Religious Studies Study Abroad Programs in Rome, Italy

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.

Roaming in Rome!

November 01, 2025by: Ally Hovdestad - United StatesProgram: AIFS Abroad in Rome, Italy: January

9

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.

Wonderful Course

November 10, 2025by: John Brimm - United StatesProgram: Historic Capital of Tuscany - Florence, Italy Summer Program

9

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.

Roaming in Rome!

November 01, 2025by: Ally Hovdestad - United StatesProgram: AIFS Abroad in Rome, Italy: January

9

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.