classes I took were both helpful and academically rich. I learned many great things and the professors were a great help with things like how to get around, places to et and see, and going advice on how to fit into the Rome culture. I traveled with a fiend and they put us in the same apartment, which was a wonderful place. The living conditions were clean and safe. The thing I really liked about this program was the opportunity to spend a few days in London on the way over and the excersions that were available. The school also had many activities we could choose to participate in while in Rome like cooking classes, wine tasting, a night at the theatre, and beach trips. The staff was wonderfully friendly and helpful. They were fun to be around and it was obvious they really wanted us to enjoy our time abroad. I highly recommend this program!
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This program is fully focused on the student. The staff and faculty are excellent and do their very best to provide the students with an unforgettable experience with all aspects of living and studying abroad.
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Going to Rome with the Richmond program was amazing. I was prepared for the trip from the very beginning, thanks to the AIFS representative. Everyday was a new adventure and I had a great time just exploring the city and the rest of Italy. There was a good balance of school work and free time. I never had to skip something because I had too much homework. Housing was great. People were located all over the city so you could spend time in different neighborhoods, and you could interact with real Italians who were your neighbors. Overall I wouldn't trade my experience with Richmond in Rome for anything else.
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I really don't know where to begin describing my experience in Rome during the Summer of 2011. The AIFS team worked very diligently in making my dream a reality for the summer. Once in Rome, the Richmond staff were all very friendly and eager to aide us in our summer adventures. I met amazing students from all across America, some of which I still keep in contact with and visit frequently. The program itself was wonderful because included in your fees, are vouchers for meals (and drinks!), housing, and a side trip to Florence. I felt as though I got the most bang for my buck and I avidly recommend this program to anyone interested in studying abroad while in college!
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Studying abroad through AIFS in Rome was easily one of the most rewarding, exciting, fun adventures I have ever embarked on. From living in Trastevere with many local Italians to walking through Campo Di Fiori to get to class everyday, AIFS integrated you into the Roman lifestyle and equipped you with the tools to have the best semester of your life. Not only did our meal plan work at over 3,000 restaurants in Rome so we could enjoy the local cuisine, but they arranged weekend trips for our entire program to both explore Italian culture outside of Rome and also get to know and interact with the other kids in our program. My semester in Rome with AIFS was the perfect 4 month Roman Holiday that I will never forget.
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Aifs Richmond in Rome was the best decision I've ever made. The staff was so helpful and gave so much information regarding the area and what to expect. Each apartment was unique so you could end up with a small, but air conditioned apartment, or a huge non-air conditioned one. Either way, it always worked out and everyone seemed to be happy with their apartment. I was able to take the tram to school, but I also could easily walk. Busses and trams are always available and easy to navigate. And of course the city is beautiful! School is a 5 minute walk from the Pantheon. I passed the location of Caesar's stabbing every single day. There is so much history in everything you do and see; it is incredible! We also loved the FOOD. You'd think you might get tired of pizza and pasta every day...but we didn't! Since I've been back in the U.S., I cannot find anything that compares. Another good thing about this program is the meal tickets. They are a lifesaver and can be used almost anywhere around the city. One piece of advice is to not being that many pairs of shoes (and no heels if you are a girl!). I learned this the hard way bringing a ridiculous amount of shoes and only wearing a few pairs. And the cobblestone will ruin any heels you try to wear!
After two weeks in Florence in one hotel, we were all a little weary to go to Rome and be split up. It wasn't as bad as we thought though! We were still able to see each other all the time, and made such great friends. I loved it!
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Ciao!
If you to partake in a adventure with other students that will allow you explore 3,000 years of history to experience the life, culture, and all aspects of the Romanian society. Would I go again? I would go again in a heart beat and I even have talked about a reunion with the students from my program. Their is never a dual moment, the program has a different opportunity almost every night of the week. From the Ballet of Swan Lake, cooking classes, dinner night with Romanians, wine night, Happy Hour with the AIFS staff, tours, group dinners, the extensive meal ticket package, the weekend gateways (well worth it), many more events that would take to long to write, and of course, the amazing Director Rosanna Graziani.
The experience was so amazing even though I did lose my luggage in which Ms. Graziani helped me receive it back.
