What year do students go to Rome?
Architecture students generally go in their fourth year, although fifth-year students can go as well. Beginning in 2013, architecture students will go to Rome in their third year. Art and urban studies students typically go as juniors, although urban studies students can also go as seniors, which would be during their last semester at Cornell (urban studies courses are only offered in the spring semester in Rome), and with special permission, art students can go as first semester seniors. Visiting students from other colleges at Cornell or from outside Cornell generally participate as juniors.
What is the Rome curriculum like?
While the disciplinary focus is the same as in Ithaca — on architecture, art, and urban studies — much of the learning happens on-site with Rome as the laboratory for the semester. Courses include: art and architecture history, a fine arts studio, an architecture design studio for majors, and an urban studies studio comprised of a 6-credit neighborhood research workshop. Other electives include: Italian, drawing/mixed media, photography, architecture theory, and Italian history and culture.
Where are classes held?
Classes are held either on-site in the city or at Palazzo Lazzaroni.
What is the facility like?
We rent two floors of a 17th-century palazzo in the historic center of Rome at the Area Sacra di Largo Torre Argentina, minutes from Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. We are continually improving our facility through technology upgrades and new library acquisitions. Students enjoy inspired studio spaces, and the assistance of knowledgeable, accessible, and extraordinary staff.
How big is the program? Who participates?
On average about 55 students participate in the program each semester, with spring semesters typically larger. Most students are from Cornell's College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP), however students from other Cornell colleges and from other colleges and universities regularly participate.
Where do students live?
We have about 10 apartments for students, all close to Palazzo Lazzaroni. The apartments are fully furnished and have kitchens with cooking implements, washers and dryers, and household linens.
Who teaches the courses?
Faculty from each of the three AAP departments reside in Rome for the semester. We also hire an extraordinary group of adjuncts — archaeologists, classics scholars, architecture and art historians — some are Americans living in Italy, others are Europeans.
Do students travel during the semester?
There is an extensive field trip program that usually totals about 17 days during the semester. Cornell and visiting faculty travel with the students and give lectures on site. Generally, students make one weeklong trip and two long-weekend trips to central, northern, and southern Italy, and a number of day trips in and around Rome.
When are the application deadlines for the program?
Cornell students must apply by November 1 of the academic year ahead of the semester of study. Cornell students from other colleges and visiting students may apply by January 30 of the preceding academic year. If space permits, later applications will be reviewed through April 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester.
How much extra does it cost?
The program costs are approximately $4,500 to $5,500 above the usual semester expenses. This includes a $1,800 field trip fee and $1,200 airfare. Tuition is the same as on-campus and the cost for a double room is $4,631 for the fall 2011 semester. Financial aid packages are recalculated and reissued the semester before the student studies in Rome. There are also a number of college scholarships dedicated to students participating in study abroad programs.
How can students prepare for study in Rome?
All students are encouraged to take one to two semesters of Italian before their semester in Rome (particularly urban studies students). Students should note that the Beginning Italian course is only offered on campus during fall semesters. Students can better their historical and cultural understanding of Italy by taking classes in departments such as art and architecture history, classics, Italian (which offers some Italian culture and history courses in English as well as Italian), medieval studies, music, and landscape architecture and history. Students should explore the options that appeal to their interests and help prepare them for study abroad.
Students are also encouraged to continue with their extracurricular activities in Rome (singing, dancing, soccer, etc.). Researching possibilities ahead of time with the assistance of our program coordinator in Rome can be useful.
