AIFS Abroad in Rome, Italy: Semester

I studied abroad in the spring of 2023 and it was the best three months of my life! I absolutely loved my apartment and the location of it. I felt right at home whether I was at school, going to different restaurants that the program gave us meal slips for, at my apartment, or just roaming the streets. I met so many other students in my program that I am now best friends with. The classes that AIFS offered were so unique and allowed me to get a better understanding of what Rome and its history is all about. My architecture class was my favorite as we got to go on several field trips to different cities and areas around Italy, the food class was also very food as we got to go taste testing different gelatos and foods around Rome! My favorite part of the semester was the trips that Marco, Rosanna and Chicca took us on. It was great spending time in different cities in Italy with my classmates and friends. I truly felt at home as they welcomed us with open arms and were there for us if we ever needed any help or guidance along the way.

Studying abroad with AIFS was one of the best decisions I have ever made. From the unmatched support from on-site staff to some of my favorite classes I have ever taken to the weekend trips of a lifetime, this study abroad program changed my life for the better. My favorite class I took with this program was a communications course: Luxury Fashion in Rome. At least once a week in each of my courses, we would have on site class and would travel around Rome seeing in person examples of what we were learning about. Thus class was my favorite because one of the on site trips we took was to Via Condotti which is the designer store strip in the center of Rome. Our professor brought us to some of the most popular designer stores in the world and learned and admired them in person! I also got to live in an apartment with 2 other girls in my program which was extremely immersive and amazing to see what it was like to live among local Roman people. I lived in Trastevere which was a 15 minute walk from school. Our school building was in the center of Rome and within walking distance of the Pantheon, Colosseum, The Trevi Fountain and more. The social and culture aspect of the program was above and beyond anything that I expected as well. There were always activities planned for us during the week including art tours, cooking classes and wine tastings. My favorite trip I took with the program leaders was a weekend trip to Krakow, Poland. I would 100% recommend this program to anyone looking for a A+ study abroad experience in Rome. I learned independence and discovered parts of myself I never would have without AIFS.

The best semester with the best company. AIFS gave me the support I needed from day one to day ninety-nine. I will never be able to repay them for the love and kindness they shared toward me. The program in Rome was safe, supportive, and so much fun! There was always something to do and I will never forget the memories made. My apartment was perfecta and we made friends with the barista underneath us! The school provided us with professors that were so kind, they really wanted us to succeed. It was so easy to travel.

I've also pasted my review for the semester classes program below as I've studied abroad in Rome with AIFS twice, once for the classes program and once for the internship.
When I returned with AIFS I wasn't sure if my second time could live up to the first, but it did! I was placed in an internship in an Embassy in Rome and attended meetings at the UN and met ambassadors! The Richmond staff helped me feel up to date with the other students despite me only taking 2 classes (due to the 6 credit internship) while the other students took more. This was a very enriching way to spend a semester abroad and I truly wish I could do it a third time.
Original review: I understand that study abroad being life changing is a cliche and I used to roll my eyes at it too! But then I did it, twice, both times through AIFS in Rome and I can truly say my life is changed. I went from a shy introvert who longed to go home after being home sick for 2 days, to suddenly someone with many friends and a new zest for life and desire to explore. The classes were scheduled to fit well with allowing for cultural out of classroom learning and the on site staff made you comfortable and were so welcoming. My experience was so incredible the first time, that immediately upon getting back to my home university, I worked hard with my academic counselor to make going back a possibility. I then returned to do an internship and grew even more. I cannot recommend this program enough!

I understand that study abroad being life changing is a cliche and I used to roll my eyes at it too! But then I did it, twice, both times through AIFS in Rome and I can truly say my life is changed. I went from a shy introvert who longed to go home after being home sick for 2 days, to suddenly someone with many friends and a new zest for life and desire to explore. The classes were scheduled to fit well with allowing for cultural out of classroom learning and the on site staff made you comfortable and were so welcoming. My experience was so incredible the first time, that immediately upon getting back to my home university, I worked hard with my academic counselor to make going back a possibility. I then returned to do an internship and grew even more. I cannot recommend this program enough!

For someone who was studying abroad for the first time, AIFS made the process extremely easy. It was evident that the onsite administrators cared about the student's first and created programming with the students' wants and needs in mind. While it was difficult to find courses for my major (political science) if you are an art, history or other liberal arts major there will be plenty for you to pick from. This program was well catered to first-time Italian speakers/learners. One of my favorite aspects of the program were the on-site interns that were present in our everyday classes. The interns made it easy to connect with Italian culture as well as pick up the language. The fact that they were our age made them a lot of fun to hang out with.

From learning about Ancient Rome in my early history classes and dreaming of visiting a world wonder, I knew Italy was the one place I had to visit. When I got to college, I knew that I wanted to study abroad but thought it was too expensive. When I got to my study abroad office they had recommended me using AIFS because it was probably going to be the program with the most inclusive benefits, and they are extremely good about accepting financial aid and are all around very helpfully. Throughout my entire process of applying to leaving Italy, AIFS was amazing and very responsive to all my needs and questions. I could not have asked more a better hands on program that made me feel safe, protected, yet let me have my own room to grow at the same time in Rome. The amount of cultural and social activities that AIFS and Richmond provided me enriched my experience, and I am forever grateful for having the experience of being able to live out my dreams for four months.
I was nervous for typical things like I wouldn’t meet anyone I connected with or I would feel like the odd one out, but most people in your abroad experience are feeling the Sam way and embark on the journey on their also. I already felt like I was a friendly person who didn’t struggle to make friends, but this experience really made me turn into someone who can talk to anyone in the room confidently. Dealing with foreign language barrier and cultural differences paved a way for me to grow and expand my horizons.

Ciao! My name is Amie and I studied abroad in Rome, Italy in the Spring of 2018. I went through the program AIFS and was not disappointed! From the pre-departure process to my arrival back in the US, I felt that I was constantly helped with each new experience. As for the location, Rome is an amazing city. Everywhere you go, you are surrounded by art. Also, while observing the Colosseum or the Vatican you are surrounded by a cultural mix to people who are Italian and foreign.
While in Rome, I spent the semester living in Prati which is one of the safest parts of Rome. I lived in an apartment with five other students. I enjoyed the apartment, but I also heard awesome reviews about living in homestays. I attended classes Monday through Thursday at Richmond in Rome. The study center was small, but coming from a smaller university at home, it was comforting. Richmond in Rome was in a very central location, surrounded by restaurants and back to back with the famous Piazza Navona. Grabbing a cornetto (croissant) at the local breakfast place before a photography class will forever be one of my favorite past times. Besides taking classes AIFS also had given me the opportunity to volunteer at a primary school. There I taught English to third graders. All in all, AIFS added a lot of positivity to my study abroad experience. As for Rome, it will eternally be a place I call home, where beauty lurks on every corner and friendships, will last a lifetime.