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I loved my experience with the AIFS Study Abroad Program at Richmond in Rome. They offered great support prior to departure and also while overseas. I never felt like they left us completely on our own, but they did treat us like adults making our own decisions and held us accountable which was a great learning experience. Housing was great, and I really loved all the apartments I saw while over there. The classes were different, but professors were understanding and good to work with. I also loved the extra stuff Richmond offered, and it really helped to immerse yourself in the culture. I also volunteered and that was a great experience. Overall, I could not have asked for a better program to study abroad with.
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Alumni Interviews
Interview with Meredith Deacon, AIFS Alumna in Rome
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS at Richmond in Rome?
Meredith: I had already been to Italy but wanted something different, so instead of going to where I have already been, I decided to go to Rome, where I had not been before. I decided on AIFS because it was affordable and provided the most support for its students. They had trips and different cultural activities planned and the classes were interesting which made it a very appealing program. I loved my experience with them since they definitely fufilled all my expectations and more.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Meredith: What made my experience so unique and special was all of the opportunities I had to really immerse myself in the Italian culture. I volunteered twice a week at a local bird shelter and I participated in a number of different activities such as plays, concerts, and cooking classes. I would have to say the program made it so special by doing everything they could so I would feel like Rome was my home by the end of my time there.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Meredith: This experience has greatly impacted my future by allowing me to consider a future of a year of service, and having the experience of already living on my own in a culture not my own is keeping me more open minded to relocating to Atlanta for that position. It has also immensely improved my self-confidence and my flexibility as a whole, which has helped my personal relationships grow into lasting ones based more on my true self. Overall, my future would not be as bright without this experience.
Interview with Samantha Lach, AIFS alumna in Rome
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS in Rome, Italy?
Samantha: I chose the AIFS Richmond in Rome program because it offered me the opportunity to study abroad during the summer in a program that guaranteed me the most bang for my buck. I go to a school that runs on trimesters, not semesters, so it often makes studying abroad with a 3rd party program slightly more challenging. AIFS granted me the opportunity to study in the city of my dreams without disrupting my school schedule.
Also, this program offered the most to it's students in it's all inclusive price. Knowing that my travel expenses, rent, food/drinks, and side trips were all included in my final price was an extremely liberating feeling, especially as Europe can be quite expensive. Having those expenses essentially pre-paid helped me to enjoy my time in Rome that much more because I was able to focus on experiencing all Rome as to offer as opposed to scrimping Euros together for my next meal.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Samantha: This study abroad experience was especially great for me because it offered me the opportunity to meet college kids from all over the nation. I go to a small liberal arts college and as much as I love everyone, I was glad that I had the opportunity to meet new people from new places. Being in an environment that provides the opportunities to meet new people is always very exciting and AIFS did a great job facilitating activities and opportunities to meet and get close to the other students on our trip. I even met and remain close to girls that go to school close to Augustana which is great because we are able to keep in touch that much easier. I can say that my summer in Rome granted me new amazing friends.
From an academic perspective, AIFS had a great program. I loved being able to tour Florence and Pompeii with professors who were extremely knowledgeable about the history of the cities. It's one thing to be a tourist in a city, however it's another to be a student touring art museums and ancient ruins with knowledgeable professors. I truly believe that studying abroad offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a new city and culture from a completely different viewpoint. You are not simply a tourist, but you become a member of the community, and that's not an opportunity that is granted every day.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Samantha: This experience fulfilled my lifetime dream of not simply visiting Rome but actually living in Rome. The AIFS program granted me not only my first visit to Europe, but also a new found sense of independence. Traveling to a foreign country on your own is an experience that will test you in the best ways possible. I was able to truly challenge myself, take care of myself, and be in control of my experience abroad. I have a greater self-respect and know that I can handle challenges because I was able to navigate the streets of Rome on my own.
Academically, this study abroad experience helped my liberal arts education come full circle. Liberal arts at Augustana College really emphasizes going out of your comfort zone to broaden your experiences which then broaden your life view. Studying abroad is the epitome of this belief because it causes you to integrate yourself into a new culture in order to learn more about it and to develop a new perspective. I believe that this experience with AIFS has caused me to become a stronger student because I have new perspectives created by my experiences in Rome.
