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sunny day roman ruins
Rome, Italy

Italian Language & Culture

Summer '25 Applications Open

Language & Culture

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

$7,450

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

$7,450

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Overview

Strengthen your Italian skills surrounded by 3,000 years of history. 

Embark on four weeks of language immersion in the colossal capital of Italy. After language classes, practice your new skills conversing with local teens at markets, shops, and the lively piazzas that dot the city. Step back in time at ancient and iconic sites, like the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, and the Vatican. Marvel at Renaissance masterpieces, like the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms, and gain a deeper understanding of Italy’s vital artistic contributions to the world. 

At your homestay, grow your Italian language and culture savvy while cooking and sharing authentic Italian meals with your host family. On excursions, venture to ancient Tivoli, a hill-top town with stunning Italian gardens, and visit the excavations of Pompeii, a once bustling southern city that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. In and out of Rome, you’ll not only grow your Italian but also experience the extraordinary art, vast history, and irresistible flavors of southern Europe.

The Take-Aways

Language Growth and Cultural Competence

Come home with a higher level of Italian and a greater understanding of Italian culture. Use your STAMP 4S language proficiency pre- and post-test scores to demonstrate your language growth and help you earn a Seal of Biliteracy. 

College Credits

Choose to earn 4 college credits toward your future college degree. Take advantage of the credits to stand out on your college applications or to satisfy college language requirements.

Lifelong Skills and Friendships

Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and adaptability. Enjoy a broader worldview and diverse friendships of different backgrounds from across the U.S. 

60

hours of instruction with a native Italian teacher

4

College Credits

1

Life-changing Experience

Destination
  • High school students at a museum in Rome, Italy
  • downtown rome spanish steps fountain
  • High school students making CIEE with their arms by a waterfall in Rome

The Destination

Welcome to Rome, a symbol of Italy’s cultural riches, architecture, and influence on the world.

Few experiences rival spending a summer abroad in Rome. Located in the center of the Italian "boot,” Rome was once the capital of the influential Roman republic and empire, shaping the Western world as we know it. Its nickname is la città eterna (the Eternal city) because civilizations have lived here for thousands of years. Ancient Romans also believed that—no matter what happened to the world—this city would live on forever. 

Rome is as majestic as you’d imagine. Historic and archeological landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon stand alongside bustling cafés and delicious trattorias (traditional restaurants). While roaming its cobbled streets and traversing its elegant piazzas (squares), popular street food like pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) and supplì (fried rice mozzarella ball) invite you to have a taste. For dessert, creamy gelato awaits at colorful gelaterias. As you explore vivid and ancient Rome, you’ll be inspired by a lively culture and a city that is truly an eternal work of art.

Cultural Awareness

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Rome.

Itinerary

Daily Life

Monday–Friday  

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places.  

  • Breakfast at your homestay  
  • Engaging Italian classes with expert language instructors, all native-speakers   
  • Lunch in the community with your fellow Global Navigators  
  • Out and about for authentic conversations in the community and a cultural activity   
  • Dinner and evening discussions at your homestay  

Weekends   

  • Overnight or day excursions to top sites  
  • Quality time with friends and your host family 

Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program. 

Housing

Carefully-screened Homestay

24/7 Support

1 Program Leader for every 12 students and support from local staff

Weekly Learning Goals

In CIEE classes, Level 1 is for students acquiring basic Italian, Level 2 is for those who can carry on everyday conversations, and Level 3 is for those who can participate in discussions on social and academic topics. In the spring before you depart, you’ll take a language proficiency test and when you arrive on site, you’ll participate in an oral interview. How you do on the test and in the interview will identify the level that is right for you.  

WEEK 1: Settle in and meet your classmates as you explore the Identity Theme. Ask and answer questions, give information, describe your favorite things and your family at home and in Italy. For your Project, create and present a Personal Profile.  

WEEK 2: Take in the local scene as you explore the Community Theme. Describe places, attractions, and events in Rome. Tell what you want to buy in shops, and express your likes and dislikes in food and fashion. For your Project, create a Photo Gallery of Life in Rome and share it in a conversation.     

WEEK 3: Continue improving your Italian as you delve into the Discovery Theme and, for your Project, create and present a Travel Flyer for a destination in Italy. Give and follow directions, give details of a trip itinerary day-by-day, and describe the destination, the weather, and what to do there.   

WEEK 4: Consider the impact of your summer in this week’s Personal Growth Theme. Tell what you experienced in Italy, make cultural comparisons, and participate in study abroad interviews. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.  

