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Florence is called the birthplace of the Renaissance—a interval outlined by inventive rebirth and cultural transformation. For college kids residing and finding out overseas there, the expertise can really feel like a renaissance of their very own. Hear Caroline, a university pupil from Chapman College, share her expertise finding out overseas in Italy with AIFS Overseas.
Uncover how Caroline’s fall semester in Florence introduced her research to life and allowed her to journey all through Europe.
Selecting When & The place to Examine Overseas
Deciding the place and when to check overseas can really feel overwhelming, however generally, one vacation spot simply looks like an ideal match. For Caroline, Florence checked each field:
“I selected to examine overseas in Florence, Italy. I had by no means traveled to Europe earlier than finding out overseas, so I carried out intensive analysis on numerous cities and nations to think about for my research earlier than deciding on Florence. Via my analysis, I discovered that Florence match lots of my wants and wishes in a examine overseas program. I needed to go to a metropolis [with] a deep tradition [of] artwork and style, a metropolis that was large enough to discover, however not overwhelmingly enormous… Florence was the proper place to check overseas, for my part.”
For a lot of college students, selecting a time period is one other necessary consideration. Learning overseas throughout fall semester gave Caroline extra alternatives to attach with the locals as peak vacationer season waned:
“I loved the transition from summer time break to finding out overseas within the fall. After I arrived in Florence in early September, there have been nonetheless many vacationers and town was very busy, however as time progressed, and vacationers left, there was a way more intimate really feel inside the metropolis amongst locals… I felt like I bought a really feel for the completely different seasons in Europe, starting my program within the late summer time and ending it in early December. I noticed summer time, fall, and winter in Europe. Though I used to be overseas throughout Thanksgiving, AIFS offered a Thanksgiving dinner to assist ease the potential homesickness throughout that point. General, I actually loved finding out through the fall semester.”
Lecturers Overseas
AIFS Overseas has 4 International Training Facilities (GECs) in cities throughout Europe, every providing hands-on programs that incorporate native views and tradition. Caroline attended the AIFS Overseas GEC in Florence, situated within the coronary heart of town, simply steps from the well-known Ponte Vecchio and her pupil house:
“I actually loved my expertise [at the AIFS Abroad GEC]… The campus was within the Oltrarno neighborhood of Florence, which was throughout the Arno River from the place my house was, so I loved strolling to class every day and exploring completely different areas of town.”
Throughout her time on the AIFS Overseas GEC in Florence, she found that her program’s dedication to college students ran even deeper than she anticipated:
“Essentially the most stand-out elements of my program, past the precise programs, have been the extra steps taken to make sure a protected and handy expertise for college kids… Moreover, the workers and professors at my program went above and past, not solely to show however to construct connections with college students, which I proceed to cherish after returning house from finding out overseas.”
Caroline took 4 programs (Introduction to Oil Portray, Luxurious Vogue, Sustainable Vogue Journalism, and Public Relations & Advertising), all of which related on to her main and minor at Chapman College. And whereas every of her courses included experiential studying alternatives each out and in of the classroom, her style programs left the largest impression:
“The elements of my courses overseas that caught out most to me have been the sector journeys, primarily in my luxurious and sustainable style courses. Residing in Florence, the place there’s such a wealthy tradition in style, added to my studying and information, to have the ability to take area journeys across the metropolis to attach what we have been discussing at school to real-world experiences. We took area journeys to century-old shoemakers, leather-based items producers, and the Gucci and Ferragamo Museums. These experiences expanded and inspired my studying in my courses.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Overseas applications, with various choices that may embody a pupil residence, homestay, or a shared house. Hear Caroline describe her expertise in a shared house with different AIFS Overseas members:
“I lived in an house with 5 different examine overseas college students in my program, who additionally all occurred to be from my house college. Our house was close to the Duomo, and the busiest a part of town, and we crossed the river to get to campus for sophistication every day.”
