AIFS Study Abroad
Programs and Reviews

AIFS study abroad programs

Founded in 1964, AIFS prides itself as an industry leader in providing summer, semester, and academic year study abroad programs. AIFS sends nearly 5,000 undergraduates every month to study abroad in one of 23 AIFS international campuses.
Programs are available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, 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

The London Eye Pod
United Kingdom
Spend your semester, summer, or entire school year in the heart of London! AIFS has teamed with Richmond, American International University in London to provide you with the ideal mix of bustling metropolis and a well-supported...
95
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
3
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an alumni interview.
96% Rating
»
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Study with AIFS in Florence
Italy
Florence has inspired artists for generations with its meandering rivers and pastoral greenery. It serves as the perfect backdrop for reading great literature and pursuing academic journals, both of which you can do while studying...
96
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
3
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an alumni interview.
96% Rating
»
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Study in Granada, Spain with AIFS
Spain
Come spend a summer, semester, or entire academic year in Granada, Spain! AIFS offers this amazing opportunity to study abroad at the University of Granada, situated between the Mediterranean Coast and Sierra Nevada. Study in a wide...
98
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
98
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
2
This listing has
an alumni interview.
96% Rating
»
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Brette with other AIFS Students -Check out her interview!
Austria
This program is ideal whether you're looking to become more fluent in the German language or looking for an elegant European city as a backdrop for your summer, semester or academic year study abroad experience. No previous German...
95
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
95
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
5
This listing has
an alumni interview.
97% Rating
»
Rate This Program!
AIFS Students in Italy
Italy
Study abroad in Rome, Italy with AIFS as your guide. Explore the history, culture and architecture of this 3000 year old city. Places like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums are waiting for you...
96
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
96
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
4
This listing has
an alumni interview.
98% Rating
»
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Plaza Mayor at Night
Spain
Known as the "Oxford of the Spanish World," the University of Salamanca will make any student's decision to study abroad in Spain a fulfilling one. AIFS has ensured that all college undergraduates with a GPA of at least 2.5 have the...
95
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
3
This listing has
an alumni interview.
96% Rating
»
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Stellenbosch University Campus
South Africa
Come study in Stellenbosch, South Africa with this AIFS program! Students can spend a summer, semester or academic year taking classes in English at Stellenbosch University in a variety of subject areas. Accommodations are in student...
4
This listing has
an alumni interview.
92% Rating
»
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The Old Town
Czech Republic
You will spend a summer, semester or academic year in Prague, studying at Charles University. Choose from a wide variety of courses taught in English such as art and culture, Czech language, economics, film studies, history,...
100
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
3
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an alumni interview.
97% Rating
»
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Study in Limerick with AIFS
Ireland
The Irish city of Limerick will have you singing its praise in just a few days. Don't believe it? Study abroad in Ireland with AIFS and see for yourself. A popular tourist destination for Americans and Europeans, the third largest...
96
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
96
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
2
This listing has
an alumni interview.
97% Rating
»
Rate This Program!
Study in Grenoble
France
Next semester, take a break from the mid-college monotony and study abroad in France with AIFS instead! Enjoy the crisp mountain air of Grenoble, home of the 1968 Winter Olympics, and the beautiful scenery that abounds the area. In...
98
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
3
This listing has
an alumni interview.
97% Rating
»
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AIFS students standing in front of Catherine's Palace
Russia
Sign up with AIFS to study in the most European Russian City- St. Petersburg. Summer, semester and academic year terms are available at St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University. Courses are taught in English in a number of subject...
98
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rated awesomely fun!
100
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
1
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an alumni interview.
100% Rating
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Check out Sarah's interview!
Fiji
Earn up to 15 credits through a wide variety of courses studying at Murdoch University in the beautiful coastal city of Perth. Live in a university apartment, just a few minutes' walk from both the center of campus and the white sandy...
98
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rated awesomely fun!
2
This listing has
an alumni interview.
88% Rating
»
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AIFS Students in Cannes
France
Sipping martinis on the French Riviera and strolling past street-side masterpieces, this French study abroad experience will seem more like a luxury vacation than an intensive summer, semester, or year of study abroad! Nevertheless,...
96
This program has been
rated highly supportive!
1
This listing has
an alumni interview.
92% Rating
»
Rate This Program!
AIFS Semester Abroad in Paris, France
France
Spend an amazing semester studying abroad at the Cours de Civilisation Francaise de la Sorbonne, University of Paris IV or the Catholic University of Paris with AIFS! In between classes you can look forward to enjoying cafes and...
96
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rated awesomely fun!
94% Rating
»
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Study Abroad in Costa Rica with AIFS
Costa Rica
This program is ideal for students whether you are looking to become more fluent in the Spanish language or looking to spend a summer, semester, or academic year abroad enjoying the benefits of a big city while being within reach of...
96
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
3
This listing has
an alumni interview.
96% Rating
»
Rate This Program!

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Reviews

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Overall Rating

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2 of 7 people found this review helpful
Amazing Experience in Salzburg

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.

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Submitted by wanderlust24 on 02/02/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   West Chester, PA    |    Novice Traveler    |    West Chester University of Pennsylvania   

80%

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4 of 13 people found this review helpful
A Worthwhile Experience

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.

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Submitted by mce on 01/24/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Boston, MA    |    Novice Traveler    |    Emerson College   

90%

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5 of 11 people found this review helpful
Salamanca, Spain

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.

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Submitted by sally on 01/14/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Colorado    |    Experienced Traveler    |      

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4 of 11 people found this review helpful
Once in a lifetime experience

There was nothing like waking up everyday and just wandering the city and taking it all in. The local food was amazing and I recommend going in to any restaurant to try something new everyday.

Critical Feedback:

No complaints

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Submitted by dp on 01/14/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Middletown, NJ    |    Experienced Traveler    |    University of Rhode Island   

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123 of 214 people found this review helpful
Salamanca; My New Home

In the morning I would wake up to Nutella and toast with juice that my senora had left out. I would then go to classes with students from all over the world. My teachers were great and loved hearing about all of our experiences in Europe. At 2pm it was lunch time! Lunch is the biggest meal in Spain and we had delicious food. After lunch I took a traditional siesta and then went to another class. I did not have afternoon classes on Wednesdays so I would go to teach 5 and 6 year olds English. After dinner at 9:30pm I would get ready and go to the plaza to meet friends at midnight. We would hangout for awhile and then venture on to the bars to experience the nightlife. The next day my senora would ask me all about my night and we would laugh about what had happened.
Whenever I left for trips on the weekends my senora would give me a doblebeso goodbye and also give me a bocadilla for the trip. When I returned home she got so happy and we would immediately sit down and rehash my trip and see what things we both had did at that city!
The only thing that was difficult was the two hour ride to the airport for trips but it was fun with friends and my senora packed me snacks!

Critical Feedback:

I would change the roommate selection process and try to match them better. We had some roommates who loved each other but in my case my roommate was the complete opposite of me and I did not get along with her.

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Submitted by HaleyF on 08/26/2012
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Tuscaloosa, AL    |    Experienced Traveler    |    University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa   

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 - AIFS Study Abroad

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.

Media

AIFS in Australia
AIFS in Ireland
AIFS in Costa Rica
AIFS in Italy
AIFS in Spain
AIFS in South Africa