About Rome: 

Dear Students, Welcome to the capital of Italy: Rome! When in Rome, it’s like being in a movie scene, there will never be solely one thing that you wish to do! After you get a taste you will be starved for more, that Rome for you… Be aware that it’s one of the most romantic cities in the world, you can reach the sea in minutes or see the most historical attractions, either way with whomever you are you will be sure to make some amazing memories on the way! Please find all the information needed for your stay without any further delay, whether you are an international or a European student!

QUICK ONLINE VISIT: 

Rome is all more than just an italian city, and while we love to write everything up here, here is a recap video to introduce you to the city! Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YuA3hr_Iy0 

BUDGETING

• Check cost-of-living website: 

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Italy http://medschool.uniroma2.it/2016/06/11/costs-of-living-in-rome/ 

So I know what you are thinking… How much will my stay cost me? Before you begin worrying about your budgeting I need to make a quick disclaimer, these figures are not fixed which means that it entirely depends on your lifestyle and your spending habits. So, where I may say that your cost of living may seem higher or lower to what you were expecting, take this advice as a grain of salt…. It’s also representative of both the whole city so if you are living in the suburbs it will be less expensive than the city centre. 

So pretty much, what are we looking at figure wise? More or less consider a good 900 euros spent each month with all inclusive except your tuition fees. 

• Housing: 400-950 euro per month 

Simply put, it’s one of the most expensive cities for students because they do not trust us! Too often the students come and leave the place as a dustbin, so the landlord charges extra. Your best bet is to either find a very nice landlord, or get in touch with family or friends that live in the country that can certify for you. In this case rent can be reduced but you will pay a higher caution. 

• Utilities: 50-90 euro per month

It depends on the efficiency score and your use – usually in student housing these fees are included however, in the case they are not they usually range about 80 euro per month for a studio like apartment including water, electricity and gas.

• Food: 180 euro per month 

Depends on what you eat ofcourse. But the best bet is that as a student you will snack a lot and unlike in other countries where snacks are quite expensive in proportion to everything else, the government wants us to be Fit, so be aware of this, also going to the local weekly market could be your way around reducing your monthly costs, in doing so I send about 80 euro month!!! 

• Transport: 10-30 euro per month 

Make sure you do all your tickets and be aware that you can not pay with your credit card. Well yes you can but only for the M1 line so always bring your transport card otherwise penalty fees are quite high ranging between 10-50 euro depending on your excuse 🙂 

• Phone: 8-20 euro per month

25-30 euro first month data plan and inscription and then top up or data plans from 5 euro. Be careful they will try to scam you! The best way is to buy an international SIM card. https://www.thingsmobile.com/it/business/shop?step=go_to_step2 

• Going out: 15-50 euro per night/day

It depends on what you do and where you go, there are many things to see that are completely free of charge, however if we are talking about nightlife and clubs, be aware that girls tend to get in free most of the time while boys will usually have to pay between 5-15 euro per person. For drinks and food, considering a whole day outing pack up 50 euros you will be sure to finish them up when in a group of 3 including breakfast, lunch and dinner but nothing more – unless of course you are going to a restaurant and not snacking where you should then pack a 50 euro bill for each person. 

• Currency conversion:

https://www.xe.com/fr/currencyconverter/

TRANSPORTATION

The best way to get around Rome is by the efficient (and inexpensive) public transportation system called the ATAC. This system of subway, buses and trams is far-reaching and very cheap. Metered taxis are another good option, though they can get expensive if you use them as your sole form of transportation. 

See which zone you belong to… http://www2.uniroma2.it/studenti/erasmus/infostranieri/generalguide05.html 

• Apps to download?

You may want to download the ATAC app on your phone as it will help you if lost around the city, and provide you access to a map too; however, there is essentially no app yet linked to your card as of now.

• Kind of tickets and subscriptions

There are three types of subscriptions: urban, extraurban and cumulative. The one we recommend you is the cumulative option along the Student card as it will give you the most services at the lowest comprehensive price.

