What inspired you to travel abroad?
I needed to find my real personality and discover new ways of dealing with the concept of professionalism and something that could generate passion in me in order to better face my work in the field of image in resorts. This was my first long-term trip abroad so there was a lot of fear and anxiety, but luckily everything went well.
I had been to other places away from home before, but the IAN Academy is a very nice place so I didn't miss home. Another inspiration was because there are not many schools in my country and IAN Academy has a good reputation.
Why did you choose IAN Academy?
I chose IAN Academy because it is very famous in Naples and many students turn to their temporary office to do internships abroad. However in my country, many people talked about IAN; I also saw the school and all the opportunities it offered on the internet, so I decided to enroll and I must say, enrollment happened quickly.
I am very happy to have made this choice and in any case, everything that was written in the reviews on the internet was real. It was not difficult to find the academy since they are located in the center of Naples.
What was your favorite part about Naples?
Although I lived nearby, I discovered a fantastic city with very friendly people. The IAN Academy is made up of really quiet and kind people. However, the city is very beautiful and touristy, and the food is excellent everywhere.
At the IAN Academy, the professors are very friendly, so overall my favorite things were food and training, mainly HR training where they teach you to do a job interview by helping you with the camera to film your performance.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I found myself having an offer to leave for Spain from one day to the next and it was wonderful to spend six months in Barcelona studying the same subjects for which I have a passion.
My adventure began alone and it ended that I had created a nice company of classy friends and despite the hard period of the pandemic we were also able to have some moments of leisure outside during the summer of 2020.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
I had a great time with Gianfilippo, Grazia, Alessia, and all the other guys from the IAN staff. I thank everyone for always behaving with kindness and courtesy. The Academy staff is very kind, but the professors are also very kind, competent, and prepared.
I had a bit of difficulty during the pandemic because the program was very slow, but immediately after the pandemic, the normal routine was resumed. It is a serene and convivial staff so I have nothing to complain about.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Each experience always has its own peculiarities, so I don't know. Surely if there had not been the pandemic we would have had many more opportunities to go out and visit Naples but in any case, during the summer we managed to venture on the islands and it was very nice.
The study experience was also very positive and the kind of innovative teaching I like very much. The lesson on the sommelier was beautiful because I learned the various categories of wines and the combinations to recommend to the customer.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I stayed on the IAN Academy Campus in Piazza Cavour, sharing a room with three Canadian girls, so in the morning when there were courses we went down to the ground floor for breakfast and then for the start of classes. In the afternoons I studied Italian or the course subjects.
During the weekends I usually devoted myself to personal things or took the opportunity to go out with some friends for errands or to go for a ride. Naples has a very connected metro system so we often went to the beach during the summer.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
We had parties on Saturday evenings with groups of students cooking recipes of their Indian culture and despite the pandemic, we had a lot of fun and I learned some Indian dances. With private kitchens and with the pandemic we have often delighted in shopping in international shops and cooking our typical dishes and eating all together, or watching TV series on Netflix in the cinema room.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I had a third-floor accommodation with an ensuite bathroom; my room was quite spacious, and two of my roommates went on an internship so my stay was very peaceful. My favorite thing was the food when they offered Indian lunch or dinner.
There was a large refectory on campus with a kitchen and a beautiful room where musical instruments were available for those who could play. I would say that mainly I liked this and then the garden area because it is very well kept. All was very nice and clean.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
As I said, at the moment I am a resident of Naples and I only come home a few weekends a month. I have left the academy and I am slowly creating a future here. Unfortunately, with the pandemic, we have experienced a standstill, but now with the reopening, it seems that the situation is improving.
I believe that everything should be restored for next year. I liked Naples as a city and above all, I liked the people, who are very friendly and hospitable. Especially in Naples, there is life during the day and at night, and the city is always on.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
The program is well structured because it consists of six months of study in the classroom and at home, and six months of training or internship, especially in the summer season when the hotels are open.
What I recommend is definitely to follow the Italian classes because in Italy it is very rare to be able to speak English in the workplace, especially in contact with slightly older people. Also, come with basic preparation because the course is very advanced.
Would you recommend your program to others? Why?
Yes, I would recommend it because, in any case, for me, it represents an excellent experience of life and study, and because this academy is structured precisely for the reception of people who come from outside.
