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Curious what life appears like for a university scholar interning overseas in Italy? We lately caught up with AIFS Overseas participant Carlos from the College of Kentucky, who spent his summer time interning overseas within the Renaissance metropolis of Florence.
Uncover how Carlos’s summer time internship in Italy with AIFS Overseas helped him develop his cultural horizons and acquire worthwhile skilled expertise!
Selecting an Internship Program Vacation spot & Time period
When you resolve to research or intern overseas, you get to select the place on the earth, and when, you’ll go. With so many AIFS Overseas locations situated all over the world, you may select a program in a number metropolis that greatest aligns along with your private and educational targets. As somebody concerned about Italian tradition and historical past, selecting to intern overseas in Italy was a no brainer for Carlos:
“I selected Italy as a result of I wished to expertise its tradition, historical past, and language whereas additionally gaining [professional] expertise. I might advocate this program to college students who’re open-minded, adaptable, and concerned about working with youngsters whereas studying in a global setting.”
So far as choosing a time period went, Carlos stated that summer time labored greatest together with his educational schedule:
“I selected summer time as a result of it match properly with my college schedule and gave me the prospect to spend extra time overseas. The season made the expertise even higher with heat climate, energetic festivals, and plenty of cultural occasions, although it additionally meant extra vacationers within the metropolis.”
Internship Expertise
Carlos did a full-time internship program, permitting him to achieve real-world expertise within the schooling and psychology fields. His function as an English instructing assistant included duties each out and in of the classroom:
“[My host company is] a non-profit group in Florence that focuses on serving to younger youngsters (ages 6 – 10) be taught English in a enjoyable and interesting approach. We use artistic, play-based strategies like video games, songs, and hands-on actions [to teach students English].”
Whereas his obligations on any given day might fluctuate from aiding within the classroom to engaged on administration duties from his pc, he might at all times depend on one factor—free time after his internship to discover town:
“Typically I work on-line doing administration duties or lesson planning. Different days, I collaborate with my supervisor to develop new initiatives or actions. And, in fact, some days I’m hands-on with the children, main English video games, crafts, or interactive classes. It’s an excellent mixture of behind-the-scenes work and time with the scholars!… I additionally find time for exploring town, grabbing espresso with buddies, or visiting a museum after work. Day by day feels slightly completely different, which I like!”
Whenever you intern overseas with AIFS Overseas, you’ll be assured a supervisor at your new host firm. Somebody who’s there to point out you the ropes, assist you to construct skilled abilities in your profession discipline, and reply any questions. Hear Carlos describe his expertise together with his supervisor:
“My supervisor was supportive and collaborative. Their management model was approachable and versatile; they gave steering when wanted but in addition inspired independence and inventive problem-solving. This made it straightforward to ask questions and be taught from expertise.”
Skilled Improvement
Interning overseas means that you can construct out your resume and acquire sensible skilled expertise, all whilst you make worldwide connections and reside like a neighborhood overseas. Carlos emphasised that his schooling internship in Florence had an influence on each his private {and professional} improvement:
“I actually developed my adaptability by studying the right way to alter to a brand new tradition…and work atmosphere. I additionally improved my communication…[and] management [skills] by planning actions, guiding college students, and taking initiative on completely different initiatives.
Interning overseas gave me actual expertise working in a worldwide setting, whereas additionally letting me absolutely immerse [myself] within the native tradition. It’s been an effective way to develop each personally and professionally!”
Cultural Appreciation
Interning overseas with AIFS Overseas provides college students the prospect to reside like locals—and for Carlos, that meant having fun with genuine Florentine experiences. From embracing a slower tempo of life to tasting his approach by way of town, there’s a lot to like about interning overseas:
“I attempted many new meals, together with recent pasta, pizza, gelato, and native cheeses. I particularly cherished gelato from small outlets and do-it-yourself pasta dishes. My go-to meals have been usually easy, native favorites like margherita pizza or pasta with seasonal sauces, and I loved making an attempt completely different eating places and cafes across the metropolis.”
