Sapienza University of Rome: why Europe's most historic aerospace engineering school is the right place for your child
When a young person says they want to work with rockets, satellites, or space systems, the most common response is “study engineering and see later.” But there is a more concrete path, sooner and with much more impact than waiting for the university to get in touch with the real area.
The Sapienza University of Rome has one of the oldest and most respected aerospace engineering schools in Europe, with a history that begins in 1303 and a present that includes active research, high-level laboratories, and direct connections with industry. In this article, you will understand why this institution is not only a beautiful setting for an exchange, and what your child will find when spending two weeks studying there with the Be Easy residential program.
What is Sapienza University of Rome and why does it matter for aerospace engineering?
The Sapienza University of Rome was founded in 1303, making it one of the oldest universities in the world still in operation. Today, it is the largest university in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, with more than 100,000 active students and a research structure that covers practically all areas of knowledge.
But what makes Sapienza a specific reference for aerospace engineering isn't just its size. This is the trajectory of the School of Aerospace Engineering within a country that plays an active role in the space industry.
Italy is one of the largest contributors to the European Space Agency (ESA) and has companies like Leonardo S.p.A. that operate in more than 150 countries, developing satellites, navigation systems, embedded electronics and defense technology. The Italian aerospace ecosystem is real, active and connected to a global market that continues to expand. Sapienza is at the center of this ecosystem.
What makes the Sapienza Aerospace Engineering School a reference:
- Over 700 years of academic history and decades of expertise in advanced engineering
- Location in Rome, capital of one of the countries with the highest participation in the European aerospace industry
- Laboratories integrated with active research projects, not just teaching structures
- Training of engineers working today in space agencies, defense companies, and innovation centers around the world
- Direct connection with the Italian industrial ecosystem, which includes companies such as Leonardo S.p.a.
For a young person aged 15 to 18, accessing this environment before university is a concrete advantage, not just a prestigious reference in the curriculum.
Why study aerospace engineering in Europe and not in the United States?
It's a question that many parents ask, especially since American programs tend to show up first in searches.
The honest answer is that the United States has excellent programs. But Europe has something different: an aerospace industrial ecosystem that doesn't rely solely on large government agencies. The European Space Agency, Airbus, Leonardo S.p.a., Thales Alenia Space and dozens of smaller companies form an innovation network spread across countries such as Italy, France, Germany and Spain.
For a young Brazilian who is going to compete in international selection processes, having experience at a high-level European institution opens doors that many candidates simply don't have in their curriculum.
Practical advantages of choosing Europe for an aerospace program:
- Diversified industrial ecosystem, with private companies and public agencies in close collaboration
- Universities with centuries of tradition and globally recognized academic curriculum
- Access to a multicultural environment that brings together young people from all over Europe, Asia, Latin America and other continents
- Cultural context that enriches training outside laboratory hours
Rome, in particular, offers something that few cities in the world combine: it is a historic capital and an industrial hub active at the same time. This transforms the experience into something that goes beyond the technical program.
How does the residential aerospace engineering program at Sapienza work?
Be Easy offers a two-week residential program based on the School of Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome, aimed at young people aged 15 to 18. The dates for Summer 2026 are July 19 to August 1.
The format is exclusively residential, with 13 nights' accommodation, three meals a day, insurance for the entire period, and 24-hour staff support. There is no Day Camp version.
What's included in the residential program:
- Accommodation for 13 nights (Sunday to Saturday)
- 3 meals a day
- Insurance for the entire period
- Staff support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Classes, laboratories, and practical activities for the three technical modules
- Visits to Leonardo S.p.a., Pagani Automobili and Italdesign & Museum
- Actual launch of the rocket built by the participants
- Certificate of completion of the program
What are the three technical modules of the program at Sapienza?
The program is structured in three modules that advance progressively, from foundation to practical application. Each stage prepares the young person for the next one, and the sequence culminates in a concrete event: the actual launch of a rocket built by the participants themselves.
Module 1: Rocket Engineering & Propulsion
The starting point is the physics of a rocket, worked on in the laboratory from day one.
Young people study the principles that generate thrust, applied aerodynamics, flight physics, and the different types of propulsion systems used in the industry. The approach connects theory to practice in a direct way: upon leaving module 1, the participant understands what happens in a real launch and why each engineering choice has consequences on the vehicle's performance.
Module 2: Space Mission Simulation & Embedded Systems
In this module, the young person leaves the role of observer and assumes the role of someone who designs and controls a mission.
Participants work with space trajectory simulation tools and develop systems embedded with Arduino, including sensors and telemetry systems for real-time data transmission during the flight.
The competencies developed in this stage:
- Programming Arduino systems for aerospace applications
- Development of embedded sensors and control systems
- Trajectory modeling with simulation software
- Integration of electronics, software, and mechanical engineering in a single project
This combination is exactly what the global aerospace market seeks in professionals today, and the young person will have contact with it before entering the university.
Module 3: rocket prototype development & launch
This is the module that transforms everything learned into something real.
