Curious about what it’s really like to intern abroad in Italy? We recently caught up with Winifred from the University of Delaware, who did a summer internship in Milan with AIFS Abroad!
Discover why Winifred called her international internship with AIFS Abroad in Milan the “best two months of [her] life”!
Deciding Where & When to Intern Abroad
It’s not always easy to decide where you should intern abroad. After all, AIFS Abroad offers so many amazing destinations around the world, so picking just one can be tough! A good place to start is searching for programs based on your personal, academic, and professional interests. And if you’re still having trouble, reach out to our team—they’re here to help!
For Winifred, Milan checked a lot of boxes:
“I chose Milan as my intern abroad location for many reasons. I knew before I decided that I wanted to go somewhere in Italy because I have been studying Italian. With my major being international business, I wanted a location that also had a good business background… I am also interested in fashion, so being able to be surrounded by that as well was amazing.”
While many college students dream of interning abroad, some find a full semester program too long to be away from home. In those cases, we often recommend a summer term, which, as Winifred discovered, was an excellent time to explore Milan and the surrounding region:
“At first, the reason I decided to intern abroad during the summer was that the program was shorter, and I was nervous that I was not going to be able to be away from home for that long. I also love the summer and [was really excited to go] to the beaches and the lake. The vibe was definitely hot this summer, but it was so amazing. All the places I traveled to were so beautiful because of the season.”
Why Intern Abroad?
Gaining professional experience, exploring different career paths abroad, and standing out on job applications are just a few of the reasons college students and recent grads choose to intern abroad.
For Winifred, an international business major and Italian language minor, interning abroad was an opportunity to put her academic interests into practice while gaining career experience in an international workplace:
“I wanted to intern abroad because my major is international business. It has always been a goal of mine to be able to work abroad, so once I found the opportunity to do [an international internship], I was very excited. I think that college students and recent grads should pursue this type of experience because being able to [intern] and live in another country is a gift. Being able to experience different cultures and work dynamics is one of the coolest things you could do.”
Internship Experience
Want to gain firsthand career-focused experience before you enter the workforce? AIFS Abroad is on the job! Once your application is accepted, we guarantee a placement in one of your two approved career fields, so you can rest assured your internship experience aligns with your professional goals.
Winifred was placed at a marketing agency and consultancy in Milan as a marketing intern, where she got to work closely with a small team:
“It was a newer agency that my boss had started about 3 years ago. The team was very small; [my boss] had 2 other employees. Some of the responsibilities that I had were to create and plan social media posts, create a Brand ID, and update the marketing portfolio. I also updated [my boss’s] original website and worked on the creation of the agency’s new website.”
In addition to helping her build practical career skills, her internship in Milan provided valuable cultural and interpersonal advantages as well:
“My favorite cultural experience while abroad would be the friendships that I made with my coworkers. They were very close to my age, and I loved talking about our lives and experiences. Being able to hear about such a different lifestyle was so awesome. I was so sad to leave them.”
Foreign Language Requirements
Did you know that you don’t have to be fluent in a second language to intern abroad? That’s right! AIFS Abroad offers a wide range of international internships where English is commonly used in the workplace, as well as more immersive programs designed for students with advanced foreign language abilities who are focused on developing their professional language skills.
Even for internships conducted primarily in English, AIFS Abroad includes an Italian language course that helps interns in Italy learn useful phrases for everyday life, making it easier to settle in and navigate their surroundings with confidence.
While fluency isn’t required, Winifred noted that learning a few basic Italian phrases can make the experience even more rewarding:
“For my experience, I have been studying Italian since high school. [Because] Milan is so [metropolitan]… a lot of people spoke English. I personally never had any issues communicating. I wouldn’t say you need to know a ton of Italian to live in Milan, but it would definitely be helpful. I also think that it is respectful to at least try to speak the native language and not assume that every person is going to be able to speak to you in English. Some advice would be to at least have everyday sayings/greetings down to be respectful when first meeting someone or entering an establishment.”
Housing
All AIFS Abroad programs include housing that’s been vetted by our on-site staff. This ensures that you’ll have a home base that’s safe, comfortable, and conveniently located!
Hear Winifred describe her shared apartment in Milan:
“For my housing accommodation, I lived in a three-bedroom apartment with two other girls. My apartment was very nice and had air conditioning. I got along really well with the girls that I lived with, and I am so lucky to have met them.”
Making Friends Abroad
It’s normal to worry about making friends abroad. The good news is that most AIFS Abroad participants are in the same boat as you—meaning they’ll be just as eager to make friends!
In addition to making friends with her roommates, Winifred explained that her Italian language class provided the perfect environment to connect with fellow participants while improving her Italian skills:
“I did not know anyone else in advance before applying or participating. I [made] friends very quickly with my roommates. For everyone else in the program, it was easy to become friends because of the language class we had every day.”
AIFS Abroad Trips & Activities
Another way to meet other AIFS Abroad students and interns is through our included activities and excursions. These inclusions help you enjoy new cultural experiences and see other important sites across your host country—all while you make memories with other participants.
Winifred’s favorite excursion was to idyllic Lake Como, and with views like that, can you blame her?
“The excursion that was my favorite was the Lake Como trip. It was so beautiful there, and getting to have a big lunch all together as a program was really fun.”
The Impact of Interning Abroad
An international internship can be a powerful catalyst for growth. Adapting to a new city, culture, and workplace often pushes participants beyond their comfort zones and leaves a lasting impact on both their personal and professional lives, as Winifred explains:
“I grew in so many ways personally, academically, and professionally by interning abroad. I think going by myself helped me grow so much personally. Completing my internship assignments for college credit while [attending] my internship helped me a lot academically. Professionally, I learned so many new skills and experienced what working in a real office environment was like.”
Final Thoughts From Winifred: Do it Scared
To anyone considering studying or interning abroad, Winifred offers these words of advice:
“Some advice to future study abroad or international internship participants would be to do it scared. I was extremely nervous going abroad and having to meet so many new people, but this experience was the best two months of my life.”
Ready to have the time of your life while you gain professional experience in another country? Start your journey with AIFS Abroad!
At AIFS Abroad, we provide the support, opportunities, and resources that help students like Winifred look back and say with confidence, “This experience was the best two months of my life.” Whether your goal is to build professional skills, immerse yourself in a new culture, practice a foreign language, or experience personal growth, our programs are designed to help you make the most of your time abroad.
That means housing, integrated career readiness, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, cultural and social activities, trips and excursions, and so much more!
And who knows? Like so many AIFS Abroad participants, when people ask you how your intern abroad program was, you may find yourself replying: “[it] was the best two months of my life.”
