Fashion Design & Merchandising Study Abroad Programs in Rome, Italy

This is my second trip with this program I did the Japan last year and Italy this year also intend to go again next year and I loved the different classes there were I took cuisines and art history we made many different kinds of Italian food and went to different places almost every day there were also many different day trips on the weekends that were amazing to go on and ending in Rome and seeing the colosseum and learning about it was a great way to end the trip and the staff was really amazing and accommodating with the need of the students

I learned so much on this trip through the art history course and photography course. I wasn’t that interested in many of the art made in periods such as renaissance, but I learned so much about them and got quite good at identifying them. I similarly wasn’t that knowledgeable about Christianity and especially Catholicism (at least more than the average American) but I learned so much about it as well and really came to respect the ideas related to it. Finally I also knew literally nothing about photography but through this I learned a lot about different styles and the essentials of photography to the point that I think I’ll be taking better pictures for the rest of my life. This is all without saying the fun and incredible sights and art I got to see, yes we went to churches and art museums to learn about it but we also went to appreciate it and through that I got to see some beautiful art that might be some of my highlight pictures from the trip. Also the day trips to other prominent cities are so much fun and so different Florence is a great base to operate out of and through that base different cities especially Venice and Siena contrast very well, Venice being very tight and of course featuring water, and Siena being very hilly.

World class program is great because it’s more than just a summer program it is an absolute immersion into Ancient Rome; the renaissance in Florence, and amazing medieval art were extravagant and eye popping. Going into the different museums and churches was, like dunking yourself into a beautiful shining spring in Ancient Rome taking you back in time to the minds of Roman’s and what they were thinking while walking into grandiose church. The different day trips were amazing in total there were four day trips one to Lucca where we rode bikes around the city walls, and explored the city, one to cinque terre where we hiked across a mountain with a view of the Mediterranean and ended on the beach. One to siena where we explored the city on the mountain and saw the amazing views. My favorite day trip was the one to Venice where we saw Murano the glass making city and we took boats around to different locations. The pros of the program was the amount of stuff that we had easy access to because of the great connections and the staff. Another pro is the community all the people were easy to connect with and make good friends without any problems. The amount of free time to explore and shop in Florence was great you were able to get what ever lunch you wanted or go to what ever shop in all of old Florence. The cons weren’t many. The program was genuinely so amazing. The only one I can think of is the heat in Italy, but it wasn’t the programs fault it is Italy’s faults for not having good american a/c. The only other con I can think of is not being able to go longer.

My study abroad experience was truly unforgettable, largely because of the amazing and easy-going staff who made every day enjoyable. Their friendly nature and sense of humor created a welcoming atmosphere that helped me feel at home even when I was far away. I often found myself laughing with them, which made the whole experience not just educational but genuinely fun. Their support and kindness made a big difference, turning challenges into opportunities to grow. One of the most meaningful parts of my time abroad was the relationships I built. I connected with people from all over the world, and these friendships became an important part of my journey. Sharing experiences, learning about different cultures, and supporting each other made these bonds truly special. These relationships taught me the value of understanding and empathy, and I know they will continue to be important in my life long after the program ends. Beyond the social side, I learned so much academically and personally. The new environment pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and adapt in ways I hadn’t before. I gained knowledge in my field of study, but I also learned life skills like independence and problem-solving. This experience has not only enriched my education but also helped me grow into a more confident and open-minded person.

The course itself was a wonderful mix of cultural immersion and learning about the history, art, historical figures who lived in Florence centuries ago. My one and only complaint can be summed up as, if you go on this trip, don’t expect everyone to be as into as you. I was deeply passionate about the history of Italy, and made a friend or two on the trip who was equally as passionate, but as a consumer of this tour, be aware that some are here to passively take in the sights, rather than eagerly devouring everything they can see.

I would be likely bc they set you up to do well. Classes were interesting, and I learned a lot. However, I know at other study abroad programs, for instance, public transport was covered, whereas CIEE did not cover anything as such.

I would 1000% recommend CIEE & their Rome, Italy program to a friend or peer, not only are they incredibly helpful but it is user friendly and I always knew where to go if I needed any help or had any questions.

I really enjoyed my course load and the fun activities that you guys planned for us. I stayed in a homestay and loved it so much. It was such a unique experience that I'll most likely never have again. But I also loved the teachers and even Financially wise you guys have a lot of scholarships and ways to cut down the price of the program cost. I unfortunately had no financial aid help but it still wasn't as expensive as my host school fees.

I found CIEE to be very well run. I really liked the block set up and how it allowed me to take so many different classes. It was nice to be able to learn about so many different things. Also the way everything was organized with extracurriculars was really nice. It just made the whole abroad experience less scary.

