TCU-In Rome

TCU-In Rome students take classes at John Cabot University (JCU), an American-style university. There are no language prerequisites. Students will take 4 or 5 courses at JCU, counting as 12 or 15 TCU credit hours.

• John Cabot University Course Catalog
• Italian language course guidance for students with previous Italian

Credit returns as TCU credit and applies towards the TCU GPA. As part of the application, students must have 10 – 12 courses pre-approved through the Credit Approval Process. After admission, students will receive instructions from John Cabot on how to register for courses.

Internships

Internships are available to juniors and seniors. Internships are taken for-credit and they replace one class. Interested students apply before arriving in Rome and must complete an interview to be accepted. More information is available on the JCU Internships page. Internships are not guaranteed.

You must abide by the academic policies and regulations of the host university, including but not limited to policies on:

• Attendance / Absence policies
• Add / Drop process
• Grade Appeals
• Final Exam schedule

TCU cannot override host university policies and regulations.

Group advising available to explain course options and the credit approval process.

As part of the application, students must have their Rome courses pre-approved through the credit approval process. This process is changing for the Spring 2025 semester and instructions will be updated soon.

While you are abroad, you are enrolled in 12 hours of coursework (identified as SABD) as a placeholder. Your classes will not be posted to your TCU recorded until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends, when the transcript from JCU is sent. Once the Registrar receives your transcript, they will record the courses using the department codes on your Credit Approvals (i.e., MARK, HIST) and a generic course code. Your dean’s office will apply these to your major / minor / electives / core as approved.

All coursework, regardless of program type, counts for grades and will be included in your TCU GPA.

For more information about how credits work, see our Study Abroad Basics page.

Group advising will be available to explain course options and the credit approval process.

TCU students are required to live in John Cabot University Housing, which is Italian by nature in every way. All housing is fully-furnished with varied floor plans, aesthetics and furnishings. All housing options are included within the program fee. For more detail on housing options, visit the JCU Housing website.

Students rank their housing preferences in the JCU application and should select the Basic Option unless they wish to pay an additional fee for a Single Room. Students may request one TCU roommate. Housing consists of JCU students from all over the world. Any damages to housing will be posted to student accounts upon return.

Viale Trastevere Apartments

The Viale Trastevere Apartments are home to JCU students. These apartments can house up to 9 students and include a full kitchen, common areas, bathrooms, and balconies. Located in a residential area of Trastevere, these apartments are steps from the tram line and about a 20 – 25 minute walk to the academic campuses.

Overlooking Trastevere

Gianicolo Residence 

The Gianicolo Residence includes JCU student apartments and the JCU Housing Office. Each apartment can house two to nine students and includes a full kitchen, bathroom(s), bedrooms, and common areas. The Gianicolo Residence houses mostly freshman students and is entirely alcohol-free. Its located steps away from the Guarini Campus and is a short walk to the Tiber Campus.

Lungara Apartments 

The Lungara Apartments are located across the street from the Guarini Campus and are a short walk to the Tiber Campus. Students live in apartments with other JCU students, in a building with local Italian neighbors. Layouts vary, but each apartment houses three to nine students and includes a full kitchen, common area, washing machine, and 1 – 2 bathrooms.

Neighborhood Apartments

JCU contracts neighborhood apartments  when the other options are full. These apartments offer the same standard amenities as JCU’s housing options (full kitchen, bathrooms, common areas) and can house 2-9 students. No two neighborhood apartments are alike, creating a unique and charming Roman experience.

Semester Costs for 2024-25

1. Rome Program Fee: Spring 2025 – $7900:
   Pay $500 Non-Refundable Deposit to confirm your spot in the program after admission
   Program Fee is billed to your TCU Student Account before the semester begins ($500 deposit applied as a credit)
   This includes:
   — Housing (all JCU options included)
   — JCU campus services and amenities
   — TCU Sash
   — Students requesting a Single Room pay an additional fee
2. TCU Tuition: $30,825
3. Estimated Additional Expenses: For outside expenses not included in the program fee. Individual budgets are highly variable. This may include:
   — Airfare: $1,400
   — Italian Visa Fees: $100
   — Books: $200
   — Class Excursions: $300
   — Meals/Groceries: $2,000
   — Local Transportation: $200
   — Personal Expenses: $1,000
   — Travel Expenses: Highly variable

Visit the Scholarships & Aid page to learn about study abroad scholarships, through TCU and other organizations. In particular, TCU-In Rome applicants should look at the:

• TCU International Studies Award
• John Cabot Columbus Guarini Scholarship

Withdrawal Penalties:
Financial penalties are assessed on a sliding scale, based on withdrawal date.

