Top 5 Reasons to Study in Rome

This article is sponsored by John Cabot University.

Your university years should be more than an opportunity for intellectual exploration. Choosing to study in Rome, Italy, will allow you the unique opportunity to become part of a city that is not only a modern European capital grounded in rich cultural traditions, but is also an incredible living museum with thousands of years of history to explore.

1. Explore Rome's rich cultural traditions 

Rome is a city unlike any other. The city’s 50+ museums and 900+ churches house world-renowned paintings, frescoes, and sculptures. The cobblestoned streets and majestic piazzas are architectural masterpieces in themselves, and the city is home to no less than 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Rome’s magnificent Colosseum stands as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering, while the Pantheon is considered one of the ancient builders’ greatest achievements. Rome holds some of the world’s most extraordinary artistic masterpieces ever realized, including Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s frescoes in the Vatican Museums and Villa Farnesina.

2. Experience life in a dynamic European capital

Beyond its historical and artistic importance, modern-day Rome is a major European capital with hundreds of embassies, international organizations, governmental agencies, and multinational companies, and serves as a bustling hub for business, politics and research. The city is constantly welcoming foreign dignitaries, international celebrities, groundbreaking scientists, and world-famous businesspeople; creating an inspiring atmosphere for students as they prepare for their futures.

3. Choose from a selection of leading universities 

Rome is home to 24 Italian and international colleges and universities, and its oldest public university, Università la Sapienza, boasts the status of being Europe’s largest university. This enormous student population adds to the city’s energy and creates an exciting atmosphere for university studies, where students find endless possibilities for student associations, academic research, and international exchange.

As an American university in Rome, John Cabot University provides a unique option for students seeking to experience life in Rome while pursuing their undergraduate studies in English. The university’s international student body represents the United States, Italy, and over 70 other countries, and its world-renowned faculty hold degrees from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Fittingly, this international university is located in Trastevere, Rome’s historically international neighborhood located along the Tiber River, where Rome’s immigrant population settled over two millennia ago. Today, Trastevere is a lively central area with an abundance of restaurants, cafés and boutiques.

4. Relish the renowned Roman lifestyle

Rome has something to offer everyone. With its wide variety of designer outlets, department stores and open markets, the city is a paradise for fashion lovers. Those in search of festivals, fairs, and shows will find countless national and international events throughout the city on a daily basis. Food lovers will be in heaven; Roman cuisine is world-famous for a reason, and the city’s many Italian and international restaurants allow customers to experience countless dishes and traditions.

5. Explore the rest of Italy and beyond 

Rome’s location on the Mediterranean in the center of Italy has been strategic for centuries, serving as an important gateway between Europe, Africa and Asia. Using the city’s many train stations, students can easily reach other cities around Italy; Florence, the birthplace of Renaissance art, and Naples, the motherland of pizza, are both less than two hours away. Rome’s two major airports are among the busiest in Europe with innumerable connections daily, making Rome the ideal location for students with a love of travel.

Studying abroad is one of the most important decisions a student can make. The experience is truly life-changing: not only will it change the way that you see the world from which you came, it will also inspire you to think differently about the rest of the world that you have yet to discover. Where better to begin that journey than the Eternal City?