Italian Language Programs

Italian Immersion and Cultural Studies in the “Eternal City”

At Italiaidea, Study Abroad Italy offers both Semester and Summer Session programs; students may receive US university credit for courses taken through SAI, and may enroll in up to 15 credits per semester, 8 credits per summer session.

Since 1984 Italiaidea, authorized by the Italian Ministry of Education, has offered outstanding courses in Italian language and culture, becoming the foremost language institute in Rome. Today Italiaidea teaches around 1,500 students every year. Located in the heart of ancient Rome near the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, the school draws students from around the world, creating an international environment, while focusing on Italian language and culture. At Italiaidea, SAI offers an immersion program that includes the choice of home-stay housing, an excellent way to encourage your studies in Italian language. Students may also choose to be housed in SAI shared student apartments, in the center of Rome.

Italiaidea offers seven levels of Italian Language study; two elementary levels, two intermediate levels, two advanced levels and one perfection level. Upon arrival each student is tested to establish his/her language level and are precisely placed to reflect their current skills. Each class has a maximum of ten students. The levels of the Italian courses respond to common EU (Quadro Comune di Riferimento Europeo) standards of language proficiency.

Throughout its history Italiaidea has constantly worked to ensure the highest quality of service. In 1985 the school began to teach and courses of Italian study for the Rhode Island School of Design (R.I.S.D.). In 1986 Italiaidea was asked to begin work with Cornell University; and in 1995 British Airways began sending its staff for language training. Since then Italiaidea’s list of clients has grown to include institutions such as Dartmouth College, the Embassies of the United States, France, Spain, Germany and Israel, and religious institutions such as North American College.

Everything’s just a stone’s throw away from Italiaidea: Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline, the Parliament and the Governmental Palace, Piazza del Popolo and Via del Corso. You will encounter a richness of sites, making it difficult to choose how to spend your free time. You will discover that Rome is an open-air theater which never ceases to amaze. It is an incredible city which enchants all with its great panoramas, piazzas, buildings, churches, ruins and museums; a great world capital which continues to maintain an authentic and traditional atmosphere in the peace of its small streets near its splendid piazzas bursting with people and life. Rome is the great mother, Fellini said, who accepts all and where all find what they are looking for.

SAI offers Summer and Semester Programs at Italiaidea. In addition to Italian Language, semester students can also enroll in up to two courses at John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome.