IES Abroad Rome

My journey to Rome began about one year prior to me boarding the plane for Europe. I had toyed with the idea of studying abroad ever since my school’s study abroad office gave a presentation about it my freshman year, and given my burning passion and desire for History and Classics I felt destined to study in the ‘old world.’ I prospected a few cities but nothing could compare to Rome; the draw of the Forum and Colosseum, the enticing sights of the Vatican, the delicious pasta and pizza I could eat on a daily basis all convinced me to commit to a History and Classics program there for the Spring of 2019. And once the paperwork began in March there was no stop until I boarded my flight to Italy in January.

Going to Rome felt like a death sentence the first week. I knew nobody else from my school and didn't have any other friends from high school in Europe with me, so I was plagued by intense feelings of isolation and loneliness for about a week after I arrived. Nearly every day I longed to go home to my girlfriend; the fear of missing out on her life and her adventures plagued me for the first week I lived there. It reminded me of freshman year all over again, except multiplied by a new language and culture that is completely foreign to anything I had ever experienced before. I came in thinking ‘I am going to find travel buddies right away and plan all sorts of amazing and wonderful adventures!,’ but when that didn't happen I was left confused and aimless. I knew I shouldn't waste this experience overseas but I felt homesick and longed for familiarity- something that would make me feel better. It wasn't until going to Malta my second week abroad that I leaned into myself and really felt convicted. I traveled there with one of my housemates and his friends, staying in an apartment with four guys I didn't know at all. Eventually, I decided to explore the island by myself and it was easily one of the best decisions I made while being in Rome! I knew right then and there that I don't need to depend on others for going on trips! Going solo through Malta allowed me to do things I wanted to do, and I got so much more out of it than if I had stayed with other people. As a result of that realization, I traveled to Florence, Venice, and Normandy solo. People might say that I'll be lonely while traveling alone, and having friends can make experiences better, but I also learned that it's okay to travel by myself and see the things I want to see and enjoy this beautiful continent on my own terms. I could set my own schedule, plan my own trips, and knock things off my bucket list without having to put things to a group vote. It was perfect for me while overseas!
I chose Rome for the History and Classics program, my two majors. I have studied Latin since middle school, so seeing the Roman Forum and thousands of ancient inscriptions across the city has opened my eyes and allowed me to learn the material unlike any other semester. In any given week, we learn about certain subjects in class and then go out into the city and see them in person later! Every day I was awestruck in wonder and amazement at the Roman ruins before me, a dream come true that I had been chasing since I was ten or eleven years old. That sense of utter disbelief is something I can’t really describe in writing or conversation; it’s something that must be experienced to fully appreciate. I believe everybody should have that chance to be astounded, to have their jaws drop as they look at something they have only studied in textbooks and classrooms, to see this world that the Lord has created and to have a childlike wonder re-kindled. My professors were walking encyclopedias full of knowledge about the Roman world and the early Christian church. One of them was an archaeologist for the Vatican and gave us a private tour of St. Peter's Tomb underneath the current basilica! It was so wonderful to have such passionate and enthusiastic people teaching in the cradle of Western civilization.

This city, this experience, this world is night and day compared to Holland, Michigan, and I am charmed by the inviting sense of wonder Europe offers. Overall, Rome was an absolute blessing. The food was kind to me, the views and scenic sights blew me away with their magnificence and elegance, the small towns in the Italian countryside gave me memories I will carry with me for years to come, and the abundance of Roman ruins was a daily reminder of why I came here. I discovered something new about this Eternal City on a daily basis, and a lifetime of living here wouldn’t be enough to uncover every secret Rome has to offer. For if we were made to stay in one place, then we would have been born with roots. Studying abroad was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I would absolutely make the same decision if I did the process all over again.

I loved my experience with IES. Starting out, they are super great about guiding you and making packing, logistics, and arrival as stress-free as possible. They pick you up at the airport, take you to your housing, and give you a week of orientation where they tell you everything you need to know. They make you feel 100% safe in your new home. They are also amazing about housing. The staff goes out of its way to pair you with people they think you will actually get along with. So don't get freaked out about having random roommates, cause they for sure will not be completely random. If you don't speak Italian, but are thinking of doing a homestay instead of an apartment, IES has also got your back. Almost all of their homestay moms speak English, so you'll be fine! IES also has awesome cultural excursions they plan for you, in addition to really interesting classes.

