If you're looking for a semester abroad that blends rigorous academics with real-world professional experience in one of the world's most iconic cities, the AIFS Abroad Study + Internship program in Rome is designed for you. Based at the AIFS Global Education Center (GEC) — located in the heart of Rome near Piazza Navona and the Pantheon — you'll take courses taught in English while completing a part-time internship with a Rome-based organization. The GEC's central location means that thousands of years of history are literally steps from your classroom, giving every lecture and site visit an added layer of context that simply can't be replicated at home.

The Study + Internship track enrolls you in 12 credits total: two 3-credit elective courses drawn from the Multi Discipline offerings, plus INTL 310 International Internship in Italy (3 credits, representing 120 hours of work placement over a 12-week program) and SOCI 360 Italian Culture and Traditions (3 credits, taught online). An optional 1-credit independent study course is also available. Internship placements are individually tailored to your strengths and career goals, giving you hands-on exposure to the global workplace while building practical, resume-worthy skills. Academic credit for the program is awarded by Fairfield University.

Rome itself is your extended classroom. Founded in 735 BCE and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this thriving metropolis of over four million people seamlessly merries ancient tradition with modern innovation. Whether you're walking past the Colosseum on your way to an internship, joining a cooking or wine-tasting class, or attending a guided tour of the Vatican Museums led by professional art historians, the city continually enriches your academic and professional development. Cultural activities, excursions to Florence, Sorrento, Naples, Capri, Pompeii, and Assisi are included in the program fee, and an optional trip to Palermo, Sicily is available for an additional estimated fee of $645.

You'll live in fully furnished apartments contracted by AIFS Abroad in vibrant central neighborhoods such as Trastevere, Campo de' Fiori, Prati, or Monti — all within 10 to 40 minutes of the study center by foot or public transport. Apartments typically house 3 to 8 AIFS Abroad students, with no more than three per bedroom, and include Wi-Fi, kitchen facilities, a washing machine, linens, AC, and maintenance support. A unique meal plan provides grocery and restaurant vouchers for one meal three days per week throughout the program, so you can experience Italian cuisine the way locals do.

You'll be supported every step of the way by an experienced on-site team, including Program Director Rosanna Graziani and a full staff of Student Advisors who provide academic guidance, community integration support, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Pre-departure resources, visa guidance, comprehensive health insurance, and access to the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and an alumni network round out the support services. A FREE Eurail Global Pass (near $500 value) and optional round-trip flight packages from 25 U.S. gateways are also available. To be eligible, you must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be enrolled as a first-year, sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate student.