About Florence Internships

Global Experiences Florence internship program is for extraordinary individuals seeking La Dolce Vita (the sweet life). The Florence program is our flagship internship destination. There is not another company that provides better internships in Florence. Global Experiences has been placing interns in fashion, graphic design, journalism, marketing, business administration, and several other exciting career fields for over 8 years.

Given that you are on the Global Experiences website and considering our programs, you obviously recognize the importance of having an internship to compliment your academic experience. What better place than one of Europe’s oldest, most amazing and manageable cities? Global Experiences internships in Florence provide a fantastic means of gaining professional work experience in your chosen career field while also gaining invaluable foreign language skills within the framework of a structured program.

Global Experiences offers a group program experience including orientations, social activities and excursions while the internship component offers a truly independent opportunity to live and work in one of the world’s most amazing countries.

Florence is home to the annual Global Experiences summer fashion program, bringing together a group of talented young aspiring designers in fashion, interior design and photography for a special internship program. More Information on Summer Fashion Program >>

The program provides pre-departure development focusing you on your skills and objectives to prepare you to make the most of your time abroad. We do not just place you in any old company, but rather we match you with the employer that will provide the best opportunity to get a taste of what your career field will have to offer.

Upon arrival you will have group orientation to the program and individual career interviews before an in person interview with your placement company. View the Career page link above to learn what fields are available for internships in Florence. Throughout the placement you will have opportunities to reflect on the experience and the skills you are using.

Upon successful completion of the program, your host employer will provide feedback on your performance and a reference for your portfolio (if you performed well of course!). You will also become part of our extensive group of extraordinary alumni who also got their start on a Global Experiences Internship program. Ongoing mentoring and leadership opportunities are available through the GE alumni program.

Florence Programs Includes

Our comprehensive international internship programs in Florence provide much more than just your customized guaranteed internship. While Global Experiences focus heavily on matching you with the best employer to provide a dream work experience

Guranteed Custom Internship Placement

Global Experiences guarantees internships to all participants accepted into its internship programs. Similar to traditional recruitment companies, Global Experiences works with each applicant on a one-to-one basis to understand their skills, talents and expectations. By getting to know an applicant’s academic background, career objectives, language proficiency (where relevant) and overall expectations for their experience abroad, Global Experiences is able to place each individual in a dynamic work environment providing real world work experience. Global Experiences helps each prospective intern create an effective resume, prepare for an interview with potential employers, and prepare for their experience living and working abroad. In Florence, in person interviews are arranged during the first month of the program once language levels and career goals are assessed.

Intensive Italian Language Training

All language training in Florence takes place at our partner school based in a historic palazzo in a beautiful Italian piazza. This fully accredited course is provided by one of the most respected Italian Language training institutions in Italy and is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education to teach Italian language and culture to foreign students. Program participants will take part in full immersion style studying, in which classes are taught only in Italian providing each participant the best opportunity to truly learn the language.

During the first part of the program, each program participant will receive 20 sessions per week of intensive Italian language training in a group setting at our language school. All participants are expected to start studying before arrival in Italy to better prepare for the experience.

Accommodations

Housing in Florence is in single rooms in a shared apartment with other students. Apartments have a kitchen and bathroom, and most household amenities are provided for you.

Excursions and Social Events

Global Experiences wants to you to work hard and also play hard so our excursion and activities calendar is designed to maximize your time abroad. Global Experiences offers regular evening social activities to help you network with your peers, travel independently with fellow interns, or use Global Experiences travel resources to fill your social calendar all while exploring more of the city and beautiful Italia. Social and excursion program calendars change throughout the year so consult your program coordinator for more information.

Other Important Inclusions

• Optional academic credit provided by accredited US university. Inquire further with a program consultant
• Travel Medical Insurance (Emergency Medical + Cancellation) valid for a full year irrespective of your program length
• Mobile Phone
• Internet access at the language school
• On the ground support & 24/7 emergency contact
• Information and assistance obtaining required visa (as necessary)
• Welcome social event and orientation meeting
• Extensive pre-departure information provided by program consultants and online portal
• Dedicated program coordinator to prepare you for your program

Career Fields Available in Florence

We offer a wide range of career field options in Florence . If you do not see yours listed below please contact a program consultant as we are able to find placements in other areas.

