Rome Spring 2026 Program

Join us for an epic adventure in the Eternal City: Rome, Italy! This Spring 2026 trip will be led by English Professor, Dr. Sarah Boggs who loves Rome almost as much as she loves her children and husband. The campus where we will study in Rome is located right in the Historic Center near the Trevi Fountain. Campo De Fiori, The Pantheon, and a short walk to Castle San Angelo and Trastevere. Not only is Rome heartbreakingly beautiful with its 2000 year old buildings, but the food, the people, the sound of the language, and the cappuccino, will make it impossible for you not to fall madly in love with Rome.

The program includes an excursion to the Saturnia Hot Springs and Siena. Refresh in the natural hot springs and then jump on the bus to Siena to experience one of the greatest towns in Tuscany.

For more information please attend an info session and for a first hand account of the experience ask Sarah to get you in contact with one of her previous students from her last trip in 2023.

Depart the U.S. Sunday, February 1, 2026
Arrive in Rome on Monday, February 2, 2026
Spring Break Dates: tbd
Depart Rome on Saturday, May 2, 2026

Sarah Boggs

Sarah has been teaching writing and Literature courses for the last twenty years. Her passions, in no particular order, include reading, writing, teaching, her family and friends, and all things Italian. Sarah led her first study abroad to Rome in the Spring of 2019, and has been missing it every day since. She is thrilled to use all of the local knowledge she gained during the last trip to make this one even better.

Sarah has taught at UCSB, University of California at Berkeley, Ventura College and now is a full time member of the English Department at SBCC. She completed her undergraduate work as an English Literature Major at UCSB. earned a Masters with an Emphasis in Creative Writing from CSU Chico and finally a PHD in Language, Literacy and Composition from UCSB鈥檚 Gevirtz Graduate School of Education. Sarah will be traveling to Rome with her husband Peter, and her daughter鈥檚 Madeleine and Grace.

You can contact Sarah at srboggs@pipeline.sbcc.edu

As part of the academic program, students will participate in mandatory excursions, including: (These excursions are tentative and subject to change)

Local orientation meeting with walking tour of the housing, classroom location and local amenities
Two-day, one-night excursion to Siena with guided walking tour
Entrance to Saturnia Thermal Springs
Reserved entrance to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill and Vatican Museums
Workshops with local staff
Welcome and Farewell dinner
Weekly program of subsidized cultural activities such as walking tours, cooking classes, wine lectures, ballet, soccer matches, day trips, concerts and film nights

You do not have to be currently enrolled at SBCC to apply for the program. However, you must meet the following requirements:

Must be in good academic standing and in good standing with Student Conduct and Title IX
Must be at least 18 years old on the day of departure
Must have successfully completed at least 6 college level units
Must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or higher
ENG110 Pre-requisite for ENG240 and ENG 271 NF courses (As of fall 2025 named ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing and ENGL C1000H Academic Reading and Writing - Honors)
Must submit the deposit upon acceptance notification to confirm the spot on the program. The spot is not confirmed until the fee has been received
Must submit the Program Participation Agreement upon acceptance to the program

After acceptance to the program and official program-go announcement:
- You must enroll at SBCC for the spring 2026 semester in order to participate in the program.
- If you have not completed ENG110 at SBCC, but have completed an equivalent course at a different college or have completed an AP English Test with a score of 3 or higher, please view options for clearing a prerequisite on the website.
- If you are currently taking ENG110 at SBCC, please provide the name and contact information for your professor so a progress report can be requested.
- You must follow the steps provided in the registration letter to register for courses on this program once registation opens for you. Course CRN numbers can not be accessed via the SBCC course catalog.
- You must complete, sign and return all legal documents to SBCC Study Abroad. Not submitting the required legal documents on time may cancel you from the program.

There is no major or language requirement for this program

Acceptance and participation in the program is not guaranteed until you receive officiall notification from the SBCC Study Abroad office and you make your deposit payment to AIFS.

The courses that are offered as part of the program are usually transferable to the University of California and California State University. Check with your academic advisor for possible exceptions. You must enroll in a minimum of 12 units throughout the whole program. Please note the ENG110 Requirement.

