Summer: Rutgers- RU in Rome
The Program
RU in Rome summer study abroad is a unique opportunity to study Italian language and culture with Rutgers Italian Department faculty in the historical and beautiful city of Rome.
Students from all majors and language learning levels will partake in a 4-week full immersion program. All students will be registered for an Italian language course of 3 or 4 credits, based on placement level. Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced language courses will be taught in the classroom and at various sites around Rome on select days, depending on the daily lesson. Language courses meet Mondays-Fridays from 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Daily attendance is required. Language courses follow RU curriculum, supplemented by full immersion activities around Rome. Besides daily conversation activities, students will complete online assignments, including a class blog.
Program Locations
Italy
Rome
Rome, “the Eternal City,” has long been a crossroads of peoples, cultures, and civilizations. Today, it is the thriving capital of a modern and increasingly multicultural Italian state, and displays evidence of its ancient, medieval, and modern faces, often in stark juxtaposition. It is not uncommon to find ancient monuments, Renaissance art, and twentieth century architecture seemingly jumbled together at every turn of its cobblestone streets.
Academics
All students take an Italian Language Course at the appropriate level. Students should expect to be occupied with class time/internship placements from 9:00 am-5:30 pm daily. Grades will be based on examinations and class performance according to the Rutgers University system by the instructors and director in consultation
As part of your language class, students discover the beautiful city of Florence. This excursion includes transportation, and overnight accommodations. In addition, a one-day trip to the massive archaeological excavation at Pompei is included. Language classes meet Monday through Friday from 2:30-5:30pm.
- 01:560:101, 102, Elementary Italian (4 credits)
- 01:560:121, 131, 132, Intermediate Italian (4 credits)
- 01:560:321 Advanced Italian (3 credits)
Choose your Track: Food and Cultural Studies, Art History, or Internship
NEW! Italian Cinema track. 3 credits.
Behind the Scenes in Rome: A Tour of Legendary Film Spots
Step into the world of cinema as you explore Rome through the lens of its most iconic films. In this immersive course, students will go behind the scenes of famous movies shot in the Eternal City, visiting legendary locations like the Trevi Fountain from La Dolce Vita and the Colosseum from Gladiator. Each week, we'll analyze these films' artistic and cultural impact, followed by guided tours of the real-life settings that made them unforgettable. Discover how directors use Rome’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere to craft timeless stories, all while experiencing the magic of cinema up close.
Art History Track option. From the Colosseum to the Altarpiece. Using the city of Rome as the classroom, this course aims to give you an irreplaceable first-hand experience in Roman art history spanning the Ancient through Baroque periods. The course is arranged chronologically, and we will walk the city and visit sites in person. We will explore major monuments and works of art and discuss how the evolution of artistic style in Rome, and the influence of private and Papal patronage, traveling artists, and global exchange impacted the city’s visual culture. This full immersion course is taught by doctoral candidate Margo Weitzman who specializes in Medieval and Renaissance Italian art.
As a student in this track, you will participate in art historical learning excursions that involve on-site discussion. You will also complete short weekly reading responses, two short on-site presentations, and a final museum project. All assignments can be tailored to your personal interests! By the end of the course, you will not only be able to identify major monuments from Rome, Pompeii, and Florence, but you will also be able to situate Italian works of art and architecture within historical and cultural contexts and discuss their function, purpose, meaning, and stylistic convention. 3 credits. Students who want to be immersed in the art history of Rome, should choose this option. Classes meet from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Monday–Thursday. Professors will monitor their progress in weekly 2-hour group meetings each Friday. Students will be enrolled in Art of Renaissance (01:082:340).
Internship Track option. 3 credits. Students have the option of applying for a limited number of 3-credit internships in English or Italian to gain work experience abroad. Interns will work from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Monday–Thursday. Interviews are required, if not selected another track will be chosen. Professors will monitor their progress in weekly 2-hour group meetings each Friday. Students will keep a daily online journal detailing their experience and complete a professional portfolio assignment by the end of the program. Students will be enrolled in Internship in Italian (01:560:398).
Independent Travel
Students who wish to travel independently outside of Rome should consult the program calendar carefully and plan well in advance of their departure for Rome. Students who wish to extend their stay in Rome beyond the exact program dates will need to make alternative lodging arrangements. This is an intensive, 4-week program, where students earn credit for two semester-long courses at RU. Travel is not an acceptable reason to miss class time, and students’ grades will suffer if they choose to miss class due to travel.
For information about Study Abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
RU in Rome testimonials here: https://sites.rutgers.edu/study-abroad-italy/
Scholarships
Students are encouraged to start researching scholarship opportunities as early as possible. There are many kinds of scholarships available, with different eligibility requirements and application criteria. To get a sense of what scholarships are available for your program, click here for a comprehensive list of study abroad scholarships.
Housing and Meals
Students will share apartments with other students in the Prati neighborhood in walking distance to many historic attractions. Students can take advantage of shared kitchens and numerous affordable eateries in the neighborhood.
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ resident | non-NJ resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergrad 6 Cr | $6,060 | $6,730 |
| Undergrad 7 Cr | $6,140 | $6,920 |
Program Cost includes:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Excursions to Florence and Pompeii
- Cultural visits
- Administrative Fees
- Emergency Medical Access Abroad
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,100 |
| Meals | $600 |
| Personal Expenses | $400 |
| Total | $2,100.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and personal expenses, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Scholarships
Student Spotlight
"I hope down the road I will be able to revisit Italy and other countries in Europe to re-experience the beauty and happiness I felt in those moments. There are only good things to say about this experience and from the second I arrived back home I was already looking back and wishing I could do it all over again. Studying abroad is a life-changing opportunity that everyone should take advantage of while they can and it will definitely teach you a lot about yourself! The program not only introduced me to amazing people that happen to be my peers at Rutgers but people from all around the world."
Absolutely. It was the best month of my life. I loved that I was able to see all the sites that I have dreamed about seeing with school, so I was able to learn the most about them. I love that I also had free time to explore and learn about myself as a traveler. The professors are all great and are so focused on the success of us students. I truly do not have a bad thing to say about my experience on this trip, and I am trying my hardest to come back next year!
I had thought that a month away from home would feel like a lifetime, but I had never experienced so much in such a short amount of time. This trip to Italy was the first time I had ever gotten on a plane or even left the country. Being in Rome (and a few other cities) for a month with a whole bunch of strangers I had never even talked to is definitely something that I never really planned on doing, though I am very grateful for this experience. Make sure to do as much as you can, but also give yourself some time to recharge and reflect. For me, the first two weeks hit me like a truck lol. I was constantly doing something every day from 8 am to 8 pm. I recommend taking photos of everything or maybe even journaling