Our intern Yasmin Nayrouz wrote this article. She is a student from America at Syracuse University who studied abroad in Florence for the summer and interned with Mazzeschi to gain experience in communications, immigration, and law. This is based on her experience of what it’s like to study abroad in Italy.
By Yasmin Nayrouz
Studying abroad in Italy offers students a new experience in a country full of art, food, architecture, history, and more. Not only can students take classes through universities in Italy, but they can also complete internships to gain international work experience. Being a student in Italy provides a new perspective, improves intercultural communication skills, and allows you to learn things you wouldn’t be able to elsewhere.
If you’re interested in studying abroad in Italy, speak with your university’s study abroad office. Depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay you may require to apply for a student visa. If you need to apply for a student visa, it is recommended to apply for it 3 months before your planned arrival. In my case, I stayed in Italy for less the 90 days so I didn’t need to apply for a student visa and the university handled most of the immigration process.
EU students can study in Italy without a visa or a permit of stay, but other international students may have to apply for one. If an EU student’s stay is more than 3 months, they must register with the compentent local authority.
You can use Italy’s immigration questionnaire to determine if you need a visa. International students can also work or intern in Italy, with some limitations.
I came to Italy to study and participate in a summer internship at Mazzeschi SRL (an Italian company). If you want to participate in a short-term internship, you may need to apply for a visa. In my case, I was able to bypass the visa requirement based on Italian immigration law ART 38-BIS. This allows students studying abroad in Italy (less than 90 days) with an ACCUPI (Association of American College and University Programs in Italy) recognized program to bypass the requirement to apply for a visa and a Permit of Stay. My university is a member of the ACCUPI, so instead of applying for a permit of stay, I filed a Declaration of Presence and it was submitted to the competent authority together with the other documents prepared by the University.
Each city has unique aspects you should try to immerse yourself in. Try foods local to the region you’re staying in, visit local markets (bring cash!), and check out various classes like pasta-making, wine tastings, gelato tastings, etc. Visit museums and galleries to learn about the city’s history and collections. Ask your professors or coworkers for recommendations too!
Depending on where you are in Italy, it’s relatively easy to travel within the country by train. You can visit popular cities during your weekends like Rome, Venice, Florence, or Milan, or relax by one of Italy’s many beaches. It’s also easy to travel within Europe by train or airplane. Make sure to look at each country’s entry requirements beforehand. I recommend researching in advance about the city you plan to go to by looking at the Embassy’s website of the country you’d like to visit and some travel blogs for helpful tips.
You will mainly be walking, so pack comfortable shoes. If you need to get somewhere far, call the local taxi or take the bus (make sure to validate your ticket!). Trams and subways are also available depending on the city, like Rome. Although Uber Black is available in Italy, it is pricier and not the traditional ridesharing service you may be used to in other countries. To travel to other cities within Italy, look at train or bus tickets online.
I studied in Florence for 6 weeks during the summer through my university, Syracuse University, as they have established a campus and program in Florence. I took an Italian Conversation course, in addition to completing an internship with Mazzeschi srl.
I learned about immigration and citizenship processes in Italy through my internship, while learning about Italian culture during my free time. I enjoyed going to leather or food markets, visiting art museums, and simply walking around to explore. I suggest asking locals for recommendations to learn about hidden gems (like a view of the Duomo from a library). I also met many other students studying abroad, since Italy is a popular destination.
If you’re seeking to truly immerse yourself in Italian culture, consider living with a host family. Not only will you have home-cooked meals, but you’ll also learn about the way of life in Italy. You will also have someone to practice Italian with or ask questions about Italy you may have.
Should you study abroad? YES! We learn about ourselves by having new experiences and studying abroad is just that. You will grow as a person, have more cross-cultural experiences, see beautiful sights, try delicious foods, and meet people from various backgrounds. Italy is a great location, especially for those interested in the humanities, art, architecture, and history. Studying abroad will leave you with unforgettable memories and help you grow professionally and personally.
The information provided on this article does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
This article is posted by Mazzeschi Web Content Manager. Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@mazzeschi.it. Follow us on social media @StudioMazzeschi to receive the latest updates.
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