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Able to study what it’s actually wish to examine overseas in Italy? We just lately caught up with AIFS Overseas participant Lizzie from the College of Texas at Austin, who spent her spring semester learning overseas within the Renaissance metropolis of Florence.
Uncover how Lizzie’s examine overseas expertise in Florence helped form her private {and professional} future!
Selecting a Research Overseas Vacation spot & Time period
Deciding the place and when to review overseas isn’t all the time straightforward (we can assist with that!)—there are such a lot of wonderful program locations all over the world with AIFS Overseas, so selecting only one could be exhausting. Hear why Lizzie determined to examine overseas in Florence:
“I selected Florence as a result of I needed to stay someplace wealthy in historical past, artwork, and tradition whereas nonetheless having a powerful sense of group. It’s a metropolis the place you’ll be able to study simply by strolling by means of the streets, and the tempo of life makes it straightforward to soak every little thing in. I’d suggest this program to college students who’re curious, open to new experiences, and able to embrace a distinct lifestyle.”
As Lizzie stated, a number of components went into her selecting a spring semester program:
“I selected the spring time period as a result of it match properly with my educational schedule and provided the right mixture of gentle climate, native holidays, and fewer vacationers. This made it simpler to discover, expertise seasonal traditions, and join with the group in a extra genuine method.”
Lecturers Overseas
Lizzie attended one in every of AIFS Overseas’s 4 World Schooling Facilities (GECs) which might be positioned all through Europe. Finding out overseas at an AIFS Overseas GEC supplies college students with hands-on programs that incorporate native views and tradition, providing a singular studying expertise. Under, Lizzie describes what her expertise was like at our GEC in Florence:
“I attended the AIFS World Schooling Middle in Florence. The expertise was immersive and supportive, with lessons that linked on to the town’s historical past and tradition. What stood out most was how this system revolved round Florence itself. Making my lessons extra participating and significant.
Lessons had about 20-30 college students, all of whom had been AIFS college students. The small measurement made it straightforward to take part and construct connections, and the instructors inspired participating discussions that associated to our expertise residing in Florence.”
As Lizzie defined, she loved how her programs in Florence took her out into the town for area journeys associated to the subject material:
“Lessons overseas had been smaller and extra interactive than at my residence college. The main target was on experiential studying, with plenty of area journeys and initiatives tied on to the town… I actually loved lessons that mixed lectures with hands-on initiatives, like exploring Florence’s artwork and historical past firsthand. Area journeys to historic websites, meals markets, pasta factories, and wine retailers introduced the fabric to life and made studying extra participating.”
Budgeting Overseas
Price is a major concern for a lot of college students who need to examine overseas. Happily, AIFS Overseas gives scholarships and grants, and we settle for monetary help, which can assist cut back prices. Hear how Lizzie caught to a finances throughout her semester overseas:
“I set a transparent finances earlier than leaving, factoring in housing, meals, journey, and emergencies. Whereas overseas, I tracked bills weekly, prioritized free or low-cost actions, and cooked meals as a substitute of consuming out on a regular basis. My largest recommendation is to plan for further prices. I felt I tended to spend extra money on experiences, so it was good to have more money to have the ability to do these issues and never fear.”
Housing
Housing is all the time included in AIFS Overseas packages. Under, Lizzie explains her expertise in a shared residence with different AIFS Overseas contributors:
“I lived with seven different individuals in a small residence, nevertheless it was proper within the middle of the town, which made the expertise unforgettable. Sharing house had its challenges, however residing so near every little thing and constructing friendships made it price it.”
Language Studying
Language limitations are a typical concern for college students who need to examine overseas. Happily, figuring out a second language isn’t required to review overseas with AIFS Overseas. Plus, many packages, like Lizzie’s, don’t require you to take a language course. Hear Lizzie describe her expertise navigating the Italian language throughout her semester in Florence:
“There have been no language limitations since lessons had been in English, and everybody I met was tremendous good and useful… I didn’t know any Italian beforehand, nor was it required for this system. Over time, I picked up widespread phrases, which helped me navigate each day life and join with locals. My recommendation is to study a number of fundamentals earlier than you go as a result of it makes immersion simpler and reveals respect for the tradition.”
Profession Readiness
Many school college students report that learning overseas has helped them develop skilled expertise and achieve a greater understanding of the place they need to take their careers. Hear Lizzie describe how learning overseas helped form her skilled future:
“My overseas expertise boosted my confidence and adaptableness. It improved my communication and problem-solving expertise whereas working with numerous individuals. Now, I’m motivated to pursue careers with a world focus and really feel prepared for brand new challenges.”
Keen on pursuing a extra career-focused overseas program? AIFS Overseas gives worldwide internships together with distinctive Research + Internship packages, which let you take lessons overseas whilst you achieve skilled expertise with a part-time internship.
Private Development
As Lizzie says, learning overseas helped her develop in additional methods than one:
“This expertise helped me develop personally, not simply academically or professionally. Dwelling overseas pushed me to develop into extra impartial and open-minded in methods I hadn’t anticipated. It’s a journey that goes past the classroom and actually shapes who you might be.”
Journeys & Excursions
AIFS Overseas examine overseas packages embrace journeys and excursions led by our professional on-site workers. These journeys and excursions take you round your host metropolis or nation (and typically past)—serving to you deepen your cultural and historic understanding of the native tradition, all whilst you bond with different AIFS Overseas contributors. Under, Lizzie describes her expertise:
“I attended the AIFS-sponsored journeys to Rome and Venice. Each had been unforgettable; the historical past and sweetness of every metropolis made the excursions actually particular, and touring with fellow college students made the experiences much more memorable.”
Along with happening journeys and excursions with AIFS Overseas, you’re greater than welcome to journey on the weekends and holidays throughout your program, like Lizzie did:
“I took weekend journeys to London, Prague, Copenhagen, and the Amalfi Coast. Every place provided a distinct expertise, from the town life in London to the historic websites in Prague and the attractive landscapes alongside the Amalfi Coast.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
From our beneficial journeys and excursions to our wide-ranging program choices, there are various causes to decide on AIFS Overseas. For those who’re like Lizzie (and lots of others), figuring out you’ll be supported all through your program by our on-site workers often is the purpose you click on that “Apply Now” button and be a part of us on a world expertise of a lifetime:
“I selected AIFS as a result of I’d heard it provided a very supportive and well-rounded examine overseas expertise. Buddies and previous contributors advised me in regards to the nice excursions, on-site workers, and the way straightforward it was to really feel linked to the local people, which made it a simple alternative for me.”
Are you able to take the leap and examine overseas as a university scholar like Lizzie did in Florence with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that will help you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to school college students examine overseas. All our packages include many helpful inclusions, which takes loads 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 assist, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in figuring out you’ll have assist all through your complete expertise overseas.
