Azucena’s January Time period Overseas in Rome

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Doing a research overseas program is usually a life-changing expertise, even when it’s short-term. Simply ask Azucena, a university pupil from Texas A&M Worldwide College and an AIFS Overseas Alumni Ambassador who spent a January Term finding out in Italy’s capital metropolis of Rome.

Now that she’s formally a part of the AIFS alumni group, Azucena can mirror on her January Time period research overseas expertise in Rome. Learn on to listen to all about it.

What does research overseas educate you? 

Learning overseas taught me to expertise new issues and be extra impartial. As a university pupil, finding out overseas utterly modifications your life. It brings you the chance to get out of your consolation zone and prepares you to face the actual world. Learning overseas additionally taught me the right way to work together with folks with completely different cultural backgrounds. 

What had been your challenges when finding out overseas? 

I had many challenges whereas finding out overseas. Certainly one of them was the truth that I might journey on my own with two flight connections. I’m allergic to cheese and chocolate so I needed to be actually cautious in selecting my meals (specifically pizzas and pastas). I’m from South Texas so I used to be not used to Rome’s winter climate (January may be very chilly).

How did you make buddies overseas? 

Earlier than arriving in Rome, I didn’t know anybody. On the airport, I met different college students who obtained transportation, as nicely, and we matched! After that, the group was getting greater and I met the most effective folks ever! Additionally, I actually liked my roommates they usually had been additionally a part of the group. We instantly adopted one another on Instagram and made a bunch chat. I’m nonetheless in touch with a few of them and I hope I can see them quickly. Enjoyable truth: my first language is Spanish and the 2 first buddies I made on the airport had been additionally Spanish audio system. So, I obtained comfy with them actual fast.

How did touring overseas change you? 

Touring overseas modified me on the right way to journey safely and uncover new locations. Now, with the acquired expertise, I need to journey to many locations. Touring overseas taught me to be extra open-minded and respect each tradition. 

How did you put together to review overseas? 

Earlier than making use of to this program, I used to be a participant in a faculty-led program from my college. So, I already skilled what to and to not deliver with me overseas. For this program, I began to economize and put money into two luggages and one backpack, packed applicable garments and sneakers, rest room facilities, prescribed treatment, purchased Euros from my native financial institution, have bodily and digital copies of my documentation, seemed for the climate and ideas from TikTok. The AIFS and college workers helped me to organize with the required documentation and arranged orientations to assist with various matters associated to finding out overseas.   

What had been your prime programs and why?

This system provided many programs. I solely took one course: Elementary Italian II. Since I used to be the one AIFS pupil who took that course, I ended up taking the category on the Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci Roma. It was a language institute with quite a lot of college students from around the globe. I actually preferred having class on the institute and all of the instructors had been very good and useful. The institute was near my house (5 min strolling distance).

What had been your prime 5 strengths and the way did you utilize them? 

My prime 5 strengths had been: group, duty, primary language data, planning, and sense of course. I used all of those strengths to get conversant in the town and its tradition/surroundings. I succeeded within the course with an A+ resulting from being organized and accountable. You will need to not neglect that even if you’re out of the country, you continue to need to prioritize faculty. Planning forward and my sense of course helped me to not get misplaced in Rome and be alert of my environment. Primary data facilitated my communication with Italian residents and understanding instructions or directions.

What was your each day routine like?

My each day routine was waking up at 6:00 AM to prepare earlier than class (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM). Earlier than class, I preferred to have sufficient time to discover my environment and get breakfast in espresso retailers. After class, consuming lunch at native eating places (utilizing the vouchers) was a part of my routine. I actually loved strolling across the metropolis (downtown), going to shops to purchase souvenirs (particularly leather-based luggage and postcards), and exploring museums and historic monuments/locations. After an extended day stuffed with actions, I used to fulfill with my buddies and roommates on the house or at eating places to get dinner.  After dinner, having a shower, doing homework and getting ready my backpack the evening earlier than was the important thing to outlive the subsequent day and save time.

Inform us about your research overseas housing.

I shared an house with three different AIFS college students. The house was situated at Campo de’ Fiori, the place the native market is surrounded by espresso retailers and small shops/boutiques. The house was small however had every part. It had two bedrooms and I shared one with one roommate. The house had a laundry room and the host supplied us with towels, cookware, clear sheets and pillows. One of the best factor was that the house included cleansing service twice every week. It was in wonderful situation. The one factor that I might have purchased there was a thick blanket — [being from South Texas], I used to be freezing the entire time.

What had been your prime excursions and why?

My prime three are: weekend journey to Florence, tour to Galleria dell’Accademia (Academy’s Gallery-Florence), and the Roman Colosseum. I fell in love with Florence — it was a small metropolis however so stunning; wealthy in historical past and artwork. Florence had stunning museums, well-known sights and galleries. My favourite gallery was Galleria dell’Accademia since it’s the place David’s statue is, amongst different well-known work and sculptures. The Roman Colosseum was unexpectedly massive and crowded; the historical past behind it was fascinating and the structure was actually fascinating.

Involved in taking the leap to review overseas throughout January Time period like AIFS Alumni Ambassador Azucena did in Rome? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!

Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students and pre-professionals research and intern overseas. Our packages are extremely inclusive, which takes a variety of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in realizing you’ll have help all through your total expertise overseas.