If your question is not addressed, please feel free to contact us at ils@unier.it

• How do I make phone calls while in Rome?

Phone cards may be purchased for international calls. Students can bring their own cell phones (be sure they are compatible with the European system and to have your provider ‘unlock’ them), buy a SIM card in Rome, and use them within Italy (buy minutes according to your personal needs).

• Is there easy internet access?

Internet connections are available free of charge for all students at the European University of Rome. While high speed wireless is limited in Rome, there are networks available in some housing facilities as well as Rome cafes.

• Am I free to travel on the weekends?

Most weekends during the semester have been designated as free travel weekends. This provides an opportunity to arrange trips around Italy or Europe on your own initiative. The International Leadership Semester also provides a 9-day vacation period which allows organizing extended trips. The International Leadership Semester is not responsible for the students during any such trips. College students in Rome will help ILS students with advice on travel including hotels, transportation, and restaurants. Typical student organized weekend trips to Florence, Siena, and Sorrento cost between 150-200 Euros.

• Is there a dress code for class?

Students are expected to wear respectable clothing to all classes. Semi-formal attire is expected at weekly leadership conferences, the closing and opening ceremonies, as well as other special events during the semester.

• What activities are offered through the chaplaincy office?

The ILS chaplaincy program will offer daily Mass, an optional monthly retreat, spiritual guidance, as well as multiple opportunities to participate in Papal events at the Vatican.

• What activities are obligatory?

Students are expected to attend all classes as well as participate in leadership activities organized inside or outside the European University of Rome.

• Who is responsible for my transportation to-and-from Rome?

Each student must pay for his or her transportation to-and-from Rome. Travel within Rome is fairly easy and inexpensive using public transportation (train, metro or bus). ILS can inform students as to the travel plans of other students so as to coordinate flights together.

• Are meals included in the program cost?

Yes, meals are provided as part of the program cost. Breakfast is provided seven days a week at student housing. All weekday lunches and dinners are provided at the university. Weekend lunches are the responsibility of the students since most want to travel.

• Does ILS provide housing?

ILS staff works with an external provider (Oak International) who takes responsibility for all housing. All housing for students will be organized through this third party (the European University of Rome as well as Oak International have no legal or financial responsibility for consequences of student behavior outside the university campus). While the housing location may vary each semester due to availability, the housing will be within walking distance or a short bus ride of the university.

• How do I do laundry?

Most housing used by ILS has coin laundry onsite (2-4 Euros for a large load). In other cases, ILS staff will help students locate a laundromat.

• The €12,500 cost is high. Is financial aid available?

The ILS program cost is average for studying abroad in Rome (some cost up to $18,500 for a semester). This program is well worth the investment since a student is not only getting 18-20 college credits as well as housing and food, but also receives the many unique benefits offered by ILS: leadership coaching and roundtable discussions, chaplaincy support, unique ‘insider’ tours, as well as special leadership off-site weekends. Depending on financial need, small scholarships are available. For reasons of paying for program costs as well as trying to help students grow in leadership (ie. a leader needs to overcome obstacles to achieve his or her goals), ILS tends not to offer large scholarships.

• Do I need a visa to participate in ILS?

ILS operates on an 89-day schedule, which falls within the 90 days allowed to remain in Italy with a valid passport. Depending on your country of citizenship, intention to possibly spend more than 90 days in Italy, as well as interest to travel outside of Italy, you should investigate getting a student visa. For more information, please see the Travel Resource page.

• How much money does the typical student need while in Rome?

This depends on how much you want to spend.
- Weekday meals (M-F) are covered by the program.
- Weekend meals can be anywhere from 10-50 Euros/day depending on what you want to do. Students often enjoy cooking their own Italian meals.
- Weekend trips to places like Assisi and Florence run between $150-$250, assuming you do not stay or eat at high end places (we have a travel coordinator who helps you arrange these trips depending on what you want to do).
- Travel within Rome is about a dollar each direction on the bus or train and students can get a monthly pass for about $30 USD.
- Although we have internet access at the university, I suggest that you get it at the hotel for about $40/month. This will save you a lot of time and trouble because Rome is not as technology savy as in the US.

• Do you have an approximate suggestion for how much to bring for bus and metro fair, ect?

$125 USD should be fine for your normal travel (not counting going outside of Rome for longer trips).

• Will someone be able to pick us up from the airport or do we need taxi fair to get from the airport into the city?

ILS will provide transportation to and from Rome International airport at the beginning and end of the program. It is best to coordinate your arrival and departure flights with the others coming for the semester.

• I know that our room and board is covered when the payments are made, but are there other times when I will need extra money on a large scale?

In general, the answer is no. You should, however, have easy access to money or payment with an international credit card. ILS does not help with funds once you are in Rome, so please have this detail arranged before arriving. We will help with suggestions on ATMs.