Italy: ISA at the American University of Rome

• Exceptional Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
• Clean record with the Office of Community Standards and good academic and College standing
• Professional application: materials are submitted on-time, are edited before submission, and are thorough and thoughtful.
• Minimum 2.75 GPA
• This program has a cap of 15 students for fall 2023
• This program has a required advising session (30 minutes) as part of the application process. Please visit our home page to schedule an advising appointment.

Fall 2023

• Aug 29: Program Start Date
• Dec 15: Program End Date

Spring 2024

• Jan 23: Program Start Date 
• May 16: Program End Date

Orientation & Flight

ISA arranges an airport pick-up in Rome for all students arriving on the scheduled date and time. After settling in and unpacking, you'll enjoy a few days of orientation, with scheduled sessions and events with ISA staff and at AUR. ISA will provide tours of the city and introduce students to the historical context of Italy and Rome. You will be responsible for booking your own flight. 

Visa

U.S. citizens must secure a study visa prior to departure. As part of your visa application, you must schedule an in-person biometrics appointment, and then schedule an in-person appointment at an Italian consulate in the U.S. This may involve travel time and additional expenses. Upon arrival in Italy, you will also need to apply for a Residence Permit and ISA will help you through this process. For general information about the visa process and visas for non-US citizens, see our Passports and Visas Page.

International Studies Abroad (ISA)

International Studies Abroad (ISA) has been providing college students with engaging study abroad opportunities for over 25 years. The organization is committed to promoting cultural discovery through knowledgeable and professional onsite staff and an array of activities, excursions, housing options and support services for all of its students in its many locations. ISA has a 5-person staff in Rome including a Resident Director and staff supporting housing, academics and student services. The ISA Rome office is just two blocks from AUR.

The American University of Rome (AUR)

AUR is a small, internationally-recognized liberal arts institution with a diverse faculty and student body. It was founded in 1969 and enrolls between 500 and 600 students from 40 different nations. With a faculty-student ratio of just 16:1, AUR offers a learning environment similar to Rollins, however because AUR employs a mix of Italian and US faculty members, teaching styles may vary from what students are used to.

Courses

All students must take one Italian language course (either Italian Language 101 for 4 credits, OR Italian Language and Culture for 3 credits) AND a 1-credit academic field trip course: "Food and (Multi)Culture in Italy" in Turin. The full cost of this course will be included as part of your standard Rollins tuition fee.

Students must then choose an additional 3-4 courses from within AUR’s course offerings to bring the total number of semester credits to 15-17 credits. With the exception of Italian, all courses are taught in English by AUR faculty. Some of the courses at AUR include activities/excursions in Rome as part of their coursework. However, these activities/excursions may come at an additional cost, so please make sure to read all course descriptions before making any final decisions. 

Foreign Language Competency WARNING: Italian 101 in Rome does not fulfill the Rollins Foreign Language Competency. You cannot take Italian at Rollins, and so will have a hard time fulfilling the Foreign Language Competency if you wish to continue language study after your time in Rome. You will most likely need to fulfill that requirement with a different language taught at Rollins.

ISA/ AUR Course Offerings

Transfer of Credit

Most courses are worth three credits so students earn 15-17 credits total. Courses on this program appear on the Rollins transcript as transfer credit; the grades are displayed and are factored into the Rollins GPA.  It can take up to three months for grades to be processed and appear on the Rollins transcript. For information on approving courses for major/minor and General Education/rFLA requirements, and other academic policies, please visit our Academic Information page.

Housing

All students live in shared, fully-furnished apartments in the neighborhoods of Trastevere, Monteverde, and Gianicolense within a 30-minute commute of AUR. These neighborhoods are on the west side of the city, just south of the Vatican, and tend to be a bit quieter. They’re quite close to the historic center of Rome and conveniently located for access to public transportation.

The buildings are not student housing; you’ll live in actual apartment buildings with local Romans. There are generally only one or two student apartment units per building, and neighboring residents are typically middle-class Italian families. Most ISA apartments have 2-3 bedrooms, lounge/living room, kitchen and bathroom(s). Bedrooms are typically double-occupancy and apartments are always single-gender.

Meals

There is no meal plan for this program. Students are expected to use the shared kitchens in their apartments, buy groceries, and cook meals.

Activities

The ISA staff plan regular cultural activities in Rome for students. These activities vary term-to-term, but might involve meeting locals and practicing Italian, sampling Italian cuisine, and participating in local festivals and events. Students also have access to the activities available through AUR's Student Life Office. AUR also hosts a handful of clubs and organizations, such as the Film Club, Yoga Club, Spoken Word Club, and some sports clubs.

Excursions

ISA includes day and overnight excursions to locations of interest in Italy. While excursions vary term-to-term, past locations include the island of Capri, the town of Sorrento, the ruins in Pompeii, Florence and the Chianti region, and the medieval hill towns of central Italy. In addition, students can also participate in excursions offered through AUR—these are an additional cost but are subsidized by the University so are offered at a great, discount price.

Things to Consider

Students with mobility disabilities may find accessibility and accommodations different from the United States. Check the US Department of State Travelers with Disabilities and specific to the country, Mobility International USA, and the IP Your Identity Abroad page for resources.

Program Fee

Most Rollins financial aid and scholarships will apply to the semester abroad.

• Tuition: $29,150
• Housing: $4,925

Also Includes

Orientation, some activities and excursions, program administration, and emergency insurance.

Estimated Additional Costs

• Transportation: Round-trip airfare from FL $1,100, onsite $650
• Meals/food: $1,500
• Refundable housing deposit: $250
• Residence Permit: $260
• US Passport: $165
• Visa fee: $200 plus costs associated with travel to nearest Italian consulate for an in-person visa appointment
• Books, course materials, supplies: $500
• Personal expenses: $1,325
• Federal student loan fees if applicable: $40
• Professional licensure, certification or credentials costs: $0

Scholarships

Scholarships based on financial need are available to off-set costs associated with international airfare and other costs associated with study abroad. Students can apply for scholarships through the Rollins program application. Students can apply for additional scholarships through the ISA website.

Living and Working

Having a credit card while abroad is very helpful. Italy has a comparable cost of living to the United States. Students can work part-time on a student visa while in Italy.