FALL 2008

Chiara Passerini (undergraduate)
Comune di Firenze – Ufficio Centro Storico – UNESCO - FIRENZE

During my year abroad in Florence I had the opportunity of interning at the Ufficio Centro Storico di Firenze. The office works with UNESCO and with the City of Florence to preserve the historic center, as well as enhance its appreciation. As an art history major, this was an ideal place to work. My jobs included secretarial tasks, planning conferences, sitting in on steering committee meetings and translating official documents, all of which were in the realm of art and history. It was particularly interesting to work on current problems and solutions, as well as cultural initiatives that Florence is confronted with daily. I chose to intern all year after a very pleasant first semester. The environment is warm and friendly and the amount of work given to me was such that I felt needed! It was also a great way to discover the “ins” and “outs “ of the city; it helped me see Florence from a different point of view. I definitely think that my Italian language skills improved significantly. Interacting with locals allowed me to feel more comfortable with fiorentine culture and with what the city has to offer. (Credit-Bearing Internship -Spring)

Alexandra Calistri (undergraduate)
Studio Cavallini & Cantisanti – Law Firm

Try as they might, most abroad students have difficulty finding themselves in true immersion situations. An internship at Cavallini & Cantisani provides the student with just that – the rare experience of true immersion in the Italian culture. General tasks such as photocopying and delivering documents take on a whole new meaning in a foreign city. I became familiarized with more than just the Italian legal system. As an intern at the studio legale, you learn about daily professional life in Italy in all capacities, from stamps and the post office to the bus system. It is the perfect challenge for someone frustrated with the abundance of English and disregard for exchange students that has found its way into major European cities such as Florence – I can assure you that no one will speak English in line at Tribunale, and you are treated just like every other law student or attorney attempting to figure out La Corte d’Appello. A truly remarkable experience, be prepared to learn about Italian life in a way you can never learn within the constraints of a classroom’s four walls (Credit-Bearing Internship).

SPRING 2009

Keith Grogg (undergraduate)
American Consulate in Florence - U.S. Commercial Service

During my time at the Commercial Service at the consulate in Florence I had the opportunity to participate in meetings with industry professionals and learn how the U.S encourages exports. My time at the Consulate was largely spent investigating the industry that a given U.S company was trying to enter and helping to determine its level of opportunity in the Italian market. Should a company be deemed ready for export and appropriate to the current Italian market, I would help it find potential Italian partners using the immense international trade data base, “CTS” and the internet. There was also a great amount of time spent preparing for trade shows, namely the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and BioEurope2009, the first of which I had the privilege to attend and meet with authors, publishers, and industry experts while representing our U.S. clients. Another large venture was the “study in the USA” initiative which had me e-mailing Italian students interested in studying in the US and trying to connect them with the resources to do so. My experience at the consulate was extremely rewarding both for the intellectual stimulation it provided in a work setting, as well as the wonderful work environment where for six months I had the sincere pleasure of getting to know some of my co-workers and practice my Italian. The fast paced work environment ensured that no day was exactly like the last and I enjoyed the dynamic sense that there was always some new task; our work was constantly changing and evolving. I recommend this internship without any reservations whatsoever. (Credit-Bearing Internship). 

Andrew Horton (graduate)
Navigate Health International - FLORENCE

My first semester in Florence I had an internship with Navigate Health International, an American-based company run out of Florence. The company provides medical consultation services to Americans travelling in Italy. As an intern I spent four hours a week at the Navigate Health offices doing various projects, most of which dealt with marketing research that was aimed at identifying prospective clients and marketing the product to those clients. The internship was a perfect match for my interest in healthcare management and international public health and was a great experience for my future career in this field. (not Credit-Bearing Internship)

Adriana Varela (graduate)
Comune di Firenze – Ufficio Centro Storico - UNESCO - FIRENZE

My semester-long internship at the UNESCO Office for the Historic Centre of Florence was a great experience. Not only did I get to see how many cultural events in the city come to fruition, but I also got to witness firsthand policy-making meetings and help in correspondence between our office and UNESCO offices all over the world. I also got the opportunity to hone my translation and interpreting skills along with my Italian writing skills. It was fascinating to see what projects and events are in the works for Florence, and I also learned so much about the city's history and so many of it's historic monuments and museums. (not Credit-Bearing Internship)

Lina Camille (graduate)
Open Up Consulting - FLORENCE

Openup Consulting is a unique business that offers an internship which may involve various responsibilities according to the desire of the intern, including helping with translation for the company website and newsletter, project management, event coordinating, fundraising and sponsorship, lobbying and public affairs and graphic design. It is a small, young firm that already has a reputation for getting things done in Florence, that promotes Tuscan products and services, participates in local government, and plans local events in the fashion, food, and artisanal goods sectors. For more information on the company's profile, see http://www.openupconsulting.it/. (not Credit-Bearing Internship)

Ema Zubovic (undergraduate)
Elementary School “Bombonati” -FERRARA

During my academic year in Ferrara, I did a teaching internship at two elementary schools: Scuola Elementare Bombonati and Scuola Elementare Don Milani. Three days a week, I helped out in second- and fifth-grade English classes. Teaching English to such small kids was a really fun experience because it’s a total change of pace from regular university classes. The second graders didn’t really know much English at all, so it was all about thinking up creative games to teach them colors, animals, and the like. The fifth-graders were really excited to have someone from America there and always had all kinds of questions about the US and how it was different from Italy. One day a week, I taught a fifth-grade class entirely on my own, which was great because the kids looked up to me as a real teacher and were eager to learn as much as they could. Classes usually consisted of playing vocab games, doing skits, and singing songs, so it was fun for both me and the kids. The best part of the internship was probably the Christmas concert – I taught them some typical Christmas songs that they made their own choreography for and then sang for the entire school. Overall, the internship was really fun and rewarding and I recommend it very highly to anyone who loves kids and wants to try teaching, even if you’ve never done it before. (not Credit-Bearing Internship)

Anna McDonald (undergraduate)
Associazione IBO Italia -FERRARA

During my first semester in Ferrara, I participated in an internship at IBO Italia, a non-profit organization that concentrates on establishing work camps in Italy and third world countries. I worked on a variety of projects that included written and oral translation, writing appeals to the Italian National Agency to get funding for work camps, researching issues plaguing third world countries for the organization’s website and newsletter, and working as a student PR representative. I also was involved in creating powerpoint presentations for their information meetings, writing articles about the association for the school newspaper, volunteering at fundraisers, and even getting to create the organization's Christmas card to send to supporters and other IBO offices around the world. This experience was not only amazing for the variety of activities I was able to participate in, but also for the incredibly nice and supportive people I was able to work with every day. Through this internship I was given many opportunities to meet Italians, practice my speaking and written skills, and truly get a feel of what it is like to work for an NGO in Italy. It also opened doors for my involvement in other organizations, as I got a position at the university newspaper after writing an article on IBO. For me, the internship provided a way to really get a sense of the Italian lifestyle (especially with the one to two hour lunch breaks every day) and was a nice balance with classes at the university, where involvement is very minimal. I loved working at the office so much that even when the internship ended I decided to continue volunteering second semester. From my experience, I would highly recommend others to take advantage of the opportunities that this internship presents. (Credit-Bearing Internship -Fall)

 Darcy Mullen (undergraduate)
Associazione DIDO’ - FERRARA

I volunteered for the association DIDÒ. It is a program that organizes activities at the natural history museum for kids from the age of 5 and 6 to high schoolers. I think that the program does a great job, giving some of these kids their only exposure to the “natural world.” My schedule at the university didn’t fit the hours that they need, and so I wasn’t able to work very often, and would never have been able to reach 150 hours needed to complete the internship for credit. It would be wise to check with them before committing to 150 hours. (not Credit-Bearing Internship)

