AIFS Abroad

AIFS Abroad

Why choose AIFS Abroad?

AIFS Abroad is a leading provider of study abroad programs. Since 1964, more than 1.5 million students have traveled abroad with AIFS Abroad. Comprehensive program fees make it convenient for students to study abroad and intern abroad to experience all that the world has to offer.

Celebrating 60 years of service in 2024, AIFS Abroad has the resources and experience to provide what students want and need in a study or internship abroad program combined with the institutional strength to safeguard their welfare around the globe. Unlike many other study or internship abroad programs or independent study options, AIFS Abroad program fees are guaranteed in U.S. dollars.

AIFS Abroad offers a wide range of unique programs in Asia, Australia, Europe, South Africa and the Americas. AIFS Abroad campuses typically offer courses in English and/or in foreign languages from beginner to advanced levels, so you don’t even need to know a foreign language to have the opportunity to go abroad.

Scholarships

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AIFS Study Abroad Scholarships, Grants & Financial Support

We believe a study abroad experience is an essential component of well-rounded university education and we are committed to providing financial assistance to as many students as possible in support of their goal to study abroad. AIFS also offers internship and study abroad + internship blended programs to support the development of personal and professional skills.

Value
$500 - $5,000

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

At AIFS Abroad, we want to support all participants in their study/internship abroad journey, inclusive of gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Everyone has a complex identity, and faith, spirituality, and religion are important factors when deciding on a program location.

LGBTQIA+ Support

At AIFS Abroad, we want to support all participants in their study/internship abroad journey, inclusive of gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Everyone has a complex identity, and faith, spirituality, and religion are important factors when deciding on a program location.

Accessibility Support

Everyone’s experience is unique. We recognize the location you choose can have an impact on your sense of belonging. We encourage you to use the information below as you review your options to select the program and location that will be the best choice for you. If you do not hold the identities that are amplified here, this information is still a great resource for you as well. It will give you a better understanding of those who have this identity.

Impact

Sustainability

In response to the overwhelming global climate crisis, AIFS Abroad is pleased to make Sustainability a key priority when considering organizational, operational, and programming decisions. We understand that the only way to effectively combat this crisis and mitigate the effects of climate change is to drastically reduce our environmental impact. Therefore, AIFS Abroad has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2025. AIFS Abroad is proud to announce we have signed the CANIE Accord, becoming the first US provider to make this commitment.

Reviews

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Abigail
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Opportunity

This was one of the best opportunities I have ever participated in. I was a bit nervous because it was my first time traveling abroad alone, but since I opted into AIFS booking my travel, the AIFS program did a super job coordinating everything. The orientation set up expectations and helped me get over my second anxiety, public transport. Getting around independently becomes a breeze once it is explained to you and they give you the resources.

The class I took while I was there was very engaging, and the teacher took a real interest in our interests and learning. She wanted to make sure we had the best opportunity in Berlin while getting the most out of our learning experience.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would look a little more into what I wanted to do while I was there ahead of time. I had a list of things I wanted to do, but I knocked most out in one weekend. I would make a list and tier it. Things I absolutely want to do, things I want to do, and things that if I have time would be cool, but I don' ABSOLUTELY need to see.
Pros
  • The residence are very nice
  • Public transport makes traveling around the city very convenient
Cons
  • In January is does rain quite a bit
  • It's harder to find gluten-free food if you have an allergy or celiac than other places I have traveled
Default avatar
Julian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Berlin January 2024 Term

Berlin was great! I really enjoyed how welcoming the staff were and how engaging the classes were. I participated in two classes during my time at Humboldt Universität. I took a German language course and an Economic Urban Development course. The professors were very engaging and directions for completing in-class tasks/assignments were crystal clear. In addition, the excursions planned by AIFS were entertaining, engaging, and very informative! I would definitely recommend! One more thing, please check the restroom and shower to make sure everything is in good condition. My shower drain was clogged and it would result in water oozing towards the kitchen area. Nonetheless, AIFS fixed this problem and the rest of the program was great!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I did during my time in Germany was actually having to speak German. This was very surprising because most people spoke German however after one of my courses, my classmates sat down in a classroom and the waiter spoke very little English. I'm very proud to say that with the German I learned and some Duolingo, I was able to effectively communicate to the waiter my order, asking for the check, and asking for directions.
Pros
  • Welcoming staff
  • Excursions were entertaining
Cons
  • Housekeeping issues - My room had a clogged drain and resulted in a flood that extended into the kitchen
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Gabriel-James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AIFS Salamanca: My Favorite Semester of College

My semester in Salamanca was one of the best times of my life. It was a peaceful and fun time that created life-long memories and friends.

