Social Work internships in Rome

Internships in Rome begin monthly, with the exception of August. Other exceptions to general start date availability throughout the year may occur when start dates are closed due to public holiday disruptions or if the program has already reached capacity. Beginner Italian language speakers typically begin the program on the first Monday of the month. Two start dates per month are available for intermediate Italian language speakers (B1 and B2 or higher).

Airport pick up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee. The accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as all orientations are held on Mondays.

All participants fly into the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Ciampino–G.B. Pastine International Airport (CIA), in order to receive their airport pick up and be transported to the homestay accommodation. Note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.

Orientation is held on the afternoon of the Monday start date and covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.

If you are planning to spend time independently in Italy prior to your internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can arrange an alternative pick up from another location within Rome. Otherwise, you may make your own way to the local team’s office on Monday for your start date (and opt to have the return transportation to the airport covered, instead of your airport pick up).

All interns in Rome are hosted in various homestay accommodations. Living with an Italian family offers full daily cultural immersion into the lifestyle, language, and cuisine.

Homestays are typically situated within 20 minutes walking distance to the local team’s office (where the Italian language lessons also take place). The maximum commute time to internship placements is usually between 30-40 minutes by public transportation (metro or bus). If interns prefer to stay at a homestay that’s further from the office, yet closer to the internship placement instead, this request may be granted (subject to availability).

Interns can expect to have their own bedroom but may be accommodated alongside 2 to 3 other students or interns. Bathrooms are shared. Living is comfortable and WiFi is provided. Laundry is included - usually it will be done once a week.

Internships in Rome include two meals per day, served at the homestay (Italian breakfast and dinner).

Breakfast may consist of coffee and milk (or tea), bread or biscuits and jam. (Other breakfast items, such as cereals and fruits are not provided).

Lunch time in Rome is typically between 1 and 2:30 pm. There are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Rome and they typically offer special lunch menus in the afternoon, which are designed to provide an affordable set meal option (they could range anywhere between €9 and €20). One or two pizza slices can be €5-6. Some famous dishes to try include pasta all’amatriciana, pasta alla carbonara, pasta cacio e pepe, or agnello alla scottadito (grilled lamb). The internship program fees do not include lunch, so interns will be free to determine how they wish to accommodate their midday meal - whether through dining out or packing their own snacks.

Like breakfast, dinner is served at the internship homestay. Dinner time is typically served later in the evening (about 8-9pm). Typical dishes may include pasta, salads, soups, meat, rice dishes, cheeses, affettati (cold meat cuts, usually pork, chicken or beef) etc.

Please be sure to let us know of any specific dietary requirements that you have in advance (i.e. allergies and intolerances), so that we may ensure your hosts are aware and make recommendations to you accordingly.

Language lessons and internship schedule

It is important to note that internships in Rome include mandatory Italian language lessons, which are taken in conjunction with the internship program. This approach is designed to enhance the enjoyment of being in Italy, while developing professional social, and cultural competencies.

Beginners to the Italian language must complete the 4-week introductory Italian language course (included in their total duration) before beginning their full time internship placement. Intermediate Italian speakers (B1 or B2 or higher) must complete the 2-week Italian language course (included in their total duration) before beginning their full time internship placement.

The Italian language instruction is offered through an accredited provider and member of the Association of Schools of Italian as a Second Language (ASILS).

Weekends and travel

There’s so much to see and do within the city of Rome, it can almost seem overwhelming! However, our internship hosts in Rome have the best advice and know all the tricks for getting around and making the most out of your time. They are happy to coordinate cultural excursions directly - whether you want guided museum tours, evenings at the opera, or tickets to sporting events. When you’re ready get out of the city and explore the Roman countryside, you won’t be disappointed by a visit to Sermoneta. With its Caetani Castle and beautifully preserved medieval churches, it’s considered to be one of Italy’s loveliest towns. Sermoneta is also home to the Gardens of Ninfa. Famed for their romantic atmosphere, the expansive gardens contain ruins, towers, frescos, and over 13,000 varieties of plantlife. Rome’s central location in Italy makes it conveniently situated to visit other Italian cities, such as Florence, Venice, Milan, Sicily, and Tuscany, as well as other destinations within Europe. Transportation systems are fast and economical, connecting Rome to both regional and international destinations.

Weather and climate: Italy has a diverse climate, which is influenced by the Apennine Mountains, which form the peninsula’s backbone, and the Alps, which make up most of its northern boundary. Four different seas also surround the Italian Peninsula and influence it’s weather patterns - the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian, Ligurian, and the Tyrrhenian. Due to its geography and longitudinal stretch, the climate ranges from humid subtropical to oceanic. In particular, the Po valley has harsh winters and hot summers.

Focusing on Rome, where the internships are based, summers are short, hot, dry, and humid, while the wintertime is long, cold, wet, and often cloudy. The hottest months of summer are from mid June till mid September. During this time, the average daily high temperature is above 82°F / 28°C. The colder months are from late November through late March, when the average daily high is below 60°F / 15°C. The coldest day of the year is typically recorded in January. The wetter time of year is usually September through May.