rome-victor-emmanuel-monument-night
Rome, Italy

Architecture & Culture

Arts & Culture

Dates

-

3 weeks

Highlights

3-D model

Daily activities and excursions

Design workshops

Hostel/hotel

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

3 weeks

Highlights

3-D model

Daily activities and excursions

Design workshops

Hostel/hotel

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Overview
What makes a city timeless? Discover the secrets of Roman design and bring your own creative ideas to life.

There’s no better place to explore architecture than Rome, an open-air museum where the streets reveal 2,000 years of design breakthroughs. In this hands-on program, you’ll dive into the world of architecture and urban design with fellow Global Navigators by your side, sketching on site, observing how people interact with their environments, and bringing your own creative ideas to life.

In class and on walking tours, you’ll learn how Rome’s signature features and architecture technology revolutionized Western architecture. Visit landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon, study key design principles, and meet local architects and historians. Your learning will culminate in an original 3-D design project inspired by Rome, presented in a gallery open to peers and local professionals.

Outside class, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, wander cobblestone alleys in Trastevere, and devour fresh pasta, pizza, and gelato. Take a day trip to Florence to see Renaissance masterpieces up close, and explore the stunning gardens and villas of Tivoli. Your summer in Rome will be filled with unforgettable experiences, new friendships, and creative inspiration that's bound to shape your future.

A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future

Explore

Have fun discovering Rome through the eyes of an architect and historian.

Network

Meet new friends and designers. Build your own community.

Get Inspired

Launch your future today! Get inspired by centuries of architeture and design. Train your eye and develop the skills and experience you need to kickstart a career in architecture or design.

Destination
  • rome-italy-aerial-shot.jpg
  • rome group in front of mural
  • High school students at a museum in Rome, Italy

The Destination

Rome isn’t just a great place to study architecture—it’s the place.

Once the heart of a global empire, it reshaped how cities were built, creating massive public spaces where people gathered to debate, bathe, celebrate, and connect, as well as innovations to design staples like the dome, the vault, and concrete. Today, those ancient ideas still shape the way the city moves, flows, and lives.

When class is out, the real adventure begins. Cruise the Tiber at golden hour, master handmade pasta in a Roman kitchen, and strike a pose in the neon dreamscape of the IKONO museum. Ride rollercoasters at Cinecittà World, then spend the evening in a moonlit piazza surrounded by music, fountains, and friends.

Wander through vintage markets in Monti, sip mind-blowing espresso, and people-watch world-travelers and Romans alike. Whether you're exploring a hidden courtyard or dancing to street music after dark, Rome makes everyday moments feel cinematic. It's bold, beautiful, and unforgettable—the kind of place that turns curiosity into passion, and brings memories that cement lasting friendships.

Cultural Awareness

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.

 

Social feed above may feature posts from all CIEE Study Abroad programs, including college programs.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Monday–Friday  

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places.  

  • Breakfast
  • Hands-on classes with expert instructors and writers
  • Lunch with your fellow Global Navigators   
  • Out and about for a cultural activity or workshop   
  • Dinner at restaurants

Weekends  

  • Overnight or day excursions to top sites
  • Quality time with friends

Housing

Hostel/hotel

Activities
rome day trip study abroad ciee

Sample Activities

  • Visit the museums of Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, and stand beneath Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling—featuring The Creation of Adam—surrounded by centuries of priceless art and jaw-dropping architectural treasures.
  • Team up with other Global Navigators on a scavenger hunt through baroque Rome! Navigate iconic sites like Piazza Navona and the Pantheon as you sharpen your observation and spatial reasoning skills.
  • Guided by an instructor, sketch architectural features in one of Rome’s most charming historic neighborhoods, focusing on façades, arches, and cobblestone streets.
  • Explore the ancient Roman technique of mosaic-making with a local artisan and create your own small design to take home.
  • Take a daytrip to Tivoli to visit Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa), an expansive Roman imperial complex showcasing innovative engineering and architectural planning, followed by Villa d’Este, a masterpiece of Renaissance landscape design known for its terraced gardens and dramatic fountains.
Testimonials
From CIEE

Un Giorno a Tivoli

By Michelle Searle at CIEE

Our first Saturday in Italy was spent exploring a city older than Rome itself: Tivoli! This town was established in 338 BC and is home to about 55,000 people. How... keep reading

From CIEE

8 Reasons to Study Art in High School on a Summer Abroad Program

By High School Summer Abroad at CIEE

Studying art is all about developing your creativity and seeing the world in new ways. Did you know you can take your passion abroad and study art in another country... keep reading

From CIEE

How Can I Help My Teen Pick a Study Abroad Program?

By High School Summer Abroad at CIEE

Is your teen thinking about studying abroad? That’s super exciting! Choosing the right program, however, can feel overwhelming—especially if your teen is having a hard time deciding where they want... keep reading

Eligibility

Eligibility

Eligibility 

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above.
  • Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.  
  • For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Application Fee  

$25  

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.     

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations, or contact us

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Program Summer Session I 2026 3 weeks Start Date End Date
Program Summer Session II 2026 3 weeks Start Date End Date

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Ready to change your life?

What's Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Staff

Our Staff

Francesca Cuccovillo

Center Director

Francesca has over a decade of expertise in the field of international higher education, having held various roles encompassing admissions, recruitment, student affairs, and academic advising. Notably, she dedicated seven...

Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're on step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect with your Teachers or Parents

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about enrolling.

Request Info