The University of Arkansas Rome Center is reopening to study abroad students this May, more than one year after sending students home when the pandemic hit.

Enrollment is now open for the fall 2021 and spring 2022 Global Studies Program at the Rome Center. The program is open to students from all majors and has no prerequisites, allowing students to complete a minor in Global Studies (15 hours) in one semester. Application deadline for the fall program is May 15.

When the Rome Center suspended in-person classes in early 2020, the on-site faculty and staff had to find innovative ways to bring Rome to students since they couldn't bring students to Rome. Working with faculty to provide online learning from Rome and creating video tours of the city, the Rome Center was able to give students unique experiences, even when learning from home.

With the reopening of the center this spring, instructors are preparing to combine some of the innovation from the last year into the in-person learning experience. You can hear about some of the innovations in the latest Short Takes video, Returning to Rome.

In the last year, the Rome Center has grown partnerships with educational foundations, tech startups, international law firms, cultural institutions, and global NGOs housed in Rome to offer students a growing range of internship options to deepen their cultural and professional experiences in the city.

"This is a unique opportunity for students to earn University of Arkansas credits in a semester program, complete a minor in Global Studies, and access the city of Rome as a student and scholar — without the normal crowd of tourists," said Brian Poepsel, assistant director of study abroad for the Rome Center.