International Relations Study Abroad Programs in Italy

Most study abroad programs in Italy offer courses on International Relations, but there are certain Italian cities that are especially well known for their role in international politics:

Rome. The seat of power of two states, Rome is both the capital of the Italian government and home to the sovereign state of the Vatican City. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization is also located here, making Rome a powerhouse of domestic, international, and religious politics. As the former center of the Roman Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Rome continues to be a cultural and political hub, perfect for studying International Relations in Italy.

Milan. Not only the leading industrial, commercial, and financial center of Italy, Milan also holds Italy’s main stock exchange and the headquarters of the largest national and international banks and companies. With such a global market, studying international relations in Milan is an excellent choice, especially to study trade policies and the economic interactions between nations. 

Bologna. As the campus of one of Italy’s largest universities, the city of Bologna has a strong student presence and is known for its history of post-war political activism. With an Italian population that is very passionate about political affairs, and students from all over the world, international relations is a central focus in this city. It is not uncommon to stumble upon impromptu discussions and town hall-like meetings in the city’s piazzas, where Italians and international students alike debate world politics and social issues.

There are many study abroad programs in Italy that focus on international relations, either for a summer, a semester, or a year. The academic structures and courses offered in international relations study abroad programs in Italy can vary greatly.

Areas of Study. When studying International Relations in Italy, you have the chance to explore a number of subjects. One such area of study in Italy is Italian politics, with courses such as Italian Society: From Fascism to the Present, Italian Politics and Culture, or Conflict and Peace Studies. You may also expand your studies to the European Union in courses like Institutions and Policies of the European Union, Political Economy of the European Union, or Globalization: A European Union. You may also study global politics while studying abroad in Italy, through courses such as Public International Law, Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery, or The US, EU & China: “Who will lead?”.

Course Structure. Some programs offer courses taught in English, which explore International Relations through an Italian perspective. These In-Program Courses are structured like American university classes, with assigned readings, papers, and a final exam.

Similar in structure, Integrated Courses allow students to take a combination of courses in English and Italian, which are also instructed within the program and dependent on your language level. Certain programs will require that you take an Italian language course that meets your level of language proficiency too.

Some programs allow students to enroll at local Italian universities in Immersion Courses. This requires a strong Italian language level, as most courses are lecture-style. Although more difficult than studying in English, taking courses at an Italian university provides you with an invaluable cultural and academic experience.

Scholarships. When researching financial aid, look to your home university first, as they will often offer scholarships for study abroad in Italy. The specific study abroad program you choose may also provide scholarships specifically for students studying International Relations abroad, and certain host universities abroad also offer scholarships to international students. Outside organizations provide scholarships for students who choose to study abroad in Italy too, such as The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program, which seeks to provide financial aid to students who are underrepresented in study abroad programs typically.

Costs. With the Euro-American Dollar exchange rate, living and studying in Italy can be somewhat pricey, depending on which city you choose to live in and what the exchange rate is at the time. Tourist cities, like Rome, tend to be more expensive, but a great way to be thrifty is to buy groceries and clothing at local, open-air markets. Prices are lower, produce is better, and shopping at an Italian market is a true cultural experience. Keep an eye out for student deals; whether at dance clubs or museum ticket booths, businesses frequently offer discounts for students and especially for international students (bring your student i.d. and look for the word Erasmus).

Study abroad programs in Italy typically offer some combination of the following housing arrangements:

Home-stay. Experience all the home-cooked meals, vibrant hand gestures, and welcoming nature that Italians have to offer—not to mention it’s a great way to improve your Italian language skills. 

Student Shared Apartments. With this arrangement, you’ll be placed with your fellow program classmates in Italian apartment buildings. This is a wonderful chance to experience a local neighborhood and live as the Italians do. 

International Shared Apartments. If you are truly looking for an international experience, take advantage of study abroad programs in Italy that offer students the opportunity to live in apartments with other Italian and international students. You’ll improve your Italian and become a part of Italian university culture, with students from all over the world. 

Visas. Italy requires international students to obtain visas if they are studying in Italy for a full year or for a semester lasting longer than 90 days. It is important to find the closest Italian Consulate in your home country, as this office will assist you throughout the application process, and obtaining an Italian student visa can be a lengthy ordeal. Begin applying for your visa as early as possible, as it can sometimes be months before you are approved entry into the country. 

“La vita è bella”: life is beautiful. Nothing could be truer when describing studying and living in Italy. For centuries, Italians have perfected enjoying the simple things in life. Studying abroad in Italy means that you too get to experience an authentic Italian lifestyle.

If you want to learn from the Italians, you must eat like them. Food is taken very seriously in Italy; some meals can last for hours, with multiple courses (or piatti). Italians typically eat a light breakfast—with plenty of coffee—followed by a large lunch eaten around one in the afternoon. Dinner is served around eight in the evening and can last until about midnight.

College-aged Italian students are very social; it is easy to join club soccer (futbol or calcio) teams, be a part of language buddy exchanges, or simply spend an afternoon in the piazza, chatting with friends.

Most study abroad programs in Italy provide day-trips, city excursions, and overnight tours throughout the duration of the program. These can be anything from cooking lessons, bike rides through Tuscany, wine-tasting classes, or trips to Italian landmarks that tie into your courses.

Traveling within Italy and throughout Europe is easy and affordable. Railroads connect every city within Italy and discount airlines fly out of most Italian airports, which is handy when you want to fly to Greece for only 8 Euro!

Italy is a central figure in worldwide trade, EU politics, and diplomacy as a peacekeeper for the UN. Students studying International Relations in Italy have the incredible opportunity to explore important global politics from the point of view of another nation.

With “study abroad” on their resumes, students become more interesting to future employers within the field of International Relations. Through your experience studying abroad in Italy, employers will know that you are capable of adapting to challenging situations, working well with people of diverse backgrounds, and being open to other worldviews. Living in another country greatly enhances your academic studies and future career aspirations in this respect

Come to the land of pizza and gelato and learn a little more about the world!