Along with delectable delicacies, Italy is dwelling to many cultural festivals that encourage genuine native experiences:
“I attended La Festa di San Giovanni on June 24, which was a memorable native competition. It was thrilling to see town come alive with fireworks, music, and celebrations. Experiencing this occasion gave me a deeper appreciation for native traditions and made me really feel extra related to the tradition.”
Journeys & Actions
AIFS Overseas packages embrace journeys and excursions in addition to social and cultural actions that take individuals round their host nation and metropolis—additional immersing them within the tradition whereas providing the prospect to journey with fellow individuals and trusted on-site workers. Between tasting desserts in Florence and touring to a few of Italy’s most fascinating cultural websites, it’s no surprise Carlos remembers these occasions fondly:
“I attended a number of AIFS-sponsored excursions and occasions that have been actually memorable. For excursions, I went on day journeys to Siena and Pisa and a weekend journey to Milan and Lake Como, seeing the historic websites and delightful landscapes made them unforgettable. For occasions, I loved the gelato tour, wine tasting, cooking class, pizza making, and a dinner with Italians. These experiences let me attempt new meals, apply my language abilities, and join with native tradition in a enjoyable, hands-on approach.”
Housing
Housing is at all times included with AIFS Overseas packages. As Carlos explains, his housing in Florence made him really feel like he was a part of the local people:
“Housing actually provides you the prospect to reside like a neighborhood! We stayed in an residence surrounded by Italian neighbors. All of the residences are unfold out throughout central Florence, so every part is tremendous walkable. They fluctuate in dimension and elegance, however you sometimes share with 2 – 4 different college students from this system. It’s a cool option to actually really feel such as you’re residing right here, not simply visiting.”
AIFS Overseas Scholarships
AIFS Overseas presents scholarships and grants that may assist cut back the price of our packages. Carlos was awarded our Inexperienced Ambassador Scholarship, which allowed him to deal with sustainability overseas and make a distinction in his new group:
“Being an AIFS Overseas Inexperienced Ambassador means representing sustainability whereas overseas and inspiring others to make extra eco-conscious selections of their every day lives. As a part of this system, I’m engaged on a sustainability undertaking and creating content material that highlights native inexperienced practices right here in Italy. It’s about staying aware, whether or not that’s utilizing a tote bag on the market, supporting native companies, or decreasing waste, and serving to others see how small actions could make a huge impact, even whereas touring.”
Language Studying
Need to intern overseas however don’t know a second language? No downside! You’re not required to talk the native language to check or intern overseas, and as Carlos explains, he was in a position to get by in Italy with simply the fundamentals:
“I interned in Italy, the place English shouldn’t be the first language. I didn’t must know Italian to be eligible for this system, however studying some primary phrases helped me talk and really feel extra comfy. My language abilities improved loads with the two weeks of Italian classes we have been required to take earlier than the internship started, and likewise by way of every day apply and immersion within the tradition. My recommendation is to attempt talking the language every time potential, apply with locals, and never be afraid to make errors. Immersion is the easiest way to be taught.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
There are such a lot of causes to decide on AIFS Overseas, together with our on-site workers, nice housing choices, and our high-quality packages situated all around the world. Our complete choices and testimonials from previous individuals made it straightforward for Carlos to decide on certainly one of our packages:
“I selected AIFS as a result of it presents sturdy assist, good program choices, and clear steering for learning and interning overseas. I had heard it was properly organized, dependable, and that college students felt secure and supported whereas gaining cultural and private progress.”
After interning with us, Carlos is bound glad he did select AIFS Overseas—as he put it, having on-site assist was actually useful and reassuring:
“The AIFS workers and advisors have been very useful all through the whole program. Earlier than I left, they guided me by way of purposes and journey planning. Throughout this system, they have been out there for questions and assist, and their check-ins made me really feel secure and ready. Their steering actually stood out and made the expertise smoother.”
Are you a university scholar or current grad who’s able to intern overseas like Carlos did in Florence? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students and up to date graduates intern overseas. All our packages include many helpful inclusions, which takes numerous the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site workers, and profession readiness programming, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have assist all through your whole expertise overseas.
