Lucky for me, along with hundreds of other adventurous Domers, Notre Dame boasts several international campuses. Although the Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway primarily caters to architecture students, other Notre Dame students studying abroad take classes here as well.
Located on Via Ostilia, just a block away from the Colosseum, the Rome Global Gateway building is only two years old! We spend a lot of our time here working on projects and taking classes, so let me show you around...
Design Studio
Three days a week the architecture students meet from 2:00pm to 6:00pm for Design Studio with our three wonderful professors: Krupali Krusche, Ettore Mazzola, and Selena Anders. Located on the third floor, this room is beautifully lit with large (and operable) windows. There is nothing quite like literally looking outside of your window sitting from your desk for inspiration from the mixed-use buildings next door. This gorgeous workspace is a major upgrade from the sophomore studio in Bond Hall!
Kitchen
Since we live in a hotel without cooking facilities, the Rome Global Gateway is equipped with a full double kitchen on the first floor. Each month, we are given meal stipends to supplement the cost of groceries, which are very affordable in Rome. Many people eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Global Gateway building due to its convenience. Small group dinners have become a new nightly ritual for many. Due to its convenient urban location, it is easy to grab a panini, go to the grocery, or find a nice restaurant to eat in all within a block’s distance as well.
Terraces
Personally, my favorite aspect of the Rome Global Gateway is the terrace space. In addition to an adjoining courtyard, there are both large second floor and roof terraces where you can take a nap, Facetime your family, or work on homework when it is sunny outside. At the beginning of the year, the Global Gateway even hosted a couple of banquets in the courtyard space, Italian appetizers included!
Other Spaces
Other than the studio, there is also a library, a computer room equipped with architectural printers, and there are a few classrooms for lectures and reviews.
We have everything we could possibly need here to make beautiful projects—plus, we are constantly surrounded by inspiration every single day. It is an aspiring architect’s dream come true to study in such an enriching place.