Sophia Levine (undergraduate)
Maria LIvia Brunelli Art Gallery - FERRARA

Managing an internship on top of other academic obligations is not an easy task, but it is a way to deepen your knowledge of language and culture in a setting specific to your interests. My internship at MLB Maria Livia Brunelli home gallery allowed me to see Italy in a much different way than I would have solely by taking courses at the university. MLB is a small art gallery run out of the apartment of its namesake Maria Livia Brunelli. Its openings feature works of contemporary artists that often relate to the current exhibits at the nearby Palazzo Diamante. During my time at the gallery I worked primarily on communications and translations for the showing of the American artist Timothy Thompkins—whose opening coincided with the Giorgio Morandi exhibit at the Palazzo Diamante. Daily I found myself amidst the difficulty of running a small artistic business in Italy: finding funding, negotiating contracts, getting publicity, and creating a name. The work could be very frustrating but was always interesting. I had the opportunity to speak to many local artists about their art and even showed one of the artists some of my work. And my coworkers—mostly Italian students from the Faculty of Architecture—were really great and candidly expressed their feelings about the art and artists who passes through the office. In my time at the gallery I feel as though I not only improved my vocabulary and speaking skills but also developed my taste for art. I also had the opportunity to hear firsthand about the arts environment in Italy: that though Italy has a rich history of the arts, the current situation is not such a pretty thing… I would recommend this internship for anyone interested in small arts businesses. But I would warn them that it is easy to end up with more work than you bargained for. Be clear about your intentions as an intern and know that the gallery is small (so you will be working very closely with your coworkers). That said, it is a very rewarding experience… and often the boss makes cookies! (Credit-Bearing Internship)

SPRING 2009

Jamie Rosenfeld (undergraduate)
Elementary School “Bombonati” -FERRARA

This past spring I worked in the elementary school " Scuola Bombonati." I worked eight to ten hours every week with a first grade class which consisted of 16 Italian students, and 2 Chinese students. I worked with these kids in all of their subjects, such as Italian reading and writing, math, science, geography, images, and music, as an assistant. I also taught my own English classes. During free time I organized dance classes for the kids and also incorporated dance into their academic program. The children were receptive and wonderful. Although I was teaching them, I learned a lot myself. (not Credit-Bearing Internship)

2007-2008

Ferrara

Molley Kaiyoorawongs (Undergraduate)
Scuola Elementare “Bombonati”
Spring 2008

I just completed my internship at Bombonati and Don Milani elementary schools in Ferrara. Since I am more interested in secondary education, I honestly wasn’t looking forward to 120 hours with 6-11 year olds. That all changed when the first grade teacher I was shadowing introduced me to her class and Carlo (I didn’t know his name at the time) started jumping up and down as he cheered. The internship was fabulous!

As an American, you’re a novelty so the curious students, staff and teachers flock to you with their questions. As an intern, you’re not quite a figure of authority and yet you’re still higher than the students on the pecking order of life. Even if you’re not interested in becoming a teacher, I highly recommend this experience as a means to get candid answers to all the questions you never had. Being around so many young people was refreshing to me, a complete change from Ferrara’s aging population and university students. Furthermore, this opportunity presented itself just at a time when I was feeling that I had to put myself “out there” in order to have any kind of quality interpersonal interactions and, for that it was truly a godsend.

With the effusive praises aside, I must say that the internship was not easy. After a couple of weeks of observation, I was asked to substitute a sick English teacher. Of course I said yes, teaching time with nothing to gain but knowledge and practice about how to manage a class for an aspiring teacher? Well, I made many lesson plans and even more mistakes. If I taught a little over 60 hours, I reflected on those hours for more than 120: what I learned, how to improve lessons, how the students perceived my comments, assignments, teaching style, everything, insomma.

I won’t bore you by continuing this journal entry but I will say that the beauty of this internship is that you get unlimited face-to-face interaction with Ferraresi people and you have the freedom to choose how--shadow administrators, math classes, teacher A. Or if you get sick of the school, you can even say you want to see the others! Since there aren’t words for how much I grew or learned, I’ll just say this: this pass/fail course was worth more than the cumulative worth of the 7 other classes I’ve taken at Ferrara in the arc of a year. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Katherine Glass (Undergraduate)
Scuola Elementare “Bombonati”
Spring 2008

During my semester abroad in Ferrara, Italy I had the opportunity to work as an English teacher in an elementary school in town. I worked primarily with the third and fourth graders in two different classes, but sometimes I was needed to substitute for absent teachers in other classes as well. Having no teaching experience whatsoever, I first observed a few lessons and studied their English books before taking over the classes myself. From that point, I realized that by being enthusiastic, creative and excited about the material I was teaching was the best way to get the kids to really want to learn. From February to May we finished two textbooks and the students were writing short essays about their lives and activities, which meant they had come a long way from when I came on the first day. Our classes were definitely high energy, fast-paced and a lot of fun because I tried to always incorporate fun games and exercises to reiterate the material and help them memorize it, and this helped the kids to become excited about learning English. The kids were very excited about participating and contributing to the lessons, which made my job quite easy! It was also a unique experience for them to have an English native speaker as a teacher to help with pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, but I wanted them also to get excited about our cultures, because I thought they might not care about learning English otherwise. I structured every lesson around language learning, but then always incorporated information about American and English cultures and traditions that were totally foreign to them, and this often resulted in them explaining how it is in Italy to me. These cross-cultural dialogues were really interesting for all of us, as it gave us the opportunity to better understand each of the different cultures, as well as a chance to question our own. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Michael Vanacore (Undergraduate)
Associazione “Didò”
Spring 2008

During the second semester of the academic year 2007-2008, I interned with the organization DIDO', an association based at the Museum of Natural History of Ferrara. This organization works towards sparking and developing interest in the sciences and the environment in pre-university students. I assisted in the operation of didactic activities both in the museum and beyond: outside of the museum we conducted activities in schools and various natural habitats in the area surrounding Ferrara. I very much appreciate my time spent with DIDO'. It brought to light for me certain facets of the italian education system, provided me with the opportunity to meet, work and develop relationships with a very special and dedicated group of people, and exposed me to a very specific italian reality: that of the youth of the provinces of Ferrara and Rovigo. Regarding the education system, I see it as lacking in two fundamental areas: money and culture.

First, there is a grave absence of political and economic support and vision for education in the sciences. The result of this is that an association such as DIDO' is reduced to using out-of date, poor and insufficient resources, and so is severely limited. Second, there is not a 'culture of the sciences', as I might call it, like there is in the US. At least from what I have seen, in elementary, middle and even high school the sciences seem to be treated almost superfluosly; students do not seem to be instilled with neither passion nor respect for the various environmental and scientific disciplines. These two things combined render nearly everything an uphill battle for DIDO'. As far as the people go, this was perhaps the best part of my experience with this organization. The members of DIDO' are without exception all passionate, highly trained and knowledgeable specialists who have devoted themselves to various degrees to DIDO'. Unfortunately, the whole thing can seem overwhelming and hopeless at times: they get paid very little, if at all; almost all of them end up working in sectors that have nothing to do with their areas of specialization; and there are of course the obstacles mentioned earlier. However, these people have formed a great and devoted group, offering each other open friendship, laughter and solidarity. I count myself very fortunate and honored to have met and befriended them, both individually and as a group. Finally, I got a chance to see a little into the lives of the young people of this part of Italy, and even make some friends among them. This proved to be both very challenging and equally stimulating: linguistically, emotionally, mentally and personally. Perhaps above all, I developed a greater awareness of an confidence in my capacity for working with children and teenagers, both as something instinctual and also as a skill to be consciously developed. As a reflection, I would suggest that ways be found somehow for the intern to be involved more actively in the activities operated by DIDO'. I think that if this occurred the interns from Middlebury could be put to good use in the future in helping DIDO' move forward. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Scott Gratton (Undergraduate)
Associazione “IBO Italia”
Spring 2008

IBO Italia is a non-governmental, missionary organization that sets up work camps for volunteers in cities across Italy, Europe and third-world countries. I joined the family of IBO Italia for twelve glorious weeks, and as one can tell by my use of ‘glorious’, the experience was nothing short of amazing. I am terrible at meeting an entire group of new people, let alone in a new language, thus making my first few weeks very awkward. But, after receiving my assignments (which included translating documents for the European Volunteer Service or finding internet search engines that would accept the notion of adding the name IBO Italia to their list of organizations) everything became very doable and actually quite comfortable. Everyone at this organization is beyond nice; they really become your Italian family. You especially feel a part of the family when you happen to work during lunch hours, and you all stop work for 1-2 hours to eat a free, family style lunch around the table in the kitchen. My favorite memories of this internship came from these shared lunches. I loved working at IBO Italia, and I would greatly suggest others to test their feet in the waters of this missionary organization; you will not regret it. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Marie Horbar (Undergraduate)
Istituto di Storia Contemporanea
Spring 2008

