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Able to be taught what it’s actually wish to research overseas in Italy? We lately caught up with AIFS Overseas participant Lizzie from the College of Texas at Austin, who spent her spring semester finding out overseas within the Renaissance metropolis of Florence.
Uncover how Lizzie’s research overseas expertise in Florence helped form her private {and professional} future!
Selecting a Research Overseas Vacation spot & Time period
Deciding the place and when to check overseas isn’t at all times straightforward (we might help with that!)—there are such a lot of wonderful program locations all over the world with AIFS Overseas, so selecting only one could be exhausting. Hear why Lizzie determined to research overseas in Florence:
“I selected Florence as a result of I needed to dwell someplace wealthy in historical past, artwork, and tradition whereas nonetheless having a robust sense of neighborhood. It’s a metropolis the place you may be taught simply by strolling by means of the streets, and the tempo of life makes it straightforward to soak every part in. I’d advocate this program to college students who’re curious, open to new experiences, and able to embrace a distinct lifestyle.”
As Lizzie mentioned, a number of components went into her selecting a spring semester program:
“I selected the spring time period as a result of it match properly with my tutorial schedule and provided the right mixture of gentle climate, native holidays, and fewer vacationers. This made it simpler to discover, expertise seasonal traditions, and join with the neighborhood in a extra genuine approach.”
Lecturers Overseas
Lizzie attended one in every of AIFS Overseas’s 4 World Schooling Facilities (GECs) which might be situated all through Europe. Finding out overseas at an AIFS Overseas GEC supplies college students with hands-on programs that incorporate native views and tradition, providing a novel studying expertise. Beneath, Lizzie describes what her expertise was like at our GEC in Florence:
“I attended the AIFS World Schooling Middle in Florence. The expertise was immersive and supportive, with lessons that related on to the town’s historical past and tradition. What stood out most was how this system revolved round Florence itself. Making my lessons extra participating and significant.
Courses had about 20-30 college students, all of whom have been AIFS college students. The small dimension made it straightforward to take part and construct connections, and the instructors inspired participating discussions that associated to our expertise dwelling in Florence.”
As Lizzie defined, she loved how her programs in Florence took her out into the town for discipline journeys associated to the subject material:
“Courses overseas have been smaller and extra interactive than at my dwelling college. The main target was on experiential studying, with plenty of discipline journeys and tasks tied on to the town… I actually loved lessons that mixed lectures with hands-on tasks, like exploring Florence’s artwork and historical past firsthand. Subject journeys to historic websites, meals markets, pasta factories, and wine outlets introduced the fabric to life and made studying extra participating.”
Budgeting Overseas
Price is a big concern for a lot of college students who need to research overseas. Thankfully, AIFS Overseas provides scholarships and grants, and we settle for monetary help, which might help cut back prices. Hear how Lizzie caught to a price range throughout her semester overseas:
“I set a transparent price range earlier than leaving, factoring in housing, meals, journey, and emergencies. Whereas overseas, I tracked bills weekly, prioritized free or low-cost actions, and cooked meals as a substitute of consuming out on a regular basis. My largest recommendation is to plan for additional prices. I felt I tended to spend more cash on experiences, so it was good to have extra cash to have the ability to do these issues and never fear.”
Housing
Housing is at all times included in AIFS Overseas packages. Beneath, Lizzie explains her expertise in a shared condominium with different AIFS Overseas individuals:
“I lived with seven different folks in a small condominium, nevertheless it was proper within the middle of the town, which made the expertise unforgettable. Sharing house had its challenges, however dwelling so near every part and constructing friendships made it value it.”
Language Studying
Language boundaries are a standard concern for college kids who need to research overseas. Thankfully, realizing a second language is not required to check overseas with AIFS Overseas. Plus, many packages, like Lizzie’s, don’t require you to take a language course. Hear Lizzie describe her expertise navigating the Italian language throughout her semester in Florence:
“There have been no language boundaries since lessons have been in English, and everybody I met was tremendous good and useful… I didn’t know any Italian beforehand, nor was it required for this system. Over time, I picked up widespread phrases, which helped me navigate every day life and join with locals. My recommendation is to be taught a number of fundamentals earlier than you go as a result of it makes immersion simpler and reveals respect for the tradition.”
Profession Readiness
Many faculty college students report that finding out overseas has helped them develop skilled abilities and acquire a greater understanding of the place they need to take their careers. Hear Lizzie describe how finding out overseas helped form her skilled future:
“My overseas expertise boosted my confidence and adaptableness. It improved my communication and problem-solving abilities whereas working with various folks. Now, I’m motivated to pursue careers with a worldwide focus and really feel prepared for brand spanking new challenges.”
Interested by pursuing a extra career-focused overseas program? AIFS Overseas provides worldwide internships together with distinctive Research + Internship packages, which let you take lessons overseas when you acquire skilled expertise with a part-time internship.
Private Progress
As Lizzie says, finding out overseas helped her develop in additional methods than one:
“This expertise helped me develop personally, not simply academically or professionally. Dwelling overseas pushed me to grow to be extra unbiased and open-minded in methods I hadn’t anticipated. It’s a journey that goes past the classroom and really shapes who you might be.”
Journeys & Excursions
AIFS Overseas research overseas packages embody journeys and excursions led by our knowledgeable on-site employees. These journeys and excursions take you round your host metropolis or nation (and generally past)—serving to you deepen your cultural and historic understanding of the native tradition, all when you bond with different AIFS Overseas individuals. Beneath, Lizzie describes her expertise:
“I attended the AIFS-sponsored journeys to Rome and Venice. Each have been unforgettable; the historical past and sweetness of every metropolis made the excursions really particular, and touring with fellow college students made the experiences much more memorable.”
Along with occurring journeys and excursions with AIFS Overseas, you’re greater than welcome to journey on the weekends and holidays throughout your program, like Lizzie did:
“I took weekend journeys to London, Prague, Copenhagen, and the Amalfi Coast. Every place provided a distinct expertise, from the town life in London to the historic websites in Prague and the attractive landscapes alongside the Amalfi Coast.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
From our beneficial journeys and excursions to our wide-ranging program choices, there are various causes to select AIFS Overseas. When you’re like Lizzie (and lots of others), realizing you’ll be supported all through your program by our on-site employees would be the motive you click on that “Apply Now” button and be part of us on a global expertise of a lifetime:
“I selected AIFS as a result of I’d heard it provided a very supportive and well-rounded research overseas expertise. Mates and previous individuals advised me concerning the nice excursions, on-site employees, and the way straightforward it was to really feel related to the local people, which made it a straightforward alternative for me.”
Are you able to take the leap and research overseas as a school scholar like Lizzie did in Florence with AIFS Overseas? 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 research overseas. All our packages include many useful inclusions, which takes a number of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in realizing you’ll have help all through your complete expertise overseas.