• Specific card to have as a student?

https://www.rome.net/rome-transport-tickets 

• Prices detailed with the different kinds of subscriptions (yearly, monthly…)

• BIT-Biglietti a Tempo (Ticket for a certain Time): €1,50 for 100 minutes

This type of ticket costs €1,50 and can be used for 100 minutes from the moment of validation. This ticket, hovewer, can be used only once in metro, but also more than once in other modes of transport (tram, bus), even in a combined way (for example, during 100 minutes you can take metro once and two different buses with the same ticket). You can buy a ticket at the ticket offices, newsagents, tobacconist’s shops and automatic vending machines in the stations and on some buses. The ticket must be validated at the beginning of the path, retained for the entire duration of the trip and presented to the controllers in case it was required.

• Abbonamento Mensile Personale (Personal Monthly Pass): €35,00

This type of ticket (pass) costs €35,00 and it is valid for the calendar month as indicated on the pass or on the receipt of pass charge, for an unlimited number of journeys in the territory of the city (Roma Capitale). Until the 5th day of the month, it is possible to buy the monthly pass in tobacconist’s shops and newsagents. Starting from the 6th day you can buy it only in the ticket offices managed by ATAC.

• Abbonamento Annuale Roma (Annual Pass Rome): €250,00

This type of ticket (pass) costs €250,00 and it is valid 365 days from the date indicated on the receipt. To obtain it you should have the Metrebus Card, which you can get by filling in a form and attaching a photo for documents. The form to fill is available at the ticket offices managed by ATAC.

https://www.rome.net/rome-transport-tickets 

• Documents you need to get the card

• Card Request Form
• Passport or ID
• A photo of yourself

• Where to find the card?

To find the card proceed with this link: https://www.rome.net/rome-transport-tickets 

You should collect your card from the same ATAC Point or outlet at which you presented your request by exhibiting your request receipt.

If you request your card from an ATAC point it will be issued immediately between January and July; from August to September, when the majority of requests are made, cards are issued after 15 days. If you request your card from an outlet in the underground, cards are available 15 days after presentation of a request, whilst requests made at authorized outlets outside Rome are processed after about 30 days.

https://www.rome.net/rome-transport-tickets 

• Which Drivers licenses are valid? 

So the International (converted) and Italian/EU licence are both valid. Be aware that in Italy you drive on the right handside of the road and you may be asked before purchasing/renting or being sublet a car to provide a for of identification (passport or ID) and a card number to charge an expense to.

https://www.rome.net/rome-transport-tickets 

SAFETY & SECURITY

Is Rome a safe city?

“Overall, Rome is considered a safe city to travel to, but petty crime—especially bag-snatching and pickpocketing—remains a problem.”

In general you don’t have to worry about assaults or thieves on the streets when you are casually walking around the city. 

But of course, as the capital of Italy is a big city in Europe, pickpockets are a concern and you should be careful on public transportation or in crowded areas. Women are generally safe walking around by themselves at all times but, it is recommended to alyas walk home with someone if it’s getting late, while it is usually completely safe to be extra cautious is always better.

BEST UNIVERSITIES: 

Economics and management:

• Luiss Business school
• American University
• LUMSA
• Cattolica

Engineering:

• Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering – Sapienza University of Rome
• Engineering – Sapienza University of Rome
• Roma Tre – Computer Engineering

Math: 

• Sapienza University of Rome
• Department of Mathematics – Building “Castelnuovo”
• Facoltà di Scienze Matematiche Fisiche e Naturali
• Centro Kumon di Matematica e Inglese

Medicine: 

• UniCamillus – Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences
• Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare – Università Sapienza
• Università Campus Bio-Medico

Architecture:

• University of Miami School of Architecture Rome Studio
• The Pantheon Institute – Piazza del Collegio Romano Center
• University of Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway

Fashion: 

• The American University of Rome
• IED Istituto Europeo di Disegno
• Istituto di Moda Burgo – Roma

Law:

• School of Law – Tor Vergata University of Rome
• University of Rome La Sapienza – Faculty of Law

PLACES TO GO

• Restaurants, bars

Well this is obvious is it not? Italy is the hub for food! I could also say that it’s the best place to eat in the whole world but, that of course depends on your palette…. Here I want to give you a couple of choices that will for sure rock your world! Be aware that we did not consider dietary restrictions, but in Rome you can find pretty much any type of cuisine if fine Italian cuisine is not to your liking. 

