What Is It Like to Study Abroad in Rome at an American University?

For many students, studying abroad in Rome begins with the idea of experiencing Italy: walking through historic streets on the way to class, exploring Europe on weekends, learning about a new culture, and living in one of the world's most recognizable cities.

But studying in Rome can offer more than a change of scenery. For students who want to continue their education in an American academic environment while experiencing life in Italy, an American university in Rome can provide a different kind of study abroad experience.

John Cabot University is an American university in the center of Rome where courses are taught in English. Its international community includes 1,882 students from more than 80 countries, bringing together students from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds.

Study in English While Living in Italy

One of the first questions students ask when considering studying abroad is whether they can continue taking university courses in English.

At John Cabot University, courses are taught in English, allowing international and visiting students to pursue their studies without needing to be fluent in Italian before arriving.

At the same time, living in Rome provides opportunities to experience Italian language and culture outside the classroom. Students can learn Italian through everyday interactions, explore different neighborhoods, and become familiar with the routines of daily life in Italy while continuing their academic coursework in English.

For students spending a semester or year abroad, this combination can make it possible to gain an international experience without putting their academic progress on hold.

When Rome Becomes Part of the Classroom

Studying abroad also changes the relationship between academic learning and everyday life.

In Rome, the city itself can become part of a student's education. Students studying art history can encounter works and sites connected to their coursework throughout the city. Those interested in international affairs are living in a European capital with embassies and international institutions. Courses in history, political science, communications, and other disciplines can similarly benefit from the opportunity to study in a city with thousands of years of history.

Field experiences, site visits, internships, and other opportunities can help students connect what they learn in class with the world around them.

Just as importantly, living abroad requires students to adapt to a different cultural environment. Navigating a new city, communicating across cultural differences, and managing everyday life in another country can help develop independence, adaptability, and confidence.

An International Community in the Center of Rome

The international character of the university can be just as important as its location.

John Cabot University has students from more than 80 countries, creating a community where students encounter different perspectives both inside and outside the classroom. Group projects, campus activities, and friendships can introduce students to cultures and experiences beyond their own.

The University also has a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, giving students opportunities for direct interaction with professors in a relatively small academic environment.

For students studying abroad, this can provide a balance between the independence of living in a major European city and the support of a university community.

An American Academic Framework in Europe

For students studying abroad, the academic structure matters as much as the destination.

John Cabot University offers an American liberal arts education, with 16 degree programs and 25 minors. Students can explore subjects across disciplines while developing skills such as critical thinking, communication, research, and collaboration.

The University is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), while its business programs are accredited by AACSB.

For students who need to transfer credits back to a home institution, academic planning is an important part of choosing a study abroad program. Students should always confirm transfer requirements with their home university before enrolling, but studying within an American university framework can provide a familiar academic structure while offering the experience of living abroad.

More Than a Semester Abroad

It is easy to think about studying in Rome simply as an opportunity to spend a few months in Italy. But living abroad can influence how students see their education and the world around them.

Students are not only taking classes in another country; they are learning to navigate a different culture, meeting people from around the world, and connecting academic subjects with real-world experiences.

For students looking for a study abroad destination, Rome offers history, culture, and the experience of living in Italy. Studying at an American university in the center of the city adds another dimension: the opportunity to earn credits toward a degree, study in English, and become part of an international community while making Rome part of everyday university life.