Italian Language & Internship
INTENSIVE ITALIAN AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
This unique program offers students the possibility to combine language study and acquire professional experience through an internship or community service project.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
All students enrolled in the program must complete two 3-week sessions of intense language study before starting their internship. Participating students must achieve the Intermediate III (B2) level of Italian in order to effectively participate in the internship program. Students who are absolute beginners may need to either take an additional session or supplement their courses with private instruction in order to reach the required level. Students who may be near or at the required level are required to complete the two sessions of language instruction prior to starting the internship. Students will also have a partial meal plan at Ganzo Cultural and Gastronomic Association that they can use at their discretion during their course. (see program details)
Session 1: Three week intensive Italian language program.
Please note that there may be a week gap between sessions depending on the date(s) selected.
Session 2: three week intensive Italian language program.
Internship Program: Four weeks
Students will be placed in a professional internship in Florence for 20 hours per week. (This is the maximum number of hours that a student may intern per week under Italian law).
During the internship program students will meet once a week with their Internship Coordinator.
In addition, they will continue private instruction in Italian for a total of ten hours. Private instruction will be scheduled according to the student’s internship commitment.
PROGRAM DETAILS
This program consists of three sessions (nine weeks) of language study followed by an initial one month internship, community service or volunteer position (which may be extended). This program includes the following:
72 classroom hours of language instruction.
18 hours of required lectures on Italian culture, history and current events, cinema, etc)
18 hours of required time in the Italian language and media laboratory.
Opportunity to participate in over 130+ hours of cultural and sporting activities.
One 2-hour cooking/language labs.
All required textbooks and materials for the successful completion of the course.
Gym membership for the duration of the course.
One month internship, community service, volunteer position. Italian law mandates a maximum workload of 20 hours per week.*
Ten hours of private tutoring of Italian language for each month of the internship period. Scheduling of individual session will depend on student internship obligations. Students will not receive credit or refunds for missed tutoring sessions.
Weekly meetings during the internship with their Internship Coordinator who will monitor student progress throughout the internship and also serve as a mentor.
Students will receive a written evaluation upon of their internship performance completed by their host organization and the Internship coordinator.
Assistance in obtaining a student visa. (link to student visa)
*In order to begin the internship, participants must have reached the fourth level of Italian, Intermediate III.
The course meets on the following days and times:
Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 (12 contact hours per week)
Mondays 12:00 – 14:30 (weekly) Contemporary Italy lecture series
Tuesdays 12:00 - 14:30 (weekly) Italian Cinema
The first Thursday of the session 18:00 PM - 20:00 - one 2-hour cooking and language class.
Students are expected to complete at least three hours per week in the language lab.
The days and times of the internship will be determined during the course.
PROGRAM OUTLINE:
Week 1 – 3: Italian language session 1*
Week 4 – 6: Italian language session 2*
Week 7 – 10: Internship
* please note that there may be a break in between language sessions depending upon the enrollment date, thus the program could be 11 or 12 weeks in total.
PROGRAM COSTS:
Total Cost for tuition and internship program: € 1,500.00
Total cost for tuition, internship program, housing (shared rooms), and meal plan*:
€ 3,600.00, add € 590.00 for housing in single rooms.
Meal Plan at Ganzo Cultural and Gastronomic Association. Students will be given a total of 15 meal vouchers that can be used for lunch or dinner. Students may purchase additional vouchers.
Language Study Extension
Students who need more language study in order to reach a sufficient level of Italian in order to successfully complete their internship may add a session for € 350.00. (cost per each additional three week Italian language session)
Internship Extension
Students may be able to extend their internship. This depends on the student’s visa and internship. Students would still be required to attend private tutoring sessions as well as regularly meet with their internship coordinator.
Please note that there may be a one week gap between courses and thus an additional week of accommodation must be arranged.
Due to the Internship, Community and Volunteer service component of this program students must have a valid student visa (link to Student Visa) or have the right to work in the European Union. If you are in doubt of your status, please contact us.