Stephanie’s Fall Semester in Florence

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Keen to listen to from a university scholar who studied overseas in Italy? We lately caught up with AIFS Overseas program participant Stephanie who studied overseas within the historic metropolis of Florence in the course of the 2024 Fall semester. 

Learn on to study extra about how Stephanie’s expertise in Florence helped her advance her training, forge shut friendships, and dive into Italian tradition. 

Brett: Welcome again. My title is Brett, and I’m a scholar at Flagler Faculty in St. Augustine, Florida. I studied on the College of Granada in Granada, Spain, within the spring of 2023. So, Stephanie, would you wish to go forward and introduce your self? 

Stephanie: Hello, I’m Stephanie. I’m a sophomore from Cairo, Egypt [studying in the United States]. I did the Florence program by means of the summer season, and it was about the museums of Florence. 

How did your program meet your expectations? 

Stephanie: It really exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t ready to go to Florence as a result of it was my first time touring alone and never with household. AIFS managed to make it an easy transition from the U.S. to Florence. It was a really good expertise total. 

Brett: Good. So, you’re coming from Egypt—have you ever been within the U.S. simply throughout your time in faculty, or did you come right here whenever you have been youthful? 

Stephanie: No, I solely got here right here for faculty. 

What journey expertise did you have got previous to learning overseas? 

Stephanie: I’ve traveled so much round Europe, however I’ve all the time had my household with me. It was my first time touring with out household. My grandma is from the UK, and my grandpa was from France, so I used to go to France and England nearly each summer season. 

How was your expertise with Italian tradition? 

Stephanie: It was my first time going to Italy, and it was stuffed with tradition and historical past all over the place you go, particularly in Florence. In every single place I went, there was simply a lot to study. So, that was undoubtedly a brand new expertise for me. As I discussed, it was my first time touring alone, so I bought the possibility to expertise the place higher. I ended up going to totally different museums by myself. I additionally went to Rome, Florence, and we even took the practice to Milan—it was a really enjoyable journey. 

How was it touring independently for the primary time? 

Brett: So, this was your first time touring by your self. Did you have got any considerations or worries earlier than you went alone?  

Stephanie: I had a variety of anxiousness. I used to be very frightened about how the journey course of would go, particularly with lodging after which as soon as we bought to Rome, how we might get to Florence—whether or not by bus or practice. There have been simply so many logistics I used to be frightened about, however AIFS had deliberate all of it for us, so that they made it a lot simpler for everybody. They made it straightforward for my household. My mother and father most likely wouldn’t have let me go to this research overseas program if it wasn’t all deliberate out beforehand, and AIFS managed to try this. 

Brett: That’s excellent. It’s undoubtedly comforting to know that you’ve a assist system there for you on the bottom in your host nation, moderately than going by your self. It makes all of the distinction. 

How have your experiences learning overseas affected your worldview? 

Stephanie: My worldview has undoubtedly modified. I feel what struck me essentially the most throughout this program was the individuals and the group I met by means of it. I did journey with two of my associates, however I got here out of it gaining perhaps six new friendships. It was additionally actually arduous for me to make new associates, particularly as a result of English isn’t my first language. Going to Florence and with the ability to discuss to different Individuals who have been in the very same place I used to be in—we have been all in the identical boat, all new to the town, and all of us helped one another out. I made nice new associates and constructed a very sturdy group in Florence. 

About my worldview… it was simply so attention-grabbing to see how totally different Florence was from Egypt, the UK, and even the U.S. Regardless that Florence is a very small metropolis, it had a lot to it. It was such a brand new expertise. We used to do one thing totally different each single day, and it wasn’t boring in any respect. Coming again to the US, I really feel like I’ve grown a lot as an individual. I do know a lot extra about Italy and Europe typically. It’s helped me construct my character, for certain. I wouldn’t have been in a position to do that with out going to Italy. And now I can communicate freely, which I wasn’t actually capable of do earlier than Florence. 

Brett: That’s nice. After I was in Spain, I took my lessons in Spanish, and I really feel like having the chance to make connections with individuals from different locations and international locations gave me confidence. Spanish isn’t my first language, however now I’ve these connections in Spain that I most likely wouldn’t have had every other manner. I feel that’s a side of research overseas that individuals don’t essentially take into consideration, but it surely has a huge effect on you when you’re there and actually for the remainder of your life. 

What was your favourite expertise whereas learning overseas? 

Stephanie: The factor I bear in mind most from the entire journey was how they put us all in the identical space. We have been an enormous group, however we have been all in buildings proper subsequent to one another. The entire constructing was all AIFS college students, so it was all the time a lot enjoyable to return again dwelling after a day of learning—we might all return and cook dinner dinner collectively… the individuals on the primary flooring would come as much as us. It was simply a lot enjoyable being in the very same constructing and the very same place. It made us construct a very sturdy connection.  

Brett: It sounds such as you had an awesome expertise in Italy. Thanks a lot for sharing every thing. 

Any recommendation for future research overseas college students? 

Stephanie: I might undoubtedly say that this expertise has formed me and my associates. I’ve constructed so many new, totally different friendships with individuals, and if somebody is simply contemplating [studying abroad], simply go do it. It’s important to take the danger and do it since you’re both going to have an awesome expertise or not, however you find yourself studying one thing new each day, both manner. So, it was simply an incredible studying expertise. Plus, for me, it was a lot enjoyable. So, I simply say go for it.  

Brett: Good. Thanks a lot for sharing.  

Stephanie: Thanks. 

Are you a scholar who’s able to go for it and research overseas like Stephanie did in Florence? We’d love that will help 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 applications 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 assist, on-site employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in realizing you’ll have assist all through your whole expertise overseas.  

Are you a mum or dad fascinated with listening to from Stephanie’s mom about tips on how to navigate and assist your little one throughout their research overseas expertise? Learn our Father or mother Perspective piece on the topic.