Rome International School – A Student’s Experience of Global Education in Italy

Rome International School (RIS) is a private day school set in a stunning parkland campus in the Monte Mario reserve, close to the city centre. 

The school offers an internationally recognised mix of the English curriculum and IB from early years through to 18. As a member of Globeducate, RIS provides students with exceptional facilities and a truly global education. 

We spoke with Romualdo Mavedzenge, a Senior Student in Year 12, currently studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Here he shares his experiences at RIS over the past 3 years and offers insights into student life in the Italian capital.

What brought your family to Rome and RIS? You’ve also attended other international schools before – how do they compare?

I moved to Italy with my family due to my father getting a new position to work here and to also face new challenges and experiences in life. The general atmosphere in Rome, the culture, people and attitudes towards learning and student living is a unique experience that I think everyone should experience at least once. 

I have attended quite a few different international schools so I have become accustomed to the general international school environment, but RIS stands out to me as it’s unlike any of the schools I have been to before.

When you first joined RIS, was it easy to settle in? How did the school and its community help you feel welcome and adjust to your new environment?

When I first joined RIS, it was a very nice place. But at the same time the experience of moving to Rome was not all the sunflowers and butterflies I had envisioned, as it was also my first time in Italy and this side of Europe, with a language barrier. 

Adjusting to the customs and the communication between students was not easy for me (and it did not help that I did not like approaching people). However in due time I did end up adjusting and also learning Italian to a level that allowed me to have short conversations with people. In addition I took up a lot of sports to branch out my friend groups to more than just classmates.

What has your experience at RIS been like so far? Are there any particular memories or moments that stand out?

My experience at RIS has been one of a kind, with ups and downs but mostly positive experiences. During my time I have most definitely accumulated a vastness of memories and special moments made from school trips, debates about who had the correct discussion point on their history test and the most simple things. So in my opinion I have valued my time at RIS and my multitude of memories.

What are your favourite academic subjects and why? 

Economics is hands down my favourite subject. It’s basically the study of human behaviour but with graphs. It’s like if psychology and maths had a baby, and that baby grew up to rule the world. 

The idea that people make decisions based on limited resources fascinates me especially when you realise it applies to everything. Why do I buy 10 snacks when I’m only hungry for 3? Supply and demand. 

Plus economics is everywhere. The reason your coffee costs $5 at Starbucks? Economics. The reason you can’t afford a new phone even though you really want one? Economics. It’s like the invisible force that controls everything we do, from what we buy to how much we earn and it’s fun to know the secret sauce behind the world’s chaos even if it’s just so you can explain to your friends why their “get-rich-quick” scheme might actually be a disaster. A close second is Philosophy.

Do you take part in any extracurricular activities?

Yes I do, at school I’m part of the football and basketball teams. Outside school I also played for an academy. In football I originally played midfielder but since coming to Italy, I have been moved to striker and winger due to my pace and ability to somehow always find the back of the net (proven by statistics). For basketball, I play the small forward and power forward despite my heart being in the point guard position. 

In addition to this I am also the creator and CEO of a club called the Media Club, which works mainly in student life representation, through media and educating on safe media. Furthermore we are currently involved in aiding the school in its IB re-certification. There are more extracurriculars I take part in but the list would be too long if I was to name all of them.

How do you feel Rome International School supports its students, both academically and personally?

RIS does its best to support its students. The teachers work in close proximity with the students regarding everything and as a student you stay really involved. Furthermore the people at the school are generally approachable if you are having personal problems, even if that particular person is not a teacher of yours.

You’re a Prefect at RIS. What does that role involve, and how do you balance your responsibilities with your IB studies?

Being a prefect comes with big responsibilities but I like to believe that the school would not have put me in that position if they did not believe that I would be able to balance my studies and responsibilities. 

The role mostly involves being a leader for the school, a voice for the students and acting as the link between members of staff and the students. It also means occasionally being available for open days and school events with parents and potential students, giving them a representation to what a typical RIS student is like. 

On the other hand I try to manage and balance my studies and responsibilities by always staying on top of my work, spending some time at home brushing up on homework and most importantly taking a break once in a while to breathe, think and prevent overloading.

What’s the most rewarding part of being a prefect, and what have you learned from the role?

For me the most rewarding part of being a prefect is being able to be a bigger part of the school; being more than just a single student who comes and goes, instead being someone who has left a mark in the schools history. To me in life all we have is our legacy. That is something we can not take away or change, it’s always a part of us.

In addition I also appreciate being able to talk to potential students, become friends with them and possibly help them with their integration into the school using my wide range of experiences at international schools. 

I have learned a lot from taking up this position and I have also faced a deep problem of mine – public speaking. I’m generally a person who shies away from public speaking to the point that sometimes I don’t answer questions, even though I know the correct answer. But since coming to RIS and taking this position I have slowly abandoned this insecurity.

How does RIS help foster a sense of community among students from so many different backgrounds?

The school atmosphere and students and teachers are such amazing people that you are easily integrated into the community, no matter your background and situation. They are always excited about new students and are intrigued by the idea of learning about different cultures.

How has being part of such a global community shaped your perspective and influenced your friendships?

Being part of such a global community has definitely shaped my friendships and friend groups as we are filled with people from all over the world, different continents and countries and somehow we bond together. 

That to me is the beauty of humankind; our ability to join together and work as one. Furthermore having people who have lived such different lives definitely opens you up to a lot of new ideas and ideologies and that shapes your perspective as you learn to understand and account for different types of people.

What’s it like living in the historically and culturally rich city of Rome? Do you have any favorite places to hang out or things to do in the city?

Living in Rome is like being inside a living museum, where every corner holds a piece of history or a story that’s thousands of years old. The city’s atmosphere is a mix of ancient ruins, bustling piazzas, cozy cafes and modern life. 

You could be walking past the Colosseum one minute, and then grabbing a gelato from a hidden spot the next. As for my favorite places to hang out, you’ve got to check out the Trastevere neighborhood. It’s got that charming, bohemian feel with narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and tons of small, family-run trattorias where the food is amazing and the atmosphere is relaxed. You can wander there for hours, soaking in the lively atmosphere.

As you approach the end of your final year at RIS, what are your plans for the future, and how do you think your time here has prepared you for what comes next?

In the future, I want to study finance and pursue a career in banking. Looking back, I can be very sure that this time in Rome and at RIS has been incredibly important in my development into the person I am today. 

My choice to study finance is based on these experiences here. Had someone told me even a few short years ago that I would consider a career in finance, I would have labeled that person insane. However, my time in Rome has indeed changed my interests, my perspective, and even my goals. 

In addition along the way, I have made several lasting friendships, some I hope will last well past my eventual departure, some I know wish to follow the same path as myself. Therefore to me, the time spent here has helped me to become more mature but also find passions and hobbies I had not imagined or found interesting at a younger age.

Find out more about Rome International School (RIS) on their website . Read more interviews and articles on the MumAbroad blog .