AIFS Abroad: Intern Abroad in Italy

This was a great experience that not only taught me more about the Italian culture but the work life and every day life in this country. I am grateful I was able to spend the past 3 months here and the huge personal and professional growth this experiece has provided me.

I definitely recomment this program to people who want to take a gap year, who just graduated and are not ready to go into the work force/ grad school, or to juniors and seniors who want to gain some more experience and explore the area in which they want to work.

My 3 months in Florence was a dream true! I would recommend anyone fresh out of college to intern abroad (especially Florence). I've lived at home my whole life and living in Europe has definitely enhanced my level of independence and has made me more worldly overall. The first month was great because I brushed up on some of my italian and had a lot of free time to explore the beautiful city of Florence. The last eight weeks were equally as great because I was working at a contemporary art gallery and learned so much. My employers were very kind and made me feel that I was at home. My favourite part about this program was that every week we had scheduled events with GE interns and our internship advisor Rachel. She set up the best weekend excursions in cities all over Tuscany and organized amazing activities in Florence. She made me feel very comfortable as she was always there whenever I needed her. Overall, the food, culture, beautiful scenery and amazing relationships I created along the way made this experience all the more wonderful!

This 3 month internship was one of the best learning experience I've had! I learned more about myself and of the proffessionalism at work. I did get culture shock in the beginning but was able to adjust and familiarize well thanks to Eleonora (GE staff) and the girls in the program!

Global Experiences has been the perfect opportunity for me. The length of the program, the people in the program, the city, etc. From exploring the center of Milan to getting lost just outside of it, everyday was an adventure. The wining and dining in Milan started my journey out perfectly. Not only did I try a thousand different types of wines, pizzas, and pastas, I also had the ability to order in the native tongue, Italian. Being able to partake in language classes is what makes this program unique. I was able to tackle my internship head on with a new diverse Italian vocabulary and the confidence to speak. I am blessed to have meet lifelong friends from home and from Italy. I will cherish the moments I had laughing, crying, and dancing on tables all over Milan. And I know, I will be back.

My time with Global Experiences has been incredible. Overall the program is very structured and organized which made me always feel comfortable and safe. I have met wonderful people through GE, my internship, and language school who I know I will always stay connected to no matter where we are located in the world. My internship in Fashion Business gave me experience I couldn't get elsewhere. How many people can say they have worked a Milan Fashion Week Sales Campaign??? I loved learning the details of what happens behind the scenes in the fashion industry, and it was awesome working with collections for the next year! Aside from my internship, I learned a lot about myself from living in a foreign country. Every day was a challenge, but I loved every day I had here in Milan!

I had never been to Italy before and didn't know an ounce of Italian. Coming here, the first two weeks I was home sick and couldn't understand anyone and wanted to go home. By the end of my 3 month stay in Milan I didn't want to leave. I could understand everyone for the most part, I was so comfortable in my setting and the culture, learning so much about myself was having so much fun! I never thought of coming to Milan before and now I can't wait to come and visit the city and the friends I have made during my time here. This experience was amazing for me, mentally and physically and of course giving me a lot more detail to add to my resume! I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone. Traveling gives you so much more than any education you could pay for.

I am so grateful for my experience abroad. Interning in Florence gave me the most unique experience to fully submerge myself in a new culture and help me find myself a long the way. Its not until your so far away from everything that is familiar to you, that you begin to realize what your capable of. I encourage everyone to go abroad that has the chance. I promise it will change your life, if you let it.

I had an amazing three months in Milan interning at a magazine for English-speakers. I was given a lot of responsibility that is not always offered to interns and I was able to produce print articles and graphic products to add to my portfolio. Milan's a great location if you plan to travel around- Switzerland, Rome, Florence and Venice are all just a train ride away. Everyone at GE was super nice, you couldn't ask for more helpful people!