Rome

Classic, Historic and Inspiring!

The Eternal City

Rome, the Eternal City, brims with history, from its iconic Colosseum to the port of Ostia Antica to majestic Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel. Because of the city's rich history, art, architecture and cuisine, Rome is an exceptional place. iCharleston participants will enjoy it from the city's center, studying at the American University of Rome (AUR), the oldest American-degree-granting university in Rome.

Each year, AUR hosts students from over 40 countries worldwide. Situated above the beautiful and historic Trastevere neighborhood overlooking the River Tiber, AUR provides a unique learning experience for its students. And, the many cultural wonders of this city augment that experience.

When you arrive in Rome, our partners at AUR will help you move into your apartment and provide you with a comprehensive orientation program so that you'll feel comfortable and confident in your new neighborhood and city.

HOUSING

You'll live with other iCharleston participants and AUR students in fully furnished apartments near the AUR campus. Living in a traditional Italian neighborhood offers a full-immersion cultural experience. Each apartment has multiple bedrooms and includes a fully supplied kitchen. (A meal plan is not offered.) And towels, linens and a washing machine are provided in each apartment.

As a resident, you'll have access to and support from a residence life supervisor, along with 24/7 emergency assistance. Your iCharleston site director will be living nearby as well and will plan programs and events for you using the city as a backdrop!

As a full-time AUR student, you can also take advantage of numerous student clubs and activities such as men's and women's soccer teams, gospel choir, Italian language exchanges and trips to Tuscany, Capri and Pompeii. And, your program fees include membership to AUR's fitness studio.

ACADEMICS

AUR is a small, integrated academic community where an interdisciplinary approach to learning is at the forefront of the student experience. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio means small class sizes with courses taught by award-winning, international professors. With the campus situated in the heart of Rome, faculty regularly intertwine local neighborhoods and landmarks into the classroom experience as a powerful way to contextualize learning for iCharleston participants.

All iCharleston students will enroll in Writing from Research. You will also enroll in Roman Archaeology On-site; your Site Director will take this course with you as well. Students will also select three additional courses to complete their academic schedule. (See below for a Sample Class Schedule.) All courses transfer into the College of Charleston so long as you complete them with a grade C or better.

EXPENSES

$14,000* includes:

15 transferable academic credits upon successful completion of the iCharleston program.
Shared, apartment-style living with 24/7 emergency assistance.
Orientation program.
iCharleston site director supporting academic and social transition to college life in Rome.
iCharleston-specific programming such as cultural outings.
Associated day and weekend study tour to Amalfi Coast including Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri.
Semester-long gym membership.

*NOTE: All costs are subject to change. No financial aid is available for this location.

The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Rome

1. The Colosseum
2. The Roman Forum
3. Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
4. Trevi Fountain
5. The Trastevere Neighborhood (surrounding the campus)
6. The Spanish Steps
7. Campo de' Fiori
8. Piazza Navona
9. The Pantheone
10. Galleria Borghese

"I am here for four months and it's a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and go try new things. I don't want to ever look back and say I wish I had done that. Instead, I would rather just do it."
— former iCharleston student

Rome Location Guide (293 kb, pdf)

Program Dates 2023

Departure from Newark: August 29
Arrive Rome: August 30
Orientation: August 30 - September 3
Classes begin: September 4
Fall Break: October 31- November 3
Final Exam period: December 11-14
Housing Check: December 15
Departure from Rome: December 15

Sample Course Schedule

Monday
Passport to CofC: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Greek and Roman Mythology: 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Elementary Italian: 2:05 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday
Art of Rome: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Elementary Italian: 2:05 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Writing for Research: 3:40 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday
Greek and Roman Mythology: 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Elementary Italian: 2:05 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday
Living Rome: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Elementary Italian: 2:05 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Writing for Research: 3:40 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday
Elementary Italian: 10:05 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Writing for Research: 11:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Note: AUR and iCharleston policy do not tolerate absences from class and participants can lose their study visa if they are not present for class.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file for a visa?

Study visas are required for Rome and AUR will provide an acceptance letter and instructions for obtaining proper documentation. Once you're in Rome, you must register with the immigration office for the Italian Permit to Stay. Additional fees for the Italian Permit to Stay are required.

What facilities will be made available to iCharleston participants while in Rome?

Your program fee includes a four month membership to The American University of Rome fitness studios. Study lounges are also available and all AUR buildings and residences have wireless Internet. The library provides access to academic journal titles, case studies, news coverage, market research reports and specialist reports through a wide range of electronic databases.

What housing services are available to iCharleston participants?

You will live in shared apartments with other iCharleston students within a 15-minute walk to The American University of Rome campus. There is a dedicated AUR live-in staff member and the iCharleston site director lives close by as well. There is also a 24/7 emergency phone in all apartments.

Will iCharleston participants have access to a meal plan?

There are no meal plan options in Rome, though fully equipped kitchens are included in the apartments. And numerous grocers and restaurants are in abundance in the local neighborhood.

What kitchen appliances will be available?

There will be one shared kitchen per apartment. Each is equipped with stove tops, a full oven, a microwave oven, and cooking utensils such as pots, pans, plates, bowls, silverware, etc.

Are there common rooms? Laundry facilities?

There is a common space – furnished with sofas and easy chairs – in each apartment and a clothes washer (there are no drying machines, but drying racks will be provided).

Will there be co-curricular trips made available for iCharleston participants?

Students will take an AUR sponsored trip to the Amalfi Coast (Naples, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii) during a weekend in the early fall.
In addition, iCharleston site directors complete programs throughout the semester specifically for the participants in this program. College of Charleston faculty and/or staff may be involved in these programs.