Rose Brookhart’s internship in Florence was a transformative experience, fostering personal and academic growth while exploring the city’s cultural heritage.
FLORENCE, Italy — During the summer of 2023, Bowling Green State University’s Rose Brookhart took advantage of an exciting and new intern abroad opportunity available through ISI Florence in Italy — guiding tours of the renowned Santo Spirito Church. This magnificent church not only houses precious artwork but also combines stunning architecture, sculptures, and paintings to create a truly unique and culturally rich environment. The internship aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of one of Florence’s most important landmarks, the Oltrarno, and develop their skills in leading art history tours.
Passionate about her major in Art History and minor in Nonprofit Administration, Rose was eager to join ISI Florence from May through July. As the first intern at Santo Spirito, her reflections offer unique insight into the kinds of opportunities available in Florence. The team at ISI Florence recently interviewed Rose and invites you to continue reading to discover more!
We asked Rose to describe her role and responsibilities as an intern at the Church of Santo Spirito in Florence and if she had been involved in specific tasks and projects. “During the ten-week internship at the Church of Santo Spirito, I invested time in understanding the history of the Church and its rich connections to the exciting chronology of Florence and the Renaissance. Ultimately, my goal during this internship was to share the story of the Church of Santo Spirito with English-speaking tourists. My task is not only to illustrate to each guest that the Church and artwork housed within it are truly jewels of the Renaissance, but also to communicate the historic, artistic, and societal impact of the Augustinian Order, the complex of Santo Spirito, and the masterpieces inside which together showcase over three centuries of changing artistic style in Florence. My responsibility is to emphasize the connection between the Church, its artwork, and the history of not just Florence, but throughout Europe. In addition to interacting with guests and sharing these stories, I have worked alongside professionals at the Church Santo Spirito to assist in publishing an English version of the Church’s website.”
Rose told us about the experiential value of her internship and how it has contributed to her personal and academic development. “There aren’t words to truly encapsulate how this internship has enriched my life as a student, an art historian, and as a human being. The opportunity to intimately study a history as rich as the Church of Santo Spirito and develop a narrative to share with visitors who may only be in the Church for a short time has impactfully increased my own passion for art history. While I am a student residing in Florence for the summer on a different adventure than many tourists, engaging with visitors who travel to Italy from different destinations and backgrounds is an incredibly exciting addition to my own time abroad. My own ability to share and connect with visitors and the community around the Church of Santo Spirito has been an amazing source of personal respect and opened my mind in a truly inimitable way.”
During our conversation with Rose, she elaborated on the logistics of managing her internship and the support given. “During this internship, I was supported by people who truly demonstrated exquisite kindness, both at the International Studies Institute (ISI) and the Church of Santo Spirito. At ISI, my advisor Stefano Corrazini, Community Engagement Coordinator Serena Giorgi, and each of the sensational staff members created an encouraging atmosphere where I could dedicate myself to this internship, classes at ISI, all while making the most of my summer abroad. At the Church of Santo Spirito, Padre Giuseppe and each of the devoted employees have welcomed me as a member of a team and shared with me their extensive knowledge of the Church of Santo Spirito.”
Finally, we asked Rose if she would recommend this internship to prospective students. “Absolutely. As a student of art history, this internship has been a dream and has made my summer in Florence an experience like no other. The community surrounding me during these ten weeks has left a positive personal and professional impact which I will certainly cherish beyond my time as a student. I have an invaluable perspective on the city of Florence and its history because of this internship.”
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The internship at the Church of Santo Spirito offers a unique and enriching opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich artistic and historical tapestry of Florence. Through this internship, students can develop their knowledge and skills while connecting with a diverse range of visitors and contributing to the preservation and promotion of Florence’s cultural heritage.
To learn more about Practicums and Internships offered at ISI Florence, visit our dedicated webpage.