I greatly enjoyed my experience abroad with the Umbra Institute. The institution was super helpful in preparing to leave the United States and provided lots of information as well as a pre-departure module that gave us important information and a “what to expect” page. Umbra also has a super up to date webpage with blurbs from past student’s which was helpful for me to see others’ experiences. Upon arrival and throughout the semester, the staff made themselves readily available to help during the adjustment period and beyond. They encouraged us to travel and experience our semester to the fullest. The staff gave us recommendations and were hands on throughout the semester. Our professors are simply the best of the best and are super knowledgeable about their fields. The school environment is welcoming and comfortable for all students which allowed me to feel equipped for learning and experimentation. There were endless ways to get involved throughout the semester through community engagement classes, volunteer opportunities, and small group involvement. I was apart of the Umbra Reps program which was a small group of six students who helped with student activities and involvement throughout the semester. I felt like I have been able to really immerse in the culture of Perugia and experience many places this semester. I will truly miss this place and this staff so much!!

I had an amazing experience at AIFS! AIFS provided everything we needed to have a great experience here in Rome. Our classes were engaging and fun. A big pro of the program was the meal swipes and grocery gift cards! We were able to travel all over Europe and have the best new experiences. I would recommend this program!!

CIEE C- creative I- intelligence E- excellence E- even more excellence I love CIEE so much they do an amazing job at everything! The consistent routine to student life events to great classes during my stay in Mexico.

Likely because of the staff and teachers all are very welcoming and Knowledgable on the subjects that they teach. I would say it is hard adjusting to different countries multiple times but is a cool expirience.

Tremendous staff. Environment is like none other and they accommodate well. For Seville, the city has been tremendous and CIEE gives you a proper introduction to this magnificent city. Whether an intern or a student during one of the sessions, you can get along with everyone and overcome the anxieties of a new city

I would be very likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend because this program gives you many opportunities to explore the city you are in as well as the surrounding areas. All of the employees are very kind people who will be their to uplift and support the students who are abroad.

Studying abroad with CIEE was an amazing and unforgettable experience. I was able to very unique classes specific to Rome which included site visits to very famous historical sites and hidden gems. CIEE did not fail to provide full emersion with Italian food and wine. There were numerous pasta and pizza making classes in addition to wine, gelato, and suppli tastings. The staff was also always readily available which made the transition all the easier. Professors were very helpful as well not only as instructors in the classroom but as guides for exploring the city and all of Italy. I could not think of a better place to study than Rome. It was a perfect hub for getting in and out of the city. Specifically, it was very easy to get through the country to cities such as Milan and Florence! CIEE was also very helpful in coordinating roommates. I went in not knowing 4 of my roommates and now they are some of my best friends. Overall, the program and program leaders consist of wonderful and helpful individuals that has very much so enhanced my study abroad experience.

My experience was amazing and I got a lot of help from the local CIEE staff which made me feel comfortable. Our housing situation was unique from the rest of the CIEE students which was not the fault of the CIEE staff because they weren't aware that our apartment would not have sufficient requirements and some negatives. The staff tried their best to make us feel comfortable as they knew we were there without our families. The excursions provided by CIEE were the best as they took us to places we would want to go anyway but even pay for them as well as provided food on certain occasions as well as transportation.

My time in Rome was a real growing experience. I started out this program crying myself to sleep overnight thinking about how coming abroad was the stupidest decision I ever made. I was too scared to walk alone, so I taxied everywhere, and I hadn't really bonded with anyone yet. CIEE placed in dorms and they weren't the nicest, the building was super old, you didn't have a kitchen or a washer and dryer (you had to go to a laundry mat). At first the living conditions seemed so bad but I grew to love my dorm. Basically everyone in the program lived in the dorms so I was able to meet so many people and everyone in the dorms got so close. CIEE also gave us breakfast and dinner served in and dining hall Monday - Friday (breakfast) which was so nice. Our dinners became like "family dinner". Rome is a chaotic city and it's not easy living there but there is so much to experience and so much to learn. I took the Michelangelo class with Kevin (miss that man he was the best teacher ever). I probably showed up late to class every day and he still looked so happy to see me. I will thank him for the extra 10 minutes of sleep he let me have each day. In that class we saw every historical building or piece of art in rome. We studied the sistine chapel ceiling, the pieta, roman forum, campodoglio and so much more. CIEE also offered so many excursions in order to really experience the city and Italy in general. There was a field trip to Tivoli and they did gnocchi making classes and gelato runs. They really had it all. I learned so much about myself in Italy and I want to go back soon.

CIEE in Rome has been wonderful. The staff was always on top of their game. They provided the help and resources that you needed in order to succeed while being abroad a way from home. They had a sense of family which helped alot.

I'm likely to recommend this program to a friend because it was organized well with activities to do in Rome and out of the city, I got the best housing assignment randomly with the best roommates, and the classes were unlike any other i've taken in my home university. its a once in a lifetime experience