AIFS Abroad: Intern Abroad in Italy

I always knew Italy was the place I wanted to Intern but I had very little expectations coming to Florence. I didn't realise how much I would love this city, it is beyond beautiful. It's a program I recommend everyone to do, whatever your goals might be, you will grow and change in more ways than you ever thought you would. It's an experience I will hold with me forever. It is the foundation for my future.

Interning abroad is definitely a once and a lifetime experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who is interested. Working within Italy definitely gave me incredible life and professional skills that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life! Italy is such an incredible country with an incredibly rich culture making the past three months unforgettable. My internship definitely gave me more professional skills I was looking to gain and the work atmosphere was perfect for my personality!

My time in Florence was amazing! I met so many people that I immediately connected with because we were all in it together. There were social events provided by GE that helped us get to know each other and a chance to travel. This was exactly what I was looking for!

The Global Experiences staff was incredibly helpful and supportive along the way. :) I would recommend this experience to anybody looking for growth in their major and personally. I'm incredibly grateful that I was given this opportunity!

If you are hesitant on deciding if you should join the program then I'm here to tell you that you should do it.

I wasn't sure at first, but this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The company i worked with was very reputable and let me dive right into my field of studies and helped me learn how to apply my knowledge from the classroom to the work place. Also there isn't a better city for fashion than milan. All of my coworkers were so friendly and I didn't need to know italian to get around the city (plus they were more than happy to help me out).

I enjoyed every minute of my internship with global experiences. Though this experience I have not only learned my about my career path but also myself. I have made such great friends though this program, and have had a ton of memorable adventures. I am eager to see what door are opened up in my career due to this amazing internship and hope that I get the opportunity to do it again, with global experiences.

When I first arrived in Florence I felt like I was in a Medieval Disney World. As I walked along the cobblestones in the city center I was greeted by breathtaking architecture, world-famous statues, and a violin's serenade. This city is truly special as it has all the attractions of a large city while being completely walkable and safe.

Like the city of Florence itself, Global Experiences is also unique. Most of the Americans in Florence are studying aboard with other people from their University and, as a result, the vast majority only hang out with other Americans. However, because Global Experiences partners with a language school that has people from all over the world and places you in real Italian work environments you will inevitably meet and talk with people who are not American. I believe that this is extremely important because the whole point of going abroad is to go outside of your comfort zone.

The internship that Global Experiences placed me with was perfect. I wanted an internship within the field of Journalism. I was paired up with Florence News, a publication for American students and tourists in Florence. While I thought I would just help edit, I actually got to write articles! I learned about what makes a good lead, how to write hard news stories, and the ins and outs of AP Style. While I was not enrolled in a University class while here, I believe that the experience I gained from my internship has taught me more than any journalism class would.

All in all, because of this program I have become friends with people from completely different cultures, tasted wine properly, eaten my weight in gelato, overcome language barriers, and developed into a more self-sufficient and globally aware person.

If you are considering this program, I would suggest that you stop thinking and apply for the program today.

As an Art Education intern for Global Experiences, I could not have chosen a more appropriate location. Florence, Italy has been amazing to say the least. Combining the artistic location with friends and a great work environment, I have had the experience of a lifetime over these past three months. Throughout my internship I have grown immensely as an individual and gained a diverse set of skills. This program encouraged me to not only explore other countries and make new friends but allowed my education and career to grow along with it. What I will be able to take away from this experience I will be able to use for the rest of my life. And the memories I have made here could never be forgotten. This internship has paved the way for my future, and I could not be more eager to see what it holds.

Interning in Florence is great because the city has so much going on, but yet still has that small town comfort and charm to it. It doesn't take long to feel right at home in Florence, and everything I needed (grocery store, gym, internship office, bars etc.) was no further than a 15 minute walk from my apartment. It's so easy to explore different parts of Italy from Florence also, it's a very central city. My internship taught me a lot about flexibility, communication, independence and self-confidence and I know I'm returning to home to Canada with a more profound mindset that has both personal and professional benefits.