AIFS Abroad in Florence, Italy: Semester

My study abroad experience in Florence, Italy, with AIFS was nothing short of fantastic! I am immensely grateful for everything the program offered—from the incredible staff to the weekly events that ensured there was never a dull moment. The entire experience felt surreal, thanks to the extraordinary offerings of the program. The flexible meal plan was a highlight, allowing us to dine at local restaurants with friends daily after classes and partake in pasta and pizza making sessions. Engaging activities like wine tastings and dinners with local Italians enriched our understanding of their vibrant culture. I cannot praise the staff enough for their dedication and the seamless execution of this transformative program. Every day brought new excitement and learning opportunities, making my classes thoroughly enjoyable. Those four months flew by, but the memories I made are cherished treasures that I'll hold onto for a lifetime.

The biggest reason why I chose AIFS instead of other programs is because of the amount of culturally immersive activities that they had planned out for the students when compared to other programs. Things like weekend trips to Rome and Venice really grabbed my attention along with the other huge list of smaller optional activities locally, or just a day trip away. I'm truly so thankful for the experiences provided by AIFS, as they helped create a welcoming atmosphere. Things like cooking classes, pizza making classes, painting, day trips to vineyards, Cinque Terre and one of Italy's most notable celebrations: Carnevale. I may have went alone to study abroad, but it was all of these fun activities where I made some of my closest friends to date. Going in by myself was definitely nerve-racking, but because of these culturally immersive activities I was able to bond with plenty of other similar-minded students also abroad.

If there is one thing I would say to someone considering going abroad, I would tell them to do it. I was definitely worry-some at the thought of leaving home to live in an unfamiliar foreign country, but i must say that AIFS really does their part in making you feel at home. With their friendly & welcoming staff there with you every step of the way from pre-departure to "I don't want to go back home". They do their jobs very well in providing an experience that certainly will never go forgotten. Not only did I create countless memories during my time with AIFS, but I made life-long friends from all over the world through their inclusive events and activities provided with the program. The AIFS team plans out extracurricular cultural-emerging activities for their students which was probably my favorite part. Going abroad with an American study abroad program, I was a little worried that I wouldn't get the full experience of living abroad, but these activities helped me feel more immersed in another culture than I ever have before! These activities are just one of the endless reasons why I would recommend AIFS to anyone that's considering studying abroad.