Programs - Borromini Institute

We have been designing and running educational programs in Rome since before most of our students were born.

Not to brag, but we’re pretty good at it.

Looking for hands-on learning opportunities for you or your students in Italy? As an academic support organization with a mission to enhance global education, we love designing programs for institutions and professors.

Types of Programs

Open-enrollment Programs in a variety of areas of pressing importance to our students and their futures.

Customized Programs for universities: ask your study abroad office for more information

Faculty-led Programs: we support scholars in designing and running on-site field learning programs in Italy

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SPRING 2025 Sustainability and Food in Rome

January 9 – May 3, 2025

Spend 16 intensive weeks in the Eternal City with travel to Central and Southern Italy and the Abruzzo Mountains.
Instruction, lodging, and excursions included in program fee.
Open for Applications (deadline September 15, 2024)

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SUMMER 2025 Sustainability, Food and Social Justice

May 23 – June 19, 2025

Spend 8 intensive weeks in the Eternal City with travel to Southern Italy, Venice and the Abruzzo Mountains
Instruction, lodging, and excursions included in program fee.
Open for Applications (deadline September 15, 2024)

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FALL 2025 Sustainable Cities and Agriculture

Sept 5 – Dec 13, 2025

Spend 16 intensive weeks in the Eternal City with travel to Southern Italy, Venice and the Abruzzo Mountains
Instruction, lodging, and excursions included in program fee.
Open for Applications (deadline February 15, 2025)

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Road Less Travelled Series

Constructing Rome: Archaeology, Architecture, Astonishing Views

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Sun 13 – Sat 19 October 2024

Constructing Rome is a unique chance to examine the thinking, methodology and built works of Rome’s great works of all times. We take a complex city and explore it with a fun, relaxed approach.

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Road Less Travelled Series

The Road to Rome: Rural Roots in the Sabine Countryside

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Sat 26 Oct – Fri 1 Nov 2024

This food and culture tour takes you to the heart of the origins of the story of Rome itself: a nearby countryside region known as Sabina. Here we take you for an intimate look at the hilltop villages and into the lives of the people who have been practicing sustainable, small-scale agriculture for centuries.
SOLD OUT

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Highlights from our Recent Programs

Some of the highlights from a recent summer program for a small group of dedicated students from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign and University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Intensive, onsite lessons in Italian language
In-depth studies of sustainable urban living
Excursions to crater lakes, farms, vineyards, Mediterranean ports, Pompeii and more
Lots of gelato
Curricular internships with exciting Roman businesses and NGOs
Learning how to live well, like Italians, without excess consumption
Did we mention gelato?

Practical Information

Academics

Our academic offer stands on two pillars: experiental learning and sustainability.
Our Semester and Summer Programs entail 10-13 credit coursework.
For more information, check our four academic clusters.

Facilities

The Borromini Institute’s headquarters in Rome are hosted in Palazzo Bennicelli, a historic building designed by Francesco Borromini in the heart of the old city, right between Piazza Navona and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Our facilities include:
– 3 large fully-equipped classrooms
– Library
– Media Lab
– Fine Arts Lab
– A meeting room for seminars
– Student services lounge
– Administrative offices
– Multi-gender restrooms

Student Services

Moving abroad–even if just temporarily–is a big transition and the Borromini Institute prides itself on providing our students with multiple levels of support along every step of their stay. Our student services staff work to ease many of the logistical challenges that could arise when coming to Rome.

BI staff supports students travelling with pre-departure communications, reception at Rome FCO Airport, a city or neighborhood familiarization tour & ice breaking activities during orientation week.

While in Rome, students receive support from the Borromini Institute Learning Facilitator. The Learning Facilitator is available to provide practical support, cross-cultural mediation and assist students should any misunderstandings emerge in relation to their academic courses.

At the end of the program, our staff provides students with re-entry support (travelling, moveout, records).

Health and Safety

The safety, health and wellness of our students is a priority at the Borromini Institute.

BI requires all its program participants to programs to enroll in a comprehensive international travel and health insurance policy suitable for international education or cultural exchange such as Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).

Our Student Services Coordinator is our staff appointed to assist with questions of wellness and safety. In the case of an emergency, the coordinator is ready to implement an emergency response plan such as accompanying the student to the doctor, hospital, police station, coordinating between medical professionals in Italy and other countries and providing consistent support throughout the incident.

Aside from the health and wellness resources that are normally available to students, BI students also have access to Dr. Andrea Guerriero, our Medical Advisor. The medical advisor is on call for emergencies 24/7, can prescribe treatments and liaises with International Hospital Salvator Mundi or the Italian National Healthcare System in case of need.

At the beginning of each program the BI organizes an on-site safety and security orientation where students learn about the normal security precautions to exercise, communication protocols and support, services and resources they will have available during their program. We also provide orientations that are identity & inclusion specific (focusing on LGBTQIA+, women, students of color). We make available to all students at orientations and elsewhere lists of hospitals, physicians, counselors and pharmacies in Rome.

Our staff monitors official warnings and alerts regarding U.S. citizens provided by the U.S. embassy, the U.S. State Department, the Italian Government and AACUPI to address any additional measures that should be taken in the event of an emergency. BI implements a group evacuation and emergency plan (in case of pandemic, terrorist attacks, earthquakes) specific to each program in the event of an emergency.

Housing

Housing placements comprise fully furnished and functional shared apartments in central Rome.
Housing locations are in residential areas to encourage students to integrate into the local community. Pharmacies, hospitals, ATM machines, public transportation, supermarkets, and restaurants are all within comfortable exploring distance. The Borromini Insitute’s facilities are within walking distance (or a short bus ride).

The standard layout of the apartments consists of bedrooms, one or more bathrooms, kitchen, and living/dining room space. In most shared apartments, students range from four to six. Shared bedrooms have from two to three occupants. Single rooming requests can be made, subject to availability.
Students have access to an emergency as well as a weekly maintenance/cleaning service by the housing provider.

The Borromini Istitute would like to create a gender-inclusive environment for all students. A gender-inclusive housing environment allows students to live in the same housing and share bathrooms with another student, regardless of biological sex, gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation. However, prior to arrangements, permission must be granted by the student for living arrangements.