TCU-In Rome allows students to experience an international and historically-rich environment, while studying at John Cabot University, an American style university in the heart of Rome. The JCU student body consists of roughly 1,600 students: 800+ degree-seeking students from 70 countries; 750+ visiting students from 150 universities.
Students study and live in Trastevere, along the Tiber River in the heart of Rome. TCU-In Rome offers many types of courses and internships, with strengths in Business, Communication, Fine Arts and Liberal Arts. No prior language is required to be accepted to the program.
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.
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.
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 theJCU Housingwebsite.
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
Event
Date
Fall 2023
Program Start (Arrive by 5 PM)
August 29
Fall 2023
On-Site Orientation
August 29 - September 3
Fall 2023
Classes Begin
September 4
Fall 2023
Final Exams
Dec. 11 - 15
Fall 2023
Program Ends
December 16
Spring 2024
Program Start (Arrive by 5 PM)
January 8
Spring 2024
On-Site Orientation
January 9 - 14
Spring 2024
Classes Begin
January 15
Spring 2024
Mid-Semester Break
February 26 - March 1
Spring 2024
Final Exams
April 29 - May 3
Spring 2024
Program Ends
May 4
Semester Costs for 2023-24
Rome Program Fee: Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 – $7400, collected as: $500 Non-Refundable First Payment, to confirm your spot in the program after admission $6900Remaining Balance/ Final Payment, billed to your TCU Student Account before the semester begins.
This includes:
— Housing (all JCU options included)
— JCU campus services and amenities
— TCU-led activities at start-up and mid-term
— Students requesting a Single Room pay an additional fee
TCU Tuition: $28,565
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.
Date of Withdrawal
Percentage of Program Fee Collected:
70-90 days prior to the start of the program
25% (inclusive of $500 deposit)
50-69 days prior to the start of the program
50% (inclusive of $500 deposit)
15-49 days prior to the start of the program
75% (inclusive of $500 deposit)
0-14 days prior to the start of the program
100% (inclusive of $500 deposit)
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.)
Study Abroad programs often include field components that require the ability to perform tasks beyond what is expected in a typical classroom. Many programs require extensive walking and/or the ability to stand for extended periods of time; the ability to independently use public transportations; and/or sleeping in shared quarters. Program and housing facilities may lack central heat and air-conditioning, elevators, and other conveniences. Unless prior accommodations have been made through TCU Student Disabilities Services, students must be able to transport and manage own luggage through airports and public transportation centers.
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:
Prior to departure, you will need to attend the mandatory orientation which covers specific health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
Upon arrival, you will have an orientation to reiterate health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
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
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 4-8 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.
