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Italy is a globally celebrated vacation spot the place centuries of historical past, world-class delicacies, wealthy inventive heritage, and tutorial excellence come collectively in a single unforgettable expertise. Whether or not you go to historical cities, quaint countrysides, or sunny seashores, there may be magnificence and tradition to be discovered in all places. AIFS Overseas presents examine overseas applications within the fashion-famous metropolis of Milan, the Renaissance metropolis of Florence, and the historic metropolis of Rome. Involved in studying extra about what it’s actually like to review overseas in Italy?
Hear from 5 faculty college students who did a examine overseas program in Italy with AIFS Overseas!
Nevaeh: Spring Semester in Milan
Meet Nevaeh from the Faculty of William & Mary, who studied overseas in Milan, Italy throughout the spring semester.
Right here’s why Nevaeh selected Milan as her examine overseas vacation spot:
“I picked Milan for a few causes. One cause was [that] I wished the expertise of attending to reside in a metropolis, although it’s not the most important metropolis on the planet, I simply thought that residing in an space with so many individuals, that’s so walkable, with so many issues to do, can be such an important expertise. I’m additionally half Italian, so I wished to follow my Italian and be among the many locals to get a style of my heritage. Additionally, I really like style, so I wished to be in one of many style capitals. I simply thought that Università Cattolica had plenty of nice course choices and people programs would slot in my main again at William & Mary.”
One of many greatest questions most aspiring examine overseas college students have is “What’s the housing like?” Luckily, AIFS Overseas offers a variety of housing choices that change relying in your program vacation spot; irrespective of which program you select, you’ll be able to depend upon secure and centrally situated AIFS Overseas housing. Hear Nevaeh describe her shared residence in Milan:
“I really like our residence! It has a kitchen with an oven, range, microwave, and two fridges, a rest room with a washer and dryer included, and huge bedrooms with a number of cupboard space… not one, however two closets! The residence was absolutely furnished, so we didn’t should pay for a sofa or something like that.”
AIFS Overseas ensures that housing is conveniently situated close to courses, so college students don’t should commute far. Hearken to Nevaeh describe the quick stroll to her college in Milan: “My residence is shut sufficient to Università Cattolica that I can stroll to class! [The walk is] at all times so lovely.”
To sum up her examine overseas expertise with AIFS Overseas, Nevaeh mentioned, “I’ve really had such a tremendous expertise finding out overseas right here in Milan, a lot of it is because of AIFS and my [Program Directors],” who’re on-site workers which can be there to help you all through your program.
Nicole: Fall Semester in Florence
Nicole spent a fall semester overseas within the cultural hub of Florence, conveniently located within the middle of the nation. She selected a Examine + Internship program, which permits contributors to review and intern overseas on the identical time.
Whereas taking programs on the AIFS Overseas International Training Middle, Nicole accomplished a part-time advertising internship at a neighborhood enterprise, the place her tasks included social media administration, web site modifying, e-mail advertising, public relations, contact administration, and occasion internet hosting. As she explains, she appreciated the expertise of interning at a small firm:
“The corporate was very small with just one worker, the founder. This was very completely different as a result of I’ve sometimes labored with bigger corporations. However it was good to see how a start-up works. I additionally discovered the work surroundings somewhat extra relaxed than any American firm I’ve labored for.”
Many college students who examine overseas surprise if they’re required to talk a second language to review overseas. Luckily, AIFS Overseas presents loads of applications that require no prior language abilities or language studying. Hear Nicole’s tackle studying the language whilst you examine overseas:
“I didn’t must know the language prematurely to be eligible. Attempt to study the language and absolutely soak up the tradition as a result of it makes it very fascinating and provides you a way of accomplishment.”
One of many advantages of finding out overseas in Italy is that it offers quick access to quite a few different European nations. Nicole took benefit of her semester overseas in Italy and traveled to a number of different nations on the weekends:
“My favourite weekend journeys have been Mykonos, Greece, and Budapest, Hungary. I actually loved the climate and seashores in Mykonos, and I beloved the historical past of Budapest.”
Erin: Could Time period in Rome
Erin from the College of West Florida studied overseas in Rome throughout Could Time period. This short-term examine overseas program provides college students like Erin the chance to review overseas throughout a break within the tutorial calendar—in her case, the beginning of summer season! Right here’s why Erin selected a Could Time period program:
“Entering into Could allowed me to expertise examine overseas like I’ve at all times wished to, whereas additionally permitting me to nonetheless have a full semester again at house! Three weeks was the right period of time for me, and going throughout Could Time period additionally helped spare me from the warmth of Italian summers.”