Classes offered on this program are:

ENG 240 Contemporary Fiction (3 Units)
Prerequisites: or . (As of fall 2025 named ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing and ENGL C1000H Academic Reading and Writing - Honors)
Course Advisories: or .
Reading of representative works of 21st century and late 20th century fiction. In-depth exploration of representative fiction with such themes as alienation, spiritual search, identity quests, etc.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area C
Transfer Information: CSU GE Area C2, IGETC Area 3B, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

ENG 271NF Creative Writing: Non-fiction (3 Units)
Prerequisites: or . (As of fall 2025 named ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing and ENGL C1000H Academic Reading and Writing - Honors)
Course Advisories: or .
Advanced study and practice of creative writing in non-fiction genres. Transfer Information: CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

ITAL 101 Beginning Italian I (5 Units)
Focuses on the essentials of spoken and written Italian for the beginner, and provides an introduction to the culture of Italian speakers. SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area C. Transfer Information: CSUGE Area C2, IGETC Area 6A, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

ART 210 Survey Of Renaissance And Baroque Art (3 Units)
Survey of the evolution of major styles, meanings, iconography and innovations in art during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with investigation of the social, cultural, political and philosophical contexts of the art. Emphasis on the interdisciplinary aspects of expressive behavior during these periods., SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area C, Transfer Information: CSUGE Area C1, IGETC Area 3A, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

$9,795 (subject to change)

* includes $450 Initial Deposit
** includes mandatory international health insurance through CISI insurance plan
*** does not include flight, tuition, books

Below information is subject to change.

Program Fee Includes:

- Accommodations (see details under "Housing")
- All required field trips and excursions including the transportation and entry fees to/from/on excursions (see 'Program Highlights")
- 1 month travel pass for unlimited travel on public transit in the central zones of Rome
- Pre-departure orientation by SBCC (on-campus)
- Rome on-site orientation (by AIFS)
- 24/7 emergency service with local number to reach on-site staff and toll-free number in the U.S.
- Enrollment in CISI insurance plan and app
- AIFS tour manager
- Welcome and Farewell Dinner

Program Fee Does Not Include:

- Round-trip airfare (an optional group flight is available through AIFS) see "Travel"
- Passport or visa fees, if applicable
- Meals other than those listed
- Optional Meal vouchers (see below under "optional")
- SBCC tuition, fees, books (non-residents are required to pay out-of-state or out-of-country fees)
- Additional field trips and excursions to those listed
- Quarantine housing if necessary
- Ground transfer from and to the Rome airport is only included for those students on the group flight. Students who purchase their own flight tickets may request a seat on the pick-up directly from AIFS on a space-available basis and an additional fee may be requested by AIFS
- ETIAS Travel Authorization (if applicable at the time of travel)
- Personal expenses (such as laundry)

Additional Options at an extra cost:

Optional Insurance upgrade: Optional Extra Protection Insurance Coverage, including increased medical insurance as outlined in the AIFS insurance brochure. Cost: $65 (Choose this option in the AIFS portal)

Optional Meal Plan: 25-vouchers for use at local restaurants in Rome. The vouchers can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner at selected restaurants. They have no cash value and must be exchanged for the set menu. Dietary requirements are catered for at a limited number of restaurant options. Cost: $615 (Choose this option in the AIFS portal)

Optional single room supplement: Students can request a single occupancy room where available. This is offered on a first-come first-serve basis and applies to the main student housing option only. Additional fees would apply if students wished to upgrade to single occupancy on overnight excursions. Single occupancy rooms are not guaranteed. Cost: $2,245 (Choose this option in the AIFS portal)

Optional Additional Excursions:

Palermo Weekend Excursion: A three-day, two-night excursion to Palermo including: Two nights accommodation in twin-rooms in a centrally located hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, ground transportation by private bus, on site lectures by an AIFS professor, one dinner, sightseeing excursion, entrances and an AIFS representative. Flights and airport transfers are not included. Cost: $695 - due November 26, 2025

Florence Weekend Excursion: A three-day, two-night excursion to Florence including: round-trip transportation by train in standard class, reserved seating, two nights' accommodation in twin or triple rooms in a centrally located hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, a walking tour of Florence's historic center with the services of a professional, English-speaking guide, reserved entrances with guided tours to the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery and an AIFS representative throughout. Cost: $625 - due November 26, 2025

Sorrento and Pompeii Weekend Excursion: A three-day, two-night excursion to Sorrento and Pompeii including: round-trip transportation by train and private bus, two nights' accommodation in twin or triple rooms in a centrally located hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, entrance to Pompeii with a guided tour, a day excursion to Capri, a guided walking tour of Naples, entrance with guided tour to National Archeological Museum and the services of an AIFS pepresentative. Cost: $645 - due November 26, 2025

