Salve, !
Congratulations! You have been accepted to participate in Living Latin in Rome. We are very much looking forward to helping you develop your knowledge of Latin, and to spending time getting to know you amidst the enchanting landscape of Italy this summer.
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE
Living Latin in Rome’s curriculum includes classroom sessions, weekly site visits, lectures, a weekend trip, and conversational Latin sessions sub arboribus.
- Classes meet each weekday, generally from 2-6pm in the afternoon in order to take advantage of the cooler air for site visits, although there may be some morning classes to take advantage of unusual opening hours. There will be ample time for breaks and casual interaction in between class sessions.
- In the absence of site visits, students are free to relax and explore Rome.
- The program will visit one to two sites in Rome each week
- Most afternoons or and evenings will include optional activities, such as spoken Latin sessions and / or optional site visits in Rome.
- There will be a trip in the middle of the course to visit Sulmona.
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
The course organizers will provide you with a packet with the required readings and assignments. In order to encourage classroom discussion, we request that all participants also have access to the same dictionary and grammar books.
GRAMMAR
Our favorite grammar is Gildersleeve’s Latin Grammar, of which a free PDF is available here. James Morewood offers a simpler and still cost-effective Latin Grammar with practice exercises, which you may wish to bring along for ready consultation.
DICTIONARIES
All participants should have access to A Latin Dictionary by Lewis & Short.
- The best (and lightest) free Latin dictionary available is the University of Chicago’s Logeion, which is available as a free app for Apple devices.
- John Traupman’s Conversational Latin for Oral Proficiency is a handy resource for learning to speak Latin, organized by theme and may be helpful in our informal conversational Latin sessions.
OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS ON ROME
We would also like to recommend (but do not require) a few books that will help you access the sights, sounds, and history of Rome in your free time. These are:
- Alta Macadam’s The Blue Guide to Rome – a wealth of historical and architectural information on the city of Rome across all historical periods.
- Amanda Claridge’s Rome: An Archaeological Guide – an informative, accurate, and user-friendly guide to Rome’s ancient archaeological sites.
- Steven A. Tuck’s History of Roman Art a good overview of ancient Roman art.
- The Romans: From Village to Empire by Mary T. Boatwright et al. provides a concise and reliable overview of Roman history.
LATIN PREPARATION
You will get more out of Living Latin in Rome if you arrive with a strong foundation in Latin grammar and a strong active vocabulary. Below are some great resources for gaining the skills you need to enjoy the literature we will be reading.
- Paideia’s self-paced online course, Living Latin, offers an in-depth review of Latin grammar and lots of reading practice.
- Excelability in Advanced Latin by Marianthe Colakis is a concise and straightforward review of Latin grammar with practice exercises.
- The Latin Vocabulary List available through Dickinson College is an excellent resource for learning the words that most frequently occur in Latin literature. Challenge yourself to know as many of these words as possible English --> Latin before the program starts. If you like flash cards, they are available as a Quizlet set here.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR TIME IN ITALY
CLOTHING: WHAT TO PACK
Rome is hot in July. Some of our site visits will involve spending hours outside in the sun, although we try to schedule them to avoid the worst of the heat. We recommend a good hat, plenty of sunscreen, and a good pair of UV-protective sunglasses. Sunscreen is very expensive in Italy; it’s best to bring enough from home.
Appropriate attire. While shorts and t-shirts are fine on most days, some of our site visits include trips to basilicas and churches, where visitors must wear clothing that fully covers knees and shoulders to be allowed entrance (e.g. trousers or skirts and shirts with sleeves). Many visitors to Italy bring a light shawl that can be thrown over the shoulders or tied around the waist as needed.
Come prepared with a swimsuit and beach towel. You might have the chance to visit the beach!
The course will be taking a two-day trip to Sulmona, so be sure to bring a backpack or daypack.
Bring good, strong shoes. One does a lot of walking on cobblestones in Rome, both because the public transportation system is inadequate and hot, and also because there is so much to see. Archaeological sites are full of dusty walkways, uneven flagstones, and low stone walls. Your feet will thank you if you do this walking in sturdy sneakers or cross trainers.
Some site visits will be to churches and require conservative dress, some will be to archaeological sites and require more rugged dress, and some to museums with no particular requirements.
STAYING IN TOUCH
Cell Phones: If your regular cell phone service doesn’t work in Italy, the easiest way to stay in touch while in Italy is to buy an Italian sim card for your smartphone, which provides both cellular and wireless coverage on a pay-as-you-go basis. We can help you purchase those upon arrival. Make sure your phone is unlocked to work with an international sim before you leave the US by calling your provider.
Internet Access: The classroom building is equipped with high-speed internet access.
In case of emergency, a Paideia staff member can be reached 24 hours a day at +39 351 399 1291. For anything else, please email [email protected], and we will respond within 24 hours. The cell phone numbers of Paideia staff in Rome will be made available to participants closer to the start of the trip, which you can call for day-to-day concerns.
