Ready to hear what it’s like to intern abroad in Italy? We recently spoke with Suzanne, a journalism major from Ohio University, who spent her summer interning abroad in the ancient city of Rome.
Discover how Suzanne’s internship with AIFS Abroad helped her build practical career skills and travel throughout Italy and Spain!
Choosing a Program
Some college students and recent graduates find it difficult to choose a study or intern abroad program. With AIFS Abroad offering so many stellar options, it can be hard to narrow down your search! If you don’t know where to start and need some help deciding, we encourage you to reach out to our team or speak with your study abroad advisor at your school, like Suzanne did:
“The description of the internship was my dream [position]. I heard good things about AIFS when I was researching study abroad programs, and my adviser recommended it to me. I heard it was a great program to travel, experientially learn, and make friends.”
Deciding when to study or intern abroad is another important consideration. Whether you want to do a short-term program or go for a full semester, AIFS Abroad has you covered with options all year round. Suzanne didn’t let classes and a busy school year stop her from interning abroad; instead, she took advantage of one of our summer intern abroad programs:
“I chose summer because of my hectic schedules and campus jobs during the school year.”
Preparing Family
While many parents encourage their children to study or intern abroad, others have mixed feelings—it can be hard for them to imagine their child across the world in an unfamiliar place. Fortunately, choosing a trusted provider like AIFS Abroad—and having clear details about the program—can help parents feel confident about your decision to go abroad.
To learn more about our programs and help ease your family’s concerns, we encourage parents to attend AIFS Abroad webinars and browse our website. Once they hear about our trusted on-site staff, 24/7 emergency assistance, and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences our programs provide, parents (like Suzanne’s mom) generally come around:
“It took a lot for my mom to send me off on my own. But I definitely encouraged her to go to all the AIFS pre-departure meetings, which eventually got her more open to the idea. It’s one of those things where I needed to grow independently, so I needed to take a big step, like going to Rome for the summer, which she understood.”
Financing Your Program
Finances are another factor that can make some people think twice about studying or interning abroad. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad offers scholarships and grants, and we accept financial aid, which can help lower the costs of our programs. Although Suzanne had to make some sacrifices, she was confident her international internship would pay off in the long run:
“I applied to as many scholarships as I could. I picked up extra shifts, and I even sold my car so I could go… The experience is worth the investment; the memories and growth you gain abroad cost more to miss out on than to pursue.”
Internship Experience
As a journalism major, a media internship in Rome was perfect for Suzanne. Her host company was an English-speaking culture and tourism magazine, and her responsibilities included a wide range of career-specific tasks, both in the office and out in the city:
“My typical internship week involved weekly tasks like taking videos around the city and covering events. I also went to the office on Tuesdays for a few hours to meet with the team, discuss projects, and get feedback on my work. This routine helped me stay organized and engaged throughout the internship.”
As she explains, Suzanne’s role as a media intern allowed her to build foundational skills aligned with her career goals:
“Some notable tasks included covering art exhibitions and learning how to create TikTok videos aimed at English-speaking tourists. These projects helped me develop practical media skills, including video production, content marketing, and audience engagement, which will be valuable for my future career in journalism and digital media… The experience also strengthened my resume and confidence, helping me take the next steps toward a career in journalism and digital media.”
AIFS Abroad Activities & Excursions
AIFS Abroad internship programs aren’t just about gaining international professional experience. You’ll also have the opportunity to go on included trips and excursions that take you around your host city or country. Not only is this a great chance to learn more about your program destination, but it’s also the perfect time to make friends with other participants, as Suzanne did:
“I attended several AIFS-sponsored events and excursions, including city tours and cultural outings. What made them memorable was getting to explore Rome with other students, learning about local history, and experiencing the culture firsthand in a fun and social setting. These trips also gave me great opportunities to bond with my peers.”
Weekend Trips
Outside of your internship and AIFS Abroad trips and excursions, you can set out on your own to travel to your heart’s content! Suzanne took several weekend trips during her internship program in Rome where she traveled throughout the region:
“I took several memorable weekend trips to Barcelona, Florence, Ponza, and the Amalfi Coast. Each destination was unique—Barcelona for its vibrant culture and architecture, Florence for its art and history, Ponza for its relaxing island vibes, and the Amalfi Coast for breathtaking scenery. These trips gave me a deeper appreciation for European culture and added unforgettable experiences to my time abroad.”
Navigating Language Barriers
AIFS Abroad programs do not require you to be fluent in another language, and since her internship was in English, Suzanne had no problem communicating at her host company. Still, she made an effort to learn some basic Italian phrases to further immerse herself in the local culture:
“I interned in Rome, where Italian is the primary language, but I didn’t need to know it in advance since my internship was in English. Being surrounded by the language daily helped me pick up basic Italian phrases and improved my confidence in speaking. My advice for language learning is to practice small conversations whenever you can, listen actively, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—it’s the best way to learn and immerse yourself.”
Housing
All AIFS Abroad programs include housing. Suzanne noted that her shared apartment in Rome was an excellent place to unwind and connect with her fellow participants at the end of the day:
“I stayed in an apartment with other AIFS students, which made it easy to connect and share the experience. I liked having a space where I could relax and study after [my internship] and classes.”
AIFS Abroad Support
Wherever you go with AIFS Abroad, you can rest assured that you’ll have the trusted support of our on-site staff who are ready to answer your questions, help you navigate your new city, and assist you throughout your program. Hear Suzanne describe her experience with AIFS Abroad staff before departing from the U.S. and after she landed in Rome:
“The AIFS staff were really helpful from start to finish, especially with pre-departure planning and answering questions while I was abroad. I appreciated having advisors I could reach out to for guidance on housing, internships, and navigating the city. Their support made the transition smoother and helped me focus on making the most of my experience.”
Are you a college student or recent grad who wants to intern abroad like Suzanne did in Rome? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and recent graduates intern abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions (which really take the stress out of planning!), such as housing, cultural and social activities, trips and excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, career readiness programming, and more! With AIFS Abroad, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad—no matter where you go.