Other optional fees:

25 Meal Vouchers - $615 - due by November 26, 2025
Single Room Supplement - $2,245 - due by November 26, 2025
Medical Insurance Upgrade - $65 - due by November 26, 2025

Optional Transportation Package - TBD - due by November 26, 2025

$450 non-refundable deposit due immediately after being accepted into the program to confirm your spot. All students must submit teh $450 deposit when completing the AIFS online form. Subsequent payments may be made by check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to "AIFS." American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

$4,672.50 - 2nd payment due November 7th (pay your partial or full program payment by then)

$4,672.50 - Final payment due by November 26th (pay your remaining fee by then)

All payments for the program cost and/or group flight must be made to AIFS by each participant. Payment amounts may vary if you choose the group flight, single housing supplement, meal vouchers or enhanced medical insurance.

Financial Aid students are responsible for paying their remaininig fees (beyond the deposit) by Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the airfare ($tbd), taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges ($tbd, subject to change), an $850 program reservation deposit, payment for optional proram components if applicable, and any remaining balance that will not be covered by aid. A $35 returned check fee will be charged on all checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds. You must complete the Financial Aid Form provided by

Air Transportation. SBCC has contracted with AIFS to provide travel and housing arrangements for the Rome Spring 2026 Semester Program.

Once the program has reached its 20-student minimum, AIFS will organize an optional round-trip group flight from LAX to Rome on a regularly scheduled airline.

Airfare is not included in the program price.

The group flight must have a minimum of 10 participants by October 25, 2025. Space on the group flight cannot be guaranteed after flight payment deadline of October 24, 2025. AIFS can not arrange airline tickets for students applying after Friday, November 7, 2025.

AIFS Airfare Regulations: Return must be to original U.S. departure point. Tickets are subject to airline availability. No refunds are available for any unused portion of hte ticket. Tickets cannot be rerouted, and stopovers are not permitted. Once in Italy, participants may be able to change their return date, but only if that date is available and in teh same class of service in which the ticket was booked. Only the ticketing agen can provide this information. Participants are subject to agency and airline-imposed change fees and space availability. Group round-trip ground transportation to and from the airport in Italy is on the regularly scheduled program dates only.

Estimated cost of group flight: $tbd (Choose this option in the AIFS portal) Cost will be available from June 2025

AIFS representative(s) will meet the participants of the group flight at the appropriate airport in Rome
For the group arrival transfer, AIFS will arrange a coach bus or taxi transfer from the Rome airport to the designated arrival point in Rome.
Participants missing the designated group arrival transfer are responsible for checking in at the designated arrival point and time on the scheduled date of arrival and are responsible for all transfer arrangements and costs.
Detailed arrival information will be provided to all participants approximately two weeks prior to arrival.
Participants who are unable to check in at the designated arrival point and time may be required to make and pay for their own accommodations for the first night.
On the group departure date, AIFS will arrange a group transfer (via coach bus and/or taxi) from the designated departure point in Rome to the Rome airport.
Transportation to and from LAX are not included

You may make your own travel arrangements if you do not wish to travel with the group. If you wish to utilize the AIFS group airport transfer, you must arrive before the group and meet up with them at the airport. You must let AIFS know directly in advance to make sure space is available on the shuttle. Transportation is on a space-available, first-come, first-serve basis and an additional fee will be charged by AIFS. Transport can not wait for students if individual flight is delayed.

Other Transportation:
Travel Pass: A month travel pass for unlimited travel on public transit in the central zones of Rome for the first month of the program. Students may recharge their travel passes or purchase individual tickets for the remaining time of the program on their own.

All students will be housed in a central hotel for the first night where staff will be on duty to answer any questions and to help with the transition to Rome. The following day, after orientation, students will be transferred by taxi to their apartments.

Apartments with cooking facilities in the historic center of Rome within a 40-minute commute radius of the study center. Students will be in twin rooms with typically four to six SBCC students sharing a two-or three bedroom apartment.

Linen and wireless internet will be provided. Towels are not provided.. Adequate utilities will be provided up to a normal consumption for the duration of the program. Students will be expected to pay for anything above this anmount directly to the Rome office before leaving the program

- Mixed gender housing (no mixed rooms)
- Pets are not allowed in program housing
- Exact housing placements will be given to participants upon arrival (roommate requests can be made until the pre-departure meeting in December)

Single Room Supplement: Students can request a single occupancy room where available. This is offered on a first-come first-serve basis and applies to the main student housing option only. Additional fees apply if students wished to upgrade to single occupancy on overnight excursions. Single occupancy rooms are not guaranteed.

