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Rome International Scholars (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: Rome, Italy
  • See instructions below in Dates/Deadlines section

    Program Terms:     Spring Semester
  • Program Director: Schedule an Appointment
  • Restrictions: Notre Dame applicants only
  • Expenses students are responsible for: Spring Semester
  • This program is currently not accepting applications.
Dates / Deadlines:

PLEASE NOTE:
You MUST choose your FIRST PREFERENCE SEMESTER when applying.

DO NOT apply to the same program for different terms. You will be able to indicate your openness to alternate semesters within the application questionnaire.


There are currently no active application cycles for this program.
Fact Sheet:
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Program Type: Direct Enroll plus ND course(s) Recommended GPA: 3.0
Housing Options: Apartment/Flat Language Prerequisite: 2 semesters of Italian or ROIT 10110 (either with a grade of ‘B’ or better)
College: College of Arts & Letters, College of Engineering, College of Science, Mendoza College of Business Language of Instruction: English, Italian
Class Level While Abroad: Junior Only Language Courses Offered: Yes
Minimum Credit Load: 15 credit program Program Director: Christiane Buessard
Special Opportunities: Independent Research, Internships, Service Learning Eligible Majors: Any
Program Required Approvals: Advising Dean Approval, DUS Approval Program Required References: Academic Reference, Language Reference
Program Information:
RIS Program Banner
 
 
The Rome International Scholars program is a special program for motivated students who value the opportunity to undertake independent research during the Spring semester of junior year that would ideally lead to a senior thesis project during senior year, and/or subsequent development of post-graduate research, including post-graduate fellowships and studies. Another core feature of the program is a substantial experiential learning component, which can take the form of either an internship or service engagement to be conducted in Italy.

This program is based at Notre Dame’s Rome Global Gateway. The Gateway is located on Via Ostilia—in the heart of the Eternal City—one block from the Colosseum. The newly renovated, 32,000 square-foot facility serves as a hub supporting the academic, educational, and cultural mission of the University by hosting and organizing a rich variety of education abroad opportunities for students. The Gateway also fosters research and graduate education and develops and maintains institutional relations with universities, educational foundations, and organizations in Italy, Europe, and the Mediterranean, as well as with the Holy See.

Program Dates*
Spring Semester: Mid-January through late June (could extend to mid-August if participating in summer disciplinary study and/or internship in Italy)  

*Please take program dates into consideration and how they may coincide or conflict with internship and other academic requirements.


Academic Program

  • Students admitted to the Rome International Scholars program are provided with funding for a disciplinary study and/or internship in Italy during the summer following the completion of the spring term in Rome. This summer portion of the program is viewed as part of the spring semester program
  • This program is a spring-semester-only program.

Courses
The curriculum for the Rome International Scholars program consists of five 3-credit courses:

  1. An independent research project supervised by ND faculty in a degree granting or honors program. Accepted students will be required to submit a formal research proposal during the spring semester following the application deadline.  
  2. An elective course offered at any one of several universities that are collaborating with the Rome International Scholars program such as: the University of Rome, Roma Tre; the Pontifical Gregorian University; the University of Rome, Sapienza; and other Italian/Pontifical Universities.
  3. An experiential learning course (service or internship), which can assume multiple forms ranging from archeological digs, to business internships, to working with immigrants, to working with museums and NGOs, while participating in a weekly forum designed to support the development of research (see below). The scholars will participate in the Rome International Scholars Forum, a one-credit weekly meeting dedicated to discussion of their research projects, their various experiences in the service or internship engagement, and other activities/initiatives associated with their presence in Rome.
  4. The All Roads Lead to Rome course, which can satisfy University requirements in literature, history, or fine arts.
  5. An Italian, Latin, or Greek language course at the appropriate level.

Eligibility
All current sophomores who meet the below requirements are invited to apply:

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • At least one year of college Italian (or the equivalent) prior to the spring semester of enrollment
  • a 500 word essay submitted by the student describing the independent research to be conducted in Italy.  Essay to be submitted no later than March 1 of the semester following application.  
  • a reference from a faculty member indicating their commitment to supervise the independent research to be conducted by the student in Italy.

Special Opportunities
Students in this program will be awarded up to a $5,000 scholarship to complete either or both:

  • Independent Research
  • Internship or Service-Learning Engagement

Housing and Meals
Students will reside in homestays located throughout the city. The homestays will have access to public transportation. The neighborhood around the Gateway has an abundance of restaurants, trattorias and small marketplaces. Notre Dame will provide a monthly meal allowance (stipend) to help partially defray some of the living expenses, including food costs. Students are responsible for housing and meals during the vacation period between semesters as well as before/after the academic term begins/ends.

Passports
If you are considering applying to a study abroad program and you do not have a valid passport, or your passport will expire within six months past your program end date, please take steps to obtain or renew your passport immediately. Passports can take longer than expected to process, and you may need your passport to apply for visas well before your program begins. For more information about obtaining and renewing passports visit the United States Postal Service.

Relevant Links




This program is currently not accepting applications.