Skip to content

Programs : Brochure

This page is the brochure for your selected program. You can view the provided information for this program on this page and click on the available buttons for additional options.
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Education Abroad Adviser: Kristin Franco Click here for a definition of this term Housing: Apartment
Click here for a definition of this term Minimum GPA: 2.75 Click here for a definition of this term Class Standing: 2 - Sophomore
Click here for a definition of this term Graduate/Undergraduate: Undergraduate Type of Program: Study Center
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English, Italian Click here for a definition of this term Language Requirement: 0 semesters
Click here for a definition of this term Internship Available: Yes Click here for a definition of this term Fields of Study: Advertising, Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Biology, Classics, Communications, Ecosystems, Engineering, English, Environmental Studies, Finance, Geography, Graphic Design, History, Hospitality Management, Information Systems, International Business, Italian, Marketing, Mathematics, Media Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Public Relations, Sociology, Sustainability, Visual Arts, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Program Description:

Overview

Eligibility

  • 18 years of age or above
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
  • 2.75 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application review
  • Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program

Program Description 

Courses taught at Temple Rome are specifically designed to enhance your understanding of your new surroundings. Many allow you to bring context and life to your studies through frequent on-site instruction within Rome and excursions to other cities, and by incorporating guest speakers and critics into the curriculum. Internships are also available. The program is open to qualified students matriculated at U.S. colleges and universities.

Dates

Fall: late August - mid-December
Spring: early January - late April

*Note: Spring is an incredibly popular semester and the program can fill quickly. We recommend that students applying for Spring work to meet the May 1st application deadline whenever possible, as the program may not reopen depending on availability. 

Refer to the program website for the specific dates, if available. 

Location

Temple Rome is housed in the Villa Caproni, a handsome building facing the Tiber River in the heart of Rome. Just north of Piazza del Popolo and within short walking distance of the Spanish Steps and the Borghese Gardens, the Villa Caproni is convenient to living accommodations and great for exploring many areas of the city, especially the historic center. 

The Villa serves as the hub of all program activity, with classroom space, professional visual arts studios, a computer lab and wireless Internet system, students lounges, an art gallery, and the library, which is one of the largest English libraries in Rome. As you walk in, you will also find the offices of our dedicated administration and staff, most of whom have been working with Temple Rome students for many years.

Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation

In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.

Academics

Available Fields of Study

Advertising, Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Biology, Classics, Communications, Criminology, Ecosystems, Engineering, English, Environmental Studies, Finance, Geography, Graphic Design, History, Hospitality Management, Information Systems, International Business, Italian, Marketing, Mathematics, Media Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Public Relations, Sociology, Sustainability, Visual Arts, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Course Listings

To find courses at Temple Rome, follow the instructions on the host program page.

To see what Penn State students have previously taken on this program, see the Historical Course List, which is meant to be a guide as to what courses might be available and how they might transfer to Penn State. Courses listed here may not be offered during the semester you attend the program and the credit amount or course title may have changed. 

Note: You are not limited to choosing classes on the program Historical Course List. You should consult the full list of courses on the host program page before choosing a program.

Course Selection

To find appropriate courses that will fit into your degree requirements, you will need to work with your academic adviser. Suggested tips:
  • Research courses available on your program
  • Meet with your academic adviser to discuss potential courses abroad and your degree requirements 
  • Keep in mind that courses abroad may change or may be unavailable for your selected term, so you will need to discuss possible back-up course options
  • To register for courses on this program you will work with your host program.
  • If you have not successfully completed at least one semester of college-level Italian, you are required to take introductory Italian (Italian 1001) at Temple Rome. All other students, while not required, are strongly encouraged to continue Italian language study.
  • Engineering students will be able to enroll in 3 major required courses including E MCH 213, E MCH 212, and ME 300 in addition to 1 - 2 additional courses from a wide range of offerings in other disciplines (Italian required if you have not already completed an introductory college - level Italian language course). 
  • Students that are planning for a Smeal major (BA and DUS) must complete MGMT 301, MKTG 301, and FIN 301 and be in their major before they leave for a fall or spring semester program. They must also discuss and clear their overseas course selections with their academic adviser. 

Academic Policies

  • You must enroll in a minimum number of 12 credits and a maximum number of 18 credits 
  • You cannot take any courses abroad on a Pass/Fail basis
  • World Campus courses should not be taken in addition to or as a substitute for courses offered abroad
  • You may not take sport or physical activity courses (e.g. sailing, bowling, yoga, etc.) abroad
  • If you are studying abroad in your final semester at Penn State, please note that Penn State may not receive your grades in time for graduation 

Course Equivalency Process

In order for courses from abroad to appear on your Penn State transcript, each course must be given a course equivalency. Please visit the Academics section of the Penn State Global website for information on the course equivalency process.  

