LOCATION

Italy’s bustling capital city is roughly halfway along the length of the country near the west coast of the peninsula where the Aniene and Tiber rivers join. About 45 minutes on the train and you’ll find yourself by the sea. Fun fact: Within Rome is Vatican City which is actually a separate independent country – the smallest in the world.  

STUDYING ABROAD IN ROME

When you study abroad in Rome, you’ll attend John Cabot University which is a U.S. accredited, independent, four-year liberal arts university in the center of the city. There’s an emphasis on small classes where professors encourage dialogue and incorporate the Eternal City in learning as an extension of the classroom. Classes are taught in English (except for Italian language classes, obviously), so this is a program open to all Italian language levels.

You’ll be studying in an international environment with a group of students from over 70 countries who give your studies and your experience in Rome a global perspective. There are many different clubs, organizations and activities to join while you’re there, from HITT and kickboxing to cooking lessons to Model UN club to groups that take weekend trips and open mic nights.

You’ll live in a shared apartment with other students.

WHAT’S ROME LIKE?

Daily life in Rome plays out amid a picturesque backdrop of ancient architecture (or what remains of it) and the more contemporary. It’s a vibrant and creative city with fancy fountains and charming houses, world-class museums, Renaissance frescos, and café-lined medieval piazzas. There's the world-renowned Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, an untold number of medieval churches concealing artistic masterpieces, and the quaint charm of open-air markets.

Local culture is rooted in a dolce vita lifestyle. Romans like to focus on the good life, enjoying the pleasure found in the little things like long chats over meals with friends and soaking in the culture all around them.

The population of the urban area is around 3.8 million, with just under 10% non-Italian.

HOW CAN I SPEND MY FREE TIME?

Rome is a popular study abroad destination and, despite being a city of historical ruins (which are absolutely worth visiting, it’s absolutely full of life and plenty to keep you busy from live music to cutting edge art to places to enjoy the great outdoors. Here are a few ideas:

HISTORY. Yes, there’s no doubt that if you’re a history buff, Rome is the city for you! Its history stretches back 28 centuries. The beautiful historical center of the city is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Coliseum, The Pantheon, Saint Peters Basilica, The Spanish Steps, The Roman Forum, The Trevi Fountain and The Vatican Museums are a few of the most obvious places to visit, but keep exploring and you will be rewarded.

ART. The art scene in Rome is constantly evolving. From the Sistine Chapel ceiling to the famous Adam and Eve painting in the Vatican Museums to the contemporary or cutting-edge work from the current generation, there’s a lot to see. Head to architect Zaha Hadid’s impressive MAXXI (the Museum of 21st Century Art) building, the MACRO Museum, Museo dell’Altro e dell’Altrove (MAAM), Galleria Varsi and Monitor Gallery to start, and take some time to wander past the canvas wells of neighborhoods like Ostiense, San Lorenzo, Pigneto, Quadraro and Tor Marancia.

WALK. Simple and free, sometimes the best experiences are serendipitous. Wander through the cobblestone streets of whimsical Trastevere, explore the Jewish Ghetto, head into Monti and Aventine and other smaller neighborhoods. Stop for a coffee. Hang out and listen to random street performers. Watch the world go by. Grab a bite to eat and soak of the atmosphere of the city by foot.

PARKS. Smell the oranges growing on many trees in Parco Savello and check out the view of the skyline from here or take a picnic to Villa Borghese Park in the city center where you can rent bikes or visit Galleria Borghese to see some famous paintings. The Botanical Garden of Rome (Orto Botanico di Roma) is also beautiful.

CHURCHES. Rome has a lot of churches, and whether you’re religious or not, they can be interesting to visit. Dress respectively, look up at the architecture and the art on the walls and ceilings, and enjoy a peaceful moment.

VIGAMUS. Love video games? Check out ViGaMus, an interactive museum space all about gaming were you can learn about the history of video games, their evolution, and of course try them out yourself with 150 hands-on exhibits featuring both vintage games and the newest innovations.

VIEWS. The best view over the city is from Monte Mario, a forested hill worth hiking up in a protected nature reserve in the northwest. It’s the highest point in Rome.

WHAT (AND WHERE) SHOULD I EAT?

You’re in Italy so this is, of course, a very important topic! Rome is one of the world’s culinary capitals. It topped the list of travel destinations for foodies in 2022 Traveler’s Choice Awards. There are the more formal ristorantes, laid-back traditional trattorias, osterias or enotecas (wine bars with food) and smaller cafes and bars which serve coffee and less complex meals. Beware of tourists traps around famous landmarks where servers try to entice you in for mediocre food and high prices. Take recommendations from friends or other locals.

CAFES. A few (there are far too many) cafes you’ll want to visit include Pimms and Big Star (both near John Cabot University), Homebaked for an American style brunch (owned by an American from NY), Trecaffe Due Macelli, Feffo, Da Nina a Trastevere, Hotel Chapter Roma, Antico Caffè Greco (the city’s oldest cafe) and Anticafe (which is a great place to study because they charge by the hour while you eat and drink as much as you like) to name a few.

FOOD. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to food, but a few places to start with are Romolo e Remo for foods made from locally-sourced ingredients, Trattoria Dar Cavalier Gino for home-style cooking, Suppli for pasta, Mercato Centrale which has about 20 stations serving different dishes, Da Enzo for a meal followed by the pistachio gelato, Nonna Betta for kosher style Italian with artwork showing life in the Jewish ghetto, or Popi Popi Pizzaria, Seu Pizza Illuminati or Pinsere for a pizza fix. If you’re missing your furball back home, visit the cats who live at Romeow Cat Bistrot while you have your lunch.

MUST TRY. The most obvious must-try dish in Rome, of course, is pasta! Make cacio e pepe (simple yet delicious with cheese and black pepper) the priority and then eat your way through the carbonara, spaghetti, amatriciana, gricia and more. Add to your list pizza alla Romana (with a cracker-thin crunchy crust and piled high with toppings. Try bruschetta as an appetizer. Saltimbocca (layers of veal, prosciutto and sage) is delicious for dinner. Head to the Jewish quarter to try the famous deep-fried artichokes carciofi all guidea. Supplì (fried balls stuffed with mozzarella, marinara and risotto) are also popular. If you’re brave, go for the tripe! Start your day with a maritozzo (whipped cream filled breakfast bun) and end it with a gelato or, even more local, grattachetta (shaved ice with syrup).

ANY OTHER TIPS?

A few other things to keep in mind to make the most of a study abroad experience in Rome… 

1. WATER. Pack (or buy) a reusable water bottle and make use of the 2,500 fontanelle scattered around the city. These small fountains are all over the place and they have fresh safe drinking water that is nice and cold. There’s even an app (I Nasoni di Roma) that you can download where a map shows their locations.

2. SIESTA. Like some other European cities, a lot of shopkeepers close their doors during the hottest hours of the day, especially in the summer. Be aware if you’re planning to go shopping that some stores will close around lunchtime and open up again late afternoon. Note that a lot of museums are closed all day on Mondays.

3. POPULAR SITES. If you’re visiting famous sites like The Vatican Museums, Coliseum, etc., book ahead if you can and plan to go very early or very late to avoid the rush of crowds. You can check the “popular times” section on Google maps for an idea of busy times. Always remember to check for a student discount!

4. COFFEE. There’s a different sort of coffee culture in Italy. Learn the name for your chosen drink. Know it’s a faux pas to order coffee with any type of milk past breakfast time. And be prepared to pay extra if you want to sit at a table in a bar (café) as many Italians down their espresso standing at the bar as a form of fuel.