Rome 2023

Rome, Italy : Fall 2023

Imagine living and studying in the most culturally significant western metropolis of the past two millennia. Rome is not only renowned for vestiges of its rich past, but also for its continued influence on modern art and culture, business, fashion, and cuisine. Living in central Rome puts over 2,000 years of history at your doorstep, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Vatican. Be a part of the community, not just a tourist, living in your own Roman apartment or staying with an Italian homestay family, walking the same cobblestone paths as Michelangelo and Caravaggio, while enjoying piazzas and pizzas throughout the city.

Watch a short video of your faculty discussing the courses and the program.

View a Citrus College student made Italy video, featuring Florence and other European locations.

Click here to watch the AIFS Rome video on YouTube.

Program Dates

Depart the Unites States: Thursday, August 31, 2023
Arrive Rome: Friday, September 1, 2023
Depart Rome: Saturday, November 25, 2023

Students from any college or university can participate in our study abroad programs as long as they meet the following eligibility requirements: a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and about 12 units of previous college level course work at an accredited college. First semester students may be accommodated if their campus coordinator approves a progress report. Students must be at least 18-years-old by the program start date.

Affording Study Abroad

Click here to a watch a recording of the scholarship and fundraising meeting.
Click here to view the meeting slides.

Upcoming Meetings+-

For program information and fundraising/scholarship workshops, attend the following meetings. You can also join meetings without registering by clicking on this direct Zoom link.

July 29 Saturday mandatory in person pre-departure meeting at 10 a.m. in CI 159
Financial Aid and Study Abroad Workshop
Click here to watch our recent financial aid and study abroad workshop.
Click here to watch our most recent Rome information meeting recording.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information+-

Financial Aid

Awards and loans are available for the fall 2023 semester through the Citrus College Financial Aid office. After applying and receiving a Citrus student ID number, click here to complete the Financial Aid Request Form.

Scholarship

In order to minimize your reliance on financial aid/loans be sure to budget, plan, fundraise, and apply to as many scholarships as possible.

Review Mt. SAC Study Abroad Advisor Casandra Rubio's scholarship worksheet and make an appointment with your study abroad advisor, writing center, or faculty for scholarship writing assistance.

AIFS Ambassador Scholarship (six are available for Southern California Foothill Consortium college students)

The Gilman scholarship awards Pell Grant eligible students (required) a maximum of $5,000 per program (usually $2,000-$3,000).
Deadline: Thursday, March 9, 2023
Click here to view the Gilman overview presentation slides and a PDF file.

Your college's financial aid page will likely have information about internal and external scholarships. Citrus College's internal scholarships open in the spring and close in May.

Click here to view additional scholarship resources and links in a spreadsheet format.

View the slides from our the Funding Your Study Abroad presentation. (PDF file)

Why Choose this Program?+-

Academics and Eligibility Requirements

This program allows you to study in Rome, Italy while enrolled in Citrus College courses; the courses are UC and/or CSU transferable. The onsite courses are limited to the faculty participating in the program but students may also enroll in Citrus' online education courses. See the brochure for complete course information.

If you are a student veteran, be sure to check in with the Veteran Success Center or contact director Maria Buffo at (626) 852-6457.

Personal

Study abroad is a transformative, life-changing experience that will broaden students understanding of themselves and the world. There are numerous tangible benefits to study abroad alumni including: increased self-confidence, improved GPA, lower unemployment rates, and higher starting salaries.

Check out UC Merced's What Statistics Show about Study Abroad Students page for more information.

Program Costs: What is Included?+-

The AIFS program fee is $8445 (shared apartment with twin beds) or $9595 (homestay twin beds option which includes daily breakfast and five dinners a week) based on an enrollment of 40 or more participants.

See the timeline and fee schedule document for complete details.

Program Deadlines+-

Wednesday, June 7, 2023: $450 enrollment deposit deadline

Friday, July 7, 2023: Entire balance due (financial aid students will pay the majority of fees when they receive their awards/refunds)

Saturday, July 29, 2023: Mandatory orientation

AIFS Refund Policy+-

Email kwinslow@aifs.com and provide withdrawal intent

Withdrawal on or before: Wednesday, June 7, 2023: All fees paid less a $150 processing fee

Withdrawal after Wednesday, June 7, 2023 but on or before Friday, July 7, 2023: All fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student's behalf

Withdrawal after: Friday, July 7, 2023: No refund, and the total program fee is due

Withdrawal once the program has begun: No refund

Please note: any student who is academically withdrawn by their home institution after their application has been processed by AIFS is subject to the standard refund policy.