Culinary Arts & Cooking Internships in Florence

I recently studied abroad for 6 weeks in Florence Italy through Worldstrides! Studying abroad was never something I thought I would do, but im so glad I took the opportunity! Worldstrides was incredibly helpful in making me feel comfortable and confident both before and during my program. I had an amazing time exploring Florence, experiencing culture, and on weekend trips. I would definitely recommend studying in Florence through Worldstrides to anyone interested in having an amazing experience!

Ever sense I was a little girl I have always told people I wanted to be a fashion designer in Paris and I think if I would've known what the duomo was I would've said italy. Over my internship I worked with Ilaria Tollsi a fashion designer who opened her own atelier. with her I gained real life experience and got to feel what its like to work in my dream career field in a beautiful place. I dont think I would change my experience for anything. i think about florence every day.

Studying abroad truly was a life-altering experience. Worldstrides made it easy to understand the process and they were very helpful in answering any questions and providing assistance pre-departure, during, and have even been in touch after. I've made friends I will hold on to all my life and made so many special memories. I feel so much more open to change now and I am sure this will stick with me for the better!

I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Florence, Italy! The housing was in a fantastic location, just a short walk from the city center and all the landmarks. The school itself was both challenging and exciting—there was always something new to learn, and the professors were passionate about what they taught. The staff was incredibly helpful and made sure everything went smoothly, from settling in to offering support throughout the semester. One of my favorite parts of the program was the weekend trips we took to nearby cities and sights. It was the perfect balance of academics and exploration. Highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a memorable study abroad experience!

This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy through a three-week program with ISA and WorldStrides. I took a course called Wine Windows and Wine Business Walks, which was one of the most unique and engaging classes I’ve ever taken. The course brought us out into the streets of Florence and into the Tuscan countryside, where we explored wine windows, visited vineyards, and learned about the history and marketing of Italian wine directly from local producers. What made the experience even more special were the day trips that ISA and WorldStrides planned for us. We explored Pisa and took the classic leaning tower photo, wandered through the medieval towers and charming streets of San Gimignano, and soaked in the rich culture and stunning views in Siena. Each destination gave us a different glimpse into Italy’s diverse history and regional charm, all without the stress of planning it ourselves. Outside of class and excursions, Florence quickly felt like home. Whether it was sipping cappuccinos in the morning, getting lost in Renaissance art, or watching the sunset over the Arno, every day felt like a dream. This experience not only deepened my academic interests but also helped me grow personally and culturally. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to combine education, travel, and adventure in one unforgettable summer.

I had an incredible experience abroad. I truly enjoyed learning from my professors, whose insight and dedication made a lasting impact. The program staff were exceptionally responsive to emails and provided consistent support, which made me feel confident and well taken care of throughout the entire process. I always felt safe and supported during my time abroad, especially at the beginning when everything was new. The kindness and helpfulness of the staff made a huge difference and helped me settle in smoothly. Overall, I absolutely loved the experience and am grateful for how seamless and enriching it was.

I decided to spend an academic year studying in Florence, Italy, because my mother’s family is Tuscan and Sicilian, and I wanted to reconnect with my heritage. I stayed in a homestay with one roommate, and our host was a wonderful grandmother. She was incredibly kind and supportive, and I am so grateful for the year I got to spend with her. While in Italy, I also traveled to ten other countries, experiencing their food, celebrations, shopping scenes, and more. Besides traveling, my time in Italy was one of the best periods of my life. I made close friends with many locals and foreigners who taught me their languages, cooking skills, and other cultural traditions.

I recently did a semester abroad in Florence, Italy with AIFS this past fall semester and it was such an absolutely amazing experience. From the application process to the time I left Italy the AIFS staff was incredibly helpful and truly wanted to make your experience as amazing as possible. All 10 of us in the program attended all of the events AIFS organized except for 1 and they were absolutely amazing. The welcome dinner and exit dinner were also at 2 places that I had been wanting to try and they were so delicious. The AIFS team was super helpful and made the whole experience just that much better!

I went to Florence right after Covid in 2022. AIFS did an amazing job prepping us for any health and safety measures we needed to take and I felt so comfortable there. My placement was the best - a marketing intern for a Tuscan wedding cake designer, I learned so much and it set me apart from so many others in my future career endeavors. I am so grateful for the cultural education I received and I highly recommend any and everyone to go to Florence with AIFS!!! P.S. Anna is the BEST!!!