Under, Erin describes her classroom expertise whereas finding out overseas on the AIFS Overseas International Training Middle in Rome:
“My stroll from my residence to class is just about 25-Half-hour. I get to see lovely sights on the best way there, so it’s sort of a win-win. I’m solely taking one class, Cross-Cultural Psychology, solely as a result of I’m right here for 3 weeks, in order that’s what labored greatest for me. All my courses are in English. I’ve a extremely cool professor, he’s from the UK. He provides me the cultural view of the courses that’s completely different than what I’m used to at my house college. All of us have courses in the principle AIFS constructing… I really like the courses, they’re very partaking, very personalised.”
It’s regular to surprise (or fear) about making pals overseas, however wherever you go along with AIFS Overseas, you’re not alone! Hear Erin describe her expertise making pals in Rome:
“So principally, I went into this system utterly blind. I didn’t know anyone going into it, I had by no means recognized anybody who had achieved AIFS earlier than… I’ve met so many cool folks, I really like all my roommates, they’re my besties—I really like residing with them. All of the folks in this system are so cool and so good. My greatest tip is to only have a optimistic mindset and put your self on the market, you at all times get out what you set in. So long as you do this, you’re going to make pals… Everybody coming right here [wants to] meet new folks and make enjoyable reminiscences. I promise, pals are usually not a difficulty, go into it with an excellent mindset and every little thing will work out.”
Calandrea: January Time period in Florence
Calandrea from Alabama State College selected to review overseas in Florence throughout January Time period. Right here’s why she selected this short-term examine overseas program in Italy:
“I wished to start out 2025 by exploring the world… a J-term was extra handy for me as a full-time pupil at Alabama State College. Since this was my first time finding out overseas, it gave me a way of what an extended expertise would really feel like and made the method much less intimidating for me.”
Hear Calandrea describe her hands-on studying expertise in Florence:
“I’m taking Museums of Florence… we visited a unique museum on a regular basis. We [have] oral displays on the museums. [The museums were] very fascinating and exquisite.”
Throughout this class, they visited many famend Italian museums together with Opera del Duomo Museum, Nationwide Museum of Bargello, Uffizi Gallery, and Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze.
Along with an AIFS Overseas tour to Milan, Calandrea took a area journey Castello di Verrazzano, a hillside property recognized for its gorgeous vineyards and chateau—under, she describes her expertise:
“So lovely! Studying extra about wine, olive oil, and Italian delicacies has been a spotlight of my journey. The mountains and views have been completely breathtaking!”
Jenna: Summer time in Rome
Jenna studied overseas in Rome throughout the summer season as a rising sophomore at Ohio College. Lessons on the AIFS Overseas International Training Middle in Rome ship a singular tutorial expertise, as Jenna explains:
“The entire courses listed here are interactive and hands-on! Many excursions/area journeys are taken across the metropolis… It’s not the standard sitting within the classroom for 2 hours lecturing, we combine it up quite a bit which helps me keep engaged and fascinated by studying the content material”
She took two programs, every value three credit: Comparative Religions and Elementary Italian I. Not solely did she get pleasure from her courses, however Jenna additionally appreciated her schedule: “My day begins at 9 within the morning and ends at 2:30 [in the afternoon], which I actually like.”
Hear Jenna describe what she did throughout her free time in Rome:
“I actually love simply strolling round and exploring the little nooks and crannies of the town! I’ve been very into movie pictures currently so I can’t wait to develop my movie after I get again and relive all these reminiscences and exquisite locations!”
Jenna defined that one more reason she was so pleased she selected AIFS Overseas is due to our supportive on-site workers:
“AIFS has an superior staff right here… they’re at all times up on the faculty and they’re at all times there for us if we’d like something.”
Immerse your self in Italian tradition whilst you earn credit towards your diploma on a examine overseas program with AIFS Overseas in Italy!
AIFS Overseas presents quite a few applications in Italy, every tailor-made to fulfill particular tutorial and private preferences. With a examine overseas program in Italy, you’ll be able to advance your diploma, enhance your Italian (in the event you select to take action!), immerse your self within the wealthy historical past and tradition of the nation, and journey to your coronary heart’s delight. Select AIFS Overseas and benefit from our helpful program inclusions (which actually take the stress out of planning!), corresponding to housing, journeys and excursions, social and cultural actions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, and the help of our trusted on-site workers.
