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Eager to follow in the footsteps of a college student who studied abroad in Italy? We recently caught up with Ally from the College of William & Mary, who spent her winter break studying abroad in the ancient city of Rome.
Discover how Ally’s study abroad experience with AIFS Abroad inspired new professional goals and helped her explore local culinary practices!
Choosing a Study Abroad Program Destination & Term
With access to tons of incredible program destinations with AIFS Abroad, it isn’t always easy to choose just one. But for a foodie who wanted to learn Italian like Ally, Rome felt like an obvious choice:
“I chose to study abroad in Rome, Italy, because I love the architecture, the food, and the environment of the city. I am not a city girl, but Rome felt so welcoming and safe compared to any other cities I’ve been to. I also wanted to use studying abroad as an opportunity to learn Italian for my family members. I would recommend this program to other students who are looking to explore every inch of the city in a short amount of time. The AIFS [January Term] is the perfect length to become acclimated without feeling too homesick. I would recommend this program to people who are willing to try new things and love to see new sights.”
Not sure when to study abroad? AIFS Abroad offers programs throughout the year, including several short-term study abroad programs, such as January Term (J-Term), which Ally picked:
“I chose the J-Term because I was able to study abroad without missing out on any of the experiences offered by my university during the semester… The term length is just long enough to be able to experience going abroad without any of the homesickness. I also went to Rome during the Jubilee, which was a very nice surprise.”
Academics Abroad
Select AIFS Abroad programs, like Ally’s, are taught at our Global Education Centers (GECs). Located in cities across Europe, these international educational institutions offer hands-on learning experiences that skillfully integrate local culture and history with relevant subject matter. Below, Ally describes her experience at the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center in Rome:
“The AIFS building is right in the heart of the city with a beautiful facade… I loved the tiny schoolhouse feelings and the small class sizes. All of the educators were professional and experienced. The admin team was small, but they made it a point to get to know every student. My professor had her PhD, and she taught the very long class (~4 hours) in a way that made it entertaining, and the time flew by.”
Because Ally studied abroad during January Term, which is usually about 2 – 3 weeks long, her program was focused on one 3-credit course:
“My class was Italian Culture, and it consisted entirely of AIFS students. Our professor was a local to Rome and shared the ins and outs of the city with us. The class was a mix of lectures, presentations, and field trips to local places within the city that were relevant to our topic that class… This course was 3.5 hours long every day (Monday-Friday). It was definitely a foreign experience, but it was not uncomfortable. I liked that we would take coffee breaks in the middle and that we wouldn’t go a full week without a field trip. The combination of lectures and field trips helped to keep the course fresh and exciting throughout the whole J-Term.
[The course] broke down Italian stereotypes, Italian history, Italian food, and how it relates to culture, Italian fashion, and more. My favorite classes were the field trips where we would go see the lecture topic from the class prior in action. We attended a class by the Evooschool (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) to learn about the history of olive oil and its applications. This class actually sparked a newfound appreciation for olives (the fresher the better in my opinion!). We also learned about Italian fashion designers and then took a walk through the high-end fashion district near the Spanish Steps. My favorite lecture was the one on Slow Food… I ended up writing [about the topic]… for a course at my home institution… the [following] summer.”
As Ally explains, this course has shaped both her academic and professional future, inspiring her to pursue a career related to food and nutrition:
“The [Italian Culture course] sparked a new interest in healthy eating and a pivot in my anthropology major toward biocultural anthropology with a focus on nutritional anthropology. I have taken three courses… focusing on food and nutrition [since returning home]. While this may not directly translate to my career quite yet, my dream is to run marketing for a food brand.”
AIFS Abroad Activities & Excursions
In addition to class field trips that enrich your studies, AIFS Abroad programs also take students on trips and excursions to various places of interest around their host country, as well as offer cultural activities that provide authentic local experiences. Hear Ally describe some of the AIFS Abroad activities and excursions she attended during her J-Term program in Rome:
“I attended the Florence weekend trip while I was in Rome. As a part of this trip, I went to the leather market [and] to museums [where I saw the Statue of] David and very famous paintings like The Birth of Venus. I got to see a whole different part of the country. I also attended wine tasting classes hosted by AIFS while in Rome. I also went to a cooking class hosted at a partner restaurant where I learned how to make my own fettuccine, sauce, and tiramisu. I still use a lot of the tips I picked up there today.”
Language Learning
AIFS Abroad programs do not require you to be fluent in another language, and many (like Ally’s) also don’t require you to take language courses during your program. Hear Ally describe her experience navigating the Italian language in Rome:
“In Rome, we had a mixture of Italian and English everywhere we went. All of our lectures were conducted in English, and the professor was entirely fluent… In shops and restaurants, employees would initially greet us in Italian but then immediately switch to English upon hearing our accents. [I think it] is important to learn the fundamentals of the language before going abroad [and] know basic pleasantries (hello, goodbye, how are you), how to order food (get a table, menu items), and safety information (exit, help, where is…). You did not need to have any language skills for the program. I did not have much language experience, and it got significantly better by practicing and using it. I would advise students not to be nervous about being judged for being a little off with their language skills or not remembering every word. People would rather see you make an effort.”
Housing
All AIFS Abroad programs include housing. Ally lived in a shared apartment with other AIFS Abroad students:
“I lived in an apartment in the Prati region of Rome with 5 other girls. My room consisted of myself and two other girls that I had known going into the program… We had a beautiful building…”
Why AIFS Abroad?
Hear why Ally chose AIFS Abroad for her January Term study abroad program:
“I chose to attend AIFS because it had the most unique combination of location, course offerings, additional excursions, and activities available during the J-Term. I had always wanted to study abroad in Rome, and AIFS is also a partner organization with my school. I had the option to take a class on Italian Culture, including food and travel, for class credit. I learned how to cook better, drink better, and shop for better ingredients all in the name of education. AIFS is an authentic organization with ties to real professionals who share their expertise with students.”
As she explains below, Ally also liked how AIFS Abroad provided mental health and safety-related resources and support:
“I really appreciated that AIFS had trainings for mental health awareness and safety. They made sure that students were prepared to go abroad and how to keep themselves and others physically safe… They also focused on preventative maintenance by emphasizing communication with loved ones.”
Are you a student who’s ready to take the leap and study abroad like Ally did in Rome with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study abroad. All our programs come with many beneficial inclusions, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
