AIFS Abroad in Rome, Italy: Semester

This program was amazing and exceeded my expectations. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. The weekend trips and activities were so well-planned and fun. Housing was some of the best I’ve seen compared to other programs my friends were apart of.

Its was such an amazing experience in one of the most beautiful places on earth. The people I met, things I learned, and food I tried was all truly unforgettable. Id go back in a heartbeat and suggest this experience to anyone considering it.

The AIFS Rome program was an incredible experience. The staff were all very friendly, helpful, and easy to reach out to. The program's meal plan was amazing and allowed for students to visit several great restaurants. The many day trips and weekend excursions were unique to the program and were some of my favorite parts of the semester. I felt like I explored not only Rome but several parts of Italy through the program's many opportunities it offered. Some of my favorite activities offered by AIFS throughout the semester included a Roma football match, cooking classes, wine classes, guided walking tours, opera night, and museum visits. The activities made it easy to meet friends within the program and familiarize myself with the city and culture of Italy. I only wish the program was longer than 13 weeks, but with all the included activities and excursions, it was very worth its price. The academics were for the most part amazing. One of my professors is one of my favorites I've ever had and class was never boring or unmanageable. Many class sessions included field trips. As an Art History student, I thought that the program's classes for my major were incredible. My apartment was in the Prati neighborhood, about a 15 min walk from the school and very close to the Vatican, Piazza Navona, and the Tiber River. The semester was so much fun. Between AIFS's classes and all of their activities, I can't think of a single day where I felt like I'd wasted my time. I would highly recommend this program!

I had a fantastic time during my semester in Rome through AIFS. The directors were amazing and the people were great too. Chicca, Rosanna, and Marco were great directors and mentors. I loved that is was a smaller program and we were immersed throughout the city. I tell everyone to study abroad now because of this experience. I even moved back to Italy for the summer after my program because I loved it so much!

Study abroad changed my life completely. Being in Rome, the culture was so strong and the ability to travel to different countries was very easy. The experience allowed me to learn a lot about myself and gave me a lot of confidence being more independent as I learned to navigate foreign landscapes. The staff at AIFS Rome was extremely helpful throughout the entire process start to finish and even after the program ended. I have been fortunate enough to find a job with AIFS as my universities student ambassador. Getting to tell students about my experiences is something I am very excited about.

I wanted to study abroad in Rome for a lot of reasons but the main one was that it was a great central spot to travel to other cities and countries. I was able to go to 16 countries in my time abroad and it was the best experience of my life. I learned so much about other cultures and regions, and I gained a lot of confidence in myself to keep exploring the world.

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Going into studying abroad I was extremely nervous, but the AIFS team welcomed me as soon as I landed within Rome; furthermore they provided us with tons of information, resources, and tips to better adjust to the cultural differences. Furthermore they provided resources so we could immerse ourselves within cultural activities such as: cooking classes, wine classes, biking tours, ballets, concerts, and guided tours! They even helped us get settled into our apartments, and let me say, living in an apartment was such a fun way to live in the footsteps of a local. Another cool characteristic of this program is that they included meal-vouchers into the base cost which was really convenient because the faculty hand-picked all the restaurants where we could use them which made going to dinner so much more enjoyable and delicious ;). Moving onto the classes, I took a religion class which was perfect because we had 1-2 site visits during our 4-day school week. The sites cites consisted of guided tours of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, Multiple Catacombs, Synagogues, Mosques, Basilicas, and so much more! And what made it even better is that the class sizes are small so you really get the opportunity to connect with your classmates and professors. AND if traveling is your thing, this program will be perfect for you; there is a little more independence where you have long weekends (Friday-Sunday) and you can do travel to different countries within Italy or Europe. And it was really cool because AIFS set up TWO weekend trips for us, one to Florence and the other to the Amalfi Coast. But outside of the planned trips I went to Paris and Athens! This was a trip of a lifetime, and AIFS was the biggest factor that made this experience so spectacular! If you love traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures and ways of life I definitely recommend studying abroad and with AIFS!!