We invite all admitted students to log in to their Paideia Institute accounts to access the Living Latin in Rome 2026 enrolled students page, where students can view the student roster and access important forms and information.
If you're interested in reaching out to course participants before or during the program, please join the program’s WhatsApp group, linked here.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Medical care in Italy is first-rate and, should the need arise, the Paideia Institute has a physician on call 24 hours a day for the duration of the course. All participants must have their own health insurance covering them internationally during the full duration of their time in Italy.
If you are taking medication, be sure to bring enough for your entire stay. There are well-stocked pharmacies in Rome, but not all drugs are readily accessible without an Italian prescription, and it is better to bring one’s own supplies.
If you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to participate, we strongly urge you to share that condition with us ahead of time. This way, in the event of a medical issue, we can more quickly and efficiently arrange for your care. All such information will be held in the strictest confidence.
CLASSROOM
Living Latin in Rome classroom sessions take place at Cornell University’s Rome campus. This facility is located in Palazzo Santacroce at Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 6, 00186 Roma. For a Google Maps link, click here.
Classrooms are air-conditioned and equipped with wireless internet for student use.
HOUSING
Students must arrange their own housing for the part of the program that takes place in Rome. We recommend booking housing near the Cornell classroom facilities at the guesthouses and hotels listed below.
- Casa San Giuseppe, located in Vicolo Moroni, 22, 00153 Roma, 650 m from Cornell. Approximate cost is 80 euros for a single room, 110 euros for a double, and 150 euros for a triple.
- Casa Santa Lucia Filippini, located in Largo di Santa Lucia Filippini, 20, 00186 Roma, 350 m from Cornell. Approximate cost is 100 euros for a single room, 170 euros for a double, and 230 euros for a triple.
- Hotel Della Torre Argentina, located at Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 102, 00186 Roma, 450 m from Cornell. Approximately cost is 180 euros for a single room, 200 euros for a double, and 250 euros for a triple.
- Hotel La Lumiere Di Piazza di Spagna, located at Via Belsiana, 72, 00187 Roma, 1.6 km from Cornell. Approximate cost is 140 euros for a single room, 150 euros for a double, and 200 euros for a triple.
- Hotel Navona, located at Via dei Sediari 8, 00186, Roma, 550 m from Cornell. Approximate cost is 250 euros for a single or double room.
If you wish to room with other participants, you can join the LLiR 2026 WhatsApp group to contact other admitted students before the start of the program by visiting this link.
Housing during the trip to Sulmona from Friday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 5th is included in the cost of tuition. Participants will be housed in double or triple rooms according to gender and age. Single rooms may be available for a supplement.
If you have special housing considerations for this portion of the trip, let us know well in advance and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please write to [email protected] with any requests.
Nota Bene: Please do not book non-refundable travel before the deposit deadline of April 1st, 2026. We will confirm by email on April 2nd whether enough students have enrolled to run the program.. Accommodations in Rome may book up quickly, and we recommend arranging your housing early, but not before April 2nd.
FOOD
A welcome aperitivo (drink and hors d’oeuvres) and farewell dinner are included in the price of tuition, as well as a group dinner on the weekend trip. Otherwise, participants are expected to shop and cook for themselves, or eat in local restaurants.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Living Latin in Rome begins with a welcome aperitivo the evening of Sunday, June 28th. The final day of academic programming is Friday, July 10th, so students can schedule their departure any time on the 11th.
Please make sure to fill out your travel form so that we are able to communicate with you on arrival day.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Citizens do not need to apply for a visa to participate in this program, though they will need a passport. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, you should begin the application process as soon as possible, as it can be a lengthy process. Students who are not U.S. citizens may need a visa. To determine your visa requirements, please refer to the nearest Italian Consulate's website.
POLICIES
CANCELLATION POLICY AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Once paid, the $500 deposit is non-refundable. Participants who withdraw from the program after the balance deadline (May 1st) will be given a credit for the amount of the balance (but not the deposit). There are no refunds for students who withdraw from the program.
Travel insurance may help protect your investment in this program in the event that something prevents you from coming. A Student Travel Protection Plan is available for this program through Travel Guard. For coverage information and to purchase this insurance prior to final trip payment, please visit this link. Please contact Travel Guard at 866-385-4839 with any questions.
There are no refunds in the event that a traveler is unable to travel due to insufficient documentation, such as lack of passport, including lack of passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip, and lack of visa, or due to last minute health issues. For these issues, Paideia recommends travel insurance.
CODE OF CONDUCT
All program participants agree to abide by the Paideia Institute’s Code of Conduct. Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including removal from activities or, in serious cases, early dismissal from the program.
PAYMENT
PAYMENT DEADLINES
Deposit ($500) and enrollment form: April 1st, 2026
Remaining Balance ($2000): May 1st, 2026
PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD OR ACH TRANSFER
Please pay the deposit and balance below by the deadlines indicated above. Please note that payment by credit card includes a 3% convenience fee.