Art, Culture, History in the Eternal City

Rome, Italy

• Dates – June 23–July 20, 2024
• Max Enrollment – 24
• Taught In – English
• Prerequisites – No
• Academic Area – Italian

Program Overview

The classroom, in this hands-on experience, will be Rome, the Eternal City, and nearby archaeological and historical sites where we will study art, culture, and the Roman institutions that have shaped European culture and the world. We will explore landmarks like the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Pantheon, and Roman catacombs. We will also travel to the tombs of the ancient Etruscans in the picturesque medieval town of Tarquinia; the old Roman port of Ostia Antica; the ancient Monastery of Montecassino; and the famous ruins of Pompeii. Our program will spend two nights in Sorrento on the majestic Amalfi coast and conclude at the enchanting Renaissance Villa d’Este with its incredible waterworks. Taught in English. No prerequisites.

Program Contacts

• Program Coordinator – Jasmine Li
• Instructor – Jay Grossi

Program Highlights

• Experience a treasure chest of art, the living tableau of human history, the culinary delights, and the natural wonders mountains, seas, and sunny beaches in Rome.
• Visit Roman, Etruscan, Jewish, and Greek sites and ruins in just four weeks.
• Eat delicious pasta, pizza, and gelato!
• Visit the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona and marvel at the beauty of their Roman and Baroque architecture.
• Explore the Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, and the Colosseum and imagine the areas as they were in the days of the Roman Empire.  
• Two days on the Amalfi Coast exploring the archeological park of Pompeii and the Greek city of Naples.
• Explore the beautifully painted Etruscan tombs in the quaint medieval town of Tarquinia.

What Students Are Saying

• “This program really taught me to be comfortable in new places with new people, as well as be okay with traveling. It also gave me two courses in my minor.”
• “I met my goal of traveling abroad and getting to know another county's culture, even if it was for a short time.”
• “Everywhere we visited had high educational value.”
• “Jay knows the city as much as a local. He’s passionate about what he teaches.”
• “The instructor kept us on our feet and did his best to make sure we were learning, but also having fun. He’s very knowledgeable on Rome and the subjects we studied.”