AIFS Abroad: Intern Abroad in Italy

This internship really helped me grow in my career! I learned so much about the buying and marketing and customer relations. During my time as an intern I was offered a lot of tasks that I feel most employers would not trust interns. My employer made sure that I was learning and being involved throughout everything.Seeing FASHION SHOWS during Milan Fashion Week! were amazing!! As well as understanding that I am a student wanting to travel and see Europe. What other better city than Milan the fashion capital of Europe!! And now my company that I interned at has offered to let me work from them while back home!
Having an international internship makes my resume look so unique. Jobs are now asking less questions and asking 'when can I start?'

I was placed in a fabulous restaurant called La Ménagère. They taught me so much through the time we shared. We laughed together as we created these beautiful memories as a family and team that'll surely never fade. Global experience gave me an opportunity that blew every one of my expectations out of the water. My program coordinator, Anna was beyond helpful through even the simplest inconveniences. She was always there day and night if we needed anything, or even a friend to talk to. Throughout this journey she provided us with great advice to further prepare us for success. I'm greatful for the opportunity that Global provided; and the cost of this program is nothing compared to what you get out of it. Because of Global, I was able to make life long friends and many professional connections that will get me so far in life.

I had an incredible experience working abroad in Florence, it has been one of the best experiences of my life thus far. Global Experience was an incredible company with helpful staff who set me up with an internship that suited my needs and future career goals. The company even sets up cultural events during your time in Florence for you to attend. The events are catered to learning more about Florentine culture and taking your experience beyond the local tourist spots. From the marble paper making to the Siena wine tour in the Tuscan countryside, GE did a fantastic job coordinating and creating the wonderful events. It was a great way to get to know your fellow interns and learn something new about Italian and Florentine culture.

Additionally, before the program began, I decided to pursue my own housing outside of GE. Even though this was my choice and out of their hands, the GE staff assisted me with recommendations on neighborhoods to live in. This went completely beyond their job scope to help a fellow intern find a safe living space and neighborhood. This assistance showed their dedication to their interns and the want to make their experience the best possible while abroad.

I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to work abroad! I had the absolute time of my life!

I loved everything about my internship! I lived in a beautiful apartment with people who were different than myself and that I ended up connecting well with. My internship was such an amazing experience. I met so many great people and made so many connections with people from all of the world. I also learned a lot about what i want to do with fashion in the future. I was able to do so many things at my internship that I did not expect. They allowed me to do really important tasks and it really helped me learn about the industry. I also loved that Global Experiences planned social events to allow us to get to know each other outside our internships. I had such a good time. I truly would recommend doing an internship with Global Experiences.

I had initially applied for the program two years prior to my actual start date and had wanted to go into Fashion Business. By the time I did my interview which was a month before the start date of the program, I realized that Fashion Business was not what I wanted to do considering I had just graduated and received my degree at a Fashion Institute. I was told that it was too late to switch into a Fashion Design internship and I was upset but understood. I already have a good job in Fashion Design and wanted to learn the business aspect of the work industry. Coming to Milan I had the idea that working in a showroom for Fashion Business I would be LEARNING and WORKING. I worked forty hours a week and the first two weeks (when I was most occupied) I did not do anything related to fashion but was told to call over 2500 companies and send thousands of emails. I never once interacted with the customers that came in to shop at the showroom but sat behind a desk for nine hours a day the rest of the six weeks, and was given a task for about an hour of the nine I worked. I had told my location coordinator that I was unhappy with my internship from day one. I told myself to give it time and waited for it to get better and it never did. My location coordinator was aware that I was unhappy and told me that she would talk to my internship and have a midway interview with me and my supervisor so that they could assign me more tasks. I never had an interview with my internship and GE. I learned absolutely nothing at my internship besides finding a way to occupy myself for eight hours a day, in addition to me not learning I was TEACHING the other EMPLOYERS how to do THEIR JOB, why did I pay $8000 to learn, when I paid to teach and rot in boredom. Besides the horrible internship, my housing was not ideal either. I lived in a loft in a nice area of Milan. The location was great, but I shared a bed with my roommate. We were given a queen sized wood framed bed and a smaller than twin sized foldable hotel pull out bed that slid across the floor. Somehow these two beds were supposed to be equal. Again after being aware GE did nothing that we were sharing a bed and failed to give us another one that was worth the money I paid for housing. The only good thing that came out of this were the other people on the trip whom I created friendships with, and they also disliked their internships and had their time wasted.

While interning and living in Florence for 2 months I can honestly say this is one of the most unforgettable times of my life. I interned for a marketing company that was perfect for me because I was surrounded by such nice, helpful and welcoming co-workers. I thoroughly enjoyed my internship and I've gained much knowledge in the field of marketing, which was my goal. As for my experience in Florence, Italy as a whole, I've had a very fruitful experience because Florence is so beautiful and has an incredible history. Global Experiences put together some really fun events for our group that brought us closer together and formed friendships. Global Experiences made the process of working and living in Florence, Italy so easy and comfortable, which was instrumental in my experience. By placing us in apartments that are close to grocery stores, tourist areas and nice restaurants. Also, by making sure that we're safe and enjoying ourselves with trips that are interesting. This life-changing experience has helped me become a person and I'm very thankful to Global Experiences for all their help in this process.

I was completely happy and satisfied with my placement, housing, and roommate. I have no complaints really. I started my journey to Milan 2 years ago, there were a few bumps in the road getting there but it worked out for the best in the end. I wish it wasn't so expensive, so everyone could experience it. I would do it again, but for less. I don't think its worth that much but i am very happy i did it, and i would consider paying it again if i had to. I loved the team, the program members I met along the way and of course my BOSS! I traveled, I learned, and most of all I had so much fun. You really can have it all. The memories made will never be forgotten nor will the people. It was truly life-impacting.
Now that I am back in America, I am ready to go back! I encourage everyone, I mean EVERYONE to INTERN/ STUDY ABROAD... someway, somehow!

Internship:
I worked as an International Sales and Marketing Intern for a showroom. My co-workers quickly became like family. Although I was not always incredibly busy, I was given more responsibilities than I thought I would which I am truly grateful for. I gained so much knowledge and confidence during my internship. It was an incredible resume builder.

Housing:
I stayed in an apartment with 2 other GE interns. Our apartment was really nice, although we did not have AC (not shocking in Europe). The location of my apartment wasn't the greatest but once you learn to take the metro, Milan is a very easy city to navigate.

Fun, friends, travel:
I made incredible friends with fellow interns. I traveled all over Europe. I truly had the best summer ever!