Since 1987, Cornell in Rome has offered a transformative experience for talented undergraduate artists, architecture students, and urbanists. A world-class and specialized program, Cornell in Rome is focused on instruction in the disciplines of architecture design, history, and theory; visual arts; art history; urban studies; and Italian language, history, and culture.

Students benefit from an intimate environment and the opportunity to build interdisciplinary and lasting relationships with the faculty and each other. The maximum enrollment is 60 students each semester and faculty remain consistent for the entire semester.

Classes can generally be applied to Cornell graduation requirements and participation in the program does not necessarily require extra semesters of study or delay graduation. Interested Cornell students should speak with their college registrar to determine how classes will be applied toward degree requirements.

Urban Studies

Participants in the Urban Studies semester gain a deep understanding of urban development over time and learn about ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and modern Rome through site-based classes. Students explore public space, urban design, social housing, infrastructure services, immigrant integration, tourism, historic preservation, and economic development, and take field trips to Italy's most important artistic, economic, and political centers. They also have the opportunity to meet with professional planners, government officials, community activists, and others responsible for urban policy making. Field trips throughout Italy are an integral part of the experience. Total travel time is approximately 18 days over the course of the semester and trips include locations in northern, central, and southern Italy. Students also enroll in elective classes in art history, architectural history, photography, contemporary art, Italian culture, or politics.