Shaking the hand of a partigiano (resistance fighter against the Nazis during WWII) was one real highlight of my semester at the Contemporary History Institute in Ferrara. Other highlights included meeting some of the most wonderful, intelligent, and caring people, having some of the most interesting conversations (academic and non-academic), and getting the opportunity to explore primary resources and the vast library of the Institute. Not to mention all the chocolate and coffee that was consumed while working…I decided to do a Middlebury independent study about the Jewish community of Ferrara and connect it to my internship this semester. I highly recommend to anyone that has an idea for an Italian and historically-related study project to also do an internship at the Institute. The institute will allow you to study resources that otherwise would be difficult to find and perhaps connect you with other people around the city of Ferrara that would be helpful in regards to your project. Besides the academic advantages, at the Institute you get to spend time with the kindest people who are willing to chat about everything from Berlusconi to their pets to the situation of the Jews in Ferrara to the best tenerina (chocolate desert) in town. In conversations with these people, I learned a lot about contemporary Italy, the Italian language, and also this wonderful city that is overflowing with history. And this history often walked right through the door of the Institute. This is how I got to shake the hand of the famous Ferrara partigiano who helped bring WWII to a close. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

FLORENCE

Elizabeth Zevallos  (Undergraduate)
Comune di Firenze -  Patrimonio Unesco
Spring 2008

For those interested in historic preservation, cultural heritage, and architecture, the internship with the Historic Center Bureau – UNESCO World Heritage of the Department of Culture of Florence Municipality is a choice to consider. My job consisted mostly of doing Internet research and translating documents into English; both of which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of historic preservation of art and architecture in Florence. The organization is small and the potential to make a significant contribution to the office exists but only for those willing to put in the 10 hours a week. My experience was somewhat diminished by the fact that I was not doing it for credit and could not dedicate the equivalent amount of hours to work. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Gwendolyn Gurley  (Graduate)
American Consulate in Florence
Spring 2008

I participated in the internship for the U.S. Commercial Service Department at the Consulate in Florence from March until the beginning of July 2008. The U.S. Commercial Service is part of the International Trade Administration, and, therefore, deals mainly in assisting companies in finding international trade partners around the globe.  I assisted the Foreign Commercial Service Agent in Florence with several requests by American companies that were looking for Italian distributors, importers, wholesalers and representatives for their products. I assisted the Commercial Office in researching Italian companies suitable for trade partnerships.  The duties that I completed at the consulate on a regular basis involved translation documents, transcription, letter and speech writing for the Consul General, handling phone lines, mass emails, market research, data base entry, assisting in event planning and scheduling meetings, as well as assisting my supervisor with various other tasks in the office.  I really enjoyed my internship with the consulate. They are wonderful people to work with, and I wish that I had had more time to spend there because I feel that I really learned a lot about what the Commercial Service does and how international trade functions.  If you are interested in the internship I would suggest that you apply early.  There were some problems with my application process that ended up delaying the start date of the internship and I really wish that I had had more time to work there.  It was overall a great experience. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Alexandra Taylor (Graduate)
Laboratory of Pathology, University of Florence

I enjoyed my internship working at the Pathology lab. I was expecting more hands-on work, but I still feel that I got a lot out of the experience, particularly with the new science vocabulary I acquired that I wouldn't have otherwise had the need to learn. Overall, I would suggest this internship to other students, although the time commitment was difficult at times due to the amount of studying required for the Masters with Middlebury. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

FERRARA

Ann McGrane (Undergraduate)
Istituto di Storia Contemporanea, Ferrara
Fall 2007

If you have even the slightest interest in contemporary European history, I would recommend the internship at the Contemporary History Institute of Ferrara. While working at the institute, I had full access to its collection of books and newspapers from the past century. Some of my most interesting moments involved looking at newspapers from the 1950s and reading about events as they happened. The situation in Hungary in October 1956 was particularly riveting, since I read about it in two different Italian newspapers that had very diverse political biases. Additionally, talking with my co-workers and reading the various books greatly improved my Italian language skills. This internship allowed me to view Italian life from a different perspective than that of a university student. I found it to be a very nice complement to the university classes. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Rebecca Swartz (Undergraduate)
Dipartimento di Biochimica e Biologia Moleculare - Laboratorio di Roberta Piva
Università di Ferrara
Fall 2007

After completing three courses of chemistry (including J-term orgo), the dreaded organelles and cells, and phsyics in my sophomore year at Middlebury, I thought that I was entirely ready for a semester free of any and all scientific thought in Ferrara. However, being the molecular biology/biochemistry and not pre-med (shocker, I know) major that I am, I could not resist the opportunity to spend my free-time playing in the lab. I went to my interview nervous and ready to try to impress a cold professor with my lab experience but was met instead by a warm group of women who, rather than wanting to know why I was better for the internship that an Italian student, wanted to know when I could start.

The internship at the department of biochemistry was one of the most rewarding experiences that I had while in Ferrara. I was able to increase my research experience while improving my Italian. My main responsibilities were maintaining cell cultures and performing tests on the cells. I also corrected lab reports for English, an unexpected opportunity to contribute to the lab that was appreciated more than I would have expected. Although my internship was not for credit, it was well worth the time and effort because I built relationships with scientists of diverse age groups, as well as experiencing and contributing to an evermore global community of scientific research. I highly recommend trying to do an internship in the sciences to anyone who is interested in performing research as a career. It is an extremely unique opportunity that few other students will be able to have. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Emilie MCDONALD (undergraduate)
Instituto di Storia Contemporeanea
Spring 2006

“So… What was it like to attend the Italian University?”
This very question is, (of course), inevitably asked at every information session that is held for prospect victims, I mean, students, rather who are thinking about studying abroad in Ferrara, Italy.

The directors and past participants of the program who host these meetings always involuntarily meet this particular question with a sneering—(yet strangely endearing) —grin; then they pass one another a probing glance (“should you tell them or should I?”); and follow with a, a careful, hesitant response: “Well… let’s just say its different  than what you’re used to here at Middlebury...”

Truly, it’s no secret or sham-stereotype that the Italian University System is much less structured, more chaotic, less predictable, and more disorganized—than the machine that we young American scholars have been trained by. However, students who choose to spend their semesters abroad in Ferrara, Italy do not (or at least should not) do so expecting to study under professors quite as engaging… or attend classes quite as stimulating--as to match the up-to-par-promise of our little College in the Green Mountains…

Just a look beyond the walls of the classroom—yet still within the famous walls of the city and one is greeted by the smell of the bread at the bakery that is always fresh; the sound of the trains at the station that are never on time; and the feel of any perfectly random warm-yet-breezy Wednesday night (metaphorically) charged with (literally) hundreds of lively university students: Hear them greeting each other with kisses on both cheeks, laughing from their bellies with their heads thrown back, and loudly banging out rhythms on acoustic guitars. See them all packed like happy sardines into the piazza that lies in the center of town, in front of the ancient Cathedral, and just cobblestones down the road from the castle (yes, castle! Complete with a mote and drawbridge and all...)

Actually, the piazza is actually equidistant from a McDonald’s on the other side… but I’m getting off subject now… (or perhaps I was never on it to begin with) …

Anyways, all I’m really trying point out is that Ferrara is a unique, intimate, and yes, even enchanting Italian city that offers people, places, and experiences that speaks to- and awakens all of one’s senses… And that is precisely why students do (and should) choose to study there.

By opting to do an internship, one is opening a door to a complete other side of Italian lifestyle, one that simply cannot be would otherwise obtained – at the university or at a café with friends. be kept unknown. As for me and my case, interning at the Ferrara’s Institute of Contemporary History, I enjoyed actively participating in safe and sound Italian work environment, comparing and contrasting it to the American model of work as I know it.

At the Institute, I was almost constantly exposed to Italian conversation, which differed from everyday conversations in that they were intelligent and professional yet at the same time; unplanned, uncensored; honest and unapologetic-- with the mellow drone of the soft euro-pop coming from the Italian radio in the background.

Needless to say, my confidence, my comprehension, and my use of the beautiful Italian language (both spoken and written) was strengthened and enhanced.

