Study Abroad at The American University of Rome

Rome endlessly conjures up vivid reminders of its glorious past as a city that built one of the greatest Empires the World has ever known. The sunny climate, stately umbrella pines, and an unparalleled wealth of history around every corner make Rome an educational playground that is at once accommodating and exotic.

Study Abroad Students Reenact Raphael's School of Athens in Terry Kirk's Art of Rome

The American University of Rome has been combining the Rome environment with the excellent academic attributes of higher education in the U.S. and the historic and global reputation of European institutions for 40 years, making it the oldest institution of its kind in Europe. The 16-to-1 faculty ratio at American University of Rome gives students the opportunity to gain the best possible international education experience, with instruction from both local and international professors. Study abroad students interact with peers from Italy and all over the world, given the mix of Americans, local Italian students, and international students. AUR’s extensive course offerings go far beyond the broad multicultural base of humanities and art history classes, including choices from areas such as business, communications, film and digital media, international relations, and the social sciences.

Using the city as a classroom our faculty will guide you through the richly layered experience that is Rome, and help you situate the city in its global context through the ages.

Our international and highly-qualified faculty are all experts in their fields, with degrees from prestigious universities in the US and the world over, and research and creative activity in many different disciplines. Some make frequent appearances on television and radio, where they are called on to give expert commentary and analysis. Others are award-winning film-makers, animators, screenwriters and artists, and others write books, articles and internet blogs that are read and referenced by scholars and commentators all around the world. Using the city as a classroom our faculty will guide you through the richly layered experience that is Rome, and help you situate the city in its global context through the ages.

Spending a semester, academic year or summer studying at the American University of Rome will give you the opportunity to absorb the city’s vibrancy on a genuine, profound level. Through studying in Rome for a semester or year, you will gain insight that simply is unavailable to the tourist or short term visitor. A study abroad experience at AUR will allow you to complete your undergraduate degree on-time, help your resumé and transcript stand out, and allow you to challenge yourself fully academically and personally.

What else does AUR offer?

Accommodations in high quality apartments ensures immersion in the local community
Student-centered focus with a range of clubs, competitive sports and activities
Comprehensive on-site orientation program
“ResGrad” program of peer to peer intercultural and practical mentoring
Vibrant, historic campus in Rome’s most distinctive area, atop the famous Janiculum hill
Current technology, including high speed wireless environment on campus and in student accommodations.
Excursions: vibrant destinations, priced with a student’s economy in mind. Destinations include Capri, Tuscany and Pompeii. The academic departments offer exciting and challenging credit course excursions. Recent examples include: Kosovo (2009) with the International Relations Department; Sicily (2010) with the Italian Studies Department.
Low student: faculty/staff ratios

A culture of student learning and assessment ensures we are constantly looking for ways to provide an even better educational experience for our students. AUR is a member of the Forum on Education Abroad and the College Consortium of International Studies (CCIS) organizations.

Students with the requisite Italian language ability may arrange for part of their study (for credit) at the nearby prestigious Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta, known more popularly as “LUMSA”. LUMSA is perhaps Italy’s most prestigious private liberal arts university and students may select from a broad array of courses in art history, communication, international relations, business and, of course, Italian language, culture and literature. LUMSA students also study at AUR adding yet an additional layer to the cross cultural nature of the AUR campus. Read more about course exchange opportunity between The American University of Rome and LUMSA in our current catalog.

How Do I Get Started?

Contact your University’s Study Abroad Office and tell them you would like to spend a semester with us…

...or click here and contact us directly.

Preparing to Go Abroad

The key to a successful study abroad experience is preparation and an open mind because no amount of preparation will be enough! For example, brush up on some elementary Italian, make sure you have all the prescription medicine you will need- these are all fine forms of preparation. However be prepared that the nature of a study abroad experience is that it is an adventure – academically, politically, socially, artistically, etc. For example, if you have never been to Rome – nothing can prepare you for the traffic.

Here’s a list of resources to help you prepare for your study in Rome experience: