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Desirous to observe within the footsteps of a faculty scholar who studied overseas in Italy? We just lately caught up with Ally from the Faculty of William & Mary, who spent her winter break finding out overseas within the historical metropolis of Rome.
Uncover how Ally’s examine overseas expertise with AIFS Overseas impressed new skilled objectives and helped her discover native culinary practices!
Selecting a Examine Overseas Program Vacation spot & Time period
With entry to tons of unbelievable program locations with AIFS Overseas, it isn’t at all times straightforward to decide on only one. However for a foodie who needed to be taught Italian like Ally, Rome felt like an apparent selection:
“I selected to examine overseas in Rome, Italy, as a result of I like the structure, the meals, and the atmosphere of the town. I’m not a metropolis lady, however Rome felt so welcoming and protected in comparison with every other cities I’ve been to. I additionally needed to make use of finding out overseas as a possibility to be taught Italian for my relations. I’d suggest this program to different college students who need to discover each inch of the town in a brief period of time. The AIFS [January Term] is the proper size to turn out to be acclimated with out feeling too homesick. I’d suggest this program to people who find themselves keen to attempt new issues and like to see new sights.”
Unsure when to check overseas? AIFS Overseas gives applications all year long, together with a number of short-term examine overseas applications, resembling January Time period (J-Time period), which Ally picked:
“I selected the J-Time period as a result of I used to be capable of examine overseas with out lacking out on any of the experiences supplied by my college through the semester… The time period size is simply lengthy sufficient to have the ability to expertise going overseas with none of the homesickness. I additionally went to Rome through the Jubilee, which was a really good shock.”
Teachers Overseas
Choose AIFS Overseas applications, like Ally’s, are taught at our International Training Facilities (GECs). Positioned in cities throughout Europe, these worldwide instructional establishments supply hands-on studying experiences that skillfully combine native tradition and historical past with related material. Beneath, Ally describes her expertise on the AIFS Overseas International Training Heart in Rome:
“The AIFS constructing is true within the coronary heart of the town with a good looking facade… I liked the tiny schoolhouse emotions and the small class sizes. All the educators have been skilled and skilled. The admin staff was small, however they made it some extent to get to know each scholar. My professor had her PhD, and she or he taught the very lengthy class (~4 hours) in a method that made it entertaining, and the time flew by.”
As a result of Ally studied overseas throughout January Time period, which is often about 2 – 3 weeks lengthy, her program was centered on one 3-credit course:
“My class was Italian Tradition, and it consisted totally of AIFS college students. Our professor was a neighborhood to Rome and shared the ins and outs of the town with us. The category was a mixture of lectures, shows, and discipline journeys to native locations throughout the metropolis that have been related to our matter that class… This course was 3.5 hours lengthy on daily basis (Monday-Friday). It was positively a overseas expertise, nevertheless it was not uncomfortable. I preferred that we’d take espresso breaks within the center and that we wouldn’t go a full week with no discipline journey. The mixture of lectures and discipline journeys helped to maintain the course contemporary and thrilling all through the entire J-Time period.
[The course] broke down Italian stereotypes, Italian historical past, Italian meals, and the way it pertains to tradition, Italian trend, and extra. My favourite lessons have been the sphere journeys the place we’d go see the lecture matter from the category prior in motion. We attended a category by the Evooschool (Further Virgin Olive Oil) to be taught concerning the historical past of olive oil and its functions. This class truly sparked a newfound appreciation for olives (the brisker the higher for my part!). We additionally realized about Italian trend designers after which took a stroll by means of the high-end trend district close to the Spanish Steps. My favourite lecture was the one on Gradual Meals… I ended up writing [about the topic]… for a course at my house establishment… the [following] summer season.”
As Ally explains, this course has formed each her educational {and professional} future, inspiring her to pursue a profession associated to meals and vitamin:
“The [Italian Culture course] sparked a brand new curiosity in wholesome consuming and a pivot in my anthropology main towards biocultural anthropology with a concentrate on dietary anthropology. I’ve taken three programs… specializing in meals and vitamin [since returning home]. Whereas this will in a roundabout way translate to my profession fairly but, my dream is to run advertising for a meals model.”
AIFS Overseas Actions & Excursions
Along with class discipline journeys that enrich your research, AIFS Overseas applications additionally take college students on journeys and excursions to numerous locations of curiosity round their host nation, in addition to supply cultural actions that present genuine native experiences. Hear Ally describe a number of the AIFS Overseas actions and excursions she attended throughout her J-Time period program in Rome:
“I attended the Florence weekend journey whereas I used to be in Rome. As part of this journey, I went to the leather-based market [and] to museums [where I saw the Statue of] David and really well-known work like The Start of Venus. I bought to see a complete totally different a part of the nation. I additionally attended wine tasting lessons hosted by AIFS whereas in Rome. I additionally went to a cooking class hosted at a companion restaurant the place I realized make my very own fettuccine, sauce, and tiramisu. I nonetheless use plenty of the information I picked up there in the present day.”
Language Studying
AIFS Overseas applications don’t require you to be fluent in one other language, and lots of (like Ally’s) additionally don’t require you to take language programs throughout your program. Hear Ally describe her expertise navigating the Italian language in Rome:
“In Rome, we had a mix of Italian and English in all places we went. All of our lectures have been performed in English, and the professor was totally fluent… In retailers and eating places, workers would initially greet us in Italian however then instantly swap to English upon listening to our accents. [I think it] is essential to be taught the basics of the language earlier than going overseas [and] know primary pleasantries (whats up, goodbye, how are you), order meals (get a desk, menu objects), and security info (exit, assist, the place is…). You didn’t have to have any language expertise for this system. I didn’t have a lot language expertise, and it bought considerably higher by training and utilizing it. I’d advise college students to not be nervous about being judged for being a little bit off with their language expertise or not remembering each phrase. Individuals would quite see you make an effort.”
Housing
All AIFS Overseas applications embody housing. Ally lived in a shared condo with different AIFS Overseas college students:
“I lived in an condo within the Prati area of Rome with 5 different ladies. My room consisted of myself and two different ladies that I had identified going into this system… We had a good looking constructing…”
Why AIFS Overseas?
Hear why Ally selected AIFS Overseas for her January Time period examine overseas program:
“I selected to attend AIFS as a result of it had essentially the most distinctive mixture of location, course choices, extra excursions, and actions out there through the J-Time period. I had at all times needed to examine overseas in Rome, and AIFS can also be a companion group with my college. I had the choice to take a category on Italian Tradition, together with meals and journey, for sophistication credit score. I realized prepare dinner higher, drink higher, and store for higher components all within the identify of schooling. AIFS is an genuine group with ties to actual professionals who share their experience with college students.”
As she explains beneath, Ally additionally preferred how AIFS Overseas supplied psychological well being and safety-related sources and help:
“I actually appreciated that AIFS had trainings for psychological well being consciousness and security. They made certain that college students have been ready to go overseas and hold themselves and others bodily protected… Additionally they centered on preventative upkeep by emphasizing communication with family members.”
Are you a scholar who’s able to take the leap and examine overseas like Ally did in Rome with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students examine overseas. All our applications include many helpful inclusions, which takes plenty of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in realizing you’ll have help all through your whole expertise overseas.