My time spent as an intern also presented me with an opportunity to form social connections with people of generations. It gave me a much better understanding of Italian politics. Finally, I was given as well to chance to hone my communicative and organizational skills, which is good because these skills will always come in handy no matter what the future holds… (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Madhavi RAO (Undergraduate)
Institute of Contemporary History
Spring 2006

The resources at the Institute of Contemporary History at Ferrara extend far beyond the library and its archives. My internship brought me in contact with students, writers, and historians all extremely passionate about Italian history, culture, and politics, and in interacting with them I vastly improved my speaking and writing skills while broadening my knowledge of the country’s history. I found my supervisor to be of enormous help, not only with regard to my work cataloging documents in the archive and preparing conferences and presentations, but also as an excellent source of advice concerning travel, literature, cooking and local events. I feel very fortunate to have had an opportunity such as this; not only perfectly suited to my interests, the internship afforded me a new perspective on academic careers and added a new dimension, that of the Italian working environment, to my study abroad experience. My year abroad was significantly enhanced by what I learned from my work and colleagues, and highly recommend that others take advantage of similar opportunities. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Margaret LUPPINO (Undergraduate)
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Spring 2006

I began my internship at the end of February at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, one of the branches of the many National Research Councils in Italy. Situated on the outskirts of Padova in the industrial zone, it is made up of a collection of low buildings, each one housing a different research branch. I was based in the IRPI building, Istituto Ricerche per la Protezione Idrogeologico, or the Research Institute for geo-hydrological protection, which had the role of researching landslide and flood risk management techniques. During my internship, I was introduced to many of the tools used by the geologists and engineers, such as radar, GPS, and aerial photography to map changes in the topography of slopes, and thus monitor or detect mass movements. I was also given the task of researching a historical landslide of my choice, and was able to use the extensive resources available at CNR to write up a final report on the Vajont landslide of 1963. At the same time, I learned a good deal about the profession of a geologist and what the current situation is for research geologists in Italy by observing and asking questions. I truly enjoyed this internship because it combined my knowledge of geology and the Italian language and culture, which up until that point I had always studied as two subjects that had nothing in common. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Brooke ADAMS 
Istituto di Storia Contemporanea
FERRARA Fall 2005

Although having an internship may often require more of a time commitment than a class itself, I thoroughly enjoyed my semester working at the Institute of Contemporary History of Ferrara.  It allowed me to interact in an academic environment unlike that of the classrooms of the university, while still maintaining personal relationships with my co-workers.  Looking back on the semester, I was very fortunate to have an internship that even pertained to my major and interests.  When I began working there in October, I immediately found a book that I was interested in reading from the Institute's library.  Naturally, with studying for my classes and traveling frequently, I could not read a new book every week, but I was pleased to know that the resources were always there if I wanted them.  This summer, I hope to be able to return to the Institute to begin research for my thesis.  My internship at the Institute of Contemporary History was a very holistic experience for me.  Not only did I see my interests in history and international studies grow, but my knowledge of "Ferrarese" culture and traditions strengthened, and my speaking capabilities improved drastically as well.  Having this internship was an unforgettable experience, and I strongly suggest that others pursue internships while abroad. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Allegra MOROSANI
Ufficio Relazioni Internazionali, Comune di Ferrara
FERRARA Fall 2005

I was working as a general intern for the Office of International Relations of the Municipality of Ferrara. For twelve hours a week I helped with the administrative running of their office, which functions primarily as a link for international exchanges for youth, students, artists, musicians, and adults from all over the world. A lot of what I did was translation, from Italian to English and English to Italian, of official documents from other countries. I also served as the general English speaker of the office—I helped my colleagues write letters, and when a Japanese mayor and his delegation came for an official visit with the mayor of Ferrara, I acted as their English-speaking host and guide. The highlight of my internship experience was when I participated as the sole translator in a daylong conference on the environment held by forty delegates from various Italian, French, German and English communities.

The greatest advantage of doing this internship was the confidence it brought me in my professional standing. My boss threw me headfirst into a lot of challenging situations, such as translating the environmental conference, or sending me out to unknown offices to get papers signed. Another benefit of my internship was the wealth of opportunities I was given for improving my written and spoken Italian. The office secretary would often sit me down with one of my written English to Italian translations, and she would take me step-by-step through every error I had made, tell me why it was wrong and how I could improve what I had written. It was like having a private writing tutor. Also, I got to know how the government of a medium-sized Italian city runs. I often delivered letters to the Mayor's office, and got to know people working all over the city. And last but certainly not least, I met a lot of nice, welcoming people. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

FLORENCE

Anna Love (Graduate)
Comune di Firenze - Ufficio Centro Storico - Patrimonio Mondiale UNESCO
Fall 2007

My experience as an intern at the Historice Center Bureau – UNESCO World Heritage of the Department of Culture of Florence Municipality was excellent. I was able to do a lot of internet research for the Bureau, including finding photos of every World Heritage City and researching off the american schools in Florence. My biggest job was to help with the 25^th anniversary celebration of the inscription of Florence in the World Heritage List. My main job, other than attending meetings and putting together materials to be sent out, was to translate various documents from Italian to English. This was the part I enjoyed most about the job. I loved the people I worked with, who were very kind and helpful. I feel like I contributed a significant amount to the office while I was there. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Mary Chiles (Undergraduate)
Scuole Elementari di Bagno a Ripoli
Fall 2007

This fall I spent my Thursday and Friday mornings helping two Italian teachers teach English in three different schools in the Bagno a Ripoli area. I would definitely recommend this internship to those interested in education as well as those interested in a fun and educational experience that gets you more involved in the community. I loved getting to know my students, who ranged from second to fifth graders. I helped them understand English grammar and pronunciation while at the same time, they helped me with my Italian! I assisted both teachers with their planned lesson but also got to teach a few of my own. I taught the kids about American culture and traditions (Thanksgiving, for example) and helped them rehearse for their English skits that they performed in front of their parents. I also enjoyed picking olives with the children and then helped them sell the olive oil at the local olive oil festival. I value the friendships I have formed with the two English teachers. They really helped me with my Italian and made me feel welcome in their classrooms, like a fellow teacher rather than an intern. This internship gave me insight into Italian culture and the Italian education system that I certainly would not have had otherwise. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Melissa Chavez (Graduate)
Equilibri , Internship at distance
Fall 2007

For students interested in pursuing a career in translation, but also for all language students, I highly recommend undertaking an internship with Equilibri. Granted, working for a company that has strict deadlines and requires a certain level of quality output means that the position necessitates focus and discipline from recruits whose schedules are likely already strained by other scholastic responsibilities. However, there are various projects available to accommodate the working styles and schedules of dedicated students who can decide how much time to put in each week and whether to work from home or the office. Additionally, the staff is very friendly and flexible and is readily available to answer questions and give helpful feedback. Personally, I noticed a broadening of my vocabulary almost immediately and began also to recognize common syntactical structures and characteristics of formal Italian writing, an experience that, in turn, aided me in outside class work. Thanks to my experience with Equilibri, I am now a published translator, as students' translations are posted on the website under our names. The interesting political content of Equilibri articles is another incentive to consider their proposition, one however that pales in comparison to the formal certification and portfolio students receive upon completing the internship. An excellent opportunity for anyone who will work for it! (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Kendra Boothe (Undergraduate)
OpenUp Consulting
Fall 2007

I did not know what to expect when I started my semester internship with Openup Consulting. In the end I enjoyed the experience and found it rewarding because of the ample opportunity to speak Italian in a business setting. I made calls on behalf of the company to city officials, prominent hotels and universities.

