Study Social Work in Rome: Summer 2027

Registration Opens November 5

This summer, School of Social Work students have the chance to study in Rome for the first time since before the pandemic. The two-week program, running June 12-26, will be led by Professors Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., and John Orwat, Ph.D.

Students will enroll in SOWK 722 and SOWK 735, completing about 40 hours of asynchronous coursework from June 7-12 before departure. Class discussions during field trips in Rome will build directly on what students have already studied. Classes meet at Loyola’s Rome Center, where students will also live during their time in Italy. After the trip, students finish their remaining coursework between June 28 and August 6.

The group arrives June 12 and begins June 13 with a visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, followed by a welcome lunch. From June 14-25, class days are packed with site visits tied to course themes. Lunch is on your own.

For Dr. Singer, even a landmark like the Colosseum becomes a classroom. “The story behind the colosseum and what they did on the inside, it is fascinating and certainly worth it, but for our purposes, especially around death and grief and loss, how do we think about death as a public or private event? What’s the difference between ritualized versus medicalized dying? And so the colosseum provides rich opportunities to understand how these notions of death and dying reflect cultural norms and changing traditions.”

Feedback from students in of prior Rome trips have said they really appreciate the opportunity to get to spend time with professors and have informal learning while experiencing one of the cultural capitols of Europe; exploring the food and history of the city while earning course credit.

Cost of the experience includes tuition, a fee of $2,500 to $3,400 for lodging and activities, and mandatory health insurance at $200. Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements (cost and arrangement) and non-University activities. For full details, watch our recorded info session here. Password: z!^Vj8ok

Registration opens November 5. Students interested in joining this return to Rome should plan to register as soon as possible.