Making Rome Feel Like Home With SAI Programs January 27, 2026

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

John Cabot gave me unique perspectives on classes that counted towards my major at my home university. I felt challenged by the course content and work, which inspired me to dig deeper into my education abroad and find valuable information I wouldn't otherwise be exposed to at home.

On-site administration of your program

The SAI on-site staff in Rome were INCREDIBLE. Throughout the program, free experiences were offered to us to explore Rome, get to know each other, and be more immersed in various aspects of the culture. By giving us these experiences and exploring Rome with us, the on-site staff became a true foundation for my time abroad. Their offices were always open for us to go in and say hi or discuss a concern. They sent out timely reminders on various opportunities and tasks. Most importantly - they were very authentic and were clearly motivated to get to know each student - as much or as little as the student preferred. The reason I love SAI so much is because of the on-site staff, their support pre-departure and throughout the semester, and their approach to global awareness and cultural integration.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in an apartment with 6 other girls, surrounded by our Italian neighbors and in the middle of Trastevere. I absolutely loved having a housing experience that was authentic to Italian culture. I got to walk to classes and savored the location of my apartment. The amenities were solid, and even when they weren't, the program provided us with great resources and people to call when something wasn't working right.

On campus - SAI programs and JCU gave us a certain number of free meals at the student cafe, and they always had solid options. I appreciated these free meals and they got me through a good chunk of the semester. Food in Rome was incredible and often cheap - though I'd suggest you buy greens/fruits/veggies/protein while grocery shopping if that's important to you - Roman food is pretty bread/cheese heavy! :)

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It took some time to feel integrated with the local culture, but through SAI experiences and saying yes to any chance I got to immerse myself more in the culture, I ended the semester feeling very integrated and comfortable. Rome is a big city, but exploring it often and creating a routine there made it really feel like home.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We got very detailed briefings on health issues and precautions during SAI's orientation, so I felt well-prepared. Simple healthcare (doctor at school, home visits) was very accessible and I utilized that resource often. I never needed healthcare beyond that, but I did get sick often, so having a free doctor (provided through JCU) was very helpful.

In my experience, Rome was fairly safe - you just have to stay aware. I experienced minor incidents like men asking for my passport information or trying to get me to go somewhere with them - but saying no and walking away normally deters them enough. It's also helpful to be with someone, especially at night. I never had trouble walking alone during the day, though. It's generally a safe place, but there will always be people looking to take advantage of tourists, so just stay aware wherever you go/travel to and make smart decisions!

Rome was the best place for me to be, and I truly believe SAI very effectively met my needs and fulfilled what I was looking for in a study abroad program. Rome is a bustling city with a unique environment and artistic, adventurous locals. That vibe perfectly fit me and I am so grateful I chose Rome!

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

By mostly buying groceries and eating out at restaurants with reasonable prices, I'd say I was able to live on a student's budget kind of easily. Other optional costs like experiences and travel definitely increased how much I spent per week.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The community SAI built through experiences and on-site staff.
• The school environment at JCU and the local friends I met who guided me through the city.
• There was always so much to do - from nightlife, to food/drinks/desserts, to shops.

• More preparation for the school environment - the workload was more time-consuming than I originally expected/was told.
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The Outright Urbanite