Spend a semester or academic year in the artistically and culturally rich city of Florence, Italy, with AIFS!

Working side by side with locals is an ideal way to gain insight into another culture, to understand different approaches and to prepare for the realities of working in a multicultural and interdependent world. AIFS Abroad has designed the Study + Internship Program to combine a traditional academic learning experience with a unique opportunity to study working life in Italy first-hand with placements in Florence based organizations.

Study + Internship students earn 12 U.S. credits for the semester. Students take 2 courses (45 hours and 3 credits each for 6 credits in total) from the Traditional Academic Program which offers courses in a broad range of academic disciplines which relate specifically to the history, art, architecture, culture, Italian language, economics and politics of Italy and make special use of the resources available in Florence. Students also take a part-time internship for 6 credits. In order to accomplish the Internship requested hours, it is strongly recommended that students choose courses concentrated during the morning or afternoon and leave whole half days free. The academic program and internship are accredited by Fairfield University.

In a competitive world, practical experience is an invaluable addition to classroom learning. The internship provides vital insight into a career field, experience in the global workplace, practical exposure to the demands of specific jobs and development of professional and personal skills. International work experience helps students test a potential career path while exploring interests and abilities in new ways.

You’ll enjoy cultural and social activities including:

Fall students take a 3-day trip to Rome. Spring students take a 5-day trip to Rome. All students enjoy 2-days in Venice and a day trip to Siena.