Spend a semester or academic year in the artistically and culturally rich city of Florence, Italy, with AIFS Abroad! Choose from a wide variety of courses at the AIFS Global Education Center with credit awarded by Fairfield University.

How it works:

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 are enrolled in a 3-credit internship in their field of study and the 3-credit SOCI 360 course. 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.

Placements are available in the following fields:

Art, art history, business, criminal justice, fashion, history, marketing, photography, sociology and many more.
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Where You'll Study

The AIFS Global Education Center in Florence is in the heart of the historic center. It is within walking distance of the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and Accademia as well as numerous stores, restaurants and trattoria.

Located in the AIFS Center is a Resident Director and Student Advisors to help scholars adjust to life in Italy. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building and there are a small number of computers for student use/printing.

What Makes AIFS Abroad different?

Career Readiness

Professional development is at the foundation of our preparation for participants’ time abroad. We utilize the CliftonStrengths assessment as a tool to help all participants understand themselves better, provide a vocabulary around their natural talents, and deepen the impact of their experience abroad.

Access, Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (AIDE)

As an organization we are committed to ensuring all identities are able to thrive in an inclusive global educational environment. Everyone has a complex identity, and the different aspects of your identity are important when deciding on a program and location. Review our Social Identity Pages to assist you when selecting a program that best fits your interests and needs.
AIDE General Social Identity Resources

Sustainability

We are the first education abroad provider to sign on with the
Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE).
Focused on making education abroad carbon neutral, we include
carbon offsets for all participants' return flights, environmental
education connecting students on the ground to environmental
projects, and make our own business practices more
sustainable.