Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Combine an American liberal arts education with the history and cultural heritage of Rome and you’ll find yourself at John Cabot University. This program offers you a direct-enrollment option at an American-style University in Rome, Italy. John Cabot University (JCU), founded in 1972, is an independent, four-year liberal arts university offering undergraduate degrees and study abroad programs to English-speaking students from all over the world. At JCU you will learn in small classes from professors who encourage dialogue and use the city of Rome as a learning laboratory.
You will be able to choose from a wide variety of courses from business to humanities to social sciences and Italian language. You will also have opportunities for internships at multinational companies, international organizations, NGOs, consulates, government offices, and museums, as well as opportunities for study and travel within, and beyond Italy's borders.
Not sure where Rome is? See it on a map here.
The JCU campus is located in one of Rome's most beautiful districts, Trastevere. Taken from a Latin phrase meaning "across the Tiber," the name refers to Trastevere's location on the west bank of the city's river. Historically a center for artisans, immigrants, as well as the rich and famous (Julius Cesar had a villa here), Trastevere retains its bohemian appeal. Stucco buildings and homes dating from the 16th century drip with ivy, their rose, terracotta and ochre colors bleached by the Roman sun. Cobblestones line the winding streets. Laundry and flower-filled window boxes hang above the district's narrow alleys.
The piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere serves as the center of the neighborhood's social life. At night the lit facade of the Basilica di Santa Maria (built in the 4th century, Santa Maria is the oldest church in Rome) illuminates the square with its cafes, shops, restaurants, and crowds of people walking after their evening meals. Trastevere is also the home of the famous Porta Portese Flea Market, wonderful fruit and vegetable markets, and Gianicolo, the second-tallest hill in Rome, which serves up breathtaking views of the city's domes, towers, and ancient monuments.
Rome, the historic capital of Italy and the country's most populated city (2.8 million), has a history that spans over two thousand years. Rome is often referred to as "The Eternal City," a notion expressed by ancient Roman poets and writers. Monuments and museums, such as the Vatican and the Colosseum, are among the city's most visited tourist destinations receiving millions of tourists a year.
Getting to Your Program
You are responsible for arranging round-trip transportation to Rome.
Visa
SummerU.S. citizens studying in Italy for the summer session do not need a visa. U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. If you are not a US citizen, contact your Study Abroad Advisor for guidance.Semester/Academic YearAn Italian student visa is required for U.S. citizens studying for a semester or academic year. You will receive instructions from IAP on the student visa process. U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. If you are not a US citizen, contact your Study Abroad Advisor for guidance.You are advised NOT to leave the U.S. for any international travel up to three months before the program begins as your passport must be turned over to the consulate for visa processing. If you must be out of the country more than a couple of days prior to the program start date, there is no guarantee that the consulate will process the visa in time for your departure.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
Each semester JCU hosts students from the United States, Italy, and 50 other countries from around the world. Orientation is a fundamental and highly beneficial step towards a smooth transition into the University and to Rome. You will be welcomed by Student Affairs Staff and Student Ambassadors who guide you through the Orientation process and integrate you into the JCU community.
You will attend a series of mandatory workshops, and will have the option of participating in tours of JCU, guided tours of Rome, and of attending numerous events sponsored by the University and the Roman community.
Housing
John Cabot arranges housing in shared apartments (generally two to six students who are your classmates and peers). Living in JCU Housing will give you a better understanding of
urban Italian life. JCU offers two main housing options:
Gianicolo Residence or the Viale Trastevere Apartments. Semester and academic year students will apply for and pay for housing directly to John Cabot. During the summer, all students apply for the Gianicolo Residence and the cost of housing is included in IAP program fees.
Apartments vary in design and aesthetics, but all provide a bedroom, shared bathroom and fully-equipped kitchen (to Italian standards, including a washing machine, but no dryer or dishwasher). The apartments do include furnishings including basic kitchen supplies, bed linens, washing machine and bath towels. You are encouraged to integrate and experience your Italian neighborhood and community which are close to the academic buildings of JCU's campuses but are set a bit apart in a more residential environment. For more information on JCU housing, consult their
website.
It is important to note that the apartments and various living accommodations vary greatly from building to building and from room to room. You should not base your expectations on reports from former students regarding uniformity of apartment and room sizes, furnishings, or extra amenities.
All students in JCU Housing are assigned Resident Assistants who are available to help you in your residential life experience while at JCU. Resident Assistants live in the Gianicolo Residence and the Viale Trastevere Apartments. During the semesters when Off Residence Apartments are contracted, each apartment will be assigned to a Resident Assistant who will be sure to stay in contact with you and help you to get to know your neighborhood. Resident Assistants are available to answer questions, organize events and generally assist in adjusting to Roman life.
JCU also provides a meal plan that can be used at the Tiber Cafe in the Tiber Student Center. Participating students are issued vouchers that can be used for a full meal at lunch time.
Excursions and Activities
John Cabot University takes full advantage of its location in one of the world's most culturally rich cities. In addition to hosting a wide variety of cultural and social events on campus, the University provides students with opportunities to appreciate all that the Eternal City has to offer.
Some examples:
- Discounted tickets to operas, theater performances and concerts throughout the city
- Cooking classes conducted by a professional chef
- Trips to destinations such as Pompeii, Florence, Siena, Naples, and Capri
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
JCU Life Roman Style (Spring - 2012-13)
JCU Summer Academic Notes (Summer - 2012-13)
John Cabot University Pre-Departure Info (Summer - 2012-13)
JCU Summer Academic Notes (Summer - 2012-13)
John Cabot University Pre-Departure Info (Summer - 2012-13)
JCU Summer Academic Notes (Summer - 2012-13)
John Cabot University Pre-Departure Info (Summer - 2012-13)
JCU Semester Academic Notes (Fall - 2013-14)
John Cabot University Pre-Departure Info (Fall - 2013-14)
JCU Semester Academic Notes (Year - 2013-14)
John Cabot University Pre-Departure Info (Year - 2013-14)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
Student Profiles
Check out student profiles to learn more about their experience abroad.
Rose D'Orazio
Student Testimonials
"Rome is amazing. I have been here for such a little amount of time and I already have no idea how I am going to come back to the states. The University is amazing. A completely different experience than that at Madison (ie. small classes, only two buildings, classes on site) but it is something I am already loving. The food is delicious and you could wander around for hours upon days upon weeks and still not see everything Rome has to offer. I highly recommend studying abroad and even more so recommend studying at John Cabot. You will not regret it."
Blogs
Read about current & past students' adventures.
Drew-Spring 2012Hannah-Spring 2012Chelsea-Spring 2013
John Cabot University, with a student population averaging around 1000 students, offers small classes (generally about 15 students per class) at two different campuses: Tiber Campus and Guarini Campus. Both campuses are located along the banks of the Tiber River in the historic center of Rome.
Courses are taken with JCU degree-seeking students from 55 different countries, as well as other visiting U.S. students from American universities. Courses are taught in English with the exception of Italian and other foreign language courses. There are over 100 faculty members who hold PhD, JD, and MFA degrees from universities around the world.
John Cabot offers a wide variety of course options. The subjects range from Art History to Business to International Studies to Political Science. Many of the courses also incorporate historic locations in Rome into the curriculum or may include study trips throughout Italy. You also have the option of completing internships for academic credit.
You are required to take 12-17 credits during the semester. There is an additional fee for any credit load over 17 credits. For the summer session, you are required to take two courses per session.
Affiliate Institution(s)
John Cabot University
Foreign Courses
Course Schedules and Syllabi
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
