Carlos’s Summer time Internship in Florence, Italy
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Curious what life seems to be like for a university pupil interning overseas in Italy? We not too long ago caught up with AIFS Overseas participant Carlos from the College of Kentucky, who spent his summer season interning overseas within the Renaissance metropolis of Florence.
Uncover how Carlos’s summer season internship in Italy with AIFS Overseas helped him increase his cultural horizons and acquire invaluable skilled expertise!
Selecting an Internship Program Vacation spot & Time period
When you resolve to examine or intern overseas, you get to select the place on the planet, and when, you’ll go. With so many AIFS Overseas locations positioned world wide, you’ll be able to select a program in a number metropolis that finest aligns together with your private and tutorial targets. As somebody focused on 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 needed to expertise its tradition, historical past, and language whereas additionally gaining [professional] expertise. I’d advocate this program to college students who’re open-minded, adaptable, and focused on working with kids whereas studying in a world setting.”
So far as choosing a time period went, Carlos stated that summer season labored finest along with his tutorial schedule:
“I selected summer season 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, vigorous 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 position as an English educating 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 kids (ages 6 – 10) study English in a enjoyable and fascinating 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 differ from helping 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:
“Generally 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 a terrific mixture of behind-the-scenes work and time with the scholars!… I additionally find time for exploring town, grabbing espresso with mates, or visiting a museum after work. Each day feels slightly totally 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, enable you construct skilled expertise in your profession discipline, and reply any questions. Hear Carlos describe his expertise along with his supervisor:
“My supervisor was supportive and collaborative. Their management model was approachable and versatile; they gave steerage when wanted but additionally inspired independence and inventive problem-solving. This made it straightforward to ask questions and study from expertise.”
Skilled Improvement
Interning overseas lets you construct out your resume and acquire sensible skilled expertise, all when you make worldwide connections and dwell like an area overseas. Carlos emphasised that his schooling internship in Florence had an influence on each his private {and professional} growth:
“I actually developed my adaptability by studying methods to modify to a brand new tradition…and work setting. I additionally improved my communication…[and] management [skills] by planning actions, guiding college students, and taking initiative on totally different initiatives.
Interning overseas gave me actual expertise working in a world setting, whereas additionally letting me totally 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 dwell 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 means of town, there’s a lot to like about interning overseas:
“I attempted many new meals, together with contemporary pasta, pizza, gelato, and native cheeses. I particularly liked gelato from small outlets and do-it-yourself pasta dishes. My go-to meals have been typically easy, native favorites like margherita pizza or pasta with seasonal sauces, and I loved making an attempt totally different eating places and cafes across the metropolis.”
Along with delectable delicacies, Italy is house to many cultural festivals that encourage genuine native experiences:
“I attended La Festa di San Giovanni on June 24, which was a memorable native pageant. 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 applications embody 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 exquisite 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 strive new meals, apply my language expertise, and join with native tradition in a enjoyable, hands-on approach.”
Housing
Housing is at all times included with AIFS Overseas applications. 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 dwell like an area! We stayed in an condominium surrounded by Italian neighbors. All of the residences are unfold out throughout central Florence, so the whole lot is tremendous walkable. They differ in measurement and magnificence, however you sometimes share with 2 – 4 different college students from this system. It’s a cool strategy to actually really feel such as you’re dwelling right here, not simply visiting.”
AIFS Overseas Scholarships
AIFS Overseas gives scholarships and grants that may assist cut back the price of our applications. Carlos was awarded our Inexperienced Ambassador Scholarship, which allowed him to concentrate on sustainability overseas and make a distinction in his new neighborhood:
“Being an AIFS Overseas Inexperienced Ambassador means representing sustainability whereas overseas and inspiring others to make extra eco-conscious selections of their each day lives. As a part of this system, I’m engaged on a sustainability challenge 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 big effect, even whereas touring.”
Language Studying
Wish to intern overseas however don’t know a second language? No drawback! You’re not required to talk the native language to check or intern overseas, and as Carlos explains, he was capable of get by in Italy with simply the fundamentals:
“I interned in Italy, the place English just isn’t the first language. I didn’t have to know Italian to be eligible for this system, however studying some fundamental phrases helped me talk and really feel extra comfy. My language expertise improved rather a lot with the two weeks of Italian classes we have been required to take earlier than the internship started, and in addition by means of each day apply and immersion within the tradition. My recommendation is to strive talking the language every time attainable, apply with locals, and never be afraid to make errors. Immersion is one of the simplest ways to study.”
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 applications positioned all around the world. Our complete choices and testimonials from previous individuals made it straightforward for Carlos to decide on certainly one of our applications:
“I selected AIFS as a result of it gives sturdy help, good program choices, and clear steerage for finding out and interning overseas. I had heard it was properly organized, dependable, and that college students felt secure and supported whereas gaining cultural and private development.”
After interning with us, Carlos is certain glad he did select AIFS Overseas—as he put it, having on-site help was actually useful and reassuring:
“The AIFS workers and advisors have been very useful all through your entire program. Earlier than I left, they guided me by means of purposes and journey planning. Throughout this system, they have been accessible for questions and help, and their check-ins made me really feel secure and ready. Their steerage actually stood out and made the expertise smoother.”
Are you a university pupil 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 school college students and up to date graduates intern overseas. All our applications include many helpful inclusions, which takes quite a lot 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 workers, and profession readiness programming, you’ll take consolation in realizing you’ll have help all through your complete expertise overseas.
