Curious what a semester in Italy is really like? We recently caught up with Alex, a mathematics major at the University of Alabama, who spent her spring semester studying abroad in the historic city of Rome.
Read on to learn about how Alex’s semester in Rome “renewed [her] passion for learning” and led to a summer internship in Paris!
Choosing a Study Abroad Program Destination & Term
With so many incredible destinations available through AIFS Abroad, choosing the right program can be one of the hardest parts of the process. Like many college students, Alex’s academic and personal interests played a big role in her decision:
“I have always been interested in ancient mythology and love learning about history, so there was no better place for me to study abroad than Rome. Combined with Italy’s incredible food and culture, Rome had always been my dream destination.”
Rome’s atmosphere and central location in Italy also made it an ideal home base for Alex’s semester abroad:
“The city had the perfect size and energy for my semester, and its central location made it easy to travel to many incredible destinations throughout Italy while still having a wonderful place to call home.”
Finding the right destination is only part of the decision. Students also need to decide when to study abroad. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad offers study abroad programs year-round, so most students can find one that supports their academic timeline. For Alex, a spring semester program was the perfect fit:
“I chose to study abroad during the spring semester because I wanted to spend an extended period of time in my host city while also avoiding missing the energy of the fall semester at a major football school… Rome was especially beautiful during the spring. The temperatures were mild and comfortable, and I was able to enjoy the city without the intense summer heat and crowds.”
Academics Abroad
One of the best parts of studying abroad is discovering new ways to learn. At the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center (GEC) in Rome, Alex found a welcoming academic environment filled with supportive professors and engaging coursework:
“I loved the AIFS Rome [Global] Education Center. All of the faculty were incredibly helpful, personable, and genuinely cared about the students… The professors were also incredible, bringing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to the classroom. It was clear that they were passionate about their subjects and truly invested in creating a meaningful learning experience for their students.”
Building a community was another highlight of her academic experience. While Alex took classes primarily with other AIFS Abroad students, she also appreciated opportunities to interact with local students:
“I had classes exclusively with other AIFS Abroad students, which was a great way to build strong connections and form a close-knit study abroad cohort. We also had students who attended university full-time in Rome join some of our classes and events. This gave us the opportunity to meet local students and connect with people whose everyday lives and experiences were based in Rome. It was a great way to feel more connected to the local community while still maintaining the strong sense of community within our AIFS cohort.”
As a math major with a strong interest in research, Alex also joined the AIFS Abroad Honors Experience, which let her continue her existing research at a surprising intersection of math and fashion: using computational modeling to analyze the colors of historic textiles. During the semester, she even presented her work at an international conference at Sapienza University of Rome. Studying abroad didn’t put her academic goals on hold—it moved them forward in an international setting.
Another major benefit of studying abroad is the chance to take unique classes that have a direct connection to your host city. For example, Alex took several courses at the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center that were focused on the local culture, history, and industries of Rome:
“I took Honors Research, Culture of Rome, Food and Culture, Italian Luxury Fashion and Design, and Greek and Roman Mythology. My favorite class was probably Italian Luxury Fashion and Design because we often took field trips to exhibitions, including one featuring Louis Vuitton. These experiences gave us the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible influence and importance of fashion in Italy, something I would never have been able to experience in the same way back home.”
For someone who studies fashion through data and historic textiles, seeing the industry up close in one of the world’s fashion capitals added a whole new dimension to Alex’s work.
Interrail Pass
Of course, studying abroad isn’t limited to just academic learning. Many students use the opportunity to explore other nearby destinations. With Rome as her home base and a complimentary Interrail Pass(formerly Eurail) included through AIFS Abroad, Alex was able to travel throughout Europe by train, making it easy and affordable to visit new cities and countries during her semester abroad:
“The Interrail Pass was an incredible opportunity to explore smaller cities and destinations throughout Europe in a convenient, affordable, and sustainable way. Instead of relying on flights, I was able to travel between destinations by train, which made it much easier to visit places I otherwise may not have had the opportunity to see.”
Making Friends Abroad
One of the biggest concerns many students have before going abroad is whether they’ll make friends. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad program housing as well as built-in social activities and excursions make it easy to connect with other participants, as Alex discovered:
“I did not go into my study abroad experience knowing anyone, and while that can be intimidating at first, I left with some incredible friendships… On the first day [of class], I sat next to someone and started a small conversation, and just a week later, we were traveling to Milan together for the Olympics.”
Activities and Excursions
AIFS Abroad programs include social and cultural activities, as well as trips and excursions. Not only are they a great chance to make friends with other participants, but they also help you discover more of your program destination through guided trips and immersive activities.
