AIFS Study Abroad
Programs and Reviews
Since 1964, over 1.5 million students have traveled abroad with AIFS. With more than 45 years of experience, we have the resources and experience to provide what our students want and need in a study abroad program, and to safeguard their welfare around the globe. Our program fee is all-inclusive, making it simple for you to study abroad and experience all that the world has to offer.
Programs are available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, as well as multi-country programs. AIFS offers Gap Year programs, along with internships and volunteer opportunities abroad. With locations throughout the world, AIFS College Study Abroad is able to offers high-quality, college-level courses in subject areas as diverse as Islamic Studies, French Cinema, business and engineering.
Programs Abroad
Reviews
90%Overall
Rating
90%Overall
Rating
Whenever people ask me where I studied abroad in Spain, it always saddens me that most have never heard of the wonderful city of Salamanca. The experience I had in Salamanca with AIFS was amazing. The staff from AIFS are warm and always keeping you up to date on what's going on. I highly recommend taking the AIFS only classes at the university, especially the writing course, because I found them more challenging and rewarding than the regular classes the university offered. The town itself is wonderful, very easy to navigate and has lots to explore. I stayed at a homestay and loved my senora immensely, I grew close to her wonderful family who visited every weekend and she cooked amazing food! I really liked that there were so many excursions already included in our AIFS package, because I didn't have the resources to travel as much as others did on the weekends. Another thing I recommend is to take the opportunity to get involved with the people in Salamanca, for example with the help of the AIFS staff I joined a local church choir and also volunteered at a school nearby twice a day. I also used a recommended website from the staff to arrange intercambios with local Spanish students-it's totally terrifying at first, but really worth the extra practice! Ultimately, this experience was really worth it and I highly recommend it.
Critical Feedback:
Some of the classes were not as challenging as I would have hoped, so if you want more advanced classes I suggest doing the AIFS only classes and considering the option of doing classes with Spaniards.
I also wish the roommate process was a little bit more detailed, I didn't end up enjoying my roommate very much but luckily I enjoyed my homestay hostess.
100%Overall
Rating
The excursions were a great part of the experience with being able to hike Hohenwerfen, and to visit Munich, Vienna, and Innsbruck. The cultural excursions were a nice touch as well such as the sausage stand scavenger hunt, or the trip to the Christkindlmarkt. The housing accommodations in Salzburg are all great, especially the St. Sebastian Institute because it is situated within the city. I loved attending the University of Salzburg and enjoyed all of my classes. The course load is just enough that you can fulfill school requirements and still be able to enjoy your time in Salzburg. I would highly recommend this program especially because the AIFS Salzburg staff is amazing and supportive of their program members.
Critical Feedback:
I can't think of anything.
80%Overall
Rating
My time in Florence was one of the best times of my life. While it was there, at times it was hard to see how amazing it was because I was preoccupied with worrying about things happening back home. But in the end, I realized how incredible the experience really was. Living in the city and experiencing the Italian way of life was something that most people never get to do, and something I will probably never get to do again. I discovered some of my favorite foods and restaurants during my time abroad, and made some lifelong friends who I shared unrepeatable experiences with.
Critical Feedback:
Some of the classes felt a little like a waste of time. They were incredibly easy, which is maybe expected for a study abroad program, but I felt like the teachers could have put more stock in what they were teaching. The Italian language class was the only class I really felt like I learned something valuable from.
90%Overall
Rating
I loved my Spanish professor, I loved spending time with my new friends in the Plaza Mayor, and I loved getting to see more of Spain and Portugal! Salamanca is full of things to love.
Alumni Interviews
Staff Interview
Andrew (Senior Content Editor at Go Overseas) recently "sat down" with Paul Watson from AIFS Study Abroad to learn more about this great organization. Paul has been working in international education for over 24 years and we're excited to share some of his expertise with our community.
Let's start with a brief introduction. What is your position at AIFS and what has been your career path so far?
