written for a proposed Admissions Blog for prospective students published on the John Felice Rome Center website
Rome, and Italy in general, is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for students. According to most study abroad sources, an average of 32,000 international students choose to call Italy their home each year. And who can blame them? Rome’s vast history, its architecture, its culture, including its incredible cuisine is internationally renowned. Many make the trips to get the Insta-worthy shot at the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican- but there is so much more to Rome than its celebrated treasures.
Check out the JFRC’s three tips to living la vita romana off the typical tourist path!
- Explore the “other” must-sees.
- Lesser known piazzas and churches (there are over 800 of them!) are hidden gems in the Eternal City. From the “secret” Galeria Sciarra, which is now used as an office building to the Capuchin crypt (which is built up of old bones!) there are enough things to add to your list that’ll keep you busy all summer or semester long! P.S. Atlas Obscura is a perfect resource if you’re looking for some inspiration.
- Start with the centro storico– but don’t stay there forever!
- The aforementioned sites are well-known for a reason- definitely go and experience them, but there are other parts to the city that equally have their charms. You may have already heard of lively Trastevere or did some shopping in Prati, however, you should do some research on the other quartieri of Rome. Studying at the JFRC, you have a head start by living in the Balduina area, but that’s just one corner. You may find that your new favorite coffee bar to sip on cappuccini may be out near Appio Latino or Ponte Milvio!
- Grab a bite to eat at a mercato.
- The Conad and Pam grocery stores in Piazza Balduina are lifesavers, it’s true. When you don’t want to grab a cornetto at Rinaldo’s, the vending machine is out of Kinder Bueno and there are only so many oranges you can smuggle out of mensa, you’ll need some fresh fruit, yogurt and other snacks to have in your rooms at the res hall. However, every once in a while, go a little further down Monte Mario to the Mercato Trionfale or take the regional train a few stops to Ostiense, where you can hit up Mercato Testaccio for some amazing street food stalls!
These are just a few suggestions on how to enrich your experience in the Eternal City. Bonus tip: many of these sites and experiences are usually discovered while on your on-site classes in the city!
Ola Wysocki 