While Alex noted that she enjoyed every AIFS Abroad activity and excursion, one trip in particular stood out:
“I enjoyed all of the weekly activities organized by the AIFS staff, but my favorite excursion was traveling to Sicily with the AIFS team… It was also great to travel with the AIFS staff because they took much of the stress out of planning and navigating the trip. They were incredibly knowledgeable about the area and made the experience both interesting and fun. It was a great opportunity to explore Sicily while also spending time with the AIFS team and other students.”
AIFS Abroad On-Site Support
Speaking of our team… Did you know we have on-site support staff at every AIFS Abroad program destination? That’s right! Whether you need help navigating the public transportation, some vegetarian or vegan recommendations, assistance in the case of an emergency, or just someone to talk to you as you adjust to life in a new city—our on-site staff are there to ensure you have an incredible experience.
Alex summed up her impression of our on-site staff in Rome nicely:
“The staff at AIFS Rome were incredibly supportive and welcoming throughout my experience,and the AIFS building was in a great, convenient location that was easy to walk to.”
Language Learning
Want to study abroad but don’t know a second language? No problem! You are not required to be fluent in another language to be eligible for most AIFS Abroad programs. In fact, many students like Alex begin their programs with little or no experience speaking the local language:
“I did not know any Italian before starting my study abroad experience. Throughout my time in Rome, I learned some conversational Italian, which made everyday interactions more meaningful. However, I found that it was very easy to communicate even without speaking the language fluently. People were incredibly kind and patient when communicating, and I never felt that the language barrier prevented me from fully experiencing life in Rome.”
Housing
Where you live can have a huge impact on your experience abroad—that’s why all AIFS Abroad programs include safe and central housing that’s vetted by local staff. Alex lived in a shared apartment in Rome and found that it helped her feel more connected to both the city and the people around her:
“I lived in a shared apartment and had a great experience with my accommodations. The apartments were not specifically student housing, so I had Italian neighbors, which gave me a more authentic experience of living abroad and allowed me to feel more connected to the local community.
The apartment was also in a very convenient location, making it easy to walk around and explore Rome. I also had a great experience with my roommates. We quickly became close and formed friendships that extended beyond our apartment, including taking many weekend trips together throughout Italy and Europe.”
Personal and Academic Growth
For many students, studying abroad is nothing short of a transformative experience. It teaches independence, problem-solving, cultural awareness, and so much more. And when students come out the other side, they often report how much they’ve grown, as Alex did:
“I was able to grow significantly on a personal level throughout my study abroad experience. Because the program placed such a strong emphasis on experiential learning, it renewed my passion for learning while also giving me the space to discover more about myself outside of my usual academic routine.”
Final Thoughts from Alex
We always love hearing why students choose AIFS Abroad and what keeps them coming back (after all, the reasons are practically endless!).
Alex’s semester in Rome had such a big impact on her that she decided to stay in Europe over the summer, where she completed an international internship in Paris with AIFS Abroad:
“AIFS has genuinely been one of the best experiences of my life, which is why I chose to continue my journey with the program. AIFS Rome gave me some of my most meaningful experiences and introduced me to incredible people. The staff were incredibly supportive and played such an important role in making my time abroad so special.
Because of my experience in Rome, I decided to extend my time abroad and complete an internship in Paris over the summer through AIFS. This was another incredible experience, and I was fortunate to have a great placement company that helped me grow professionally and gain valuable experience. Over my six months abroad with AIFS, I have grown tremendously both personally and professionally. I am incredibly grateful to the many members of the AIFS team who supported me before, during, and after my experiences abroad.”
During her internship in Paris, Alex worked on a project to automate part of her company’s documentation process. She helped develop a system that could automatically turn application data into technical documentation. The experience gave her a chance to apply her programming and problem-solving skills in a professional setting while also immersing herself in Parisian culture.
Alex’s journey with AIFS Abroad didn’t end after her summer in Paris. She loved our program so much that she decided to join the AIFS team:
“My experiences with AIFS have been so meaningful that I now work as a campus ambassador for the program. I want to encourage other students to take the opportunity to study abroad and experience everything that comes with it. AIFS has had such a positive impact on my life, and I am excited to continue sharing that experience with others.”
If that isn’t proof that you should choose AIFS Abroad, we don’t know what is!
Are you a student who’s ready to study abroad like Alex did in Rome? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Are you ready for your transformative experience abroad? AIFS Abroad is here to make it happen. With programs in exciting destinations across the world and a long list of hands-on courses in a wide range of academic fields, we’re here to help make your study abroad dreams a reality.
Plus, our valuable inclusions such as housing, cultural and social activities, trips and excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, and on-site staff provide you with everything you need to study abroad with confidence.
