Student Guidebook

Full Immersion Rome Experience 19X

Created by F.I.R.E. Students of 18X

Introduction

Congratulations on your acceptance to the F.I.R.E. program! We hope you are as excited as we
were when we were about to embark on our own study abroad program. Your summer will be
packed with meaningful experiences and guided by Professoressa Canepa. While we decided to
create a guide for future F.I.R.E. students encompassing our summer, we certainly hope you do
not limit yourselves to re-living our experiences: explore as much as you can – ten weeks flies
by!

We have included a guide of places, restaurants, and experiences we went on while in Italy, and
hope this is a valuable resource for your summer ahead. Please find select student contacts
below for other tips, suggestions, or advice before your departure and during your summer.

Student Contacts

Dean Anderson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (704) 575-2894

Audrey Karnan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (425) 623-3114
Sydney Sims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (360) 701-6731
Natalie Shteiman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (561) 319-6476
Weekend Destinations

#1: Tivoli

Source: LivItaly Tours

The first featured location is Tivoli, Italy. Just a short train ride away from Rome, train tickets
are incredibly cheap. Tivoli can be done with a day trip, but Airbnbs are also in the area. Be
careful when booking accommodations, as the town’s center can be far from key destinations.

▪ Destination 1: Hadrian’s Villa

This villa was constructed for Emperor Hadrian as a retreat from Rome. Taking the reins
after Emperor Trajan, Hadrian curtailed the Roman Empire’s expansionist policies and
began constructing fortifications for the borders of the empire (most famously Hadrian’s
Wall in Britain). His rule was defined by long periods of peace. Memoirs of Hadrian, a
book by famous classicist Marguerite Yourcenar, is available for purchase at the
entrance to the Villa.

▪ Destination 2: Villa d’Este

This estate was constructed by Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, who served as the Governor of
Tivoli. A famous scholar was asked to design the villa after Hadrian’s Villa, and many
artifacts were taken from the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa for display. This location is closer to
the town center of Tivoli and can be explored more rapidly than Hadrian’s Villa. The
gardens are just as beautiful as the inside of the villa. The inside features many
elaborate decorations and styles, and the outside houses a famous garden with
hundreds of fountains.

#2: Lake Como

Source: Travel Passionate

With many Airbnbs in the area, Lake Como is incredibly accessible for a weekend destination.
Many towns are in the area, and we suggest doing research to find the best fit. During last
year’s program, students explored museums and swam in the water during their escape from
the heat of Rome. While the locations to travel tend to be straightforward, many experiences
are not.

Last year, students travelling to Lake Como opted to explore Milan for a day or for a few hours
in between trains. Other students booked boat tours around the lake.

#3: Cinque Terre

Source: Travel + Leisure

Many students hoping for a beach weekend travel to Cinque Terre. Pisa is along the way! This
scenic string of towns along the coast features vibrant colors and incredible seafood.

#4: Naples

Source: Bella Vita Travels

Naples was an incredible experience for many students, as nearly every student visited the city.
Due to the proximity of Mount Vesuvius, many students made trips to tour Pompeii along the
way. Students were able to interact with locals, as well as Italians travelling to the beach. Be
sure to enjoy a spritz and enjoy the sunset.
▪ Destination 1: L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
This historic restaurant lives up to its Yelp reviews. The line can get incredibly long, but
many students arrived half an hour before the restaurant’s opening and were the first
customers in the door. There aren’t many options, but you cannot go wrong.

▪ Destination #2: Castel Sant’Elmo

This historic castle sits atop of Naples and has incredible views of the entire city. Many
students last summer enjoyed walking up the city’s steps to the castle, as they were
able to enjoy the views, a long walk, and more interactions with locals. Within the
grounds of the castle is an elaborate museum and garden complex.

▪ Destination #3: Castel dell’Ovo

This seaside castle Is incredibly beautiful and offers uninterrupted views of the
Mediterranean. This castle used to serve as the center of Naples when Greek colonists
conquered the city. The castle is free to the public!

