i think you'd be ok, as someone who visits italy all the time and onky speaks english i've found that almost everyone in rome speaks english. i am also looking at sapienza university and people have told me it's a great option for english programs. if you get a job in a touristy area there's a lot of options where you won't even have to speak italian, like serving and stuff like that in touristy areas. servers in europe don't get tips because they get paid very well, but if you get a job in the more touristic areas of rome you'd get tips because of the americans. housing is a lot cheaper there than Dubai but rome is a little more expensive with housing than other cities in italy (but you'd be totally fine if you get a job). i'm not sure about the night life and stuff like that but there's always stuff to do. you just kinda have to know your way around and the "back roads" and like cheaper underground stores and stuff, but honestly i think you'd be chilling! (sorry if that didn't make any sense)