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The Fall 2026 program in Rome, Italy, is a unique opportunity to explore the world’s greatest capital through the prism of art, photography, and film.

During this semester-length program, you will explore Rome. Learn international film history, theory, and aesthetics and study film directors as well as photography throughout the program with Professor Michael Stinson. In addition, study Art History with a local instructor. 

The Eternal City of Rome is one of the original centers of cinema and host to the legendary film studios of Cinecittá.  The weeks leading up to the holiday season are a wonderful time to be in Rome – the weather is crisp, holiday markets are open, and vendors sell roasted chestnuts on the street corners. When not busy studying film, you’ll explore all that Rome has to offer and learn to capture stunning images of your trip against a backdrop of over two thousand years of art and architecture.

Depart U.S. on Saturday, September 12, 2026
Arrive on Rome Sunday, September 13, 2026
Depart Rome on Tuesday, November 24, 2026

Professor Michael Stinson has been a full-time faculty member in the department of Film and Media Studies at SBCC for the past 25 years. During his tenure, he has directed twelve international study programs and taught courses in screenwriting, film production, cinematography, directing, editing, and film history. Professor Stinson was awarded a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television from U.C.L.A. and worked as a screenwriter for Warner Brothers, Paramount and Universal Studios. He was the Co-Director of the Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Competition at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and is leading the 2026 Fall program to Rome. Prior to film school, he lived and worked abroad for ten years as a photojournalist and was based in Rome for over six years.

You can reach Professor Stinson at mestinson@pipeline.sbcc.edu

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

• Train your eye for golden hour & night photography with walks through Camo de' Fiori, PIazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps
• Take Panoramas on top of Gianicolo Hill, Pincio Terrace, and the rooftop of Castel Sant’Angelo
• Utilize Campo de’ Fiori and Testaccio Market as living canvases
• Visit Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica
• Walk the Baroque & Bernini Trails
• Sant’Andrea al Quirinale, Fountain of the Four Rivers, and the Cornaro Chapel (Ecstasy of Saint Teresa).
• Ostia Antica
• Tour legendary film studio Cinecittà Studios
• Outdoor screening night of an Italian classic
• Visit Tivoli and Orvieto

A weekly program of subsidized cultural activities including activities such as walking tours, cooking classes, wine lectures, ballet, soccer matches, day trips, and concerts and film nights.

Reserved entrances with guided tours to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill and to the Vatican Museums.

 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

After acceptance to the program and official program-go announcement:
- You must enroll at SBCC for the fall 2026 semester in order to participate in the program
- Must submit the non-refundable deposit upon acceptance notification to confirm the spot on the program.
- Must submit the Program Participation Agreement upon receipt of the acceptance notification
 - 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 submit all legal documents for SBCC and AIFS. 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. 

FS111 - 3 Units - Contemporary World Cinema: Study of international film history, theory and aesthetics, from 1960 to the present. The film medium is addressed as a technology, a business, an art form and as a medium that both reflects and creates popular culture. SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area C, SBCCGE Area E5. Transfer Information: CSUGE Area C2, IGETC Area 3B, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

FS120 - 3 Units - Master Filmmakers: Study of film directors and how their work has advanced and defined the art of cinema. Landmark films by celebrated directors, both foreign and domestic, are analyzed in terms of theme, structure and cinematic technique. Emphasis placed on the role of the auteur. Directorial contributions to specific film genres are explored. SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area C. Transfer Information: CSUGE Area C1, IGETC Area 3A, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable

PHOT109 - 3 Units - Intro to Photography: Students learn the fundamentals of photography including techniques of camera operation, photo composition and lighting, basic digital imaging editing, photo printing paper characteristics, print finishing techniques, and image enhancement techniques using industry-standard hardware and software. Students participate in critiques that emphasize the objective and subjective qualities of their work. Transfer Information: CSU Transferable, UC Transferable. C-ID: JOUR 160. skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 98 and .

ART104 - 3 Units - History of Art, Renaissance to Modern: Survey of art from 1300 to the end of the 20th century (the Renaissance to Post-Modernism), and an examination of its cultural and conceptual context. SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area C. Transfer Information: CSUGE Area C1, IGETC Area 3A, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable. UC Transfer Limit: 104 and 104H combined: Maximum credit, one course.. C-ID: ARTH 120.

 $9,995 (subject to change)

* Includes $450 deposit
** AIFS will charge $35 returned check fee on each check returned by the bank for insufficient funds.

