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Italy is a globally celebrated destination where centuries of history, world-class cuisine, rich artistic heritage, and academic excellence come together in one unforgettable experience. Whether you visit ancient cities, quaint countrysides, or sunny beaches, there is beauty and culture to be found everywhere. AIFS Abroad offers study abroad programs in the fashion-famous city of Milan, the Renaissance city of Florence, and the historic city of Rome. Interested in learning more about what it’s really like to study abroad in Italy?
Hear from five college students who did a study abroad program in Italy with AIFS Abroad!
Nevaeh: Spring Semester in Milan
Meet Nevaeh from the College of William & Mary, who studied abroad in Milan, Italy during the spring semester.
Here’s why Nevaeh chose Milan as her study abroad destination:
“I picked Milan for a couple of reasons. One reason was [that] I wanted the experience of getting to live in a city, even though it’s not the biggest city in the world, I just thought that living in an area with so many people, that’s so walkable, with so many things to do, would be such a great experience. I’m also half Italian, so I wanted to practice my Italian and be among the locals to get a taste of my heritage. Also, I love fashion, so I wanted to be in one of the fashion capitals. I just thought that Università Cattolica had a lot of great course offerings and those courses would fit in my major back at William & Mary.”
One of the biggest questions most aspiring study abroad students have is “What’s the housing like?” Fortunately, AIFS Abroad provides a range of housing options that vary depending on your program destination; no matter which program you choose, you can depend on safe and centrally located AIFS Abroad housing. Hear Nevaeh describe her shared apartment in Milan:
“I love our apartment! It has a kitchen with an oven, stove, microwave, and two fridges, a bathroom with a washer and dryer included, and large bedrooms with lots of storage space… not one, but two closets! The apartment was fully furnished, so we didn’t have to pay for a couch or anything like that.”
AIFS Abroad ensures that housing is conveniently located near classes, so students don’t have to commute far. Listen to Nevaeh describe the short walk to her university in Milan: “My apartment is close enough to Università Cattolica that I can walk to class! [The walk is] always so beautiful.”
To sum up her study abroad experience with AIFS Abroad, Nevaeh said, “I’ve truly had such an amazing experience studying abroad here in Milan, so much of it is due to AIFS and my [Program Directors],” who are on-site staff that are there to support you throughout your program.
Nicole: Fall Semester in Florence
Nicole spent a fall semester abroad in the cultural hub of Florence, conveniently situated in the center of the country. She chose a Study + Internship program, which allows participants to study and intern abroad at the same time.
While taking courses at the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center, Nicole completed a part-time marketing internship at a local business, where her responsibilities included social media management, website editing, email marketing, public relations, contact management, and event hosting. As she explains, she appreciated the experience of interning at a small company:
“The company was very small with only one employee, the founder. This was very different because I have typically worked with larger companies. But it was nice to see how a start-up works. I also found the work environment a little more relaxed than any American company I have worked for.”
Many students who study abroad wonder if they are required to speak a second language to study abroad. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad offers plenty of programs that require no prior language skills or language learning. Hear Nicole’s take on learning the language while you study abroad:
“I did not need to know the language in advance to be eligible. Try to learn the language and fully absorb the culture because it makes it very interesting and gives you a sense of accomplishment.”
One of the benefits of studying abroad in Italy is that it provides easy access to numerous other European countries. Nicole took advantage of her semester abroad in Italy and traveled to several other countries on the weekends:
“My favorite weekend trips were Mykonos, Greece, and Budapest, Hungary. I really enjoyed the weather and beaches in Mykonos, and I loved the history of Budapest.”
Erin: May Term in Rome
Erin from the University of West Florida studied abroad in Rome during May Term. This short-term study abroad program gives students like Erin the opportunity to study abroad during a break in the academic calendar—in her case, the start of summer! Here’s why Erin chose a May Term program:
“Going in May allowed me to experience study abroad like I’ve always wanted to, while also allowing me to still have a full semester back at home! Three weeks was the perfect amount of time for me, and going during May Term also helped spare me from the heat of Italian summers.”