Courses can be submitted for course equivalency before, during, or after the education abroad program, however, you should begin this process as soon as possible as it can take on average 2-4 months or more for courses to receive a Penn State course number. In some cases, it can be difficult to obtain syllabi from abroad before the start of the term, but when possible, courses can be submitted for review before departure. Talk to your Education Abroad Adviser about requesting syllabi.

Grade and Credit Conversion Scale

Grades and credit conversions from your host institution cannot be changed. They will be converted to Penn State credits and grades based on the following scales:
 
Grade Conversion Scale
Host Institution Grade Penn State Grade
A A
A- A-
B+ B+
B B
B- B-
C+ C+
C C
D D
F F
 
Credit Conversion Scale
Host Institution Credit Penn State Credit
3 3
  

Housing and Meals

Housing

Temple Rome students have the option to live in an apartment residence or reside with an Italian family in a homestay.

Due to the competitive nature of housing in Rome, Temple cannot guarantee housing to late applicants. We recommend working on your Temple partner application at the same time as you are going through the approval process through our office. Temple reviews completed applications on a rolling basis, so they strongly encourage students to complete their applications early and submit their program and housing deposits by the post-acceptance deadline to secure a spot in housing. 

If you and another program participant would like to be roommates, you should both request to room with one another on the housing form. Although Temple Rome cannot guarantee placements, they do their best to accommodate mutual roommate requests.

Apartment Residence

Temple Rome houses students in an apartment residence, located in lively residential areas with many local shops and eateries nearby. The distance to Temple Rome is approximately 1.5 miles. You may walk or take public transportation (short bus or metro ride). Occasionally, a second facility may be used, depending on the number of program participants.
 Each apartment has:
  • shared bedroom(s) and bathroom
  • a kitchenette equipped with basic cooking utensils allowing you to shop for groceries and prepare your own meals

Homestay

  • Available for flexible students who are interested in complete linguistic and cultural immersion
  • Provides additional opportunities for language practice, as Italian hosts do not necessarily speak any English
  • Private room in an Italian home (typically an apartment or condo)
  • Includes home-cooked dinner four nights a week (Monday through Thursday), and you'll be able to prepare a continental breakfast on weekdays
  • Usually located in one of many residential areas beyond the historic center of Rome, so you will get to know local neighborhoods that the casual tourist never sees
  • Commute to campus, on average, is 45 minutes by public transportation, but may be up to over an hour each way
  • In the case of limited homestay availability, priority will be given to students who have already studied Italian language at the university level
Independent housing is not permitted on this program. There will be no exceptions. 

Meals

Meals are not included for students choosing to live in the apartment residence.  Students living in a homestay will be provided with a home-cooked meal fours nights a week.
 

Costs and Funding

Program Costs

Fall Costs
Spring Costs

The cost of a program is based on Penn State tuition rates and partner institution fees. Due to the variety of locations and partner institutions, costs will vary depending on the program. Education Abroad works closely with our partners to ensure the most accurate cost estimates, however, fees can change quickly and without prior notice. Consult the cost sheets for your chosen program often and if you have any questions please contact your Education Abroad Adviser

Scholarships 

The Education Abroad Office awards a number of grants and scholarships to students who participate in an education abroad program through Penn State Global. The application for the scholarships awarded through the Education Abroad Office is included with your program application. Eligibility is based on academic merit and/or financial need. You must have a current FAFSA on file to be awarded. There are additional scholarship opportunities through our partner universities, Penn State Academic Departments, and other sources. To view a full list of scholarships, eligibility requirements, and deadlines visit Funding Study Abroad.

Program Specific Scholarship

Penn State students are able to apply for the Non-Temple Student Scholarship.

Student Aid

Penn State students who plan to study on a Penn State approved program can use most forms of financial aid towards the cost of the program. Exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships. If you have specific questions regarding your aid awards, contact the Penn State Office of Student Aid

Withdrawal & Refund Policy 

Withdrawal and refund details are dependent on the timing and reason for your withdrawal from a Penn State Education Abroad Program. For specific details and steps on how to withdraw, read the Education Abroad Policies

After Commitment

Once a student has committed to a Penn State Education Abroad program, they are financially responsible for any fees incurred on their behalf. Therefore, if a student plans to withdraw from a program it is their responsibility to immediately notify the Education Abroad office, in writing; email is preferred. 

Regardless of the timing or reason for the withdrawal, the student will be responsible for paying the Education Abroad Administrative Fees. Additional fees from the partner institution will be assessed according to their withdrawal and refund policies at the date of the withdrawal notice.