#5: Venice

Source: Trainline

While Venice can be overwhelmed by tourists in the summer, the unique architecture of the
city is incredible. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, located on the grand canal, cannot be
skipped. It houses some of the most famous modern art in the world, and the structure itself
blends well with the various architectural styles across the city. If in Venice, be sure to try the
seafood.
Roman Restaurants

Roscioli’s
While this name will certainly become a regular one due to the various locations near the
school, many students went to Roscioli’s wine tastings. The same location offers cooking
classes, and their experiences can be found at this link: https://www.winetastingrome.com

While the wine tasting and cooking lessons hover from 60 to 90 euros per person, students
found it to be well worth it last year: the wine tasting includes cheeses and meats, dinner,
dessert, and eight glasses of wine. The experience lasts for two and a half hours, and
participants are given an in-depth look at Italian foods and wine. Reservations are mandatory!

Da Cesare
One of the favorite restaurants among students last year, Da Cesare is just a quick tram ride
from Boarding House International. Students loved the location, food, and relatively cheap
prices. This is a favorite of many, and it is difficult to get a table without reservations during the
summer.

Pizzeria Emma
Though this is a staple of Dartmouth programs in Italy, this pizzeria must be mentioned.
Further, the store next door, owned by the same family as the pizzeria, features many locally-
sourced wines, cheeses, and meats that students enjoyed last year.

Taberna Persiana
Recommended to students during a walking tour of Testaccio, students enjoyed this authentic
Iranian restaurant. It offers a different style of cuisine as well as a sense of community. The
food does not disappoint, and the location ensures exposure to different neighborhoods.

Jaipur
Within walking distance to Boarding House International, Jaipur is a quick and easy option for
sit-down dinners. The Indian cuisine is fairly authentic, and the staff always gave us a
complimentary bottle of prosecco. There are many bars nearby for post-dinner conversation.

I Piramide / Shwarma Express

This restaurant was a very common place for students to eat lunch throughout the summer. It
offers delicious shwarma and great service. The food is always quick and easy for days with
more homework!

Forno Campo de’ Fiori

This restaurant needs no explanation. Most students go here nearly every day – many lunches
were under five euros.
Trapizzino
This chain of restaurants can be found across Rome, including in Trastevere! There are many
unique flavors that students on the program last year fell in love with.

Mercato Centrale
Located in the train station, Mercato Centrale offers many styles of foods for relatively cheap
prices. Students would often set aside at least half an hour before trips to be able to eat at
Mercato Centrale. The sushi blends Japanese and Mediterranean flavors, and the pizza is
incredible. There is a more formal, sit-down restaurant upstairs that no students went to last
year but sounded very delicious.

Do Not Miss

St. Peter’s Basilica – Last year, Emilio’s tour covered the Sistine Chapel, but many did not get a
chance to look inside St. Peter’s Basilica. The experience is certainly worth it, and an additional
trip to Vatican City could provide an opportunity to climb to the top of the Basilica for a view of
Rome

Stadio Olimpico – Enjoying an A.S. Roma soccer game was a wonderful experience for many
students last year. A day trip before a soccer game would also allow for exploration of the
adjoining Olympic complex.

Museum of 21st Century Art (MAXXI) – A group of students greatly enjoyed stopping by the
MAXXI museum on the way to the farmer’s market on weekends.
What We Wish We Knew

Buy Fan(s). Roman summers are hot and air conditioning is not available at Boarding House
International. By the time students bought fans last year, many felt they wasted their money
not having purchased such fans earlier. Going to a nearby home appliance store (many used the
store next to the closest grocery store to BHI) will be well worth the investment.

Do not sweat the small things. Often, there are times when we over-reacted to Italians not
treating us fairly (for instance, a taxi driver in Naples charges students a flat fee instead of using
the meter that is standard). While annoying, recognize that these experiences are not worth
dwelling on – move onwards and enjoy your time as much as you can!