• To withdraw from a program, you must notify TCU Global (studyabroad@tcu.edu) in writing. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded and cannot be used towards penalty amounts.
• In the case that TCU must cancel the program, the program fee (including deposit) and tuition will be fully refunded. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded.
• Financial penalties will be billed to your student account.
• TCU Tuition refunds are subject to TCU policies :(See TCU Undergraduate Catalog: http://catalog.tcu.edu/undergraduate/, Bachelor’s Degree, Definitions and Regulations.)

• Minimum 2.8 GPA; petitions may be considered
• At least two semesters in residence at TCU by the start of the program
• Good academic and disciplinary standing at TCU
• A valid passport (that will not expire until at least 6 months after your return)

• Fall Programs:
  • Priority Deadline: March 22
  • Regular Deadline: March 29, if space available
• Spring Programs
  • Priority Deadline: September 12
  • Regular Deadline: September 29, if space available

If applications exceed enrollment maximums, a lottery system will determine admission.

1. Complete the Global TCU Study Abroad Forms (already started an application? Login here to finish it).
   • This step includes completing a course approval process for your courses abroad.
2. Submit the JCU Study Abroad Application. Do not pay the application fee or tuition deposit. All are waived for TCU students.

TCU encourages all students, including students with disabilities, to actively participate in the Study Abroad programs offered by the University. In partnership with TCU Global, TCU Student Access & Accommodation helps to ensure the best possible study abroad experience for students with registered disabilities by providing reasonable and necessary accommodations during their time abroad.

Study Abroad programs include field components that require the ability to perform tasks beyond what is required in a typical classroom. Among other things, many programs require extensive walking and/or the ability to stand for extended periods of time; the ability to independently use public transportation; and/or sleeping in shared quarters. Program activities may take place in extreme temperatures (including excessive heat or cold). Housing facilities may lack central heat and air-conditioning, elevators, and other conveniences. In all cases, students should expect to transport and manage their own luggage through airports and public transportation centers. Prior to applying to specific Study Abroad programs, students should review the physical requirements for each program to ascertain whether they will be able to participate in all activities of the program. Students needing accommodations should follow the process outlined by Student Access & Accommodation.

Students requiring an accommodation to meet these or other program essential eligibility requirements must request any accommodation through TCU Student Access and Accommodation well in advance (suggest a minimum of 3 months) of the program departure following university procedures. TCU Student Access and Accommodation, located in The Harrison, Suite 1200, strongly recommends that students notify both Student Access and Accommodation as well as TCU Global early on to initiate the process of securing reasonable accommodations. If TCU determines that you do not, with reasonable accommodations approved through TCU Student Access and Accommodation, meet the essential eligibility requirements of the program, then you may not participate in the program. Each student’s request for accommodation will be looked at on an individualized, case by case basis, taking into consideration student documentation and the essential eligibility requirements of the program.

Managing your health and safety is an important component in having a positive experience abroad. TCU provides you with a number of resources to assist you:

1. Prior to departure, you will need to attend the mandatory orientation which covers specific health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
2. Upon arrival, you will have an orientation to reiterate health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
3. TCU provides you membership to On Call International, a premier Global Assistance program. You can call On Call for any kind of travel, health, safety, or emergency issues, including:

• help replacing a lost passpor help translating and interpreting
• help with lost luggage, along with reimbursement for items needed while luggage is lost
• assistance finding general and specialty health care
• assistance with emergency refills of prescription
• health insurance for your time abroad.

For more information, please see Health & Safety

Italian Visas

Italy requires a visa for all semester or year TCU-In Rome students. The Italian Consulate prefers that TCU act on behalf of students applying for visas. Students will be given visa paperwork to submit to TCU along with their passports for the Italian Consulate.

Students should not plan to travel outside the U.S. during the three months prior to the semester abroad because passports are surrendered with visa applications. Visa processing for Italy can take 4-10 weeks.

Before Departure

You must attend the mandatory TCU-In Rome orientation. You should also review the TCU-In Rome Handbook and Know Before You Go page.

Arrival and On-Site Information

We recommend that students arrive on the program start date at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) before 5 pm. John Cabot begins its in-depth orientation at the airport and buses students to their housing on that day.  During the first few days in Rome, students will participate in the JCU Study Abroad Orientation, a comprehensive and personal introduction not only to John Cabot University but also to life in Italy.

Because students are not enrolled in TCU classes, the TCU system will show 12 hours of coursework as a placeholder during the semester abroad. Classes will not transfer back to TCU until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends. At that time, the correct credit hours will be posted to the TCU record.