Start Abroad in Rome FAQs

Students will earn 13-16 credits which will return to UM as transfer credits. For more information on earning credits before enrolling at the University of Miami please visit the “May I take college courses before I enroll at Miami?” tab of the Spring Start Admitted Students page here.

Start Abroad in Rome students are required to enroll in the following class (subject to change):

• Elementary Italian I
  • AUR Course: ITL 101
  • No previous experience with the language is needed.

• Students can select 3 or 4 additional courses from American University of Rome’s course offerings. All courses will return to UM as transfer credits. Upon returning to campus, transfer credit courses successfully completed with a grade equivalent of a “C” or higher while in the Start Abroad in Rome program will appear on students’ University of Miami academic records as transfer credit, but will not be calculated into their UM grade point average.

For more information on courses offered at AUR, please see the AUR Course Offerings & Syllabi. Courses offered in Fall 2024 are subject to change.

If admitted, students will receive information about registration and academic advisors from the Study Abroad office before they register for classes at AUR. Students will be in contact with their UM academic advisor throughout the summer to select courses most compatible with their major or interests.

Suggested coursework specific to each UM School or College to prepare for transfer can be found here.

The American University of Rome uses the American grading system, meaning that grades will look similar to those earned in the US.

All courses will be taught by AUR professors. All instruction is in English, with the exception of Elementary Italian.

The overall environment is generally similar to that of a US college classroom. Faculty and students often have a friendly working relationship when expectations are met on both ends. Classes will be taken with other Start Abroad in Rome students as well as other AUR students. Participation is valued, and required, in most classes.

All Start Abroad in Rome students will live in AUR university furnished apartments located about 25 minutes from AUR. These traditional Roman apartments have access to Wi-Fi and a PC. Each apartment is equipped with basic furnishings and supplies, including one single bed per student, bed linens and towels, closet/clothing storage space, typical basic Italian cookware and kitchenware, a table and chairs and furnished sitting area. Each student is expected to provide his/her/their own paper and cleaning products as well as replace light bulbs. All units are provided with a washing machine.

Each apartment will have 2-3 rooms and 3-4 students will be assigned per room. Typically, there are 4-6 students living in each apartment. 

Students will be housed with at least one Start Abroad in Rome student (subject to change based on the program’s gender balance). Apartments are same-sex.

An AUR resident advisor (RA) will be assigned to the Start Abroad in Rome group. The RA may share an apartment with Start Abroad in Rome students.

Students can request one roommate in the AUR housing application, which will be shared by the Study Abroad Office once admitted. AUR will do their best to acknowledge all roommate requests; however, roommate requests are not guaranteed. Students will only be able to request one student who they would like to room with. Students will not be able to make requests to fill the entire apartment.

AUR continues to strongly recommend that all students arrive in Italy having completed their full vaccination cycle, including booster. As of June 1, 2022 a Green Pass (Covid-19 Green Certification) or equivalent certificate is no longer needed to enter Italy. This information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date entry requirements, please visit it.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information and AUR’s Covid-19 Information and Updates for Students and Parents.

Health insurance is required as part of the visa application process and will be provided by the University of Miami.

If you prefer more comprehensive insurance coverage, please contact your insurance carrier for information and options on coverage abroad.

AUR takes security seriously and has many precautions in place. The university is in frequent contact with both Italian law enforcement and Rome-based U.S. consular authorities, including the U.S. regional security officer. Any plan of program closure or evacuation would be in response to specific recommendation from the above authorities. AUR will be able to rapidly disseminate information to the AUR community and study-abroad programs in the event of an emergency or important political developments in Italy or the world.

The university maintains several security precautions to ensure the highest level of safety for its community, including:

• Guard surveillance
• 24-hour camera surveillance of the university premises and perimeter and a daily review of the tapes
• Personalized ID cards to allow admission to the university premise. (Security personnel escort visitors to their destination)
• An emergency number that is ready to help in emergency situations outside normal campus hours during semesters
• Mail handling procedures, including the capacity to screen packages for explosives in conformity with professional recommendations
• Fire or premises evacuation plans
• Fire extinguishers and safety equipment
• Additional security measures that are not readily visible

The review of safety procedures regarding campus security, mail handling, and other matters is continuous and involves ongoing consultation with both government and private security professionals.

A Medical Doctor is available on campus to visit students. There is no additional cost for this service.

The American University of Rome provides its students with free, confidential psychological services. 

In the event of student illness or injury, the AUR staff is available to assist the student in obtaining appropriate medical care via the emergency phone. In such an event, the Dean of Students advises the home university or sending study abroad office. Parents and guardians and, within legal constraints, the emergency contact will be advised. Additional assistance is provided in the event of a medical evacuation. For non-emergency situations AUR’s Student Life Office can be consulted during normal business hours.

Remember that your student is expected to attend classes and will need to manage their time on their own. There is a fall semester break with no classes that is an ideal time for a visit from family. Fall break dates will be confirmed in the admission packet. Please note that family members are not permitted to stay in the AUR student apartments, and should make other arrangements.

In order to receive a visa, students should plan international travels before May 31. Students must surrender their passport to the University of Miami by May 31. Should students wish to travel internationally in June or July, they will not be able to participate in the Start Abroad in Rome program.

Once your student is accepted, the Study Abroad Office will provide additional information on how to pay tuition and program fees. If you will be paying your student’s tuition and program fees, your student will need to make you a proxy on the University’s online system, CaneLink. More information on authorizing a parent proxy can be found here. 

If you will be paying your student’s housing costs in Rome, that will be paid directly to the American University of Rome (AUR).

Payment instructions for tuition, the program fee, and AUR housing will be in the finances section of the admission packet and detailed instructions will be provided by the Study Abroad Office.

All UM billing and payment questions can be answered by UM’s Cane’s Central team. You can find additional information on this department and how to contact them here. 

For information on monthly payment plans at UM, please see the information available on the Office of Student Accounts website.

This is a great question, and one to discuss with your student prior to their departure. Please make a communication plan or set a communication expectation with your student before they leave. As per FERPA Federal Law, once a student is 18 years old, they are protected under US law from having their educational and personal information disclosed by University representatives. We will provide a student release form in which the student can waive this privacy for listed individuals. 

Yes, you will need a passport. If you do not already have a passport, you should apply for one immediately. All passports should be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the Start Abroad in Rome program end date. Thus, if your US passport expires before June 13, 2025, please apply for a new passport ASAP.

All students holding a non-European Union passport will need a visa to study abroad in Italy. Students who are admitted to the Start Abroad in Rome program must process their visa through the UM Study Abroad Office. Students should be prepared to surrender their US passport to the University of Miami by May 31. Surrendering your passport by May 31 to the Study Abroad Office is a requirement of the program. The date that the passport will be returned to the student will be determined by the Consulate General of Italy in Miami visa processing times.

In order to receive a visa, students must complete international travel before the May 31 deadline. If you wish to travel internationally in June or July, you will not be able to participate in the Start Abroad in Rome program.

Yes! First of all, you will be traveling as a group with the other Start Abroad in Rome students and UM representatives from Miami to Rome. After your arrival, the AUR staff will meet you at the airport and will provide transportation to your new apartment.

Yes, students will receive at least 12 credits during the fall semester by attending the Start Abroad in Rome program, so they will be eligible to rush in the spring.

For more information on sorority recruitment and eligibility, please review How to Join Greek Life or please contact greeklife@miami.edu with any questions on sorority recruitment.