• Marziali 1922
• 433
• Strapizzami
• Borghigiana Pastificio Artigianale

• Nightclubs

For those of you that love to dance, and hear great music there is also a place for you! Nightclubs are very popular around Rome and there will for sure be one that will be to your liking. 

Here are a couple of the most renowned casinos you may have heard of or where the locals usually hang around….

• Qube disco
• Piper Club
• Goa Club
• JOLIE Club Roma
• Room 26

• Casino (in case there are)

For those of you that love to take your chances with a gamble there is also a place for you! Casinos are very popular around Rome and there will for sure be one that will be to your liking. 

Here are a couple of the most renowned casinos you may have heard of or where the locals usually hang around….

• Vegas Dream – Rome Veturia
• Casino dell’Aurora Pallavicini Rospigliosi
• Joker Club
• Macao Palace

• Monuments

The architecture is one of the most outstanding pieces that make Millan an iconic city. See some of the monuments and places you must see at least one…

• The Colosseum and its murderous games
• The Roman Forum
• The Palatine Hill
• Piazza Venezia
• Trevi Fountain
• Villa Borghese gardens
• St. Peter’s Square
• Aventine Hill
• Visit the Catacombs of Rome

• Places to go on week end

Are you an international student? Do you want to reach some of the greatest expat hotspots in ITALY? Try one of the following destinations: 

Rome, https://www.italyguides.it/en/lazio/rome

Lombardy, http://www.italia.it/en/discover-italy/lombardy.html 

Tuscany, https://www.discovertuscany.com 

Umbria, https://www.umbriatourism.it/homepage  

Sicily, http://www.italia.it/en/discover-italy/sicily.html 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187849-Activities-Rome_Lombardy.html 

https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/Rome-i-lo-m.htm

https://www.voyagetips.com/en/things-to-do-in-Rome/

https://viaggi.corriere.it/europa/italia/Romeo/

FUN FACTS:

Well well well…. If you have gotten here it means you must be really interested in what Italy or most specifically Rome has to offer! Here, 10 things you should know about before even setting foot in the city!

1. Modern Rome has 280 fountains and more than 900 churches.
2. Nearly 700,000 euros worth of coins are tossed into Rome’s Trevi Fountain each year. The proceeds are donated to Caritas to help those in need.
3. The Romans had built a road network of 53,000 miles by the early fourth century. Each Roman mile was about 4,800 feet and marked by a milestone, giving birth to the saying “All roads lead to Rome.”
4. In Ancient Rome, only free-born men were allowed to wear togas, a sign of Roman citizenship. Women wore stolas, the female version of togas, made from linen.
5. The mascot of Rome is a she-wolf that cared for brothers Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome.
6. Rome became the capital city of unified Italy in 1870, taking the title from Florence.
7. Law in Rome allows cats to live without disruption in the place they were born. Wild cats can be climbing the walls of the Colosseum, and sleeping among the ruins of the Forum.
8. Women in ancient Rome dyed their hair with goat fat and beech wood ashes. The most popular colors were red and blond.
9. Rome’s first university, La Sapienza, established in 1303 AD, is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world.
10. Rome has a museum dedicated entirely to pasta.

CLOSEST AIRPORTS ✈️

Rome has two airports. Leonardo da Vinci Airport (at Fiumicino) is used by the major airlines, while Ciampino Airport is used by budget airlines Easyjet and Ryanair. 

Why is this important?

Because sometimes on your flight ticket it won’t be mentioned or it will be hidden somewhere where your parting destination will be, thus consider this a small back up guide in case Italian tickets make you a bit frustrated.