The Eternal City
Join Professors Angela Pitts (Classical Studies) and Eric Gable (Anthropology) for a journey through the culture, history, art, and architecture of the “Eternal City” of Rome, Italy. We will meander through the streets of this city, rebuilding in our mindscapes the remains of the Roman Colosseum, the Baths of Diocletian, the Ara Pacis, the Roman forum, and the Theater of Marcellus. We will visit the Vatican City, which possesses one of the world’s finest collections of ancient Mediterranean and European art. We will learn about the topography and monumental architecture and art of the city of Rome from its origins to the present, including notable transitions from Republic to Empire, the Age of Constantine, Medieval Rome, Renaissance, Unification, Fascist Rome, and the contemporary city. Excursions to Pompeii, Herculaneum, the ancient city of Ostia, Napoli, and Sorrento will bring the ancient Italic culture and its people to life.
Summer 2026
May 12 – 24, 2026
Program Fee: $6,379
Registration and $500 non-refundable deposit due: February 1, 2026
Final Balance ($5,879) due: March 1, 2026
Use the Make a Standard Payment button below to pay your deposit and regular program balance payment. Use the Make a Flexible Payment option to pay an alternate amount (such as additional insurance or payment in a different amount as a result of a scholarship award).
Online payees have the choice of either credit card or eCheck (ACH) payment. ACH transactions will be charged a flat fee of $0.50 per transaction. All credit card payments will incur a 2.95% service fee. For credit card payments, a minimum convenience fee of $3.00 will be applied to transactions over $20.00 and under $102.00.
Students can avoid fees by paying in-person at the UMW Cashier’s office by cash or check (made out to “UMW”). The Cashier’s office is located on the 2nd floor of Lee Hall.
In addition to the program travel during summer term, students will enroll in the Spring 2026 course CPRD 100: Study Abroad – Ancient Rome for 3 credits. The course will meet weekly during the last eight weeks of the spring semester followed by the in-country portion of the course. Attendance and participation in both portions of the course is mandatory.
UMW Classics Abroad in Rome participants can also satisfy their Beyond the Classroom or Diverse and Global Perspectives general education requirement by contract with the Faculty Director.
Students will stay in double or triple occupancy at local hotels near the center of Rome and Sorrento.
There are no prerequisites for this course. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in order to participate. This program is open to all UMW students regardless of major or year of study. It is also open to non-UMW students but enrollment in CLAS 209 for the Spring 2026 semester is required.
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Included in the program fee:
- International airfare
- Local transportation as per itinerary visits, including airport transfers in Italy
- Accommodations
- Some meals (daily breakfast included as well as one welcome and one farewell dinner and two group lunches)
- Group excursions and entrance tickets per itinerary
- UMW Education Abroad Fee
- International medical insurance
Excluded in the program fee:
- Local transportation outside of program itinerary
- Passport and/or visa fees
- Meals outside of inclusions listed above
- Souvenirs and other personal expenses
- Personal health costs (ex. vaccination fees, COVID-19 testing, etc.)
- Independent site-seeing and entrance fees
This program requires a moderate to high level of activity, including significant city walking and lengthy hours.
International travel may require immunizations or preventative medicines. Please refer to the US Center for Disease Control’s Traveler’s Health Information Page for recommendations. The UMW Health Center provides free travel consultations by appointment, as well as travel information for UMW students. The Center for International Education recommends that each student have a personalized medical consultation prior to international travel.
Visit CIE’s Scholarships & Funding webpage to learn more about financial options as it relates to education abroad including Financial Aid, 529 Plans, etc.