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Studying abroad with AIFS in Rome was nothing short of life-changing. As a 21-year-old yearning to explore the world and discover myself, this experience exceeded every expectation. AIFS didn't just open doors to Rome; it was a gateway to an odyssey across Europe's cultural tapestry. The journey began with a whirlwind itinerary that took me to the heart of Italy's beauty and beyond. From the stunning shores of Malta to the romantic allure of France, the vibrant tapestries of Morocco, the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland, and the historical marvels of Greece, each destination left an indelible mark on my soul. What made the AIFS program stand out were the included trips to cities like Naples, Sorrento, Tivoli, Assisi, and Florence. These weren't just mere excursions; they were immersive experiences seamlessly woven into the fabric of our semester, expanding our understanding of Italy's diverse landscapes and history. The monthly calendar was a treasure trove of adventures within Rome itself. From food tours that tantalized the taste buds to history-rich expeditions, museum visits that brought antiquity to life, delightful wine tastings, and hands-on cooking classes, every day was an opportunity to delve deeper into Italy's culture, all part of the program's inclusive tuition. What truly amazed me was the provision of meal cards, granting access to authentic culinary experiences at local restaurants across Rome. AIFS went above and beyond by including airfare from the USA to Rome and back, removing the logistical hassles and ensuring a seamless journey. The support from AIFS representatives in the USA was invaluable. They streamlined the Italian student visa process, sparing us the trip to the consulate and ensuring a stress-free start to our Italian adventure. Living in apartments amidst local Roman neighborhoods, alongside Italian citizens, immersed me fully in the city's vibrant pulse. It was a cultural exchange in every sense, fostering connections that transcended boundaries. The classes, taught by highly qualified Italian professors proficient in English, offered an engaging learning environment. It was an educational journey free from stress, allowing us to absorb the richness of Italian culture effortlessly. Rome changed the trajectory of my life. It broadened my perspective, unveiling the beauty of diverse cultures and illuminating the differences from my home in America. Every day since returning, thoughts of going back echo in my mind. For this, I am eternally grateful to AIFS. They didn't just facilitate a study abroad program; they crafted an unforgettable odyssey that continues to shape my understanding of the world. Thank you, AIFS, for an experience that transcends words.

I had such a wonderful time in the Intensive Italian Language program at AIFS Rome. The apartments were centrally located and well-appointed, and the on-site staff was always willing to help. I really appreciated how the intensive Italian program allowed me to engage with other international students, and also to engage with the cultural activities at the AIFS study center. All in all, a great semester!

So many opportunities and experiences through the program and the staff was always more than willing to help if you wanted to travel outside the program. I got to experience so many parts of Italy and had enough free time to experience other parts of Europe.

I had an incredible study abroad experience in Rome, thanks to this outstanding company. They provided me with a fantastic apartment conveniently located next to the school in the vibrant Campo de'Fiori neighborhood. The location is the best out of any of the schools in Rome since it is so close to many museums, restaurants, bars, stores, etc. Everyone from other schools would travel 40 minutes to hangout at Campo de'Fiori. Also the teachers and staff are extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and helpful. The program offers so many excursions to Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento, Florence and more. You will enjoy going on guided tours and personal cooking & wine classes. Rosanna and Chicca do an amazing job at organizing the trips and making you feel safe. I especially loved the wine tasting classes taught by Marco. If you are thinking about studying abroad, I would highly recommend AIFS Rome to anyone. The management will make you feel at home and you will create amazing memories with the new friends you will meet along the way. HUGE thank you to AIFS for providing such an amazing experience that I will never forget.

AIFS was so well organized but also gave you the freedom to explore. I had the best semester by far that I ever have in college and it wouldn’t have been possible without the awesome people at AIFS. We went to Florence and Torrence and all of us became such great friends. My roommates and I still talk, there are hundreds of stories I have from my abroad semester in rome, I would really encourage anyone who wants to go abroad to go with AIFS. We also had the best housing location of any abroad program BY FAR, no other program can compete with AIFS housing.