Additional cost for single room: $2,245 (Choose this option in the AIFS portal)

Should participants have to self-quarantine outside of program housing due to a positive test for COVID-19 during the program or due to local quarantine mandates for international travelers upon arrival, AIFS will assist in locating temporary housing for the participant as quickly as possible.

The cost for quarantine housing is the responsibility of the student and will be invoiced to the student directly by AIFS.

Optional Meal Plan: 25-vouchers for use at local restaurants in Rome. The vouchers can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner at selected restaurants. They have no cash value and must be exchanged for the set menu. Dietary requirements are catered for a t a limited number of restaurant options.

Meal Voucher: $615 (Choose this option in the AIFS portal)

Application Deadline: October 6, 2025

Start your application process well in advance of the application deadline. Most programs fill prior to the deadline as we accept students on a first-come, first-serve basis. You will need to submit several required documents with your online application. Some of the documents need to be completed by school officials, which may take several days or weeks. Only complete applications are accepted.

Additional materials or documents required for your online application are:

1. A current photo. This should be a close-up headshot which clearly identifies you. Please do not wear sunglasses or hats.

2. Unofficial Transcript. The transcript must show the name of your institution, your full name, all the courses you have taken so far with the grade and your GPA. Screenshots from your phone can not be accepted unless each image identifies your institution and your name.

3. A completed Student Conduct Release Form. This form must be completed by the school official at your current or most recent institution who is responsible for Student Conduct. If that is SBCC for you, the form can be sent to Candee Gyll at gyllc@sbcc.edu. Be sure you complete the top part of the form and clearly identify the program you are applying for (Rome Spring 2026). Failure to clearly identify the program may result in a delay in processing your application and forms.

Instructions for the Student Conduct Release Form before starting your online application:
1. Download the fillable PDF form and save it to your computer.
2. Complete the top part as instructed in the document and save the form again with the changes.
3. Email the form to or drop off a hard copy with the individual who will complete it and request they return it to you.
4. Once the form has been returned to you, click on the Online Application link below to start the application process.
5. Upload all required documents with your online application.
6. You will get to a screen that confirms your application and all forms have been submitted. If you do not get to that screen, your application has not been submitted.

Downloadable forms:
- Student Conduct Release Form

Please make sure you read all the instructions on how to apply before starting your application. All information on the application will be lost when you close the site. You will need to complete your required documents prior to starting the application.

After submission of your application it will be reviewed and forwarded to the program director(s), who will reach out to you for an interview. Interviews may be held in person or by phone or Zoom.

You will be notified of your acceptance into the program in writing via email from the Study Abroad office. A verbal acceptance by your program director does not confirm your acceptance. You are not officially confirmed on the program until you receive the notification, make the non-refundable $450 deposit directly to AIFS via their Online Portal and complete the signed Program Participation Agreement, which will be sent with the acceptance notification.

Once you have officially been accepted to the program, you will need to register online with AIFS and make the deposit. The non-refundable $450 deposit will secure your spot in the program. We advise you to make sure you have the amount of the deposit set aside at the time you apply to the program.

Please review the cancelation policy below.

Subsequent program payments must be made directly to AIFS. Failure to make any payment when due will automatically cancel you from the program one week after the payment due date. All payments are effective the day they are received by AIFS. Tuition and fees are paid to SBCC upon registering for the courses.

For questions about the application or the application process please contact the Study Abroad office at 805-730-4294 or nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu. or set up an appointment with the Study Abroad Advisor .

Any individual cancellation must be made in writing to AIFS and is effective the date of the receipt by AIFS. In addition, students must e-mail the SBCC Study Abroad office at nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu to confirm their withdrawal

If a student withdraws from the program, refunds can be expeted based on the following schedule:

Withdrawal on or before Friday, November 7, 2025 - All fees paid less a $150 processing fee.

Withdrawal after Friday, November 7th, 2025, and on or before Friday, December 5, 2025 - All fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student鈥檚 behalf will be refunded

Withdrawal after: Friday, December 5, 2025 - No refund and the total program fee is due.

