Fashion Design & Merchandising Study Abroad Programs in Rome, Italy

Had an incredible time. Didn't know what to expect since this program was new to me, but I absolutely loved it and would totally recommend it to anyone looking to study abroad. Met amazing people and made friendships even though I knew no one going into this. Would 100% go through this program again.

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.

AIFS is simply the best. The organization was impeccable from the welcome cocktail party to the weekend trip to Florence. I felt taken care of every step of the way. All of the tours and other programming were fabulous. And the staff are just the best. They ensured I took Italian language classes that met me where I was at, figuring out how to enroll me in a whole other language school just for 3 weeks!!! My friends who were not taking language classes also had an incredible time. The balance between class and adventure / independent time was PERFECT. I made friends I still meet up with today, and enough happy memories that I have decided to go abroad again. I cannot recommend this trip enough. Do it scared, do it nervous, do it excited...it is TOTALLY worth it. You won't regret this.

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 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 chose to go abroad to Rome because it was my dream to experience the food, architecture, history, and culture up close. I chose to go abroad with AIFS because it offered the perfect timeline (J-term), it partnered with my home university, and it had the best combination of included housing, trips, food vouchers, and a super cool admin staff. I went to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, several wine tasting classes, and a cooking class through the program! I also went to Florence and Assisi. I chose to use the transportation package so I had an assigned travel buddy to go to the airport with me so I was never alone and I had transportation from the airport to the hotel where we met up with AIFS. My class on Italian Culture was super informative and I used the concepts I learned about Slow Food while abroad by finding high quality & fresh dining experiences (aka the BEST gelato ever). I had the benefit of going into the program with friends but I made great friends with my apartment-mates and the other girls from my school in my class. We'd gone to school together for years and somehow never crossed paths. I never would have imagined being confident enough to connect with strangers before studying abroad. I'm more sure of myself and I know that I can handle being in the real world by myself. I'd really recommend AIFS for anyone who wants to learn while abroad, but still focus on having the best, most authentic, and transformative experience ever.

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!!

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 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!!

I studied abroad in the spring of 2023 and it was the best three months of my life! I absolutely loved my apartment and the location of it. I felt right at home whether I was at school, going to different restaurants that the program gave us meal slips for, at my apartment, or just roaming the streets. I met so many other students in my program that I am now best friends with. The classes that AIFS offered were so unique and allowed me to get a better understanding of what Rome and its history is all about. My architecture class was my favorite as we got to go on several field trips to different cities and areas around Italy, the food class was also very food as we got to go taste testing different gelatos and foods around Rome! My favorite part of the semester was the trips that Marco, Rosanna and Chicca took us on. It was great spending time in different cities in Italy with my classmates and friends. I truly felt at home as they welcomed us with open arms and were there for us if we ever needed any help or guidance along the way.

I am so grateful for being able to experience studying abroad, the staff here Marco, Chicca, and Rosanna were all very helpful and were able to teach us outside the classroom as well! Definitely recommend going to Rome!

I had an amazing time with this program and made so many incredible friends. My class was well-structured with both class lectures and field lectures every single day which I was very grateful for. Although it was tiring walking around the city so much, it was amazing being able to see so much in just a 2.5 week class. Additionally, AIFS provided so many opportunities to get the most out of my experience for additional, but affordable, prices. I was able to attend/participate in a street food tour, cooking class, wine class, opera, and much more. All of the AIFS J-term Rome staff was very approachable and helpful during my time there– I wish I was able to stay for longer!