Do not spread yourself thin. Leaving Rome every weekend covers breadth, not depth. Being
able to visit various regions of Italy is incredibly connected to the regional differences explored
in Italian 4, but Rome cannot be fully explored in ten weeks, let alone ten years. Stay behind
some weekends. Explore the hidden parts of the city! Many students loved their weekend trips
but regretted not being able to explore as much as they hoped within Rome.

Take the slow train. At least so to speak – often times students last summer felt compelled to
take the fast trains across Italy to save time. These, however, tend to be for tourists, as they do
not stop at more rural stations. Taking the slow train allows for more interaction, and
interaction with Italians that many students do not get the chance to engage with because they
live in more rural regions.

Talk with Nancy. Nancy was the best resource and makes an effort to meet with students
through small group dinners and individually for coffee and gelato. You are coming in with very
little cultural knowledge – there will be perplexing moments, and that is okay. Reflection is a
crucial part of study abroad experiences, and insights from conversations with Nancy allows for
growth in cross-cultural agility.

On the same note, journal often. Looking back on past entries, the weeks that you will be able
to re-live and reflect on will be the most intentional entries. Go explore the city. Putting off
journals tends to yield reflections that you will not enjoy re-reading one day. Failing to explore
Rome will yield insular and uninteresting perspectives.

Make a budget. Financial planning is key to maintaining an enjoyable experience. Look into
credit or debit cards with low exchange rates. Try to stick to ATMs connected to banks. Take
advantage of resources offered by Dartmouth’s Office of Financial Aid. Plan money for trips and
experiences but attempt to make a rough budget to stick to week-by-week.

Cook together. Less waste, less work, less cost, less dishes. Conversations over food allows for
bonding between classmates and important moments of reflection. Widening your perspectives
to include that of others will allow for a more in-depth understanding of Italy.
Tool Box: Budgeting
Budget breakdown by week:
Week: 1 2 3 4 5
Budget: $XXX $XXX $XXX $XXX $XXX
Week: 6 7 8 9 10
Budget: $XXX $XXX $XXX $XXX $XXX

Budget considerations by week:

Week:
1 2 3 4 5
Budget: ▪ Food ▪ Food ▪ Food ▪ Food ▪ Food
▪ Gym Membership ▪ Italian 2
▪ School Supplies Notebooks
▪ Cell Phone Chip ▪ Cell Phone
▪ Flight / Baggage Renewal
▪ Taxi / Train
Expense
▪ Textbooks
▪ Personal Items
(Fans, Coffee
Maker, etc).
Week:
6 7 8 9 10
Budget: ▪ Food ▪ Food ▪ Food ▪ Food ▪ Food
▪ Cell Phone ▪ Return
Renewal Baggage
▪ Taxi/Train to
FCO
Undefined Expenses – wine tastings, travel expenses, museum tickets, sporting events

Estimated Expenses in Euros:

Cell Phone Chip (Full 10 Weeks) – 60-120

Gym Membership – 120
Taxi/Tram – 15-50 each way
Moka Pot – 15-30
Tips for effective budgeting:

▪ Travel: If you hope to travel, booking tickets well in advance of the trip – the train
tickets increase a lot just before departure, but are incredibly cheap when planned a
few weeks out. To not waste money, be sure to discuss plans with your faculty advisor
to make sure there are no site visits after class on the weekend!

▪ Ask: Often, issues of access are clear during study abroad programs. If you find yourself
running into financial difficulties but hope to experience a cool cultural event (i.e.,
sporting games), faculty advisors (depending on the program) are happy to help pay for
tickets and may even offer free tickets for all students.

▪ Use Guides: The internet has plenty of resources, and there are many free experiences –
there are some included below!

o Link #1: https://anamericaninrome.com/wp/2018/05/free-rome-museums-

and-monuments-first-sunday-domenica-al-museo/
o Link #2: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/rome/travel-tips-and-articles/40-
free-things-to-do-in-rome/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2761b83
o Link #3: https://www.priceoftravel.com/5223/rome-students-visitors-student-
budgets/

▪ Contact Alumni: Dartmouth’s alumni relations center maintains a database of the

location of all alumni in various cities. Reach out – they may even treat you to dinner!