Below, Erin describes her classroom experience while studying abroad at the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center in Rome:
“My walk from my apartment to class is only about 25-30 minutes. I get to see beautiful sights on the way there, so it’s kind of a win-win. I’m only taking one class, Cross-Cultural Psychology, only because I’m here for three weeks, so that’s what worked best for me. All my classes are in English. I have a really cool professor, he’s from the UK. He gives me the cultural view of the classes that is different than what I’m used to at my home university. We all have classes in the main AIFS building… I love the classes, they’re very engaging, very personalized.”
It’s normal to wonder (or worry) about making friends abroad, but wherever you go with AIFS Abroad, you’re not alone! Hear Erin describe her experience making friends in Rome:
“So basically, I went into the program completely blind. I didn’t know anybody going into it, I had never known anyone who had done AIFS before… I have met so many cool people, I love all my roommates, they’re my besties—I love living with them. All the people in the program are so cool and so nice. My biggest tip is to just have a positive mindset and put yourself out there, you always get out what you put in. As long as you do that, you’re going to make friends… Everyone coming here [wants to] meet new people and make fun memories. I promise, friends are not an issue, go into it with a good mindset and everything will work out.”
Calandrea: January Term in Florence
Calandrea from Alabama State University chose to study abroad in Florence during January Term. Here’s why she decided on this short-term study abroad program in Italy:
“I wanted to start 2025 by exploring the world… a J-term was more convenient for me as a full-time student at Alabama State University. Since this was my first time studying abroad, it gave me a sense of what a longer experience would feel like and made the process less intimidating for me.”
Hear Calandrea describe her hands-on learning experience in Florence:
“I am taking Museums of Florence… we visited a different museum everyday. We [have] oral presentations at the museums. [The museums were] very captivating and beautiful.”
During this class, they visited many renowned Italian museums including Opera del Duomo Museum, National Museum of Bargello, Uffizi Gallery, and Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze.
In addition to an AIFS Abroad excursion to Milan, Calandrea took a field trip Castello di Verrazzano, a hillside estate known for its stunning vineyards and castle—below, she describes her experience:
“So beautiful! Learning more about wine, olive oil, and Italian cuisine has been a highlight of my trip. The mountains and views were absolutely breathtaking!”
Jenna: Summer in Rome
Jenna studied abroad in Rome during the summer as a rising sophomore at Ohio University. Classes at the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center in Rome deliver a unique academic experience, as Jenna explains:
“All of the classes here are interactive and hands-on! Many excursions/field trips are taken around the city… It’s not the typical sitting in the classroom for two hours lecturing, we mix it up a lot which helps me stay engaged and interested in learning the content”
She took two courses, each worth three credits: Comparative Religions and Elementary Italian I. Not only did she enjoy her classes, but Jenna also appreciated her schedule: “My day starts at 9 in the morning and ends at 2:30 [in the afternoon], which I really like.”
Hear Jenna describe what she did during her free time in Rome:
“I honestly love just walking around and exploring the little nooks and crannies of the city! I’ve been very into film photography lately so I can’t wait to develop my film when I get back and relive all these memories and beautiful places!”
Jenna explained that another reason she was so happy she chose AIFS Abroad is because of our supportive on-site staff:
“AIFS has an awesome team here… they’re always up at the school and they’re always there for us if we need anything.”
Immerse yourself in Italian culture while you earn credits toward your degree on a study abroad program with AIFS Abroad in Italy!
AIFS Abroad offers numerous programs in Italy, each tailored to meet specific academic and personal preferences. With a study abroad program in Italy, you can advance your degree, improve your Italian (if you choose to do so!), immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the country, and travel to your heart’s delight. Choose AIFS Abroad and take advantage of our valuable program inclusions (which really take the stress out of planning!), such as housing, trips and excursions, social and cultural activities, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, and the support of our trusted on-site staff.