I invited VIPs to Openup's annual Wine&Fashion Florence event and helped market and sell Openup's unique book on Florence, StileFirenze. And all in Italian! The staff is young and energetic and really appreciates the input of American interns, who they view as possessing a creative, fresh perspective. I cannot say that every day at work was exciting, but immersion in the office setting was well worth the at-times menial tasks. Plus, invitations to Florence's hippest events are a frequent perk. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Jacob Cohen (Undergraduate)
Vista Magazine
Spring 2007

It was a rare opportunity and huge pleasure to do an internship through the Middlebury Italian program in Florence. I worked at Vista Magazine, a publication dedicated to foreigners who have to moved to Florence. Not only did I get the chance to write in both Italian and English, but I was fortunate enough to meet some amazing people – an internationally reknowned Political Scientist, the Head of the Florentine Comune, the American Ambassador to Italy, and the Vice President of the American Colleges and University Programs in Italy (ACUPI) group – and conduct professional level interviews that had real life significance. My internship with Middlebury was a challenging, rewarding and fun adventure. I hope I could do it all over again! (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Olivia Kerr
Vista Magazine
Spring 2007

My internship with Vista magazine, a quarterly publication geared towards tourists and english speaking foreigners living in Florence and Tuscany, enabled me to come into contact with incredible personalities and aspects of the Italian culture I might not have encountered on my own. Rosanna Cirigliano’s impressive accomplishments in the world of journalism and passion for the magazine she has built from the ground up couple to create a succesful endeavor and an indispensable resource for those interested in enriching opportunities in and around Florence. My responsibilities included going to press conferences and exhibits, conducting interviews in both English and Italian, taking the initiative to research events and places of interest, meeting with Rosanna on a regular basis to edit and brainstorm new projects – duties which culminated in the task of writing well-informed and colorful articles. This internship helped me embrace my time in Florence, sparked my interest in journalism, and provided me with the skills to work for another publication in the future. Not many college students can claim to have met internationally renowned artists and been published multiple times! (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Emily Muller (Undergraduate)
Scuola Elementary Bagno a Ripoli (FI)
Spring 2007

I worked at a few elementary schools in Bagno a Ripoli this semester and had an absolutely fantastic experience. The teachers I worked with were great and extremely open to any ideas that I came up with. This internship definitely requires someone who is dedicated (you will need travel by bus), motivated, has something to bring to the table and is clearly good with kids. It was a nice contrast to being surrounded by people my own age and adults and definitely reminded me how simple and great life can be. It is a lot of work and is absolutely ideal for someone considering teaching, especially in Italy. I would only recommend this internship for those doing it for credit or willing to dedicate a fair amount of time to it (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Katelyn Brack (Undergraduate)
Law Firm
Spring 2007

During my spring semester abroad in Florence, I interned at Cavallini and Cantisani; a small law firm with no more than seven lawyers specializing in various types of law. I was assigned general tasks such as delivering packages to clients, making daily trips to the post office, filing and photocopying. These responsibilities enabled me to witness the daily tasks necessary for a successful Italian law firm to function efficiently. Towards the end, my responsibilities increased and included writing legal documents and doing legal background research on clients and defendants in Italian. This experience provided me with a unique perspective of the culture by allowing me to gain a general sense of the procedures and protocols within the Italian legal system. I was able to meet and converse with legal professionals daily and compare striking differences between Italian and American legal systems. In addition, I improved my listening and speaking skills through constant communication efforts. I particularly enjoyed conversations with colleagues, public service employees, and likewise learning all that I could about Italian law and society from the workers’ point of view. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Sarah Bray
Vista Magazine
Fall 2007

This fall, I worked for Vista Magazine with Rosanna Cirigliano. Vista is a small, English publication for tourists. Rosanna employs students from various study-abroad programs throughout the city, but the Middlebury students are at an advantage, having the capacity to communicate in Italian. I chose to participate in the internship program merely as an extra-curricular activity, rather than as a course credit. I had never before worked in the publishing business, nor had I considered it a career option. I chose, however, the internship as a means of better acquainting myself with Florence and as a means of improving my Italian in a non-scholastic setting. My work was the high-light of my experience in Florence. Within the office, we spoke only English, as Rosanna is an American, living in Italy. Everything else, from interviews to transport logistics, was in Italian. Rosanna tailored the work I did for her to my interests. Therefore, I attended a press-conference on a new tour provided by the Tuscan tourist board to the Chianti region; I reviewed several show openings, from the last segment of the “Mind of Leonardo” exhibition at the Uffizi to the smaller display at the Casa Buonarroti of Michelangelo’s architectural drawings; I visited an artist in his home in Vada, a small town on the coast of Tuscany, where I performed the interview in his studio and then shared tea with his family; and as an adieu to Florence, I was able to visit the Vasari Corridor. These experiences, and others, would have been impossible outside of my job, and they are some of my favorite memories of my time there. Aside from the opportunities I was afforded, I was also able to write, both alone and in collaboration with others. In so doing, I found a passion for the subject, which I plan to pursue in some manner after graduation. As Vista is a small, intimate working environment, I also put to use my love of editing in my reviews of other articles and helped with magazine lay-outs. I have now been published in the most recent, and will be in the next, edition of the magazine. Choosing to participate in the internship program extra-curricularly greatly augmented my work-load, but I would not have chosen to do so any other way. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Neil D’Astolfo
Vista Magazine
Fall 2007

My internship with Vista Magazine: Florence & Tuscany was very fruitful, and I highly recommend it to those hoping to gain actual work experience. Working directly under editor-in-chief Rosanna Cirigliano was a tremendous learning opportunity, and one in which I was given a hearty amount of responsibility. From writing articles and copy-editing, to attending press conferences and planning special events, I had a hand in all aspects of the magazine’s composition and, to some extent, marketing. I was able to meet many interesting individuals whom I never would have met otherwise, and, all-in-all, it was an amazing way to experience the city. I especially recommend it to those with an interest in Florentine culture, especially the arts. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Dana Isaac
Law Firm
Fall 2007

For my internship I worked at a law firm with 5 lawyers who all practiced various types of law. I worked primarily with 2 lawyers who focused on workers rights and violations, and one lawyer who specialized in criminal law. At the beginning my tasks were rather run of the mill: typing up handwritten documents, going to the post office, paying some bills, etc… but as the months progressed I was given more and more responsibilities. I spent time at the “comune di Firenze”, which is essentially city hall, picking up documents for a divorce case, time at court finding out when court cases were going to take place, and a lot of time at the court of appeals dropping off and picking up documents. I was also responsible for bringing documents to and from client’s offices which allowed me to see parts of Florence that I had yet to discover. I particularly enjoyed this internship not only because I am interested in law, but because of the view it allowed me to see of what life in Florence is really like. One can learn a lot about a city based on its laws, and this internship let me see the more bureaucratic side of how Italy is run, something people see on a daily basis but wonder why nothing is done. In fact things are being done, but they are hard to see. The lawyers I worked with were extremely nice and helpful, answering any questions I had and eager to give me new tasks. This internship also allowed me to see a noticeable improvement in my Italian, as well as in my comfort level speaking Italian with people I would normally be timid around. While occasionally time consuming and confusing, I definitely recommend this internship since it is a great way to see that there is more to Florence then what meets the eye. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Megan MALTA (Graduate)
ALINARI ONLINE (photographic archive)
Academic Year 2005-06

I had a great experience interning at Alinari. The people are so nice and the work is really interesting. I translated the captions and descriptions of incoming images for the online database, usually from Italian to English but sometimes from English to Italian. Some of the images are historical or ethnographic, many others are photos of famous art in Florence and all over Italy and the world. The atmosphere in the office is relaxed and friendly and I always enjoyed being there. I would enthusiastically recommend this internship to anyone interested in translating, archiving, art or photography. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Nicolas Emery (Graduate):
American Consulate--Florence
Academic Year 2005-06

My experience as an intern at the U.S. consulate in Florence was exciting in the way that it opened my eyes to the world of international commerce, as well as some of the inner workings of an American consulate. I worked in the office of the U.S. Commercial Service, where my responsibilities included translations from Italian to English and vice versa, doing market research on the Internet, and writing responses to Italian students who emailed me with various questions about studying abroad in the States. In addition, I helped organize two large trade fairs in Bologna where American companies participated. Even though I have no formal economic training, this internship was a great fit for my undergraduate major of international studies, and my work there allowed me to put my Italian to the test on a daily basis in a real world work environment. One of the best aspects of this experience was also getting to know the friendly staff who work in the consulate and made me feel at home. I would recommend this internship to anyone who is interested in economics, international relations, or a diplomatic career. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Marriell MARQUETTE (Graduate)
American Consulate--Florence
SPRING 2006

While interning at the American Consulate in Florence I gained a lot of insight on the day to day work of a foreign service officer, a line of work I have always been interested in. I was given a lot of responsibility which made me feel like a vital part of the consulate team rather than just an intern. I worked on several interesting projects which taught me a great deal about U.S. relations, not only with Italy but with many nations around the world. I met many interesting people and was often able to use my language skills to help them interact with each other. My superiors were very understanding of my school schedule and were always grateful for the work I did. If given the opportunity I would definitely want to work with them again. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Tiffany BISTOCCHI (Graduate)
Elementary School--Bagno a Ripoli, Florence
Spring 2006

During my year abroad in Florence, Italy, I had the opportunity to work with Italian students in an elementary school in Bagno a Ripoli. I assisted in teaching English to grades four and five, and it was a wonderful learning experience. I worked with the students both individually as well as in groups, and I was able to communicate effectively with the other teachers about their progress. Not only was I able to work with both the children and the teachers in the classroom, but I also took part in many extracurricular activities with the students, such as rehearsing for the play 'The Wizard of Oz'. It was an extremely rewarding internship and I learned many things about teaching a foreign language that will hopefully benefit my career in the future. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Elizabeth Leete (Graduate)
Vista Magazine
Spring 2006

