AIFS Abroad in Rome, Italy: January

AIFS is simply the best. The organization was impeccable from the welcome cocktail party to the weekend trip to Florence. I felt taken care of every step of the way. All of the tours and other programming were fabulous. And the staff are just the best. They ensured I took Italian language classes that met me where I was at, figuring out how to enroll me in a whole other language school just for 3 weeks!!! My friends who were not taking language classes also had an incredible time. The balance between class and adventure / independent time was PERFECT. I made friends I still meet up with today, and enough happy memories that I have decided to go abroad again. I cannot recommend this trip enough. Do it scared, do it nervous, do it excited...it is TOTALLY worth it. You won't regret this.

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I chose to go abroad to Rome because it was my dream to experience the food, architecture, history, and culture up close. I chose to go abroad with AIFS because it offered the perfect timeline (J-term), it partnered with my home university, and it had the best combination of included housing, trips, food vouchers, and a super cool admin staff. I went to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, several wine tasting classes, and a cooking class through the program! I also went to Florence and Assisi. I chose to use the transportation package so I had an assigned travel buddy to go to the airport with me so I was never alone and I had transportation from the airport to the hotel where we met up with AIFS. My class on Italian Culture was super informative and I used the concepts I learned about Slow Food while abroad by finding high quality & fresh dining experiences (aka the BEST gelato ever). I had the benefit of going into the program with friends but I made great friends with my apartment-mates and the other girls from my school in my class. We'd gone to school together for years and somehow never crossed paths. I never would have imagined being confident enough to connect with strangers before studying abroad. I'm more sure of myself and I know that I can handle being in the real world by myself. I'd really recommend AIFS for anyone who wants to learn while abroad, but still focus on having the best, most authentic, and transformative experience ever.

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I studied abroad in the spring of 2023 and it was the best three months of my life! I absolutely loved my apartment and the location of it. I felt right at home whether I was at school, going to different restaurants that the program gave us meal slips for, at my apartment, or just roaming the streets. I met so many other students in my program that I am now best friends with. The classes that AIFS offered were so unique and allowed me to get a better understanding of what Rome and its history is all about. My architecture class was my favorite as we got to go on several field trips to different cities and areas around Italy, the food class was also very food as we got to go taste testing different gelatos and foods around Rome! My favorite part of the semester was the trips that Marco, Rosanna and Chicca took us on. It was great spending time in different cities in Italy with my classmates and friends. I truly felt at home as they welcomed us with open arms and were there for us if we ever needed any help or guidance along the way.

I am so grateful for being able to experience studying abroad, the staff here Marco, Chicca, and Rosanna were all very helpful and were able to teach us outside the classroom as well! Definitely recommend going to Rome!

I had an amazing time with this program and made so many incredible friends. My class was well-structured with both class lectures and field lectures every single day which I was very grateful for. Although it was tiring walking around the city so much, it was amazing being able to see so much in just a 2.5 week class. Additionally, AIFS provided so many opportunities to get the most out of my experience for additional, but affordable, prices. I was able to attend/participate in a street food tour, cooking class, wine class, opera, and much more. All of the AIFS J-term Rome staff was very approachable and helpful during my time there– I wish I was able to stay for longer!

The J-term is the perfect amount of time to immerse yourself in the culture, travel around to several other places, and meet tons of amazing people. I was able to explore five other cities in Italy, meet lifelong friends, that I still visit, and learn some of the language and day-to-day life as an Italian. I took class throughout the program with people I met along the way. Thank you AIFS for the memories!

I absolutely loved this program. I was worried that I would not be able to see much of the city during a 3 credit 3 week course, but my course brought me to all great monuments and we all had a blast! I made friends I still talk to often and visit all over the US as well as Italian friends. There was more than enough time to go out and explore after class and experience city nightlife and weekend excursions!

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Studying abroad with AIFS is the best decision you can make. The manager and the instructors were really nice and helped me during the time of the program. Rome was really beautiful and I really enjoyed the excursions and the activities. The program offered meal vouchers that helped me to save some money. Rome is a small city so you get everything closer. AIFS also provides transportation at the beginning and end of the program if you purchase the airfare with them.I would definitely choose AIFS again to study abroad!

Going to Rome was one of the best things I did for myself. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my trip. The class I took was great; if not for that class (and the tour guides), I don’t think I wouldn’t have learned as much as I did. If you have the opportunity to go to Rome, do not pass it up!

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