After the Start of the Program 

If a student withdraws after the start of a program, any adjustment of Penn State tuition charges will be made according to the Tuition Adjustment Schedule as determined by the Office of the Bursar. Students may be responsible for up to 100% of program costs. In most cases, partial credit cannot be awarded for leaving a program before its successful completion.

For additional information on withdrawal policies, separate and apart from financial consequences, please consult the University Senate Policy on Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.
 

Life Abroad

General Information 

Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting and transformative experiences of your college career. It is an opportunity to develop independence, build cross-cultural competencies, grow as a person, and enhance your academic program. Entering a new culture can be challenging for everyone. You may ask yourself: is this the right country for me? What are their cultural norms? How will my identity be perceived there? What can I do to prepare for this experience? What will my daily life be like? Below are resources to help you answer these questions.

Accessibility 

Penn State Education Abroad works closely with campus resources and our partner institutions around the world to ensure that students of all abilities reach their goal of studying abroad. While we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all program sites and locations, specific accommodations may be arranged on an individual basis. If you have accommodation needs or further questions please consult with the Student Disability Resources office and your Education Abroad Adviser. Additional resources are available through the Penn State Global Website. Disability information will not be used during the admissions process, but rather is meant to provide students with resources to help in planning a successful experience abroad.

Gender and LGBTQA

There are dramatic and subtle differences in how gender, identity, sexual expression, and sexual health are perceived in different countries. Before going abroad, it is important that you research the specific country or countries you will be visiting and have a full understanding of their cultural norms. Below are some resources to help you with that research and provide guidance for your life abroad.

Race, Ethnicity, and Faith

When choosing a study abroad location and preparing for your travels, you will want to be mindful of how your experience will be different than what you are used to in the United States. Your racial, ethnic, and spiritual identities may be interacted with and labeled by others differently than what you expect. Here are resources to help you prepare for these differences.

Non-U.S. Citizens

It is possible for non-U.S. Citizens to study abroad through Penn State. To do so successfully, you must plan early because this process may involve obtaining visas and other governmental procedures. Check with your DISSA Adviser prior to committing to a study abroad program and speak with your Education Abroad Adviser for specific information on the host country. If you plan on traveling to other countries during your study abroad experience, you will need to research and make plans to adhere to immigration policies for all of the countries that you plan to travel to and through. You are responsible for applying for visas for all applicable countries on your own. Advisers in the Education Abroad office cannot apply for your visa for you. Additional information may be available through your country's embassy and the consulate for your study abroad country.
 

Next Steps

Steps to Study Abroad

The planning stages outlined on the Penn State Global website will help you have the best study abroad experience possible. We recommend that you begin this process at least one year prior to the semester you plan on studying abroad. Visit the Steps to Study Abroad section of the Penn State Global website. 

How to Apply

Click the “Apply Now” button on this page to get started!

Application procedures can vary by program. Students should consult the application instructions available within each application. For more information, see the Application Process section of the Penn State Global website. 

Deadlines

You must apply to this program by the Penn State deadline. For a list of deadlines visit the Application Process page of the Penn State Global website.
 

Contact Education Abroad 

If you have general questions about Education Abroad opportunities at Penn State, please email EducationAbroad@psu.edu.

Peer Advisers

Education Abroad Peer Advisers are Penn State study abroad returnees who advise students on education abroad opportunities at Penn State. Each Peer Adviser can explain program options, give an overview of the study abroad process, as well as provide information about their experience abroad. Peer Advisers have walk-in hours in Boucke Building during the fall and spring semester when classes are in session. For more information, visit the Education Abroad Peer Adviser website. 

Education Abroad Advisers 

Education Abroad Advisers can provide information about courses, support services, application processes, housing details, program costs, cultural expectations, pre-departure requirements, and much more. Education Abroad Advisers have two types of meetings - scheduled appointments and walk-ins. For more information about how to meet with an Education Abroad Adviser, please visit the Penn State Global website

Social Media

Facebook    Instagram   Pinterest   Twitter   Flickr   Youtube


For information about upcoming events, scholarship opportunities, deadlines, and much more visit the Penn State Global Events Calendar and follow us on social media!
 


Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Fall 2023 03/01/2023
03/11/2023 08/28/2023 12/16/2023
NOTE: Start date marks arrival in host country. End date marks departure from program housing.
Academic Year 2023-2024 03/01/2023
03/11/2023 TBA TBA
Spring 2024 09/10/2023
**
Rolling Admission 01/08/2024 04/27/2024
NOTE: Start date marks arrival in host country. End date marks departure from program housing.
Fall 2024 03/01/2024
03/12/2024 TBA TBA
Academic Year 2024-2025 03/01/2024
03/12/2024 TBA TBA
Spring 2025 05/15/2024 06/12/2024 TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Students will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.

Indicates that deadline has passed