Spend a transformative semester abroad in Rome, Italy, through the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center (GEC) — a program that blends rigorous academic inquiry with deep cultural immersion in one of the world's most historically rich cities. The Rome Honors Experience is designed for ambitious undergraduate students who want to go beyond traditional study abroad and engage seriously with academic research. You will join a close-knit cohort of motivated peers, take a required 1-credit Honors Inquiry Seminar, and complete the required SOCI 311 Contemporary Rome: The Culture of the City course (3 credits), plus three or four additional 3-credit electives of your choosing — for a total of up to 18 credits. The semester culminates in a research proposal presented to professional researchers and peers, and you receive a formal certificate from AIFS Abroad upon completion.

The GEC is centrally located near Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, putting thousands of years of history just steps from your classroom. Academic credit is awarded by Fairfield University, and all courses are taught in English. As an Honors student, you will connect with a relevant local institution — such as a museum, library, or archive — to develop your area of research and deepen your engagement with Rome's extraordinary intellectual heritage. This hands-on community engagement sets the Honors Experience apart from a standard semester program.

Your program fee is inclusive and covers housing in fully furnished apartments in central Roman neighborhoods such as Trastevere, Campo de' Fiori, Prati, or Monti — all within 10–40 minutes of the study center. Apartments house 3–8 AIFS Abroad students and include Wi-Fi, AC, kitchens, washing machines, and linens. A unique meal plan provides grocery and restaurant vouchers three days per week so you can eat like a local at nearby trattorias and pizzerias. The fee also covers excursions to Florence, Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii, and Capri Island; cooking and wine-tasting classes; visits to the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, and the Sistine Chapel; and cultural activities guided by professional art historians.

Rome itself is your extended classroom — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and living capital of Italy with over four million residents, where ancient tradition and modern cosmopolitan life coexist seamlessly. From the Trevi Fountain to underground ruins, from jazz concerts to A.S. Roma soccer matches, you will experience the city in its full depth. Italian university students from the University of Rome serve as language and cultural peer mentors throughout the program, helping you build local connections and practice your Italian.

On-site support is provided by Program Director Rosanna Graziani and a full team of Student Advisors, with 24/7 emergency assistance and comprehensive health insurance included. You must hold a minimum 2.5 GPA and be a sophomore, junior, or senior to apply. Visa assistance is provided for students who enroll by the visa deadline, and AIFS Abroad guides you through the Italian Consulate process. An optional round-trip flight package from 25 U.S. gateways is also available. This program is ideal if you are considering graduate school, undergraduate research, or simply want a semester that challenges and transforms you intellectually while living in one of the most magnificent cities on earth.