Career Fields in Florence

• Accounting
• Advertising/Marketing/PR
• Architecture
• Art, Art Museums and Galleries
• Business
• Communications (TV/Radio)
• Culinary
• Event Planning
• Fashion Business
• Fashion Design
• Fashion Photography
• Film and Theater
• Graphic Design
• Hospitality/Travel/Tourism
• Hotel Restaurant Management
• Journalism
• Law/Legal
• Photography
• Psychology/Social Sciences
• Video Production

SUMMER FASHION & DESIGN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2010

For those of you aspiring fashion designers or interested in a career in the global fashion industry, you will definitely want to check out our very unique program this summer in Florence, Project Moda: Season One.

Florence Internship Program Eligibility

Participants in the Florence internship program are required to be 19-30 years old at the start of the program and have had some relevant coursework in their preferred field of internship placement.

Visa Eligibility

Global Experiences can accept most nationalities into our Italy internship programs. All non-European citizens must obtain an Italy study visa to take part in the internship program. If you are uncertain regarding your eligibility please inquire within.

The following chart provides more detailed information regarding program eligibility (including Global Experiences and Country visa requirements):

VISA CATEGORY	NATIONALITIES	REQUIREMENTS
Study Visa required	Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Macao, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela	Valid Passport 19-30 yrs Evidence of financial ability to support oneself

Eligibility and acceptance is determined based on a completed application form and formal acceptance into the program.

Florence Internships Schedule

The following is a schedule of Dates & Fees for the Florence internships.

Program Name: Italy: Florence 14 weeks | Spring 2010

Start Date: 4/25/2010
USD Cost: $8990.00

Program Name: Italy: Florence 10 weeks | Spring 2010

Start Date: 4/25/2010
USD Cost: $7690.00

Program Name: Italy: Florence 9 weeks (Summer) | Summer 2010

Start Date: 5/30/2010
USD Cost: $7690.00

Program Name: Italy: Florence 14 weeks | Fall 2010

Start Date: 8/29/2010
USD Cost: $8990.00

Program Name: Italy: Florence 10 weeks | Fall 2010

Start Date: 8/29/2010
USD Cost: $7690.00

Program Name: Italy: Florence 14 weeks | Fall 2010

Start Date: 9/26/2010
USD Cost: $8990.00

Program Name: Italy: Florence 10 weeks | Fall 2010

Start Date: 9/26/2010
USD Cost: $7690.00

Our Placement Process

Global Experiences excels at matching each intern with the best employer by learning about YOU and YOUR expectations of your experience abroad. There is not another group or company that does this as well as Global Experiences, especially in Florence where we have been successfully been placing interns since 2002.

Finding the career that is right for you is a journey that will last a lifetime. Global Experiences takes you on the first step of this journey helping you identify your personal and professional skills and giving you the tools to apply those in a real world work experience placement.

Global Experiences does not place you with just any company, but rather conducts a comprehensive consultation to understand your academic background, career objectives, language proficiency (where relevant) and whether you are interested primarily in the cultural travel experience or the professional development opportunity. Getting to know you and understanding all of these variables help identify the best internship to serve your needs and expectations.

We work with thousands of employers worldwide covering a broad range of academic and career fields. Once you inquire with Global Experiences, we learn as much about you and convey the types of placements that are available. We are generally able to let you know in our first contact whether you are a good candidate for our program. As we guarantee our internships, Global Experiences will not accept you into the program unless we are confident about finding a suitable placement.

Once you are accepted into the program and pay your program deposit, Global Experiences will immediately begin formalizing your internship placement. We will work with you to create an effective resume, prepare for an interview (required for many placements), and organize the documentation required to secure your visa. All participants will have access to a portal of pre-departure information that will help prepare you for your Global Experience.

Placements in Florence require an in-person interview during the first few weeks of the language training component. This is primarily due to the Italian business culture, which, like most everything in Italy, is conducted face to face. A handshake is worth a thousand words. Typically, Global Experiences has indentified a minimum of 2 or 3 companies that would be suitable for each applicant.