Interview with Natalie, AIFS alumna in Rome
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS at Richmond in Rome?
Natalie: I chose Richmond in Rome because I have always wanted to spend an extended amount of time in Italy. When I compared multiple organizations, AIFS had the most comprehensive program. I liked that they helped coordinate everything from our housing and meal plans to extra travel opportunities. They also had the best variety of classes.
Mid semester I connected with friends who were doing different programs in Italy, and after hearing what was included told me they wished they would've chosen AIFS. It was a bit more expensive, but it was truly worth every penny.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Natalie: Part of what made this program unique was the great location of the school and my apartment. I lived in the middle of Rome and truly enjoyed being able to walk barely 15 minutes to get to the Vatican City or walk 20 minutes to get to the Coliseum.
By far what was most unique and special about my experience would be the great relationships that developed over my five months in Rome. The staff and faculty at the school were just wonderful people. They genuinely wanted us to enjoy our entire time there. It was easy to connect with locals and get involved in the community. I met great people in my classes who have become some of my best friends.We made a pact to get together at least once every year since our study abroad, and we have stayed true to our promise.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Natalie: My experience abroad exposed me to a completely different culture. I had to learn to communicate in a different language, immerse myself in a different way of life (for example picking up fresh produce every day at the market, getting everywhere by foot, or listening to workers sing opera while repairing an old building), and of course try tons of new foods, which was not difficult by any means in Italy.
Living in a different country forced me to step out of my "comfort zone," which is an important skill to have in all aspects of life. I learned how to communicate with a variety of people and backgrounds which has helped me immensely in my professional career as a health advocate.Being able to step into a new environment or situation whether it be a new job or continuing on to graduate school has opened the door to many opportunities to travel more, discover different cities and countries, and meet great people with unique stories. I've studied and lived abroad again since my time in Italy, and have made friends from many parts of the world. I plan to continue traveling as much as possible!
Interview with Britani Bouldin, AIFS alumna in Rome
GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with AIFS at Richmond in Rome?
Britani: I decided to study abroad with AIFS at Richmond in Rome because you get so much out of the program. As a student on a budget I was looking to get the most for my money. The basic trip included three days in London, two weeks in Florence, a trip to Venice, Capri, Pompeii, and Naples. In addition there were excursions to Pisa, Tivoli, and other places outside of Rome.
Second to money was if I would be comfortable with the program and the staff. The director at my school had only good things to say about the Richmond staff. Students in the past had been able to easily get in contact with them and they were there to help them every step of the way.
GO: What made your study abroad experience unique and special?
Britani: This study abroad experience was unique in that the group that went was large enough that you had other Americans to hang out with, but it didn't always have to be the same people. On the other hand it was small enough so that you wither knew or could recognize everyone on the trip. Which is helpful in a city full with Americans studying abroad, especially if you get lost on an excursion.
The staff helped to make this trip special as well. The directors were willing to help whenever you needed it, whether it was trying to find a site in the city, or else where, or if something in your apartment went wrong. This happened to my roommates and myself, but the housing director was able to ensure that the landlord knew it wasn't our fault and we didn't have to pay anything extra.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Britani: This experience has impacted my life in a major way. As a quiet person, going to a country that speaks another language and having to survive almost on my own has boosted my confidence. As an international studies major I dream of working abroad. After this experience I know that I am prepared to go any where and I know that I will be able to be safe and maneuver my way through any city I find myself in. I can't wait to go back!
AIFS Study Abroad Program in Rome, Italy:
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About AIFS Study Abroad
Founded in 1964, AIFS prides itself as an industry leader in providing summer, semester, and academic year study abroad programs. AIFS sends nearly 5,000 undergraduates every month to study abroad in one of 23 AIFS international campuses.
Programs are available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, as well as multi-country programs. AIFS offers Gap Year programs, along with internships and volunteer opportunities abroad. With locations throughout the world, AIFS College Study Abroad is able to offers high-quality, college-level courses in subject areas as diverse as Islamic Studies, French Cinema, business and engineering.
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this program was an amazing experience. the staff did an amazing job organizing outings and housing. they were very helpful with any questions we had. Rome was a great city to study in, the city and the nightlife were lots of fun. Rome is a great city to study in.