Information for term Italian Language & Culture
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenFew experiences rival the opportunity to study abroad in Rome. Nowhere else can students step between thousands of years of art, history, and rich layers of contemporary Italian culture, surrounded by world-famous churches, monuments, and museums.
Each day after language classes, you’ll head out on the town and speak Italian independently in shops and markets throughout the city. Living with a local homestay, you’ll practice your Italian as you prepare and share meals, shop at local markets, learn local customs, and enjoy everyday life – and gelato! By the end of your stay, your proficiency will have grown by leaps and bounds.
CIEE Gap Year Abroad programs are focused on supporting participants in acquiring knowledge and developing skills to live in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. In addition to developing your language skills and gaining a better understanding of the local culture, you will take part in our Global Competence Course. This online course will allow you to connect and collaborate in real-time with our entire cohort of Gap participants worldwide, through interactive workshops and discussions. Reflect on your own cultural biases, share insights about your experience and learn about topics ranging from cultural identity and leadership styles to how to work and live sustainably or develop communication skills.
With the Vatican Museums in your neighborhood and Rome as your classroom, you’ll be completely immersed in the city’s dazzling culture. Make the most of this amazing opportunity!
The Take-Aways
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LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
15-20 hours per week of Italian language learning designed to improve real-world language skills.
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GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
uild a strong foundation in the core components of intercultural learning. Come home with an improved sense of self and awareness of what shapes others.
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CERTIFICATE
Earn a Certificate of Learning in Italian, and documented language growth through pre- and post-program testing.
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of alumni said their language skills improved
96% -
said they learned to interact with different cultural backgrounds
94% -
said their level of independence increased
89%
Location & Culture
Click to Open


The Destination
With a history spanning 3,000 years, Rome is one of the most culturally rich cities in the world.
Ancient statues adorn museums housing priceless paintings and archaeological treasures. On this program you’ll visit major landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Ceiling, and charming piazzas. The Vatican Museums contain enough valuables to keep you busy for days.
During guided tours and onsite workshops and activities you’ll discover historical monuments, architectural icons and artistic masterpieces spanning antiquity, the Renaissance, Baroque and more modern periods.
What else can you do in Rome? Stroll through medieval piazzas, view Renaissance paintings, and catch up with the latest fashion by window shopping. Eat gelato! People-watch in busy cafes, grab a plate of pasta or pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice), and live your gap experience with gusto!
Daily Life
Click to OpenDaily Life
A succesful Gap experience achieves the right balance between structured language instruction, practice in the community and cultural activties to be fully immersed in the local culture.
Here's how a typical week goes on a CIEE Gap Language & Culture program:
- 15-20 hours of interactive language learning at a language school
- 1 hour of the CIEE Global Competence Course (online with our global gap community)
- 2 cultural activities
- Free time to explore and have fun!
Weekends are for group excursions (two per 6-week block) or personal travel and exploration.
*If Covid-19 homestay requirements cannot be met participants will be placed in a CIEE-vetted dormitory or apartment. Confirmation will be communicated to participants in advance.
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Local CIEE Center staff available 24/7
Activities
Click to OpenSample Activities
- Climb to the top of St. Peter’s dome.
- View the Colosseum, Vatican, Spanish Steps and other iconic sites in Rome.
- Take a cooking class in the world’s gastronomical capital.
- Learn how gelato is made in one of Roman most famous ""gelateria"" and then taste plenty!
- Bike around the famous Villa Borghese park on a pedal-powered treasure hunt.
- Stretch your vocal cords in an Italian singing workshop.
- Picnic at the 17th century Villa Pamphili and play soccer on its vast public green.

Sample Day Trips
Take a day trip to the hills of Tivoli, home to two Unesco World Heritage Sites with grand Renaissance villas and gardens. This beautiful and peaceful refuse for Romans provides participants with a unique contrast to Roman everyday life.
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when revising itineraries is always to enhance your experience. Every activity is designed to provide you with a deep immersion in your topic, local culture and sights. Get ready for maximum fun!
Eligibility & Fees
Click to OpenEligibility & Fees
Eligibility
- High school graduates in good academic standing.
- Students must demonstrate, through the application and interview process, flexibility and maturity.
- Students must be 18 years or older at the time of their departure.
- No previous language experience required.
Fees
$50
Apply for one or two 6-week blocks. Combining blocks in two different locations is not yet available.
Program fee includes iNext travel insurance. Full inclusions are found online.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
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Fall Block I 2021 6 weeks | Jul 5, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Sep 25, 2021 |
$5,450 |
Fall Blocks I, II 2021 12 weeks | Jul 5, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Nov 6, 2021 |
$10,900 |
Fall Blocks I, II, III 2021 18 weeks | Jul 5, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Dec 18, 2021 |
$16,350 |
Fall Block II 2021 6 weeks | Aug 16, 2021 | Sep 27, 2021 | Nov 6, 2021 |
$5,450 |
Fall Blocks II, III 2021 12 weeks | Aug 16, 2021 | Sep 27, 2021 | Dec 18, 2021 |
$10,900 |
Fall Block III 2021 6 weeks | Sep 27, 2021 | Nov 8, 2021 | Dec 18, 2021 |
$5,450 |
Spring Block I 2022 6 weeks | Nov 22, 2021 | Jan 4, 2022* | Feb 13, 2022* |
$5,450 |
Spring Blocks I, II 2022 12 weeks | Nov 22, 2021 | Jan 4, 2022* | Mar 27, 2022* |
$10,900 |
Spring Blocks I, II, III 2022 18 weeks | Nov 22, 2021 | Jan 4, 2022* | May 8, 2022* |
$16,350 |
Spring Block II 2022 6 weeks | Jan 3, 2022 | Feb 15, 2022* | Mar 27, 2022* |
$5,450 |
Spring Blocks II, III 2022 12 weeks | Jan 3, 2022 | Feb 15, 2022* | May 8, 2022* |
$10,900 |
Spring Block III 2022 6 weeks | Feb 14, 2022 | Mar 29, 2022* | May 8, 2022* |
$5,450 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.