Lizzie’s Spring Semester in Florence, Italy
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Able to be taught what it’s actually prefer to examine 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 examine overseas expertise in Florence helped form her private {and professional} future!
Selecting a Examine Overseas Vacation spot & Time period
Deciding the place and when to review overseas isn’t at all times simple (we can assist with that!)—there are such a lot of wonderful program locations world wide with AIFS Overseas, so selecting only one could be laborious. Hear why Lizzie determined to examine overseas in Florence:
“I selected Florence as a result of I wished to dwell someplace wealthy in historical past, artwork, and tradition whereas nonetheless having a robust sense of group. It’s a metropolis the place you may be taught simply by strolling by way of the streets, and the tempo of life makes it simple 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 unique lifestyle.”
As Lizzie stated, just a few components went into her selecting a spring semester program:
“I selected the spring time period as a result of it match effectively with my tutorial schedule and supplied the right mixture of delicate climate, native holidays, and fewer vacationers. This made it simpler to discover, expertise seasonal traditions, and join with the group in a extra genuine means.”
Teachers Overseas
Lizzie attended one in all AIFS Overseas’s 4 World Schooling Facilities (GECs) which can be situated all through Europe. Learning overseas at an AIFS Overseas GEC offers 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 linked on to town’s historical past and tradition. What stood out most was how this system revolved round Florence itself. Making my lessons extra partaking and significant.
Courses had about 20-30 college students, all of whom have been AIFS college students. The small measurement made it simple to take part and construct connections, and the instructors inspired partaking discussions that associated to our expertise dwelling in Florence.”
As Lizzie defined, she loved how her programs in Florence took her out into town for subject journeys associated to the subject material:
“Courses overseas have been smaller and extra interactive than at my residence college. The main focus was on experiential studying, with plenty of subject journeys and tasks tied on to 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 retailers introduced the fabric to life and made studying extra partaking.”
Budgeting Overseas
Price is a big concern for a lot of college students who need to examine overseas. Happily, AIFS Overseas gives scholarships and grants, and we settle for monetary help, which can assist scale back prices. Hear how Lizzie caught to a funds throughout her semester overseas:
“I set a transparent funds 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 an alternative of consuming out on a regular basis. My largest recommendation is to plan for additional prices. I felt I tended to spend extra money on experiences, so it was good to have more money to have the ability to do these issues and never fear.”
Housing
Housing is at all times included in AIFS Overseas applications. Beneath, Lizzie explains her expertise in a shared condominium with different AIFS Overseas contributors:
“I lived with seven different individuals in a small condominium, however it was proper within the middle of 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 students who need to examine overseas. Happily, understanding a second language is not required to review overseas with AIFS Overseas. Plus, many applications, 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 each day life and join with locals. My recommendation is to be taught just a few fundamentals earlier than you go as a result of it makes immersion simpler and reveals respect for the tradition.”
Profession Readiness
Many school college students report that finding out overseas has helped them develop skilled expertise 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 flexibility. It improved my communication and problem-solving expertise whereas working with numerous individuals. Now, I’m motivated to pursue careers with a world focus and really feel prepared for brand spanking new challenges.”
Curious about pursuing a extra career-focused overseas program? AIFS Overseas gives worldwide internships together with distinctive Examine + Internship applications, which let you take lessons overseas whilst you acquire skilled expertise with a part-time internship.
Private Development
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. Residing overseas pushed me to develop into extra impartial and open-minded in methods I hadn’t anticipated. It’s a journey that goes past the classroom and actually shapes who you might be.”
Journeys & Excursions
AIFS Overseas examine overseas applications embody journeys and excursions led by our professional on-site workers. 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 whilst you bond with different AIFS Overseas contributors. Beneath, Lizzie describes her expertise:
“I attended the AIFS-sponsored journeys to Rome and Venice. Each have been unforgettable; the historical past and wonder of every metropolis made the excursions actually particular, and touring with fellow college students made the experiences much more memorable.”
Along with happening 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 supplied a unique expertise, from town life in London to the historic websites in Prague and the gorgeous landscapes alongside the Amalfi Coast.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
From our priceless journeys and excursions to our wide-ranging program choices, there are numerous causes to select AIFS Overseas. When you’re like Lizzie (and plenty of others), understanding you’ll be supported all through your program by our on-site workers stands out as the cause you click on that “Apply Now” button and be a part of us on a global expertise of a lifetime:
“I selected AIFS as a result of I’d heard it supplied a extremely supportive and well-rounded examine overseas expertise. Pals and previous contributors informed me concerning the nice excursions, on-site workers, and the way simple it was to really feel linked to the local people, which made it a simple selection for me.”
Are you able to take the leap and examine overseas as a university scholar like Lizzie did in Florence with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that will help you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to school college students examine overseas. All our applications include many helpful inclusions, which takes plenty 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 assist, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have assist all through your whole expertise overseas.