As an intern at Vista Magazine, a quarterly publication designed to familiarize English-speaking visitors and residents of Tuscany with the area's cultural resources, I was introduced to people, places, and events that I would not have encountered on my own. From attending openings at Prato's contemporary art gallery to interviewing cutting edge fashion designers, entrepreneurs, and restaurateurs, I was given assignments based on my areas of interest and previous experience. My time in Florence was greatly enhanced by the relationships I formed with my fellow interns and interview subjects, as well as the opportunity to attend exclusive events often limited to art and fashion insiders. Having been granted a chance to penetrate the city's surface and speak with a variety of individuals who have been instrumental in both the preservation and renewal of Florentine and Italian culture, I would highly recommend this position to any ambitious student with an insatiable curiosity about the city in which they are living and studying. In addition, for those with a strong interest in journalism, this internship will be a perfect fit. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship) 

Joseph BARSALONA (Undergraduate)
Law Firm
Spring 2006

Living in a different country is one thing, but working in a different country is worlds apart from any experience I have ever had. I was in close contact with Italian lawyers and assistants every moment I was in the office which challenged my language skills as well as my people skills. The assignments given were routine internship material and were of no particular difficulty: such as, typing documents into the office mainframe, organizing case related material and smaller duties such as photocopying and delivering mail. As the months progressed, I could sense that my employers began to see me as an academic equal rather than an American student. My communication skills in Italian definitely improved from the experience and I was happy to see a completely different side of Italian culture.(Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

FRATELLANZA MILITARE (National Voluntary Organization: emergency medical transportation and assistance for local elderly and handicapped).

Aleksandra Mihailovic (Undergraduate)
Spring 2006

This internship I would recommend to anyone who is interested in helping and contributing to Florentine society. One who really wants to insert himself/herself to the Florentine everyday life and get to know Florence from inside and not only outside will be set on his/her way of taking this experience. In this organization I came across very pleasant people who were willing to help me and had a lot of patience answering all of my questions (I always had a lot of them), which gave me a better understanding of how the organization functions and how people in it operate. I was doing a service once a week from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. I assisted in bringing disabled people to their educational centres. They were such a cool crowd, so affectionate and adorable that one falls in love with them at first sight. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. I continued with the first aid and other social services that consisted of bringing people to hospitals for various appointments, check-ups or cases of emergency. Helping people in need I realized how important we are to one another. I felt the most rewarding feeling of being useful. It was great to be doing something for the community because at the same time I felt more of a part of it. As well, this internship allowed me to see different parts of the city that otherwise I would have not gone to and allowed me to enter the houses of people. In this way I got a chance to be in touch with locals, speak only Italian and learn a lot of new vocabulary as well as hear Florentine dialect. It’s been a very rewarding experience in many ways and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get to know Florence, help people and is serious about improving his/her conversation skills in Italian. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Rita TARNATE
Brancolini Grimaldi Gallery
Fall 2005

Interning at the Brancolini Grimaldi gallery for contemporary art was an experience I will never forget.  At the gallery I had an amazing amount of independence and as it was not a large enterprize, I felt a wonderful sense of trust and comfort from my coworkers.  In doing this internship, not only did I improve my language skills but it also made me appreciate Florence and my experience abroad even more.  Doing an internship really helps with the adjustment to new surroundings and shows you another side of the culture that you don't get through simply attending classes.  With an internship, having something nonacademic to do helped me discover my new daily routine a lot quicker, running errands for the gallery helped geographically orient myself and on the whole, it really made me feel more like a part of the city rather than being just another foreign student or worse, tourist.  It is a wonderful experience and one that I highly recommend to anyone spending a semester abroad. 

AGLAYA GLEBOVA
Brancolini Grimaldi Gallery
Fall 2005

Brancolini Grimaldi Contemporanea is a prestigious Italian gallery, with divisions in Rome and Florence that specializes in contemporary photography and video. It represents some of the best-known Italian and international artists, and routinely appears at some of the most important art fairs, such as Paris Photo and Basel Art Fair in Miami. Interning for Brancolini Grimaldi Contemporanea was an interesting and useful experience, which allowed me to learn a lot about the contemporary art scene and the gallery world.

Although, as at almost any other internship, many tasks were basic and a little monotonous, Brancolini Grimaldi Contemporanea assigned us a number of stimulating and important projects. Together with another intern, I got to host an exhibition inauguration in Florence. We also had to communicate with clients and artists via email and phone, edit press releases and other documents, and research various art organizations and collections. My Italian improved greatly thanks to this internship, as I had to write and edit documents in Italian, as well as speak Italian with fellow coworkers and clients both face-to-face and over the phone. Because Brancolini Grimaldi Contemporanea is a very active gallery with many ongoing projects and events, and things there can sometimes get hectic, interns should expect to be flexible with their hours and schedules, and be ready to show a large degree of independence and self-sufficiency in completing projects.

Adam GAGLIARDO (Graduate)
Vista Magazine
Academic Year 2004-2005

My internship at Vista magazine allowed me to visit many exhibitions and meet different personalities in Florence's art historical and American scene which greatly added to my experience abroad.  Rosanna Cirigliano immediately recognized my knowledge of Italian Renaissance art, having majored in art history, and singled me out to cover many show openings and museum galleries during my year at Vista.  I frequently attended press conferences in Italian, got private viewings of shows before they opened, and was even lucky enough to receive one-on-one guided tours by museum directors of such landmarks as the Uffizi Gallery and the Archaeological Museum, which added another dimension to much of the art I had previously seen only in books.During my two semester internship I was constantly writing articles for the "Month by Month" calendar of events, although was at times disappointed to see that the time I dedicated and my hard work were reduced to a blurb in an email newsletter rather than a printed piece.  I also was assigned to interview various personalities around Florence for the tri-monthly magazine, and found these articles were also greatly edited and joined with other articles.  I was, however, content to find that my Italian language skills were greatly appreciated in this position.  Most interns from other American schools were limited in the events they could cover due to their low level of Italian whereas I often found myself with too many opportunities.  I developed a close working relationship with the director, Rosanna, with whom I edited and wrote articles, organized and dealt with the upkeep of the office.  She often showed her appreciation for my work by taking me out to lunch or for a coffee and pastry afterwards.  This internship was a great opportunity for me to combine my interest in journalism with my passion for Italian and art, and I recommend it to any other student with any of these interests.  It was a unique opportunity to enter into different parts of Florentine society that I would have never seen otherwise. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Eleanor VANDEN-HEUVEL
Alinari
Spring 2005

My experience as an intern at the photo archive, Fratelli Alinari, was one of my most rewarding experiences during my study abroad in Florence.  Initially, I was nervous about immersing myself in a foreign workplace: I questioned my language skills and my ability to grasp to concept of the work in a foreign language.  These fears disappeared immediately upon arriving at the office for my first day of work.  The combination of a friendly and welcoming office, and comprehensible, yet challenging work, enabled me to improve my spoken and written Italian.  Above all else though, the internship gave me the opportunity to experience daily working life in Italy, and get to know and form friendships with Italians that I wouldn't necessarily have met otherwise.  The daily conversations between myself and the other employees gave me the opportunity to practice and learn everyday spoken Italian in a comfortable and enjoyable manner.  Leaving the comfort zone of the school may have been intimidating, but the end result is a deep appreciation for an aspect of the culture previously unknown to me, as well as a notable improvement to my language skills. (Credit-Bearing Internship)

Moira GREENSPUN
Alinari
Spring 2005

After a semester abroad in Florence I opted to substitute one class at Middlebury for an internship at I Fratelli Alinari—the oldest firm in the world working in the field of photography. The firm is in the process of turning their massive photographic archive digital, and as an intern I translated the titles of photographs from Italian to English. With my love for photography and desire to learn the language this seemed a rather opportune internship—one that offered me the possibility to step out of Middlebury's Sede and into a more professional and authentic Italian environment.

