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Eager to step into the footsteps of a college student who did a Study + Internship abroad program in Italy? We recently caught up with AIFS Abroad participant Nicole from Fairfield University, who spent her fall semester studying abroad in the Renaissance city of Florence.
Read on to explore Nicole’s journey through the AIFS Abroad Study + Internship program in Florence.
Choosing a Study Abroad Program Destination & Term
When you decide to study or intern abroad, there are a few important choices to make, like your preferred program destination, type, term, and provider. AIFS Abroad is an excellent choice for students from most home institutions, and selecting a program type depends on your academic/professional focus.
Finally, personal preference weighs in, and if you’re still unsure, our team can help you decide! For those who are like Nicole, choosing a term may depend on your academics:
“I chose the fall because it worked out better for me academically. I really enjoyed spending the month around Christmas time because Florence was decorated very nicely and it was very spirited.”
Academics Abroad
Whether you’re studying abroad or participating in a Study + Internship program, academics are an important part of your abroad experience. Fortunately, all AIFS Abroad study abroad and Study + Internship programs are hosted at institutions where you can grow your academic knowledge in unique ways. Here’s what Nicole had to say about her academic experience in Florence:
“I enjoyed the experience—my classes were all filled with English speakers, and the professors also spoke very good English. This was a relief to me because I speak very limited Italian.”
Nicole also took local courses that she may not have been able to take at her home university; for example, she says, “I really enjoyed my wine marketing class.”
Internship Experience Abroad
Nicole chose a Study + Internship abroad program, the perfect choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of both study abroad and international internship programs, conveniently wrapped into one amazing experience. These programs combine a part-time internship with classes. Here’s what Nicole’s schedule looked like:
“Monday: Internship in person at [varying times]
Tuesday: Class from 12:30 – 3:00 + internship 4:00-5:00
Wednesday: Class from 12:30 – 3:00
Thursday: Class from 12:30 – 3:00 + internship 10:00-12:00
Friday: Internship in person at [varying times]”
As Nicole explains:
“My internship week was a little different every week, depending on when my employer and I had events. My schedule was always created on Monday, and we planned out Monday-Friday, then the next week we changed it up based on when she needed me.”
Nicole’s part-time internship was a marketing role at a local small business. Her responsibilities included social media management, website editing, email, public relations, contact cleanup, and event hosting. Listen to Nicole explain why she appreciated working with such 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.”
Cultural Appreciation
Going abroad with AIFS Abroad means living in a new, exciting city and immersing yourself in the local culture. It’s a great opportunity to expand your cultural horizons and learn how others live. Wherever you choose to go, you’re sure to gain some appreciation for the culture—if you’re like Nicole, there’s nothing wrong with the food being your favorite part:
“I really enjoyed the food in Italian culture. The food was very good, and they were very proud of it. My friends and I took a pasta making class and ever since then we make our own pasta. I tried a lot of new pasta dishes. My favorite meal was wild boar ragu.”
Exploring Other Countries
While you’re abroad, you’re free to use your time (outside of your classes and/or internship) as you see fit. For many students, especially in European countries, they use this opportunity to explore nearby countries on the weekends, like Nicole did:
“I took a few weekend trips. 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.”
Making Friends Abroad
When you land at your new program destination, it’s important to keep in mind that there will be plenty of other people, including AIFS Abroad participants, who are eager to make friends. For this reason, most people, including Nicole, build fast friendships:
“I was able to build personal connections very quickly, and some advice is that everyone there is in the same boat as you, and they all want to find friends, so make sure to be open. I made a lot of friends through attending class and [visiting] popular student spots. My advice is to be open, there are a lot of people and everyone is very friendly.”
Getting Around Your New City
American students are often surprised by how great public transportation is when they go abroad. But if you’re living in a medium-sized city like Florence, you might find that although the public transportation is excellent, there’s no need when you can walk almost everywhere. As Nicole explains:
“We mainly navigated the city by walking. The city was very walkable, and my advice is to bring comfortable shoes.”
Language Learning
If you’re like Nicole and aren’t fluent in a second language, but want to study or intern abroad, no problem—you are not required to be fluent in another language to participate in most programs. Here’s what Nicole had to say about her language experience in Italy:
“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.”
Why AIFS Abroad?
There are so many reasons to choose AIFS Abroad, including our on-site staff, great housing options, and our high-quality programs located all over the world. One of the reasons Nicole was so happy with her decision to choose AIFS Abroad, was the incredible support we provide before and during the program:
“I enjoyed the advising I received before the internship; it helped me [understand] what I was walking in to. My [internship] supervisor was very nice, while also being very determined to meet our goals.”
Are you a student who’s ready to study and intern abroad like Nicole did in Florence? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study and intern abroad. All our programs come with many beneficial inclusions, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.