During my semester abroad as a film studies student in Rome, I took three courses that blended creativity, history, and culture: Advanced Post Production, Video Production, and Art of the Renaissance and Baroque. Each class was small and personal, with about 10–15 students, which made it easy to ask questions, collaborate, and build strong connections with professors.
What made these courses unforgettable was how much they engaged with the city of Rome itself. The classroom walls expanded to include the piazzas, museums, and historic streets all around us.
Advanced Post Production In Advanced Post Production
I developed valuable technical skills that will shape my career in film. We worked with DaVinci Resolve, a professional editing software used widely in the industry, and learned how to manage the entire post-production process: editing, sound design, and color correction. The class felt like a professional studio setting, with constant practice and feedback on our projects. By the end of the semester, I had not only gained confidence in my editing abilities but also a strong foundation in the workflows that bring films to life.
Video Production
My Video Production course was one of the most exciting because Rome itself became our set. We created several short films, experimenting with composition, lighting, and camera angles while shooting on location across the city. Every alley, piazza, and monument was a potential backdrop, which made the process so inspiring. Alongside the technical practice, we also analyzed films to better understand how directors communicate meaning. This gave me the tools to be more intentional about how I use visuals to convey a message in my own projects.
Art of the Renaissance and Baroque
Art of the Renaissance and Baroque was unlike any art history class I had ever taken before because most of it happened outside the classroom. We visited world-famous sites like the Vatican Museums, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona to see masterpieces up close. We studied how to analyze paintings, sculptures, and architecture while also learning to distinguish the unique characteristics of each era. Experiencing the art in person, in the very spaces it was created, gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation than I ever could have gained from a textbook.
Professors and Learning Style
The professors in Rome were passionate and encouraging, blending academic rigor with real-world insight. My post-production professor pushed me to think critically about every editing choice, while my video production professor gave me the freedom to experiment with storytelling through the camera. My art professor inspired me to slow down and pay attention to details.
My Favorite Class
It’s hard to choose, but Video Production was my favorite because it combined filmmaking with exploration. Using Rome as a backdrop for my projects was surreal, one day we’d be filming on a side street, the next in front of a historic monument. That class reminded me why I fell in love with film in the first place: the ability to tell stories that are shaped by place, culture, and people.
What I Learned
What I gained in Rome goes far beyond course credits. I learned how to adapt quickly, balance academics with the challenges of daily life in a new country, and approach creative projects with more intention. Academically, I left with sharper technical skills, new production experience, and a stronger appreciation for how art and history influence storytelling. Personally, I left more confident, independent, and inspired. My semester with CIS Abroad wasn’t just about taking classes, it was about learning to see both film and the world through a new lens.
Interested in studying abroad in Italy? Check out all of our study abroad and intern abroad programs here!
Blog by Valentina Remis, University of North Carolina - Charlotte
Semester in Rome - American University of Rome
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