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Rome Summer - Language & Culture
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
You will enroll in a required Italian language course and one English-taught area studies course, for a total of 6 credits. Placement in the IES Abroad language course is determined by an online predeparture language assessment and an on-site interview conducted during orientation.
Along with your Italian course, you will choose an English-taught area studies course. These courses encourage experiential learning by making the city’s historical, artistic, and architectural wealth your classroom. Area studies courses offered have included:
- Art History
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
Courses
This is a list of possible course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of tentative course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| US/SO/AH 319 - Rome as a Living Museum | Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT 105 - Beginning Italian I | Summer | Italian | 3 |
| IT 205 - Intermediate Italian I | Summer | Italian | 3 |
| IT 305 - Advanced Italian I | Summer | Italian | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| US/SO/AH 319 - Rome as a Living Museum | Summer | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| US/SO/AH 319 - Rome as a Living Museum | Summer | English | 3 |
Field Trips & Events
Explore Italy through IES Abroad-organized field trips. Possible locations include:
Amalfi Coast
Enjoy the stunning coast by boat. Explore the coastal towns of Amalfi and Positano. Visit the amazing archaeological sites of Pompeii and take taste the products of a local farm.
Tuscany
Tour the countryside of one of Italy’s most unique regions, with its gorgeous landscapes and rich artistic legacy. You will also visit the sites of the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
IES Abroad Rome organizes course-related trips that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of Italian culture and society.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Rome is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
Orientation
During the 2-day orientation, we'll introduce you to:
- IES Abroad staff
- Fellow students
- IES Abroad policies
- Academics
- Safety information
- Daily life in Rome
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Rome, it will feel like home.
Apartments
Furnished apartments are single-sex and typically house four to seven IES Abroad students, with the option to live with a local university student. Apartments offer fully-equipped kitchens, Internet access, and a washing machine. No meals are provided.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Explore Italian culture and get to know your classmates through cooking classes, trattoria nights, and daytrips to the Roman beachside.
Get to Know Your New City
Discover the Ins and Outs of World-Famous Landmarks
The Pantheon, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vatican…the list of historic sites in Rome is endless. Our programs take you beyond the tourist visits and inside the cultural and historic significance of these landmarks.
Watch Roma Game
Soccer is more than a sport in Italy. Soak in the passion and pride at an A.S. Roma game in the Stadio Olimpico.
Shop at Local Farmer's Market
Spend the morning picking up produce, cured meats, freshly baked bread, and Rome’s famous mozzarella di bufala. Pro tip: Make it a picnic with your local friends and head to a park or piazza to enjoy!
Take in a Panoramic View of the City
While founded on seven hills, Rome is actually surrounded by 10. Take your pick and climb to the top for the best views of the city.
Take a Cooking Class
There’s no denying the mouthwatering food of Rome. Partake in the Center-sponsored cooking class, where you’ll learn the techniques and traditions of Roman cooking first-hand.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
| Term | Tuition | Housing | Insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2021 | $4,470 | $1,595 | $135 |
$6,200 |
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
Summer Need-Based Financial Aid
Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.
Criteria reviewed to determine award:
- Level of financial need as determined from infromation provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
- IES Abroad program location.
- IES Abroad membership status of home campus
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Rome, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Rome Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Rome experience.
The IES Abroad Rome Center is situated in the heart of Rome along the Tiber River across from the Castel Sant’ Angelo. The Center is a newly renovated 1920s-era building within walking distance of the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and the Vatican. Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center's multi-media classrooms
- Meet up with friends or hang out between class on the Center's rooftop terrace with an incredible city view
- Meet with staff in their offices
- Study in the reading room, complete with a library and computer lab
- Take your classes to the next level with music practice rooms, a digital photo facility, and a video editing lab
Other features include: WiFi and printing facilities.
Our Staff
Dott. Gianni Ponti
Center Director
Dott. Ponti is an archaeologist specialized in Imperial Roman architecture. After earning a BA in Classics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dott. Ponti obtained a Laurea in archaeology from the University of Rome. He has worked on a number of archaeological excavations in the Mediterranean, including Troy, Aphrodisias and Leptis Magna. His studies and research focus on the use of marble in Roman construction, the ancient marble trade, quarrying and carving techniques. Dott. Ponti has worked on a number of excavations in Rome, including the Palatine Hill and the Imperial Fora. He has done research for the Department of Antiquities on a number of conservation projects including the Ara Pacis, the Column of Trajan and the Arch of Constantine. He is currently directing an excavation at the Villa of Maxentius on the Via Appia, as well as conducting architectural studies at Leptis Magna, Libya, with the Università di Rome Tre. Dott. Ponti has taught at the Istituto Centrale del Restauro of the Department of Antiquities and is currently Archaeology Advisor of the American Academy in Rome. He has been teaching archaeology courses at IES Abroad Rome since 2004.
IES Abroad Rome Staff
Monica Bandella
Italian Language Coordinator
Sara Coppolella
Student Affairs Assistant
Simona Di Giustino
Academic & Internship Coordinator
Valeria De Mori
Academic Assistant and Moodle Project Manager
Arianna Gaffi
Student Affairs & Housing Coordinator
Luisa Taffara
Center Manager & Administrator
Elisa Bellitto
Administrative Assistant
Caterina Rossi
Customized Programs Manager
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Latest from Rome
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