Summary of Placement Process

• Determine your program eligibility (see eligibility page)
• Submit an inquiry form to connect with a program consultant
• Submit application form as soon as possible for your preferred dates and pay $50 application fee
• Receive acceptance into the program
• Pay $1000 deposit to reserve your place in the program
• Begin preparation process for internship and apply for your visa (as necessary)
• Complete application steps and make final fee payment. Payment plans are available.
• Arrive in Florence to start your program

Housing in Florence

The accommodation in Florence consist a single room in a shared apartment with other students. Apartments have a shared kitchen and bathroom while most household amenities are provided for you. Generally speaking, you can expect a student style shared accommodation situation. All you need to bring is a towel and personal items. Apartments are close to public transportation.

Residential housing in Florence is mostly in historic apartment buildings. The character of each apartment varies throughout the city and no two apartments are the same. Many apartments are within walking distance to the school while others may need to take a short bus ride. We will do our best to accommodate you with the best available option.

Academic Credit

Yes, you can earn academic credit for this program. There are two ways to obtain credit for a Global Experiences program; transfer credit from our foreign institutional partners or earn independent study credit from our US-based affiliate university, Eastern Washington University. One may also combine foreign transfer credit with independent study credit. The best credit option will be determined by your home university and academic advisor.

More information regarding academic credit options.

