Theology & Religious Studies
Spring 2025 Semester Rome

About the Program

Through a unique partnership between Providence College (PC) and CEA CAPA, you’ll explore Rome’s rich religious history in a cultural and religious crossroads for today's Roman Catholic Church. Professors utilize Rome as an extension of the classroom, teaching at sites like the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Catacombs of San Callisto. On-site activities and team assignments help you learn through experience, while an Italian language course contribute to your ability to communicate. You may choose to enroll in the internship seminar and complete an internship placement. In the fall semester, you may also add an optional elective course through our partner, LUISS University (LUISS).

Program Structure

You'll enroll in 1 PC core course, 1 CEA CAPA core course, 0-1 PC theology/religious studies courses, and 1-3 CEA CAPA courses. You can substitute the CEA CAPA core course for the CEA CAPA internship seminar. Fall students may choose an "extended" semester option that includes 1 course at LUISS University.

PC core courses, PC theology/religious studies courses, and CEA CAPA courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits. CEA CAPA language courses and LUISS courses meet for 60 contact hours/4 credits. You may earn up to 17 credits (255 contact hours).

CEA CAPA classes meet 1-4 times per week, Monday-Thursday. LUISS classes meet twice a week, Monday-Friday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Friday. The internship seminar meets weekly. Your internship placement hours may take place Monday-Friday; the exact time of day and days of the week will be determined after you arrive.

Prior to departure, you'll select your preferred courses. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

If you selected the internship option, you will take the Global Internship Course alongside your internship placement. This professional development course is designed to accompany your placement so you can make the most of your internship abroad. You will learn how to understand and articulate the value of your internship through the lens of NACE Career Readiness Competencies that employers crave, which will help you stand out to future employers and graduate schools. You will also engage in live cultural discussions that will enhance your global perspective and intercultural awareness between your program location and the U.S. The course comprises of reading, writing, and verbal assignments, including building an e-portfolio, completing mock interviews, developing your online professional presence, giving a final presentation, conducting industry field research work, and more. You can also take advantage of additional CEA CAPA mentoring and career preparation workshops to complement what you learn in the course.

Internship Placement Duration and Hours:
You will intern at your host organization for a total of 12 weeks, not including any agreed upon break-week periods. Throughout your program, you will work 20 hours per week (240 hours total) and will likely intern during standard business hours Mondays-Fridays. Your placement may include in-person, remote, and hybrid work depending on the needs of your host organization.

Internship Credit: 
You will receive academic credit for your internship abroad via the Global Internship Course and your performance at your internship placement. You can enroll in the course for 3 or 6 credits based on your unique needs and preferences. Whether you enroll in 3 or 6 credits, you will complete 20 hours per week (240 hours total) at your internship placement. The differentiation in the number of credits you choose will come from the amount of coursework and contact hours in the Global Internship Course. Unlike the 3-credit course, for the 6-credit course you will complete an additional robust industry field research project.

• 3 credits: minimum 240 placement hours (20 hours per week) + Global Internship Course (1.5 hours every other week in class)
• 6 credits: minimum 240 placement hours (20 hours per week) + Global Internship Course (1.5 hours every week in class)

You will choose the number of credits you would like to enroll in for the Global Internship Course during the Internship Placement Process. 

NACE-Certified Career Coaching & Internship Placement Process
Once you’ve submitted your application and required documents for your internship program, your career development adventure will begin! You will be assigned your very own NACE-Certified Career Coach, who will work with you one-on-one throughout pre-departure to guide you through the steps and deadlines of our Internship Placement Process. Your Coach will be your main point of contact for your internship prior to your departure. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have, and will also provide you with personalized career coaching, as needed, so you are set up for success for your internship abroad.

In addition to working with your Career Coach, during the Internship Placement Process you will engage with your In-Country International Internship Coordinator in your location and your potential host site supervisor. Your International Internship Coordinator will draw from your application materials to source and match you with a personalized internship placement that best aligns with your unique experience, skills, career interests, and goals for your internship abroad. Please also note, your host site supervisor will retain the final decision on the finalization of your placement, so it’s important to approach your interview with your host site supervisor with maturity, adaptability, curiosity, and commitment to both your career interests and the host organization.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri

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This two-day excursion begins with an exploration of the archaeological remains of the ancient town of Pompeii. Preserved by the ash and lava spewed out by Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D., Pompeii offers a snapshot of ancient Roman life. From the frescoes of the House of Vettii (an example of wealthy merchants’ homes) and the central Forum square, to the Baths and the Sacrarium of the Lares, you’ll marvel at Pompeii’s former glamour, now merely dust.

Next we’ll visit the small town of Sorrento, with its narrow alleys and beaches. Known as the pearl of the Gulf of Naples, this scenic village offers views of the islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida.

Capri has many nicknames: the Enchanted Island, the Blue Island, the Sleeping Beauty, and the Island of Love. Spend the day exploring the island’s many beautiful sites. Known as a popular holiday destination for the rich and famous, the Isle of Capri caters to visitors with its blend of simplicity, natural beauty, and busy glitz.

The allure of the island views, rocky seashores, and scenic charm will enliven you to investigate their surroundings. Our time on Capri begins with a motorboat trip to the Blue Grotto, a magical place with crystal blue water. The rest of the day, you’ll explore the island’s two towns, Capri and Anacapri, each speckled with designer boutiques, small shops, and hidden wonders.

The Gardens of Ninfa

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The Gardens of Ninfa take their name from nymphaeum, or place of the nymphs, and are considered to be among the most beautiful in the world. Built atop upon the ruins of an ancient settlement, the gardens are a unique example of an integrated eco-system that combines natural, cultural, and historical elements. The secret of Ninfa’s lush beauty lies in its exceptional microclimate, which allows the growth of local and exotic vegetation species. We’ll visit the gardens when they are in full bloom and finish the day with a tour of a local wine estate, where we’ll uncover the secrets of enology and gastronomy.

Ostia Antica

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Ostia Antica, founded by the Romans in the 4th century BC, functioned as Rome’s main port for over 600 years. Romans, foreigners, sailors, and slaves populated the port, making this town an important focal point of defense and trade. This mélange of cultures created an interesting contrast to the rich and upper-class residents of Pompeii. During our visit to Ostia Antica you’ll visit the historical inhabitants’ homes, shops, restaurants and bakery and witness the diversity evident in the shrines, temples, and sanctuaries scattered throughout the area.

Tivoli

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Ancient Tibur, just 30 minutes outside of Rome, boasts clean, crisp air in the scenic countryside. Roman aristocrats once frolicked to Tivoli, cementing its reputation as a holiday resort. We’ll visit the famous Villa Adriana, constructed by the Emperor Hadrian who spent his entire life shaping it into one of the largest, most extravagant villas in the Roman Empire. We’ll also tour Villa D’Este; once a Benedictine convent, Cardinal Ippolito d’Este refurbished it into a luxurious villa with splendid gardens and over 40 elaborate fountains, including water-works that activate the musical pipes of an organ.