The teams design, build, and test a rocket prototype, applying knowledge from the two previous modules. The process follows the actual engineering phases:
- Design and technical design of the structure
- Construction of the prototype in the laboratory
- Technical tests, revisions, and refinements
- Actual rocket launch at the close of the program
The rocket is effectively launched. It's not a simulation, it's not a static mock-up. It is the result of two weeks of collective technical work, launched by the participants themselves. For any young person who talks about wanting to work with rockets, this is a career reference that no book or online course can replace.
What companies do the participants visit during the program?
Technical visits are part of the program's official schedule and are as important as laboratory hours. They bring young people into contact with the aerospace and advanced engineering market in real operation, something that rarely happens in programs for teenagers.
Leonardo S.p.a. is one of the largest aerospace, defense, and security technology companies in the world. Present in more than 150 countries, it develops satellites, air navigation systems, embedded electronics and defense solutions. The visit allows participants to talk to engineers who work on a daily basis with the problems discussed in the technical modules.
Pagani Automobili is recognized worldwide for advanced materials engineering, aerodynamics and performance. The visit goes far beyond the visual aspect of vehicles: it connects participants to the mentality of seeking technical excellence in every detail of a project, a principle that underpins aerospace engineering.
Italdesign & Museum is one of the most influential industrial design and engineering studios in automotive history. The visit connects the engineering process to the design of a real product, from the concept to the physical prototype at scale.
The three visits together form a rare overview of what it means to work in high-level engineering in Europe: from the multinational aerospace company to the precision design studio.
What is the impact of this program on young people's careers?
Most young people aged 15 to 17 who think about aerospace engineering have never had real contact with the area. They learn about the topics through documentaries, online videos, or physics classes. This distance between interest and practice is one of the main reasons why many end up choosing courses without clarity about what they will find.
The program at Sapienza changes that equation.
At the end of the two weeks, the participant:
- He worked in a laboratory with rocket physics and propulsion systems
- Programmed embedded systems with Arduino for real aerospace applications
- Built and launched a rocket as a team
- He spoke with engineers from a multinational aerospace company
- Received a certificate of completion referenced to the School of Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome
That's not just an item on the resume. It is clarity about the area, practical skills and a concrete reference that will appear in university applications and international selection processes in a way that purely theoretical experiences cannot replicate.
Who is the residential program at Sapienza suitable for?
The program was developed for young people aged 15 to 18 with an interest in engineering, science, technology, or space. It does not require prior technical knowledge in any of the areas worked on.
The program language is English, and all proficiency levels are accepted. Daily immersion in an environment where English is used naturally is, in and of itself, a real breakthrough for those who are basic or intermediate.
The program is recommended if the young person:
- Are you interested in engineering, physics, programming, or space exploration
- Do you want to explore a technical area before defining a career at the university?
- Looking for an international experience other than a language exchange
- Do you want to build a curriculum with a concrete differential for university selections?
- He is between 15 and 18 years old and is willing to challenge himself for two weeks in a real laboratory
For parents: this program offers the chance for the child to test a highly technical area under real conditions, with full support, before any long-term academic commitment. It's career planning with practice, not theory.
Dates, vacancies, and how to guarantee enrollment
The next class will take place at Summer 2026, from July 19 to August 1, in Rome.
The residential format with laboratories and team prototype development requires small groups. Places are limited by the program design itself, and the enrollment process involves prior organization of documentation, visa, and travel logistics.
Recommended steps for families considering enrollment:
- Confirm that the young person is between 15 and 18 years old
- Contact Be Easy to understand the complete enrollment process
- Organize documentation in advance (passport, Italian entry visa, insurance)
- Book the ticket after the confirmation of the seat
Planning in advance is what guarantees the vacancy and avoids logistical unforeseen events.
Frequently asked questions about Sapienza University and the aerospace program
Is Sapienza University of Rome internationally recognized in aerospace engineering?Yes. Sapienza is the largest university in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, with more than 700 years of history. Its Aerospace Engineering School is a reference in the sector and trains professionals who work in space agencies, defense companies, and innovation centers around the world.
Does my child need to have prior engineering knowledge to participate?No. The program builds on the fundamentals and progresses progressively over the two weeks. It is not necessary to have studied advanced physics, programming, or electronics. The content is built from scratch within the three modules.
Does the program accept young people with basic English?Yes. All levels of English are accepted. The daily contact with classmates from other countries and with teachers in English represents a concrete step forward for those who are in elementary or middle school.
Is the certificate of completion valid for international universities?The certificate of completion refers to the training carried out at the facilities of the School of Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome. In applications for international universities and selection processes, it is a concrete differential that demonstrates practical interest and real technical experience before graduation.
Does Be Easy take care of all the documentation and logistics of the trip?Yes. With more than 200 partnerships with international educational institutions, Be Easy guides the family through all the necessary documentation for the trip to Italy, including the visa process, and accompanies the planning process until arrival in Rome.
Be Easy: from planning to rocket launch in Rome
At Be Easy, we accompany each family from the first question to the day the young person embarks. We take care of documentation, visa, logistics, and support throughout the program, so that the focus is exclusively on learning. If you want to understand how the registration process for Summer 2026 at Sapienza works, contact us and answer all your questions.
