Campus of the Year Featured Region: Rome

What You Can Expect to See

Rome is centrally located in Italy, not far from the country’s western coastline. It is filled with everything you could want to experience in a city: rich history including that of the ancient Romans, beautiful architecture and art galleries and fascinating ruins. As you explore Rome for yourself, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in Italian history and culture through experiences like:

• Tracing history as you visit the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Borghese Museum and the Vatican Museum.
• Discovering the history of Rome’s Jewish Quarter with a walk through one of the city's oldest neighborhoods.
• Learning to make an Italian dish and dessert at a cooking school in the heart of Rome.

What You Should Eat 

Italy is famous for its cuisine, and Rome is a center for sampling delicious food! One classic dish is spaghetti carbonara, flavored with creamy sauce and crispy meat. You might also find plenty of artichoke options on the menu in Rome, as they are a popular vegetable used in dishes like carciofi alla romana.  

For dessert, you simply can’t leave Italy without sampling some gelato! Crostata ricotta e visciole (ricotta and sour-cherry tart) is another delicious Roman dessert, which has its roots in Jewish heritage.

Getting Around 

No matter which part of Italy you explore, walking will be an integral part of your experience. Bring along comfortable, sturdy shoes to navigate the many cobblestones and rail-less stairways you may encounter. While your bus will bring you as close as possible to the landmarks you have dreamed of exploring, many of these locations prohibit vehicles from getting too close and you will need to walk the remainder of the way.  

Pro tip: if you have mobility issues, bring along a mobile cane chair to help you navigate uneven pathways and offer you a place to sit and rest when needed. 

What to Bring

Fashion in Italy is important, but it is also important to dress smart. Religious sites have staff enforcing dress codes requiring covered knees and shoulders. It is also wise to purchase a body wallet to prevent your passport, money and other valuables from being stolen by professional pickpockets. Carrying a small crossbody bag, worn to your front, zipped shut and held with one hand, can prevent theft.

Especially during the summer months, having water on hand is a good idea. Rather than purchasing plastic bottled water, bring your own reusable water bottle to retrieve fresh potable water from one of the many water fountains. Clean drinking water from the local mountains is readily available across most regions in Italy.

Pro tip: Prepare for your learning adventure with a book from our Italy booklist!

Be Sure to Check Out…

The Colosseum

A trip to Rome is arguably incomplete without a visit to the classic symbol of the city, The Colosseum. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also called the Flavian Amphitheatre, and it was constructed in the first century. At its height, it could seat about 50,000 spectators.

Vatican City

Vatican City is one of the most sacred sites in Christianity, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to St. Peter’s Basilica, which stands on the ruins of the first basilica built by Constantine in the fourth century, as well as the permanent seat of the Popes. Though Vatican City is located in Rome, it is also the smallest independent state in the world.

The Pantheon

Originally built by Marcus Agrippa, The Pantheon served a temple to the Roman gods before being converted to Christianity in the seventh century. The building holds the largest dome built before modern times, at 71 feet high and 142 feet in diameter.

Are you ready to join us in Italy, our 2023 Campus of the Year? Find your next great adventure on our website!