Programs : Brochure

Spend a summer in the artistic and cultured city of Florence, Italy with AIFS Abroad! Combine study abroad with a part-time internship experience through this Study + Internship program, designed to advance your academics and provide opportunities for professional growth, with credit awarded through Fairfield University. The AIFS Abroad Florence Global Education Center is centrally located with the Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace, Piazza della Signoria, Accademia and San Marco creating a wonderful backdrop to your experience in Florence.

How it works:

The Study + Internship program combines practical work experience in a foreign country with structured preparation and reflection opportunities. The course consists of 15 contact hours of seminars and workshops plus 120 hours of supervised unpaid work placement (3 credits). Alongside the internship seminars and work placements, students are required to enroll in the hybrid course SOCI 360 – Italian Culture and Traditions (3 credits) to complement their preparation.

Credit for the internship placement is awarded by Fairfield University.

Students taking both the Rome and Venice excursions can earn an additional credit when they register for Italian Art: Selected Topics.

In a competitive world, practical experience is an invaluable addition to classroom learning. The internship provides vital insight into a career field, experience in the global workplace, practical exposure to the demands of specific jobs and development of professional and personal skills. International work experience helps students test a potential career path while exploring interests and abilities in new ways.

Placements are available in the following fields:

Art history, drawing, fashion, history, Italian language, marketing, painting, photography, sociology and many more.
EXPLORE THIS PROGRAM APPLY WITH AIFS

Where You'll Study

The AIFS Global Education Center in Florence is in the heart of the historic center. It is within walking distance of the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and Accademia as well as numerous stores, restaurants and trattoria.

Located in the AIFS Abroad Center is a Resident Director and Student Advisors to help scholars adjust to life in Italy. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building and there are a small number of computers for student use/printing.

What Makes AIFS Abroad different?

Academic Excellence

AIFS Abroad is committed to a Learn-Connect-Grow academic framework that brings together our best practices accumulated during 60+ years of educating 1.6 million students. By focusing on the whole student and acknowledging the intersection of their identities, current academic needs, future goals, and the global landscape, we support students so they can thrive in our programs and beyond.

Career Readiness

Professional development is at the foundation of our preparation for participants’ time abroad. We utilize the CliftonStrengths assessment as a tool to help all participants understand themselves better, provide a vocabulary around their natural talents, and deepen the impact of their experience abroad.

Cultural Engagement

As an organization we are committed to ensuring all identities are able to thrive in an inclusive global educational environment. Everyone has a complex identity, and the different aspects of your identity are important when deciding on a program and location. Review our Cultural Resources page to assist you when selecting a program that best fits your interests and needs.
Resources

Sustainability

We are the first education abroad provider to sign on with the
Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE).
Focused on making education abroad carbon neutral, we include
carbon offsets for all participants' return flights, environmental
education connecting students on the ground to environmental
projects, and make our own business practices more
sustainable.