The art of translation proved to be a tricky one—finding a balance between clarity and accuracy was difficult—but I developed a much deeper appreciation for our completely different languages and in the process expanded my vocabulary (both Italian and English) tremendously. While at times tedious, in the end my internship solidified my cultural immersion abroad; not only was I able to see how diversely our cultures function in the classroom and socially but also I discovered a work ethic quite different from my own and what I have, up until this point in my life, been exposed to. I would most definitely suggest this sort of experience for anyone studying abroad, both in Italy and elsewhere. ( Credit-Bearing Internship)

Alba LUPIA (Graduate)
U.S. Commercial Service - American Consulare in Florence
Spring 2005

My three month internship at the Commercial Service Department at the American Consulate in Florence has been a great experience that has allowed me to not only improve my language skills but administrative, business, and organizational skills.  I worked on the annual Bologna Children's Book Fair arranging appointments for the U.S. companies such as TIME for Kids, LeapFrog Schoolhouse and National Geographic.  I worked closely with these companies to make sure that their experience at the Fair was productive. 

These responsibilities have led me to consider pursuing a career in international commerce or the import/export business in the U.S.  This internship was by far one of the most informative and fun jobs I have experienced in my four years in Italy.  (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)  *NB--This internship requires two-months advanced clearing, so if you're interested, please inform us early.

Ricco ROSINI (Graduate)
Fratellanza Militare                                       
Spring 2005

While studying for my Master's, in Florence, I was interested in finding a part-time voluntary job.  Through Middlebury I was put in contact with the Fratellanza Militare, a national voluntary organization with many subsidiaries throughout Italy.  This organization assists local persons in numerous different ways.  I chose to help with the local elderly for three mornings a week, and was partnered with at least one volunteer from the Fratellanza Militare each day. My roles varied, including such activities as: grocery delivery, partnering a person for a short walk, and assisting people out of bed.  Taking part in Fratellanza Militare was a very rewarding experience.  I was able to broaden my knowledge of the Italian culture and language, make new friends, and help people all the while.  I would certainly recommend the Fratellanza Militare to other Middlebury students.  (Volunteer work)

Jennifer WATSON
Alinari
Fall 2004

During my semester in Italy, I worked ten hours a week in the online division of Fratelli Alinari.  Founded in Florence in 1852, Alinari is the world's oldest photography archive and boasts more than 3,500,000 important pictures.  Their collection is rich with images both historical and modern, ranging from portraits of famous actors, musicians, scholars and politicians to panoramas of major cities and small towns, to pictures of important works of art.  Alinari is currently working on digitalizing these images so that people all over the world can access their ample collection, and my job was to translate the new website text from Italian to English. This involved mainly descriptive captions of the photographs and titles of artworks.  Working with the online archive was a great opportunity to see some really interesting pictures while developing a stronger Italian vocabulary, and the office atmosphere at Alinari was very pleasant.  Everyone is extremely friendly and welcoming; having daily conversations with my young Italian colleagues was one of the highlights of the experience. I recommend this internship to anyone with an interest in photography, art, history, geography, or translation, and anyone who is looking to experience a relaxed, Italian working environment. (Credit-Bearing Internship).

Elizabeth DICIOCCIO
U.S. Commercial Service - American Consulate in Florence
Fall 2004

While studying in Florence, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to intern at the U.S. Department of Commerce and Commercial Services at the American Consulate. Working under the supervision of Barbara Lapini, a Middlebury alumna, I was able to take part in a wide variety of operations at the Consulate. More specifically, along with two other interns, I helped to prepare for the Greater New York Dental Meeting and a conference for the University of Chicago's M.B.A. program in Milan. On a day-to-day basis, I also researched company websites in both English and Italian in order to identify trade opportunities between American and Italian companies. Additionally, I helped in conducting research for an annual report of economic conditions in Tuscany.  As an economics major, I found the work I did at the Consulate very stimulating, as it allowed me to see how trade relations between companies emerge at a micro level. Although we primarily spoke in English amongst each other, I did a great deal of research in Italian. This research gave me the opportunity to learn business-oriented jargon that I would have not otherwise been exposed to. I especially enjoyed this internship opportunity because it allowed me to meet a great deal of both Americans and Italian whom I would have crossed paths with otherwise, and it offered me an exciting "change of pace" from my regular classes at the Sede. (Non Credit-Bearing Internship)

Eric ROSEMAN
Fratellanza Militare     
Fall 2004

During my stay in Italy I volunteered for a local ambulance core as part of a school sponsored internship. Now that I have reached the end of my four months of service, I have nothing but praise to give. I enjoyed every aspect of my work. I was able to participate on most every pronto soccorso(emergency) that involved our association (Fratellanza Militare). Not only was I able to gain experience as an emergency medical worker, but this internship offered a unique opportunity to assimilate directly into the Florentine culture. I say this was a unique experience because it was truly one of the only full immersion activities that I completed during my stay. I was the only English speaker in the entire association and as such I was able to feel exactly what language emersion should be like. I can say without a doubt that much of my progress with the spoken language came directly as a result of my involvement with the Fratellanza Militare. I would recommend this internship to any and all seeking such an interesting and intense emersion and I look forward to returning at some point to continue where I left off. (Credit-Bearing Internship).

Aubrey McGOVERN
Vista Magazine
Spring 2003
My internship at Vista magazine proved to be a very rewarding experience. I worked with Rosanna Cirigliano, whose unswerving dedication to her Tuscan-based travel magazine was incredibly admirable. My role with Vista consisted of editing and writing for a publication entitled "Month by Month," targeting the American student audience and highlighting the various events hosted in Florence and its environs. In addition, I conducted interviews and visited exhibits for various articles for the quarterly Vista magazine. It was a great way expose myself to the multitude of events in Florence, and also afforded a great opportunity to utilize and hone my Italian language skills. I came into contact with incredibly diverse personalities - from jewelry designers to museum curators - all who greatly enriched my Florentine experience. I recommend this internship for anyone who has a love for travel and cultural writing and a deep appreciation of the Renaissance city of Florence.

Morgan WILSON
Fratelli Alinari
Spring 2003
Started in 1852, Fratelli Alinari is one of the largest companies operating in the field of photography and communications. During my time withn the on-line division of the company, I worked as a translator, both from Italian to English and from English to Italian, in order to complete the on-line catalog that will eventually be comprised of the over 3,500,000 images owned by Alinari. This group of images is comprised of the original archives of Alinari brothers, composed of historical images from primarily Florence and its surroundings, but also includes thousands of photographs from around the world, and more recent photographs from a wide variety of contexts. Working in a business setting in Italy allowed me to experience another side of the culture that is impossible to see through a classroom or university setting. Not only did the experience help me to enhance my Italian language skills through my everyday communication with my coworkers, but also allowed me to develop a more comprehensive understanding of Italian life through my interactions with those in the office.

Christopher RICHARDS
Clinica Veterinaria Campo di Marte
Spring 2003
The internship at the Clinica Veterinaria Campo di Marte came highly recommended, and my brief five-month tenure there has shown me exactly why. As a biology major studying abroad for only one semester in Florence, I found very little opportunity to express myself scientifically. It was with that in mind that I accepted the internship at the veterinary clinic. The internship, however, proved to be much more than just a scientific stimulus. Within ten minutes of my arrival at the clinic I was preparing animals for surgery, holding animals while they received vaccinations, and watching as the veterinarians performed ecocardiographs and prepared blood samples for laboratory analysis. Over the course of five months I became familiar with all of these processes and was entrusted to carry them out unsupervised. I was also encouaged to answer the telephone, make appointments, and talk with clients during their visits to the clinic, all experiences that advanced my conversational Italian by leaps and bounds. Most importantly, the people at the clinic became more than just colleagues, they became excellent friends: people who were not interested in making me feel like an outsider, but rather in accepting me into a new environment without resevation. They were thankful for my role at the clinic and were always excited to learn more about me and my culture, while at the same time letting me into their personal lives. This is an aspect for which I can never thank them enough because I was able to get a real look at Italian culture and everyday life. In addition, they taught me the importance of a healthy work atmoshere in which sincerity, honesty, and friendship should all play major roles. All this combined has made my internship at the clinic the most valid and enjyable experience I had while abroad. It was a platform from which I was able to explore my professional interests, and I walked away from it with a much stronger desire to pursue veterinary medicine.