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")
- Welcome dinner and a farewell dinner
- Local area travel pass for unlimited travel on public transit for one month (see "Travel")
- Pre-departure orientation by SBCC (on-campus)
- Rome on-site orientation
- 24/7 on-call service
- Access to AIFS Student Centers with free internet access and printing facilities
- Enrollment in CISI insurance plan

Program Fee Does Not Include:

- Round-trip airfare (an optional group flight is available through AIFS) see "Travel"
- Passport, visa fees or travel authorization, if applicable
- Meals other than those listed
- SBCC tuition, fees, books (non-residents are required to pay out-of-state or out-of-country fees)
- Any optional, additional field trips and excursions to those listed
- Ground transfer from the airport in Rome unless you are on the optional group flight. Students who purchase their own flight tickets may request a seat on the airport pick up shuttle directly from AIFS on a space-available basis and an additional fee may be requested by AIFS
- Optional Single room supplement ($2,245)
- Optional Medical Insurance Updrade ($65)
- Personal expenses

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

Optional Excusions offerered by AIFS (Choose in AIFS portal)

Palermo Weekend Excursion
A three-day, two-night excursion to Palermo including: Two nigths' accommodation in twin0rooms 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. Faculty may participate at the student fee in a single room placement. Additional Cost: $695

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. Additional Cost: $625

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 representative. Additional Cost: $645

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. Additional Cost: $615

$450 Deposit due immediately after being accepted into the program but no later than March 19, 2025 to confirm your spot. (Payment made through the AIFS Student Portal)

$TBD- 2nd payment due TBD

$TBD - Final payment due by TBD

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, optional Trip Interruption or Cancellation insurance, meal vouchers or enhanced medical insurance.

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

The airfare package is optional to student participants and offered on a space-available basis. AIFS will reserve spaces at the above prices according to information on the student online enrollment form. Once airline tickets have been issued to students, they can only be changed directly with the issuing agent – agent and airline-imposed penalties apply.

AIFS is financially committed to any confirmed airlines seats from Thursday, June 4, 2026. Once the program has reached its 20-student minimum, AIFS will organize the optional round-trip group flight from LAX to Rome and from Rome to LAX on a regularly scheduled airline.

Airfare is not included in the program price. Airfare package will be available late December 2025.

The group flight must have a minimum of 10 participants by June 4, 2026. Space on the group flight cannot be guaranteed after flight payment deadline of Friday, June 19, 2026 . 

Estimated cost of group flight: TBD (Choose this option in the AIFS portal) 

• AIFS representative(s) will meet the participants of the group flight at the appropriate airport in Fome
• For the group arrival transfer, AIFS will arrange 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 airport.
• Transportation to and from LAX is 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. 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 one-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.

Orientation accommodation: 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.

Accommodation: apartments with cooking facilities in the historical center of Rome within a 40-minute commute radius of the study center. Students will be in twin rooms with typically four to six 51¸£ÀûÉç students sharing a two- or three-bedroom apartment. Linen and wireless internet will be 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 amount directly to the Rome office before leaving the program.

Meals: self-catering facilities at student accommodation, a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner. Meal vouchers are available for an additional fee (see optional components).

Application Deadline: TBD

** We accept students on a first-come, first-serve basis and recommend that you apply as soon as possible as programs fill before their deadline. Once a program is full, we start a waiting list.

Start your application process well in advance of the application deadline. You will need to submit several required documents with your online application. Some of the documents need to be completed by school officials and other persons, which may take several days or weeks. You must have your completed required documents before you start your online application.

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. 

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Required documents needed prior to completing your online application:

1. A current photo. This should be a close-up headshot which clearly identifies you. Please do not wear sunglasses or hats. NO ID's

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 Sandra Flore at sflores@sbcc.edu . Be sure you complete the top part of the form and clearly identify the program you are applying for (Rome Fall 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 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 with your information to the individual who will complete it and request they return it to you.
4. Once the form have 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

After submission of your application it will be reviewed and forwarded to the program director, who will reach out to you for an interview.  Interviews may be held in person or on Zoom if applicant is outside of Santa Barbara.
 
You will be notified of your acceptance into the program in writing via email from the Study Abroad office. 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 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 payment of the application fee. 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 is 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. 

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 an individual student withdraws there will be a refund according to the following schedule:

Withdrawal on or before: TBD All fees paid less a $150 processing fee.

Withdrawal after TBD but on or before TBD  - All fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student’s behalf.

Withdrawal after: TBD - 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.

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 such as via CISI or

Please refer to and updates and consult the updates.

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—approximately 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 in May 8, 2026, introducing the academic course work, addressing general aspects of study abroad and cross-cultural learning, and providing practical information regarding preparation and travel. Details 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 Laondon and Paris 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 Paris and London.

Sponsoring Institution:
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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 - American Institute for Foreign Study
1 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
800-727-2437

Please contact SBCC Study Abroad office for any program related questions first. If you have additional questions about payments and cancelation deadlines, optional group flight or insurance please contact AIFS directly at 800-727-2437.  Please note the name of your group (51¸£ÀûÉç or SBCC Trip to Paris and London, fall 2025)

Interesting websites to prepare for your trip:

Info sessions will be held in fall 2025 and spring 2026. No rsvp is required for in-person meetings. Some Zoom sessions may require prior registration to receive the direct Zoom link. Please contact the program director Michael Stinson at mestinson@sbcc.edu  for Zoom related inquiries or problems.