Location:

Rome, Italy

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester, Spring Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

Imagine yourself studying in Rome, the “Eternal City.” In the course of a day, you may encounter the remnants of Ancient Rome, like the Coliseum, before discovering sites of Renaissance Rome, like the breathtaking Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps. And what better way to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Rome than by drawing it? Spend a semester taking our very popular “Italian Sketchbook” course and use the architecture, landscape and the culture of Italy as subjects. Art isn’t your thing? Not to worry. Take a language class instead and practice Italian with locals in the markets, cafes and gelaterias near campus. Unlike the millions of tourists that visit Italy each year, students participating in the semester program in Rome have enough time to fully appreciate the country’s rich culture by taking advantage of our excursions to Florence and Naples.

In choosing which courses to offer abroad, we select from the most popular classes offered in New York—but with a “twist.” For example, “Survey of Art and Architecture in Italy” often meets in downtown Rome, where you’ll learn about landmarks like the Pantheon and St. Peter’s by exploring them with your professor—all while meeting a core requirement. Courses abroad often focus on experiential learning, whether through site visits, Academic Service-Learning, or city-based projects. It’s just another way to help you make the most of your experience, focusing your time on the amazing places where you’ll live and study. In addition, many classes have an academic service learning component. Helping to change lives is an inspiring experience – one that sets studying abroad with St. John’s apart. In the past year, our students committed nearly 5,000 hours to service sites worldwide. You’ll make a real difference through activities like teaching English to local students, serving in soup kitchens and mentoring school children. Best of all, volunteering lets you actively engage the people in your new host city.

With so much to see in Rome, it’s hard to know where to start. Our Rome staff will lead you through sites such as the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican, Ostia Antica, Villa d’Este, and Cinecittà Studios (where movies like “Gangs of New York” and “The Life Aquatic” were filmed). Students will have the opportunity to explore the cultural diversity of both the country of Italy and the Mediterranean region by visiting cities like Florence, Naples and Istanbul, Turkey. Looking for something different? Explore your faith through a Papal Audience, or play soccer (calcio in Italian) with our staff. And if you’re interested in mastering Italian, be sure to participate in a language exchange with local students.

Setting Description:

Just minutes from the Vatican City and other historic locations, our Rome campus is your base while exploring Italy. You’ll stay in our renovated campus where you’ll enjoy sizable rooms, shared kitchens, a beautiful courtyard, air conditioning and WiFi.

Cost:

We want to make study abroad affordable for as many students as possible. We offer generous financial aid and scholarships that aim to accommodate every student, independent of their financial resources. 1. LOCATION GRANT All students accepted into the Discover Italy, Rome semester program will receive a $1,000 location specific grant. 2. MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS Semester program students with a GPA of 3.5 or above are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. The awards are automatic and based on the