Jennifer HENZI
Annulliamo la Distanza
Spring 2003
This past semester I worked for Annulliamo la Distanza, an Italian non-profit organization that helps children in the North Afican country of Eritrea. The organization has three major programs with which they have created a school in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, and established an "adoption" program in which participants can sponsor Eritrean children to help them thrive. I had three major responsibilities. First, I attended the weekly meetings where I was able to witness the workings of an Italian association. At these gatherings I also had much exposure to Italian culture and language. I was able to meet a variety of different people who worked for Annulliamo la Distanza. Second, I worked at a coat-check at a local theater in Florence. There was an exposition of photographs from Eritrea and a table full of information about the organization and its projects. My third task was the translation of the organization's website into English. Now, Annulliamo la Distanza is able to broaden its exposure to possible contributors. I am pleased that I was able to participate in this internship; it was an experience that I will never forget and I learned more here than I could have ever learned in the classroom alone.

Sara YUN
Anulliamo la Distanza
Fall 2001
Anulliamo la Distanza is an Italian non-profit organization consisting of 100% unpaid peace-workers that collaborate on several projects to aid children in a small village close to Asmara in Eritrea, a former Italian colony. Among these initiatives are the maintenance of a school for approximately seventy underprivileged children, the construction of a home for many in need, and the improvement of the availability of health care.

The Dillon Dunwalke Internship available with the non-profit organization Anulliamo la Distanza is an excellent opportunity to interact with Italians in a rather organized, professional setting. Dialogue is easily stimulated, as there is always a current project to discuss or organize. In such an environment, the intern may be asked frequently to translate correspondence on the spot or may be asked of his or her availability to participate in various fundraising activities.

In addition to the occasional benefit performance or the random raffle sale, the steady, regular activity of maintaining the coat check and the sale of Eritrean hand-made articles at Teatro Puccini creates the ideal excuse to spend evenings conversing with the members of the staff [ushers, technicians, ticket vendors, bartenders, etc.] in the snack bar of the theater. In short, the internship, incomparable with any course offered by the school, is a wonderful engaging experience requiring the intern to temporarily transform his role from a spectator to a player in Italian society.

Courtney HESS
Internship at Campo di Marte Veterinary Clinic
Fall 2001
I had the opportunity to work as an assistant at the Campo di Marte Veterinary Clinic in Florence, Italy under the supervision of doctors Paolo Gagliardi and Giorgio Poggiali. Upon starting the internship I was surprised to learn that even without prior veterinary experience, I would be working side by side with the doctors, helping to restrain animals during exams, take blood samples, perform laboratory tests, and even assist during ultrasounds and surgeries. As part of my daily duties, I learned how to feed and care for animals staying in the clinic kennels, fill out laboratory paperwork and perform basic blood tests, prepare sedated animals for surgery, file patient histories on the computer, and answer the telephone and speak with customers.

In the course of learning basic veterinary skills, I also broadened my Italian vocabulary and conversation skills and experienced the many cultural differences that come with life in Italy, from the morning coffee break to the rigid fashion standards and great importance placed on appearance. During my time at the clinic, I discussed with the doctors and patients everything from Italian family life to religion and politics to art and cinema. Outside of the clinic, I joined the doctors at their homes for meals, met and spent time with their families, and even went to a dog show in a neighboring town. All in all, the experience was extremely valuable and beyond simply improving my Italian language skills and enriching my time abroad in Florence, it provided me with the opportunity to create lasting friendships with a wealth of wonderful people. I can truthfully say my time at the clinic was always well spent and worth remembering for years to come.

Kenneth HARLEY
Internship at U.S. Commercial Service - American Consulate
Spring 2001
During the spring semester of 2001, I had the opportunity to complete an academic credit bearing internship at the Commercial Service of the American Consulate while completing my junior year abroad in Florence, Italy.

This internship was of great interest and benefit to me for a verity of reasons. First of all, Italian was spoke in the office at all times. I was able not only to practice my existing vocabulary, but I also was also able to learn a whole new type of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, that of the professional world. I had the opportunity to see of the "inner workings"of an American Consulate, from the 'grind' of office mailings and memos to the rooftop cocktail parties with industry leaders. Of particular interest to me was the work in international business development, which is my career goal after graduation from Middlebury next year. The Commercial Service was contacted on a regular basis by Italian companies seeking to import American manufactured products to Italy. I had the opportunity to be involved in the research process, using primarily the Tomas Register CD-ROM to acquire, sift, and compile relevant information.

Some of the highlights of my time at the Consulate include the Bologna Children's Bookfair held this past March. The Commercial Service, in cooperation with the Consulate of Milan and Embassy in Rome hosted an American Pavillion at the Fair. Six delegations of small-to-medium sized American children's software companies participated. Everyday during that week I took the train to Bologna from Florence and worked as the official translator for the American Pavillion. It was exciting to be in the middle of important business meetings, "hammering out'' discussions about payment options, rights, and other business jargon that I was forced to learn whileunder pressure.

Another interesting event in which I had the opportunity to participate andlearn from was the High Technology Commission held in May at the PromoFirenze conference center. Two days of back to back meetings about internet portals, online network security, and licensing agreements proved to be both exhausting and a great learning experience. The two days were culminated by a cocktail party in the Consul's private apartments and afforded me with an opportunity to network and learn more about business and doing business across borders.

I would recommend this internship to anyone interested in translation work or international business. A good measure of patience is required, as the day to day office work of filing and photocopying and enormous mailing projects can be daughting if not disheartening. But for those who are willing to do that part well, the "good'' part is sure to come. It is a position that requires both flexibility and an open mind. All in all, a good learning experience.

Sarah BERNSTEIN
Internship at U.S. Commercial Service - American Consulate
Spring 2001
Working as an intern at the U.S. Department of Commerce of the American Consulate I was able to improve my Italian language skills, in particular my business Italian and to understand and explore many aspects of the Commercial Office at the Consulate. I had also the opportunity to work at several Trade Shows and used my language skills in translation exercises for both private and public meetings between Italian and American companies.

When I began this internship I was immediately engulfed with preparations for the Bologna Children's Book Fair in Bologna. To tackle with this large task of contacting American companies, we used internet resources and databases, sent out letters, and prepared many faxes to be sent out to encourage as many participants as possible to come to the trade show with the U.S. Commercial Service. We received a great response and were able to encourage four different companies from different parts of the United States to participate at the Trade Show. Soon after that, I was put to work preparing for the next big trade show in Italy, one that involves construction and building materials. It was a huge task to undertake, but I was able to complete a direct mailing of over six hundred potential participants by sending out individual letters. I acted as a translator for this two day affair providing my language skills to both sides of the drawing board in order to help these companies communicate and eventually build contacts. I also acted as a translator for a private meeting between an American Security Company and an interested Italian party. This was a great experience to me as I was really able to test my language skills in Italian by simultaneous translating for two and a half hours. It also gave me a lot of insight as to what I may do with my future and if I could consider professional translating as a feasible option. I can confidently say that this internship experience has been a most positive one. I feel that all my goals regarding this internship were fulfilled and primarily, I feel my Italian has really improved as a result. I would recommend this internship without hesitation to anyone coming to study in Florence for the year, as it is a great opportunity to learn more about Foreign Service, business conduct in a foreign country and to improve one's language skills.

Kari NYGAARD
US Consulate
Spring 2000
Last spring I interned at the U.S. Consulate in Florence, Italy, under the supervision of Middlebury alumna Barbara Lapini. More specifically, I was working in the Commercial Service division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which is responsible for organizing trade events to promote American products in Italy.

The main event I helped to organize was the annual Children's Book Fair in Bologna, where I ran a Multimedia Demo Center featuring CD-ROM educational software. The Book Fair provided an amazing opportunity for me to translate potential business deals between the American software companies we were showcasing, and Italian companies interested in adapting their products for the Italian market.

I found it extremely valuable to have had language-speaking experience in a business context, simply because speaking Italian in a work setting provided an interesting change from speaking it at school, in bars, or with the host family I stayed with. I firmly believe that students abroad must take advantage of as many different opportunities and contexts to speak the language and familiarize themselves with the culture as they can, and I felt that my internship at the Consulate enhanced my ability to do just that.

The internship required job skills that I will use no matter what career I choose: I updated the CMS database, did research online and in published texts for inquisitive companies, and wrote several reports and cover letters for the events we organized. So even though I probably won't go into international trade, I have polished my basic job skills and am glad to have a new understanding of how Italian business works.

I think it would be great if we could create more internships for students abroad. I know that many students in Italy were interested, but there were only a few options available. Exposure to a work environment allowed me to experience an entirely different realm of Florentine culture, an opportunity I think more students should have.