Paul Watson: My position is Senior Vice President and Executive Director of AIFS Study Abroad. I have been in this position for almost six years. Prior to coming to AIFS for 18 years I was Director of Enrollment Management at the Institute for Shipboard Education, which operates the Semester at Sea program. I began my career working at the University of Pittsburgh in Student Registration and Financial Services. So, my career has been exclusively in higher education, and obviously international education/study abroad.
Did you study abroad? If so, where and what impact did this have on your personal and/or professional development?
P: I did. I studied abroad for a year in Kobe, Japan. It had a profound impact on my personal and professional development. It was no doubt the most academically rewarding experience of my undergraduate education, and it led me to ultimately choose international higher education as a career. I went there to study Japanese language and business, thinking it would lead to me to international banking or business of some kind, but I quickly realized how much I enjoyed being involved in higher education.
AIFS was founded in 1964 making it one of the oldest study abroad organizations in the world. How has AIFS evolved from its early beginnings and how do you stay relevant in an increasingly competitive industry?
P: Having only been part of AIFS for a short period in its history I have not witnessed firsthando its evolution. However, I think the organization first and foremost has stayed true to its core principles: To offer the highest quality academic and experiential programs, proving students with everything they need in order to maximize the learning opportunity that study abroad affords. AIFS has continued to offer strong programming in the traditional study abroad destinations, while at the same time have expanded program offerings to meet the needs of students looking to opportunities outside the more traditional locations. I believe we have sought to meet the changing needs of our partner institutions in the US who are very involved in the administration of study abroad on their respective campuses.
At Go Overseas we're all about reviews. On what basis do you think study abroad programs should be assessed to properly reflect their overall value?
P: Not an easy question. There are many things that can be considered. Being tried and true - having a long history of successful delivery of study abroad programming, should be considered. Wide acceptance by colleges and universities is a factor as well. AIFS has over 300 affiliated institutions and additionally receive students from many more schools. The reputation of an organizations partners abroad and the quality of the programs offered are important. Experience and level of service provided by on site staff (Resident Directors) is key. Student satisfaction; parent satisfaction; What is included in the program/fee are valid metrics. Price can be misleading. A lower priced program may not actually turn out to be a lower cost program for the student depending on what out of pocket expenses they have to incur. The level and quality of support that is provided to students applying to and preparing for study abroad is a factor as well.
What do students look for in a study abroad program these days and how does AIFS address these needs?
P: Students have diverse interests and needs and not all are looking for the same thing. We focus on high quality academic experiences; all inclusive programming; high level student/customer support; health and safety.
How many students does AIFS send abroad each year? Which destination is the most popular?
P: Upwards of 5000 including our customized, faculty-led programming. Europe continues to draw the most with Italy and the UK attracting larger groups than other destinations. However, programs in Russia, Czech Republic, South Africa and India, among others, which offer something a little different, are growing as well.
What does the future hold for AIFS?
P: We will continue to look for new opportunities destinations and academic programming that help to draw students from diverse interests and majors to study abroad. Hopefully study abroad will continue to grow. It remains the exception rather than the norm with only a small percentage of students deciding to include a study abroad experience as a part of their undergraduate education. In an increasingly interdependent world, students need to have the skills to thrive in a global environment. Study abroad is one way to help develop those skills.
Famous last words?
P: Not mine, but attributed to Mark Twain. As I said above, study abroad is one of the things that many students intend to do but for myriad reasons most ultimately do not.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.
In my view, there will never be a better time for a young person to experience the world, and study abroad will have a lasting and often life-changing impact.








































I was enrolled in the internship program where I worked at a UK company. It was an awesome experience and really makes my resume stand out.
The only downside was the one actual class I did take from the school. But, if you enjoy writing 3,000 word essays than this is your university!
This was by far the best semester of college, and I didn't want to go back home! I definitely recommend studying abroad, you won't regret it!