At The American University of Rome, experiential learning is not an add-on to the academic experience. It is a core part of how students learn, grow, and prepare for life beyond the classroom. Each year, AUR students step into professional environments across Rome, Italy, and Europe, applying theory to practice and gaining first-hand insight into the fields they hope to shape.
Recent internship experiences across politics, diplomacy, trade, culture, and the creative industries demonstrate the breadth and depth of these opportunities, and the lasting impact they have on students’ academic and personal development.
At the Heart of European Decision-Making
For International Relations & Global Politics student Sofia Foscarini, an internship in the office of Hon. Chiara Gemma at the European Parliament offered rare access to the inner workings of European governance. Working closely with parliamentary staff, Sofia supported committee activities, voting preparations, legislative dossiers, and policy briefings.
Observing how “ideas, documents, and meetings are transformed into decisions that influence millions of citizens,” she describes the experience as both professionally demanding and personally formative. Each day brought new responsibilities, from legislative analysis to stakeholder meetings and voting sessions, revealing the scale of collaboration behind public decision-making. The experience ultimately helped Sofia clarify her academic path, strengthening her ambition to pursue graduate study in European Policy and Government.
Diplomacy in Practice at the Embassy of Kazakhstan
Alua Kargabayeva, also an International Relations & Global Politics student, took on a high-responsibility role at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Italy, where she served as an Embassy Assistant and Translator. Based at the Embassy, Alua supported diplomatic and consular operations during a critical period, answering calls in four languages, translating during official meetings, assisting with events, and supporting daily embassy functions.
The role required adaptability, discretion, and strong communication skills, qualities Alua brought to the position with notable success. Her supervisors praised her performance, even offering her a full-time role! While the experience confirmed her aptitude for government service, it also helped her refine her longer-term interests toward academia and NGO work, underscoring the value of internships not only in building skills, but in shaping career clarity.
Understanding Global Trade from the Inside
Emanuele Bruno Sequi, another International Relations and Global Politics student, completed his internship with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), one of Italy’s key institutions for promoting international trade and investment. Working within an organization that operates at the intersection of diplomacy, economics, and market intelligence, Emanuele gained exposure to the strategies behind the global promotion of the Made in Italy brand.
With offices in over sixty countries, ICE supports Italian companies across sectors ranging from fashion and agri-food to machinery and technology. Emanuele’s experience went well beyond observation. He contributed to active projects, engaged with professionals across institutions, and developed a deeper understanding of how data, communication, and strategy converge to support Italy’s international economic presence. The internship offered a concrete introduction to the realities of global trade and public-sector collaboration.
Preserving Cultural Memory at the American Academy in Rome
For Interdisciplinary Studies student Philip Meany, experiential learning took the form of archival work at the American Academy in Rome (AAR). As an Archival Assistant in the Academy’s photo archive, Philip worked alongside professional archivists to preserve and conserve materials documenting over a century of artistic and scholarly life.
Through hands-on training, he developed technical archival skills while also engaging deeply with the institutional history captured in the collection. From early 20th-century fellows to moments of war, creativity, and daily life at the Academy, the archive offered a unique perspective on continuity, memory, and cultural legacy. The experience exemplified how internships in the humanities can be both technically rigorous and intellectually transformative.
Creative Industry Experience in Rome’s Design Sector
Film student Octavia Deshotel spent her summer as a Video Production Intern at Rome Design Agency, a creative consulting studio founded by Claudia Palmira. Working within a multidisciplinary team, Octavia contributed to video production, post-production for social media content, behind-the-scenes filming, and broader marketing strategy development.
Collaborating with designers, videographers, and creative directors, she developed practical skills that directly support her career ambitions, while also gaining exposure to alternative creative pathways within the industry. The experience not only strengthened her technical abilities but broadened her understanding of how creative work functions within branding and consulting contexts.
From Here, Experience Becomes Opportunity
Across sectors and disciplines, these internships reflect AUR’s commitment to experiential learning that is rigorous, reflective, and professionally relevant. By working with institutions such as the European Parliament, national embassies, government agencies, cultural organizations, and creative studios, AUR students gain more than résumé experience. They develop confidence, clarity, and a deeper understanding of how their studies translate into real-world impact.
With Rome as their classroom and Europe as their laboratory, AUR students do not wait until graduation to begin engaging with the world. They learn by doing, and in the process, begin shaping the futures they aspire to lead.