My time studying abroad in Rome with AIFS was truly a life changing experience. I had never expected that I would or could study abroad before my sophomore year of college, but I am so glad I decided to take a chance and do something that seemed so scary. With this program I studied through Richmond University in London that had a campus in the center of Rome. Our school building was positioned so perfectly in such a beautiful and historical location in the world, sometimes it is still hard for me to believe. We were 5 minutes walking distance from the Pantheon and only 15 minute walking distance from both the Trevi fountain and the Colosseum. One of the best parts of this specific program was how welcoming and caring the on site staff were for all students. From the day I landed in Italy, I always had someone to talk to, ask questions, lean on and laugh with. The whole staff was extremely accommodating and truly wanted us to have the best experience possible, and I believe that was one of the most important parts in how successful my own time abroad was. There was a therapist available to all students, and interns willing to talk explore and learn with us. The living accommodations were amazing and immersive and I learned what it was like to live like and among local Roman people. I chose the apartment accommodation and lived with 2 other girls from my program who studied at different universities in the states. As a communications major, I took a number of COM courses as well as an art and culture class, religion class, and a history course. My favorite aspect of taking these classes with this program was that the learning experience was unmatched. 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. My favorite course I took was Luxury Fashion in Rome and as one of our many field trips, we spent the day walking 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! The social and culture aspect of the program was above and beyond anything that I expected as well. There were activities set up for us that we could choose from almost every day including wine tastings, bike tours, art exhibits, trip to the opera and my favorite; weekly cooking classes! Through this program I met some of my best friends who I otherwise would have never crossed paths with and am so grateful that I was able to participate in such an amazing program I will never forget my time in Rome with AIFS.

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Not a dull day in the beautiful city of Roma. I have never had such a fulfilling semester while traveling and completing my life goal of studying abroad. None of this would've been able to be accomplished with the fantastic staff at AIFS. But they did not just help me get there, they were there for me the entire time and I can never repay them. Do this program.

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.

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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.

Studying abroad through AIFS in Rome, Italy was a truly life changing experience. The program provides an all inclusive package that makes you feel stress-free as you're planning to live in a different country for five months. Being able to reside in a city that has so much history made me feel like I always had something to see and do. I highly recommend AIFS to anyone - you will not be disappointed.

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Ciao!! I studied abroad in the Spring of 2017, and it was the most incredible journey! Throughout the semester, I learned so much about myself and truly become more independent. The staff was incredible, giving the perfect balance of being there and helping us, to letting us be on our own and learn to live as adults. The amount you learn both inside and outside the classroom while being abroad is an experience of a lifetime. You can’t quite put into words how it changes you in the ways that it does, but you will be able to relate once you study abroad. The entire program and staff at AIFS put together a well-rounded semester package that truly made the trip what it was. I couldn’t recommend studying abroad more, and no matter how scary it may seem, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! "On the other side of our maximum fears, are the best things in life" ~ Will Smith

Ciao! This program with Rome was an amazing and life changing experience. Throughout my time abroad the onsite staff continued to make sure we were immersed in the local culture. I got to travel to so many Italian cities and experience them how the locals do. In Naples I got to eat at one of the first pizzerias, ever. In Rome we had the chance to take cooking classes to continue eating this amazing food upon returning home. The resident director, Rosanna, was amazing. You could always go to Rosanna to talk about academics, living situations, or personal situations and she would welcome you with open arms. Choosing AIFS was the perfect fit for me and my study abroad experience. With the recent safety concerns in Europe, the staff made sure they knew where we were traveling to any given weekend and made sure we felt safe during our time abroad. The living situations were authentic Italian apartments (with home-stay options). In my apartment complex there were other real Italian people and families there.

Studying abroad with AIFS in Rome was the best decision I have ever made. First off, the culture of Italy was absolutely amazing to live in and be surrounded by. The food, the architecture and everything in between was mesmerizing every day that I stepped outside of my door. The fact that I was able to live in one of the most famous cities in the world and experience all of that history is something that I will cherish for my entire life. Secondly, I could not be happier with the program I chose. AIFS was so well planned and well run, that I was constantly in amazement at what they provided the participants every day. 2 weeks in an amazing hotel in Florence, with activities and excursions planned everyday, only to be whisked away to Rome in order to attend class at a school in the very heart of Rome. The only complaint I have is that I am not able to relive it all over again. If you give AIFS and the city of Rome a semester, they will absolutely change your life for the better.