I loved my internship that I did in Florence. I did a semester long marketing internship and it was great. The people I worked with were lovely and I felt like I got so much valuable experience that I can use in my future career!

Studying abroad in Florence was a transformative experience that left an indelible mark on my life. The city's rich history, stunning architecture, and warm hospitality created the perfect backdrop for exploration. Wandering through narrow alleys and stumbling upon hidden gems like local markets and artisan workshops allowed me to truly immerse myself in the local culture. The people of Florence welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like a part of their community, and the Italian language courses added an extra layer to my cultural journey, fostering deeper connections with locals. Studying abroad in Florence not only enriched my cultural experience but also played a pivotal role in my personal and professional growth. The academic environment, coupled with the unique cultural context, provided me with a holistic education that transcended traditional classroom boundaries. Academically, the Italian language courses not only equipped me with a valuable skill but also enhanced my communication abilities. Learning to navigate daily life in a foreign language fostered adaptability skills that have proven to be helpful in various aspects of my personal and professional life.

Interning abroad was the most thrilling and transformative experience I’ve ever had. It offered the right amount of push out my of comfort zone. Yet maintaining just the right amount of support from the program to feel safe in such a new environment. Without my internship at Global Experiences I wouldn't have the full-time job I have right now. I think a program like this is even better than studying abroad because it forces you to learn and adapt.

I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to intern abroad in Florence, Italy. The company I interned with, Madai, had some great mentors and I really got to connect with them 1 on 1. I learned a lot about the technical side of advertisement and I met some great people along the way! My internship was located in Belloscuardo, a really picturesque part of the city. Overall, I feel like my placement was ideal; my internship wasn't so time consuming that I missed out on quintessential study abroad opportunities, but I spent enough time there to actually learn something.

My time studying abroad in Italy was unforgettable. FUA was an excellent school with great people. I felt like I was encouraged to be curious, explore and immerse myself into other cultures. I will never forget the memories I made in Florence - the food, the city, my teachers and more!

I enjoyed my time abroad and couldn’t have asked for a better team to arrange my studies, like ISA. In my semester, I got to study fashion design and sketch in the heart of where the Renaissance burgeoned. I met great people too and had the flexibility to also go to other areas of Italy. Strongly recommend as it will give you a boost in morale and has helped me learn a lot about global marketing and public relations.

AIFS not only gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity, but forever friends. Being able to complete my internship credit and do so while abroad is an amazing opportunity. I got to experience living in a new country with my new best friends while completing an amazing internship in the field I hope to have a career in. I got the opportunity to intern for one of the best in luxury wedding planning companies. I learned from the experts and without AIFS, I would not have this opportunity.

I have lived abroad in Italy before this experience so I had some knowledge of what to expect before coming back. However, the program still had its surprises and perks. Our housing situation was conveniently placed, close to the other interns in the program, close to work, and the city center (given, the city is very walkable and small). My work placement could not have been any more perfect but I do have to credit my persistence on this matter as much as the AIFS staff that made this possible for me. After the first interview with a prospective employer, I didn't get the immediate satisfaction that it was the right job for me. By discussing these doubts with the AIFS staff, they worked hard to match me with a better employer and it ended up being a perfect fit. Communication with the AIFS staff is an essential part of getting what you desire from the program. This experience will be exactly what you make it, the staff are here to help you succeed but it comes at the cost of using your voice. Living abroad for some time is not always easy, but it is worth trying at least once in your life and I would highly recommend doing this through AIFS. One thing to note... if you plan on coming here to Intern, make sure your priorities lie with your work. Depending on your employer, you may be given a lot of lenancy with time off to travel but this should not be taken advantage of. Building connections with your employer will help you in the future and any disrespect will only harm the connection between AIFS and the employers, making the experience harder for future students.

I would recommend this program! I had the best experience at Florence. The ISA staff were very helpful, and I learned so much. My apartment was nearby the city center which made exploring so easy. Florence is a smaller to medium city that was full of amazing foo and people. I loved being able to travel to new places and meet people from other universities studying there as well. I participated in the Chat Pal club as well when I was there. This allowed me to connect with locals and learn about their lives.

I was able to work in the field that I chose and gain knowledge and experience. I was able to achieve professional goals through my internship, but also personal goals through traveling alone and sightseeing.

I wasn't able to learn as much about archiving as I had hoped, but being able to work in a new environment abroad with other like-minded people has helped me understand myself better and realized a personal goal.