Florence Testimonials

	Name: Kyle Company: College of Charleston Field: Business Testimonial: "Even though things might not always go as smooth as you had hoped, you’ve just got to learn to brush it off and go with it for then you’ve learned the Italian culture. Regret nothing. Make the most of what you are given, for once in life opportunities only come around once."
	Name: Jenifer Company: Marymount University Field: Fashion Design Testimonial: “Global Experience helped me get the internship I have always dreamed of...Living and working in Italy was a great learning experience. It helped me to become a better problem solver in many areas...Future employerswill be able to see that I have a great understanding of the industry and am able to handle tasks that maybe someone else could not handle.”
	Name: Danni Rosner Company: Singer Songwriter Field: Journalism Testimonial: "I picked my country, city and called up GE's office to get more information - I even went to visit their home office to meet the people i'd be dealing with. It wasn't easy convincing my father, but GE had the best of both worlds - a study abroad program where I'd learn the language and interviews for internships based upon my major and academic interests. He went for it, I went for it - even my alma mater, Virginia Tech - gave me 6 credits for the program." Visit Dani's Website
	Name: Abigail Company: Dartmouth University Field: Art, Art Museums and Galleries Testimonial: "I am loving my internship, Global Experiences, set me up with two galleries that collaborate together, and I will setting up an exhibition by myself which I am definitely looking forward to. I actually just got back from a trip to london this past weekend. And our gallery is currently in the process of getting ready for a new exhibition thursday. very busy but exciting. The aperitivo's with the Florence staff and the other global people have been so nice, you all definitely do a great job of organizing everything for us while we're here."
	Name: LaDorian Company: Marymount University Field: Fashion Design Testimonial: “This was the best experience I have ever had. Coming to Italy has made an effect on my life, and will help me even further in my career as a fashion designer...I benefited greatly from interning abroad rather then in my home country because I was given a lot of hands on experience... I know that this experience will help open tremendous employment opportunities for me in the future.”
	Name: Erica Company: Harvard University Field: Advertising/Marketing/PR Testimonial: “This looks great on a resume because you are thrown into such a different environment abroad and it shows qualities of adaptability. Also, language skills are prized in this ever-expanding world, and a stronger grasp of Italian can't hurt, especially since I want to work internationally. This is truly the best way to experience a foreign city. Not only do you improve your language skills and imbibe a brand new culture, but you also make lasting friends throughout the process. It is completely unforgettable!”
	Name: Ana Company: Miami-Dade Community College Field: Hospitality/Travel/Tourism Testimonial: “I am now doing an internship not just to learn more about my field and make my resume stand out but also to learn from the way things get done in Italy, and to make even more new friends and to fill my brain instead of my notebooks.”
	Name: Justin Company: Wisconsin State Field: Art, Art Museums and Galleries Testimonial: "I decided to come to Italy because I love the culture and I think the people are very friendly, and perfecting my Italian was also very important to me. I was interested in Restoration and for me Florence was the best place to go to for that kind of work. I am here to learn the field and to get hands on experience with Art Restoration and that's exactly what I am doing. I would definitely recommend Global Experiences because they found me this very exceptional job and I am very grateful for them having done that. Without them I don't think I would have ever been in contact with the company I work for."
	Name: Keri Company: New Hampshire University Field: Fashion Design Testimonial: "From my internship through Global Experiences, I learned invaluable knowledge about the fashion industry over a 2 month span that I would have only learned through actually working along with a designer and seeing how the company functions."
	Name: Francesca Company: Field: Art, Art Museums and Galleries Testimonial: "Global Experiences is a great program for people who are at the point in their lives where they need a change and want to discover new cultures and lifestyles."
	Name: Daryl Company: Illinois, USA Field: Culinary Testimonial: "I think this was a wonderful experience that I am so happy I had the opportunity to complete. I was placed in a popular, high volume bakery in the center of Florence with friendly and talented people to work with. My responsibilities were equal to those of the other bakers, and I felt like I had a purpose when I went to work."
	Name: Cassie Company: State University of New York Field: Event Planning Testimonial: “Living in Florence, Italy was one of the best decisions I have made! My apartment, my roommates from all over world and my internship were all perfect for me. Throughout the three months, not only did we learn Italian, together my new friends and I became more aware of Florentine everyday life, as well as American culture! The journeys I made and the memories I have made me a more open-minded individual. I came back to America with a whole new perspective on Europe, Italy, Italians, culture and people in general. I wouldn’t change one thing and I recommend that everyone takes advantage of this wonderful opportunity.”
	Name: Katy Company: Tennesse Field: Fashion Photography Testimonial: "Upon my graduation from college, I, like so many others before me, had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to be. Not wanting to make a commitment to your bland 9-5 schedule yet, I decided to take the road less traveled and go experience Italy for a bit. Best decision I have ever made. Period. Florence is gorgeous, the people are wonderful, the food is amazing, and the internship looks fantastic on my resume. I love being able to say that I worked for an Italian magazine. How cool is that? I will admit, six months seemed a bit extended at the outset, but when it came time to go home I had no idea where those months went. What can I say? Time flies when you're having fun."
	Name: Kristen Company: Columbia University Field: Law/Legal Testimonial: "As a legal intern, I was responsible for researching new legal issues as well as following up on old transactions. I managed communications between a Luxembourg Holding Company and it's New York contacts regarding real property matters. I also had the opportunity meet with clients and explain legal findings regarding my research. At times, I provided translations for clients who did not speak Italian. My assignments were always very interesting and challenging and with each new assignment, I learned more about international legal transactions. Choosing an internship with Global Experiences gave me more options within my legal career by providing me with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in an international legal setting, and the ability to perfect my Italian language skills."
	Name: Jody Company: McGill, Canada Field: Psychology/Social Sciences Testimonial: This whole change in my life emerged from the positive experience I had with Global Experiences."
	Name: Lauren Company: Field: Communications (TV/Radio) Testimonial: I am really enjoying my internship and am living in the center of town with a friend. So far I have gotten the opportunity to film in many beautiful locations in Florence (Piazza Michelangelo, the Duomo etc). Another [Global Experiences] intern and I completed a story board, filmed, and are now finishing editing a piece on Florence statistics. We are actually in the piece, and we have both been doing stand-ups (speaking parts) for other pieces as well. Hopefully our little private project will air tomorrow. Also, I participated as an "acting" part in a piece we filmed last week in Siena. I am having a great time, and this is great experience! It is unlike any internship I would have had at home with any relation to TV production. I still have a good amount of free time to be experience things around Florence."
	Name: Kit Company: USA Field: Education Testimonial: "I had a good time in my training. I very much liked the actual teaching practice through which I met a banker who invited me to stay at her parents' farm in Italy, milking cows and eating fresh fruit. I am now in Istanbul on a 9 month teaching contract. I'm staying with a Turkish family right by the Marmara Sea. I think the best move I made--thanks to your help--was taking the 2 week Italian language component beforehand. My apartment was right above the mercato centrale, 2 minutes from Il Duomo. It was a 30 minute walk to the school in the morning, but that was a small price to pay for living in the center of the city. In addition, because my roommates were from the Italian language school, they were from many different countries--Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria, Poland, Switzerland, and Turkey. Through the Slovenian I met French friends who I was later able to visit in Paris. Anyway, this experience, I can safely say, has been the best of my life, and so I send you a long overdue thank you for all of your work in making it happen! Ciao!"

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