Religious Studies 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.

Studying abroad in Italy is an absolute dream come true, offering an incredible mix of world-class education, deep historical immersion, and unforgettable weekend travels. It is the perfect destination if you want to balance your academic goals with a vibrant, slow-paced lifestyle full of incredible food, art, and culture.

I had honestly the most fun ever here with my friends! I thoroughly enjoyed my classes, learning about the culture, exploring Italy and Europe! It was life changing and I would highly recommend to everyone!

I had a really great time with my experience in Rome! I love my roommates and we’ve become really great friends. I’ve also had a great time exploring Rome and immersing myself in the culture while also being able to do weekend travel.

Class selection was good, particularly Art & Archaeology which I would consider a must. There's no city as good as Rome for learning about history given the plethora of ancient Roman sites and museums. Also, there was ample time for exploring Italy on my own.

I felt like I lived in Rome for so long and got immersed to fast, it felt like I had lived here forever. This got me missing home, but that’s not a bad thing. I got enough non-academic days that it allowed me to explore other part of Italy and Europe too.

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.

I truly recommend SAI's amazingly seamless study abroad program. SAI prepares you for your adventure before departing and provides support through every step of the way (if you need it). I really admired the SAI on-site staff - they led with authenticity, were very helpful, and always made sure we knew their offices were available to us for anything and everything. SAI also provides program enhancements like cultural experiences (cooking classes, day trips, etc.) for FREE which is just incredible and provides amazing opportunities for foundational friendships to form! The Global Leadership Certificate is another enhancement that makes this program unique - it allows you to (if you choose) complete a number of community service hours and reflect often on how your experience abroad is helping you grow as a global citizen. I chose to complete the Global Leadership Certificate and am so grateful I did - I met wonderful locals during community service and gained a unique perspective by reflecting on my time abroad. Rome/Trastevere in itself is an amazing place to study - it is rich with culture, many locals, and a bustling yet home-y feel. By studying there and befriending SAI friends, locals, and JCU students, I grew immensely and became more spontaneous, appreciative, present, and joyful. If I could say one thing that really captures this experience, it would be this: SAI has great resources and runs a seamless program, but what really makes it memorable is the heart put into every part of the experience. That's what leaves me still thinking about it and so grateful for every moment.

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 love it so much it was so beautiful and i love the experience it is something like no other i love it so much it was so beautiful and i love the experience it is something like no other i love it so much it was so beautiful and i love the experience it is something like no other i love it so much it was so beautiful and i love the experience it is something like no other

i had an amazing experience and meeting my roommates and having gelato pizza together yhe first day was greatt. i loved the trip to florence and pompeii and my teachers were very u derstanding and i learned a lot about roman hisyory

I had a great time studying abroad in rome with cea capa. Right from the start, I found a strong sense of community cultivated through program-wide events and orientation. Through sponsored trips I even got to see other parts of italy.

SO GREATI love cea so much and i hope to come back soon:) I experienced so much and I learned so much about rome in this experience I met so many great people and went to so many incredible places. I loved it.

Truly having such an amazing time at JCU this summer! My friends and I have learned so much from everyone here. JCU is such a great base for our travels. Everyone should study abroad here in the Eternal City!