The University of Arkansas Rome Center offers students a living laboratory to experience the world.

At the mention of Rome, Italy, the taste of gelato, the sight of the Colosseum and the smell of freshly made pizza probably spring to mind. But for students and faculty at the University of Arkansas Rome Center, Italy’s capital city means more than these top-of-mind tourist tropes. Instead, it’s an educational hub centered in a city more than 2,000 years old, with access to remarkable architecture, extraordinary art and the opportunity for cultural immersion. 

According to Francesco Bedeschi, director of the center, “The students who come to study at the Rome Center should expect a unique experience. Students are getting out of their comfort zone. At the same time, they’re fully supported by the staff and the local faculty. It’s an experience they can join with confidence, knowing they’ll have to face some small challenges while also being fully supported.” 

CONNECTING WITH CULTURE

"The Rome Center is the European hub of the University of Arkansas, and it has been here for more than 30 years," Bedeschi explains.

The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design led the creation of the university’s program in Rome, offering courses in architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. In recent years, though, nearly every college and school on the U of A’s campus have evolved to include a program of study in the Rome Center. 

Jenna Molleston, a senior accounting major in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, studied at the Rome Center in the summer of 2025. Though it wasn’t her first time traveling abroad, it was her first time to study abroad.

The Arkansas native says, "It was a completely different experience being able to stay in one city for an extended period of time; it really allowed me to connect with the culture. Coming from Arkansas, which is a slightly smaller state, you feel like you’re kind of separate from the world. You don’t really feel like the world is right at your doorstep. But coming to Rome, you realize how connected you are and how the work you do in Arkansas can make a global impact."

Molleston chose the Rome Center because of its historically and culturally important location. The immersive experience allowed her to be surrounded by other U of A students and make connections that would span the Atlantic – all the way back to Fayetteville. 

“I went to the Rome Center and met 28 strangers who have now become friends,” she says. “It’s been really rewarding to see new perspectives that I probably wouldn’t have if I had just stayed in Arkansas.” 

GLOBAL – AND PERSONAL - GROWTH

Bedeschi sees studying in Rome as an opportunity in personal growth and a way for students to improve their soft skills. It promotes peace between countries and is a key for sustainable development. He often hears from colleagues who describe their students as “transformed” after returning from a study abroad experience. 

Favor Price, a multimedia journalism major in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, studied at the Rome Center in spring 2025. Reflecting on her experience, she says, “I think it’s different from just going to school because you’re also going for a purpose. You’re not just on vacation like a lot of other Americans are. You get used to the city over time, and as you start seeing other tourists, you realize you’re not really a tourist yourself anymore.” 

Price says she learned time management skills and received a boost in confidence from her time there – both of which will help her build a strong resume for employment after graduation. 

“What I learned during my spring semester in the Rome Center will definitely follow me going into my career, especially because I know I want to be someone who can work with a variety of groups,” she says. 

Molleston agrees. “The experience taught me soft skills that will come into play in my future career, one of the most important being communication skills,” she says. “While I was there, there were language and cultural barriers, and I engaged with business owners and shop owners to learn how to communicate better. It showed me that I can be adaptable and how to adapt to different situations.” 

What’s more, the education received in Rome undoubtedly complements the education received back in Fayetteville.  

“There’s nowhere better to apply the skills you’ve learned in the classroom than in a city abroad like Rome,” Molleston says. “I put into practice all the business skills that I learned in the classroom by meeting with local Italian business owners and even consulting for a destination management office.” 

While they’re based in Rome, the students also have the opportunity to, well, roam and enjoy sights and experiences outside of the city.  

“Bringing students on field trips is probably the most important and distinctive experience of studying in Rome,” Bedeschi says. “It is experiential learning. They learn directly on site but are also meeting other professionals and going on site visits with companies.” 

Molleston and her fellow students visited impressive monuments like the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Vatican in summer 2025 but interacted with smaller shops and sampled local Italian food too. They also traveled outside of Rome to see more of the country, including the Amalfi Coast, Florence and Venice. 

“Exploring was my favorite part about being at the Rome Center. There’s such a great balance of being able to go to the guided tours but also do what you want to do,” she says. 

CONFIDENCE IS KEY

“Rome’s unique characteristic is its resiliency,” Bedeschi says. “Even after more than 2,000 years, it’s a vibrant capital of the world – as well as one of the most visited cities. As we like to say, it is an open laboratory for our students.” 

And where does Bedeschi typically see the most growth in students after spending time there?  

“It’s a sense of confidence and independence,” he explains. “It’s the ability to act as a local – from being comfortable in using public transportation to going on their own to some unknown small destination in Italy.” 

Price agrees: “I found that my worldviews expanded and that I’m a lot more confident in myself to make bigger decisions.” 

This boost in confidence can be utilized by students no matter where their path takes them after graduation – whether it’s applying for graduate school, entering the workforce or continuing their global travels. Knowing that they can adapt to new surroundings and bridge cultural and communication gaps helps them succeed in an increasingly global workplace. 

“They should come here knowing it will be a life-changing experience for them,” Bedeschi says.