I attended IES Rome’s Fall program and had a fantastic time. I had the opportunity to enrich myself with an engaging and relevant academic curriculum and also participate in numerous cultural experiences. These experiences include those orchestrated by the IES program as well as things I did independently with both the American and Italian friends I met through the program. Housing was provided in the cost, as well as spacious, regularly cleaned, and well located. The classes were admittedly less rigorous than those I was accustomed to at my US university, but were nevertheless enjoyable, interesting, and took advantage of the program’s location to incorporate excursions to relevant sites around Rome and Italy. For example, I studied Classical Roman architecture in the ruins of the Roman Forum and Renaissance art at Florence’s Uffizi, both with program classes. They were certainly a highlight of the academics. The professors and other staff were almost entirely Italians with very good English skills. Language was never a problem in class. Furthermore, they were universally approachable and friendly. Professors would recommend the best restaurants and bars to us. The language instruction was also of high quality. I went in knowing next to no Italian, but I left with a decent level of proficiency. The program housed many of its students, including those of us in my apartment, with local Italian students. This was probably the best part of the program. In making friends with my Italian roommate, I was exposed to a host of cultural events, attitudes, and quirks that would be otherwise inaccessible. Additionally, it really helped my Italian skills. Today, when I keep in touch with my old roommate, we can speak in Italian. This was radically different than being a tourist or a simple visitor. With this program, I was able to live in Italy like a true Italian!

Studying abroad in Rome, Italy was hands-down one of the best decisions that I have made. Rome is a city rich in history and there will never be a shortage of things to do. I had amazing roommates and my apartment was located in the perfect location. While walking to and from class everyday, I walked by the 2,000 year old Pantheon where I could stop and sip on a cappuccino or enjoy a scoop of gelato. The classes were engaging and allowed us to use the whole city as a classroom instead of learning about it through a projection on a screen. There is never a shortage of things to do, you can try a new spot for aperitivo with friends, take one of the cooking classes offered through the program, or catch an AS Roma game in the Olympic Stadium. Rome is the perfect location for anyone who loves history, food, coffee, art, and wants to learn Italian. I enjoyed not having classes on Friday, this gave me the opportunity to travel more throughout Italy as well as other countries.

Studying in Rome was a great decision. It gave me the chance to break away from my college routine and experience learning, working, and living in an entirely new and enjoyable way. I took IES courses to further my studies in political science by studying both classic political philosophers like Macchiavelli and the current events of modern Italian politics. IES also connected me with a great internship working working for an english-language journal as an editorial assistant in charge of communications and social media. The internship gave me excellent work experience and professional insight into the current dynamics of European politics. And even while studying and working, I still had ample time to explore the city of Rome during the week and to travel to different parts of Europe during the weekend. I was able to immerse myself in Italian culture and become more deeply connected to my Italian heritage and identity. IES helped to facilitate this by giving me the opportunity to have a local Italian student as my roommate during the semester. I am very grateful for all that I learned and experienced during my time abroad.

I can't thank IES Rome enough. The administration was honestly so helpful with everything and everything. Knew everyone on my program (100+ students) by name the first day. They were so understanding with any question and were available 24/7. The professors were experts on their subjects and I learned more on this semester abroad than I do at my home institution - which is saying a lot! The apartment I was assigned to was in an amazing neighborhood right next to Vatican City and wasn't touristy at all. I lived with 5 other IES students in a building that was all Italian families, it truly felt like being a local. Overall, IES Rome made the transition to living and studying abroad so seamless, allowing me to have the most fun I've had in my life. I had the option to travel every weekend but I stayed in Rome more weekends that I traveled because there was so many news places and neighborhoods to visit in the city (and with my new Italian friends) that I felt guilty for leaving. IES made me feel so confident exploring the city on my own by being available 24/7.

IES made my study abroad experience in Rome amazing. I loved the location of the center and the opportunities they provided us with. I got to visit so many historic sites during classes and I even learned how to make pasta at a cooking class. The classes were interesting and really focused on the culture and history. I absolutely loved the field trip weekend to Tuscany. The housing was definitely a cultural difference, but the Italian Student Companions were a great option. They made adjusting to living in a city in Italy much easier.

I loved my time in Rome with all of the experienced professors and great friends I made-- it's a program for everyone at all levels! I especially loved my living situation being with a Literature professor and her dog and being able to have my dietary restrictions (veganism) accommodated to at home, feeling welcome in the fullest. I was even taught how to cook!

I am also grateful for being able to go to the opera to see La Traviata, have dinners out with the group and go on several excursions with my class every week and as part of the program like to Amalfi Coast and Assisi.

I was given a chance to be independent and really explore on my own with the friends that i made, making it my experience especially being able to practice my Italian and learn at a rapid pace.