Cultural Appreciation
Whenever you examine overseas, you get to immerse your self in a complete completely different tradition and lifestyle. Caroline discovered that the Florentine individuals have been heat and welcoming wherever she went, an perspective that she tried to remember when she returned house:
“One thing I actually loved about finding out in Florence was the sense of neighborhood and hospitality felt all through town. Wherever I might go in Florence, locals have been desirous to share their tradition and life-style with me, and accepted me into life in Florence. This influenced me when returning house, as I attempted to be extra welcoming and hospitable to others in my on a regular basis life.”
Caroline additionally made it a degree to hunt out cultural occasions wherever her travels took her:
“I went to a number of completely different cultural occasions and actions, each in Florence and within the cities I traveled to. I went to Oktoberfest in Munich, a Black Espresso live performance in Athens, and the Christmas markets in Florence. I made an intention of trying into occasions and necessary cultural actions earlier than visiting a brand new metropolis!”
AIFS Overseas Journeys & Actions
All AIFS Overseas applications embody journeys and excursions, in addition to cultural and social actions designed to counterpoint your expertise and assist you to join together with your fellow members. Caroline made probably the most of her expertise by attending each program-led exercise she may:
“Gaining access to further occasions and excursions added to my total overseas expertise. I attempted to maximise these experiences as they have been provided. I went on all of the in a single day journeys provided by way of AIFS to Venice and Rome, and it was a memorable and significant alternative to expertise cities that I could not have had the chance to [visit] alone.
I additionally did a number of the particular occasions coordinated by AIFS, together with an Italian cooking class, Thanksgiving dinner, and a day journey to Siena. These alternatives added to my total overseas expertise immensely—[they provided] probabilities to… take courses and have cultural experiences that opened my eyes to life in Italy.”
Touring Overseas
Past AIFS Overseas-organized excursions, Caroline made it a precedence to discover as a lot of Europe as doable—touring 10 out of 13 weekends. Her most memorable journey was celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich:
“My favourite weekend journey was to Munich, Germany, for Oktoberfest. I took a bus to and from Munich, which was fairly a protracted journey day, however made the expertise that rather more price it. I met up with some pals from my house college and spent the weekend at Oktoberfest collectively. It was such a enjoyable cultural expertise. My grandparents lived in Germany for a few years, and it was very fascinating to see a rustic that’s necessary to my tradition and household.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
School college students select AIFS Overseas for a variety of causes. It might be one among our wonderful applications that catches their eye (like an aspiring playwright discovering our theater program at Shakespeare’s Globe in London) or a few of our unbelievable inclusions—from immersive cultural actions and excursions to our devoted on-site workers who provide trusted assist.
After some rave critiques from pals and studying how a lot is included with our applications, selecting AIFS Overseas was a no brainer for Caroline:
“I selected to go overseas by way of AIFS as a result of, as I used to be on the lookout for applications, I felt as if AIFS ‘checked the entire containers’ in what I used to be on the lookout for. I had pals who had studied by way of AIFS, and so they solely had constructive issues to say about their experiences. The mix of a small, interactive program, with courses relevant to my main/minor necessities, offered housing and meal lodging, in addition to program-provided journey and cultural experiences, [made it] actually really feel like AIFS was the one-stop store for examine overseas applications.”
Prepared to start out your individual examine overseas journey like Caroline did in Florence? AIFS Overseas is right here to assist!
Relating to finding out overseas, AIFS Overseas has bought you coated lengthy earlier than you set out. Our staff may also help you discover a program that matches your educational and private wants. Plus, we’ll offer you all the data you want earlier than you go overseas. When you’re there, you’ll take pleasure in our precious inclusions corresponding to housing, cultural and social actions, journeys and excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site workers, and extra—which actually take the stress out of being someplace new. All so you possibly can give attention to what issues most: increasing your educational horizons and making unforgettable reminiscences you’re positive to cherish for a lifetime.
