Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance—a period defined by artistic rebirth and cultural transformation. For students living and studying abroad there, the experience can feel like a renaissance of their own. Hear Caroline, a college student from Chapman University, share her experience studying abroad in Italy with AIFS Abroad.
Discover how Caroline’s fall semester in Florence brought her studies to life and allowed her to travel throughout Europe.
Choosing When & Where to Study Abroad
Deciding where and when to study abroad can feel overwhelming, but sometimes, one destination just seems like a perfect fit. For Caroline, Florence checked every box:
“I chose to study abroad in Florence, Italy. I had never traveled to Europe before studying abroad, so I conducted extensive research on various cities and countries to consider for my studies before deciding on Florence. Through my research, I found that Florence fit many of my needs and desires in a study abroad program. I wanted to go to a city [with] a deep culture [of] art and fashion, a city that was big enough to explore, but not overwhelmingly huge… Florence was the perfect place to study abroad, in my opinion.”
For many students, picking a term is another important consideration. Studying abroad during fall semester gave Caroline more opportunities to connect with the locals as peak tourist season waned:
“I enjoyed the transition from summer break to studying abroad in the fall. When I arrived in Florence in early September, there were still many tourists and the city was very busy, but as time progressed, and tourists left, there was a much more intimate feel within the city amongst locals… I felt like I got a feel for the different seasons in Europe, beginning my program in the late summer and finishing it in early December. I saw summer, fall, and winter in Europe. Although I was abroad during Thanksgiving, AIFS provided a Thanksgiving dinner to help ease the potential homesickness during that time. Overall, I really enjoyed studying during the fall semester.”
Academics Abroad
AIFS Abroad has four Global Education Centers (GECs) in cities across Europe, each offering hands-on courses that incorporate local perspectives and culture. Caroline attended the AIFS Abroad GEC in Florence, located in the heart of the city, just steps from the famous Ponte Vecchio and her student apartment:
“I really enjoyed my experience [at the AIFS Abroad GEC]… The campus was in the Oltrarno neighborhood of Florence, which was across the Arno River from where my apartment was, so I enjoyed walking to class each day and exploring different areas of the city.”
During her time at the AIFS Abroad GEC in Florence, she discovered that her program’s commitment to students ran even deeper than she expected:
“The most stand-out aspects of my program, beyond the actual courses, were the additional steps taken to ensure a safe and convenient experience for students… Additionally, the staff and professors at my program went above and beyond, not only to teach but to build connections with students, which I continue to cherish after returning home from studying abroad.”
Caroline took four courses (Introduction to Oil Painting, Luxury Fashion, Sustainable Fashion Journalism, and Public Relations & Marketing), all of which connected directly to her major and minor at Chapman University. And while each of her classes included experiential learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom, her fashion courses left the biggest impression:
“The aspects of my classes abroad that stuck out most to me were the field trips, primarily in my luxury and sustainable fashion classes. Living in Florence, where there is such a rich culture in fashion, added to my learning and knowledge, to be able to take field trips around the city to connect what we were discussing in class to real-world experiences. We took field trips to century-old shoemakers, leather goods manufacturers, and the Gucci and Ferragamo Museums. These experiences expanded and encouraged my learning in my classes.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Abroad programs, with varying options that can include a student residence, homestay, or a shared apartment. Hear Caroline describe her experience in a shared apartment with other AIFS Abroad participants:
“I lived in an apartment with five other study abroad students in my program, who also all happened to be from my home university. Our apartment was near the Duomo, and the busiest part of the city, and we crossed the river to get to campus for class each day.”
Cultural Appreciation
When you study abroad, you get to immerse yourself in a whole different culture and way of life. Caroline found that the Florentine people were warm and welcoming wherever she went, an attitude that she tried to keep in mind when she returned home:
“Something I really enjoyed about studying in Florence was the sense of community and hospitality felt throughout the city. Wherever I would go in Florence, locals were eager to share their culture and lifestyle with me, and accepted me into life in Florence. This influenced me when returning home, as I tried to be more welcoming and hospitable to others in my everyday life.”
Caroline also made it a point to seek out cultural events wherever her travels took her:
“I went to multiple different cultural events and activities, both in Florence and in the cities I traveled to. I went to Oktoberfest in Munich, a Black Coffee concert in Athens, and the Christmas markets in Florence. I made an intention of looking into events and important cultural activities before visiting a new city!”
AIFS Abroad Trips & Activities
All AIFS Abroad programs include trips and excursions, as well as cultural and social activities designed to enrich your experience and help you connect with your fellow participants. Caroline made the most of her experience by attending every program-led activity she could:
“Having access to additional events and excursions added to my overall abroad experience. I tried to maximize these experiences as they were offered. I went on all the overnight trips offered through AIFS to Venice and Rome, and it was a memorable and meaningful opportunity to experience cities that I may not have had the opportunity to [visit] on my own.
I also did some of the special events coordinated by AIFS, including an Italian cooking class, Thanksgiving dinner, and a day trip to Siena. These opportunities added to my overall abroad experience immensely—[they provided] chances to… take classes and have cultural experiences that opened my eyes to life in Italy.”
Traveling Abroad
Beyond AIFS Abroad-organized excursions, Caroline made it a priority to explore as much of Europe as possible—traveling 10 out of 13 weekends. Her most memorable trip was celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich:
“My favorite weekend trip was to Munich, Germany, for Oktoberfest. I took a bus to and from Munich, which was quite a long travel day, but made the experience that much more worth it. I met up with some friends from my home university and spent the weekend at Oktoberfest together. It was such a fun cultural experience. My grandparents lived in Germany for many years, and it was very interesting to see a country that is important to my culture and family.”
Why AIFS Abroad?
College students choose AIFS Abroad for a wide range of reasons. It could be one of our amazing programs that catches their eye (like an aspiring playwright discovering our theater program at Shakespeare’s Globe in London) or some of our incredible inclusions—from immersive cultural activities and excursions to our dedicated on-site staff who offer trusted support.
After some rave reviews from friends and learning how much is included with our programs, choosing AIFS Abroad was a no-brainer for Caroline:
“I chose to go abroad through AIFS because, as I was looking for programs, I felt as though AIFS ‘checked all of the boxes’ in what I was looking for. I had friends who had studied through AIFS, and they only had positive things to say about their experiences. The combination of a small, interactive program, with classes applicable to my major/minor requirements, provided housing and meal accommodations, as well as program-provided travel and cultural experiences, [made it] truly feel like AIFS was the one-stop shop for study abroad programs.”
Ready to start your own study abroad journey like Caroline did in Florence? AIFS Abroad is here to help!
When it comes to studying abroad, AIFS Abroad has got you covered long before you set out. Our team can help you find a program that fits your academic and personal needs. Plus, we’ll provide you with all the information you need before you go abroad. Once you’re there, you’ll enjoy our valuable inclusions such as housing, cultural and social activities, trips and excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more—which really take the stress out of being somewhere new. All so you can focus on what matters most: expanding your academic horizons and making unforgettable memories you’re sure to cherish for a lifetime.
