Temple University’s Rome (TUR) Pre-College Summer Study Abroad is an exciting new program that invites students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 (under age 18) to experience what life would be like as an undergraduate student at Temple University Rome, Italy. This first-ever 2024 TUR summer cohort was made up of 14 students from Philadelphia, however the program is open to domestic and international students, most of whom receive financial support from the university. 

Temple University Rome’s Dean and Temple University Vice Provost for Global Engagement, Emilia Zankina, in partnership with Vice Provost for Temple’s University College, Vicki Lewis McGarvey, brought what has been a longstanding tradition at Temple’s main campus to Temple’s Rome campus. “This is as an extraordinary opportunity for high school students to get a taste of international education at the university level, expand their horizons, grow their cultural competencies, and have memories for life to carry back with them”, says Dean Zankina about the program.  

Temple University Rome Director of Pre-college Programs & Outreach, Jocelyn Cortese, explained the university's vision for Pre-College programs as "an opportunity for students who consider higher education with an international component important.  We have designed a program to expose these young students to various opportunities available in the Temple community, most importantly the on-site experience to study in an open-air museum city like Rome.  Students combine in-class lectures with local travel to have a full immersion experience.  Our goal is to encourage not only the amazing opportunity to study abroad, but perhaps the unique opportunity of additionally completing an international degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, Rome, and/or Japan.” 

The cohort of high school students who attended this unique program in Rome, which took place between June 17th  and June 26th, had the chance to learn from Temple Rome professors with Rome as their classroom. They explored the Eternal City’s history, art and architecture, with walking tours to sites such as the Pantheon, Circo Massimo and Giardino degli Aranci, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica and a selection of Rome’s beautiful, art-filled churches.  Students also had the opportunity for day trips to nearby Tivoli –home to Hadrian's Villa and the gardens of the Villa d'Este, Ostia Antica and the picturesque beach of Ostia Lido. Visits to the Esquilino’s vibrant multicultural markets, the iconic Mercato Trionfale with a professor-led tour recounting the history and importance of the local produce, a hands-on ice-cream making workshop, a crash course in Italian and fun dinners and street food tours at local restaurants also gave students a deep dive into Italian food culture and a feel for Rome’s lively social life. Students also had a chance to attend lectures on Italian politics, economics and diversity including lectures on the history of the Italian Mafia and Italian cultural evolution. 

Imanie T., an 11th grader from Pennsylvania, said her favorite cultural discovery was “the diversity, like when we went to the market and saw so many different ethnicities. This trip changed my perspective on how there’s so much out there in the world... like I never imagined Italy to be so diverse,” she added. Lily T., grade 11, enjoyed visiting Tivoli and the beach at Ostia while her favorite discovery was the sheer number of beautiful water fountains everywhere. Rising 12th graders Hailey B. and Saige R. found their visits to Rome’s churches to be their most interesting learning experience while rising juniors Oscar B. and Sharon L. pointed out Italian food and tiramisù dessert as their favorite cultural discoveries. All students stated that their main takeaway from their study abroad experience included greater insight into the history of Rome, a stronger appreciation for cultural differences and the arts in general, as well as a feeling of personal growth and independence while having fun and making new friends.  

As a leader in global education and study abroad experiences, in addition to the Rome program, summer and yearly pre-college programs are available at Temple University's Main Campus in Philadelphia as well as at Temple Rome and Temple Japan’s campus in Tokyo. These programs invite exploration of what life is really like as a student at these campuses through a residential experience, a wide range of workshops, hands-on activities, interesting excursions and the opportunity to network with Temple faculty and potential future classmates.  

Learn more about Temple Rome's Pre-College Summer Study Abroad program here