WEEK 1: Settle in and meet your classmates as you explore the Discovery Theme. Ask about and describe family members, discover and describe exciting things to do in Rome, and compare daily routines and customs in Italy and the USA. For your Project, create and present a Memory Book of Your Life in Rome.  

WEEK 2: Explore Italian culture during this week’s Creativity Theme. Compare musical performances, express opinions on art, tell what happened in movies, and persuade a classmate to attend a cultural event. For your Project, create a Photo Gallery on Italian Culture and share it in a conversation.     

WEEK 3: Delve into Rome in this week’s Community Theme. For your Project, create and present a Neighborhood Tour in Rome. Describe the city and what happens there. Role play scenes in a market and restaurant. Report on Rome’s past and future.  

WEEK 4: Consider the impact of your summer during the Personal Growth Theme. Tell what happened in memorable moments and how you felt about it. Make cultural comparisons and persuade a friend to study abroad. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.    

WEEK 1: Settle in and meet your classmates during the Cultural Encounters Theme. Tell what happened on a first encounter abroad. Summarize past and current events in Rome. Express your opinions as you compare cultural norms and stereotypes. For your Project, create and present a Field Report on Rome.     

WEEK 2: Explore Italian culture in this week’s Creativity Theme. Describe street art and profile artists, express opinions on magazines and movies, and compare musical performances. For your Project, create an Arts & Culture Magazine and share it in a conversation.     

WEEK 3: Continue advancing your Italian as you delve into the Discovery Theme. For your Project, create and present an Awareness Campaign about a global threat. Give information on its causes and effects, explain solutions, and persuade others in debates, justifying your arguments.   

WEEK 4: Consider the impact of your summer in this week’s Personal Growth Theme. Conduct a class survey on experiences in Italy and make cultural comparisons. Tell an original story about a memorable moment and speculate on what’s next for you. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.    

Activities

Sample Activities

High school students looking out on interior of colosseum in Rome

Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!

  • Picnic at the 17th-century Villa Borghese, one of Rome’s largest parks, and play soccer on its open and vast green areas.
  • Practice the steps of traditional tarantella, a fun, folkloric Italian dance that originated in the Middle Ages.   
  • Take to the hills of Tivoli, a retreat for Romans since 1215 B.C., and visit the enchanting Villa d'Este.
  • Satisfy your sweet tooth at Fassi, Rome’s oldest and most famous gelateria, founded in 1880. Discover how gelato is made and indulge in your favorite flavor.  
  • In Pompeii, explore the archeological site, imagining what the city was like before it was engulfed by hot lava from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.  

Testimonials

What Students Are Saying

  • “I really enjoyed my time in Italy. I feel that meeting new people and spending every second of your time with the new friends you make is a really great!” 

    Nathen O., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

  • “I loved to be with my host family, especially during dinner because I got to talk Italian with them and learn about their lives and culture. I loved my host family's restaurant too. Their food was the greatest!” 

    Fatima J., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

  • "My most memorable experiences were being able to hang out with local teenagers and get to know what their life is like in Rome.” 

    Katherine S., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

  • “I didn’t just learn a language. I learned more about myself and what I can accomplish as an individual! Even more, I had the opportunity to experience Italian culture for a whole month.” 

    Shannon K., CIEE Global Navigator Alum

Castel Sant'Angelo
From CIEE

Our intriguing visit to Castel Sant'Angelo

By Francesca Panza at CIEE

Today we got to now the fascinating story of Castel Sant'Angelo. We entered and were easily amazed by the aura that the building emanated: at first its wide and gloomy... keep reading

Vatican Gardens
From CIEE

The Vatican Gardens and the Sistine Chapel all in one morning!

By Francesca Panza at CIEE

Entering the Vatican Gardens wasn't as difficult as imagined: there was a long line but it was a matter of a few seconds and we were inside, with our tickets... keep reading

Group picture
From CIEE

Un Giorno a Tivoli

By Michelle Searle at CIEE

Our first Saturday in Italy was spent exploring a city older than Rome itself: Tivoli! This town was established in 338 BC and is home to about 55,000 people. How... keep reading

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above.
  • Program open to all current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors —of all Italian language proficiency levels. 
  • For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page. 

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Application Fee

$25 

Optional College Credit Fee

$150 

Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs
Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $7,450
Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $7,450

Ready to change your life?

Enroll Today or Contact Us

What’s Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Staff

Our Staff

Dr. Giulia Bottero

Dr. Giulia Bottero

Academic Director

Giulia Bottero is the Academic Director and an Italian language instructor for CIEE Rome.

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