Withdrawal once the program has begun - No refund

Please note that any student who is academically withdrawn by SBCC after their application has been processed by AIFS is subject to the standard refund policy. After the final payment deadline the full program fee is due to AIFS even if you have not yet paid and do not participate or plan to participate in the program. Non-refundable financial commitments have been mad eto sercure your spot. If a participants withdraws once the program has begun. This refund policy applies whether a participants pays AIFS Abroad directly for all, part, or no program fees.

Should SBCC cancel the program after the final payment deadline students will receive no refund except recovarble costs. **

Should AIFS cancel the program prior to departure for reasons within its control, students will receive a full refund. Should AIFS cancel a program after Friday, December 5, 2025 (including once the program has started) for reasons beyond its control including but not limited to Acts of God, Government actions (including those restricting travel) pandemics, fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, or other natural forces, war, civil unrest, accident, any strike or labor disturbances, or any other event similar to those enumerated above (a "Force Majeure Event") students will receive no refund except for recoverable costs. **

** To secure appropriate facilities payment has to be made in advance for many program components such as housing, transportation, excursions, etc. In the event of cancellation after the program has begun AIFS will endeavor to obtain funds from suppliers and pass any recovered costs on to the student.

In case of program cancellation during the program, AIFS will assist students with organizing return tickets home. Any additional charges for transportation or housing will be at the student's expense.

We encourage all participants to purchase a Trip Cancellation policy. AIFS offers and optional via CISI

Please refer to and updates and consult the updates

At some point in 2025, the European Union's new ETIAS visa system is expected to be implemented. Although a firm date has not yet been determined, we encourage you to become familiar with this requirement and to prepare to advise students accordingly. ETIAS will be required to enter and stay in 30 European countries, including the 29 Schengen countries. Students will be able to study for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The most up to date information can be found on the EU's website at

Traveling in the Schengen area prior to or after the program dates: You can not stay more than 90 days in the Schengen area. If you plan on traveling prior to the start date of the program, or after the program ends, you should travel to non-Schengen countries.

Service Provider: AIFS Customized, Faculty Led Programs are a division of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS). AIFS was founded in 1964. Since then, over 1.6 million students have participated in our educational and cultural exchange programs. Over 6,000 American college students study abroad each year with the AIFS College Division鈥攁pproximately 2,000 of these are on customized, faculty-led programs organized through the AIFS Customized, Faculty Led Programs Division. Contact AIFS for any housing, group flight or payment related questions at (800) 727-2437

Follow SBCC Study Abroad on Instagram for meeting announcements, information and photos from past programs and more

Program Orientation: A mandatory pre-departure meeting will be conducted in person on the SBCC campus on December 5, 2025, introducing the academic course work, addressing general aspects of study abroad and cross-cultural learning, and providing practical information regarding preparation and travel. Details about the pre-departure meeting will be provided to participants at a later date. It is the responsibility of the students to provide this information to parents or guardians. Due to FERPA regulations, the Study Abroad office communicates only directly with the student participants.

An on-site orientation in Rome will be held by AIFS staff on the day after arrival and covers practical matters as well as aspects of cross-cultural living and learning, giving program participants the tools they need to make the most of their time in Rome.

Sponsoring Institution:
51福利社
Study Abroad Office
Nicole Walther
International Education Center, Room 1
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Phone: (805) 730-4294
nwalther@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Service Provider:
AIFS Abroad
1 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06905
Phone: 800-727-2437 (9am - 5pm EST Monday - Friday)

Interesting websites to prepare for your trip:

Info sessions will be held in person on the SBCC campus or via Google Meet (or hybrid). No rsvp is required for in-person meetings. Please contact the program director Sarah Boggs for meeting related inquiries or problems and to confirm the sessions.

WHAT? Hybrid Info Session
WHEN? Thursday, February 20 路 3:00 鈥� 4:00pm
WHERE? L-137 and Google Meet
Video call link:
Or dial: 鈥�(US) +1 904-701-7193 PIN: 鈥�286 079 568#
More phone numbers:

WHAT? Hybrid Info Session
WHEN? Wednesday, March 19 路 1:30 鈥� 2:30pm
WHERE? L-137 and Google Meet
Video call link:
Or dial: 鈥�(US) +1 507-881-0127 PIN: 鈥�541 560 017#
More phone numbers:

WHAT? Hybrid Info Session
WHEN? Monday, April 7 路 3:00 鈥� 4:00pm
WHERE? L-137 and Google Meet
Video call link:
Or dial: 鈥�(US) +1 321-442-0059 PIN: 鈥�295 691 245#
More phone numbers: