Art, Culture, History in the Eternal City

Rome, Italy

• Dates – June 21–July 18, 2026
• Max Enrollment – 24
• Taught In – English
• Prerequisites – No
• Academic Area – Italian

Program Overview

Your classroom is the Eternal City (Rome) and nearby archaeological and historical sites where we will study art, culture and institutions that have shaped Western culture. We will explore landmarks like the Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon and the Borghese Gallery. We will take trips to picturesque medieval towns like Tarquinia—once a major city of the ancient Etruscans—and the enchanting Renaissance Villa d’Este in Tivoli, with its incredible fountains and gardens. A two-night excursion to Sorrento, between Naples and the Amalfi coast, will allow us to visit the famous Roman city of Pompeii, frozen in time since the eruption of Vesuvius in 79CE. These locations add to the rich tapestry of cultures, cuisines and traditions that you will experience, and that comprise the DNA of Italy. Taught in English. No prerequisites.

Program Contacts

• Program Coordinator – Jasmine Li
• Instructor – Melissa Demos

Program Highlights

• Explore 2000 years of art and human achievements as you explore Rome and other Italian cities.
• Imagine the glories of the Roman Empire as you explore the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon.
• Witness the masterpieces of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Raphael, Caravaggio, Bernini at the Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery.
• Spend two nights in Sorrento and visit Naples and the Roman city of Pompeii, frozen in time since 79CE.
• Enjoy day trips to unique hill-towns like Etruscan Tarquinia, and Tivoli, where you can roam the lush gardens of Renaissance villa.
• You will stay in a vibrant, major European capital and can experience all it has to offer, including pizza, pasta and gelato!

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.”