My international business classes were interesting, my professors were great, the city is beautiful, its people are very friendly, the food was delicious, and the night-life was fun. I still miss walking around that city to this.

Overall, I recommend a semester with AIFS Salamanca to anyone at all interested in experiencing Spanish culture in a beautiful walkable city or looking to learn international business in a foreign country.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
In short, be "simpatico". Experience the city. Do not feel restricted to your residence. The best of Salamanca comes from its historic and beautiful streets and architecture, its fun college nightlife, and its friendly people. None of these can be truly experienced without going-out, walking around, and embracing the Spanish culture.
Pros
  • Fun night-life scene
  • Made life-long friends
  • Learned about International Business with great professors
Cons
  • Slow support response time
  • Delay in receiving semester transcript
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Cat
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Semester of My Life

The AIFS Spring 2023 Program in Granada was one to remember. AIFS staff was helpful every step of the way, from picking us up from the airport to getting us settled in our accommodation. They also planned a variety of trips and cultural activities for us to learn more about the rich culture and history of Spain. Classes were a perfect level of challenging but not stressful. You will be placed according to your level and will learn a lot, but there will not be a whole lot of homework. Knowledge of Spanish is not required but be prepared to learn a lot. This program is for anyone who wants to learn a lot and have tons of fun!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The Semana Santa (Easter Week) Processions were very interesting. They were unlike anything I'd ever seen before
Default avatar
Lindsey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sevilla Fall 2023

I spent the fall 2023 semester in Sevilla through AIFS and I loved it! AIFS, specifically our resident director, Edu, really made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Edu has a ton of experience, is super helpful, and very cool. He went the extra mile to make sure all of us were set up for success. Even small things like showing us where our classes were made a huge difference and were things that students from other programs didn't benefit from. Some of my favorite moments were the activities that AIFS organized, including a paella cooking class and a flamenco class. I also loved how easy it was to travel through Europe from Sevilla. Something that took some getting used to was how hot the weather was through October, but it was worth it having 60-70 degree weather in December! If you're thinking about studying abroad in Sevilla with AIFS, I would totally recommend it. Make sure you keep an open mind, try new things, and put yourself outside of your comfort zone. AIFS was there for me every step of the way and I would recommend them for anybody interested in studying abroad, especially in Sevilla!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
It's good to book weekend travel ahead of time, but also make sure you leave some open weekends for when you meet friends and want to plan trips with them.

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I joined this program for a billion reasons but for the sake of the people reading this I’ll try to shorten it down. After traveling to Spain on a family trip over the summer, I developed the travel bug. No one in my family had ever studied abroad but I couldn’t find a reason not too. Besides traveling, making new friends, and living my life to the fullest...I’ll be attending grad school in a year and they rank international work very high. Just a little added bonus :)

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Salisbury University does a fantastic job taking most of the organization out of my hands. My only tasks consisted of getting a few forms signed, a few phone calls with the global experiences team (resume prep, skill building, etc.), and then completing an interview for my internship. The school was very supportive and made sure I was on top of my tasks. They were always there to answer my questions and put me at ease.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I have 2 big pieces of advice
1. SAY YES TO EVERYTHING! Even if something isn’t up your alley, try something new. That being said, try to cross one big thing of your To Do list every week. Also, download the “Pin Drop” app. It marks everything you want to do on a map. SUPER CONVENIENT!
2. Don’t except an internship if it’s not exactly what you’re looking for. I personally loved my internship but one of my roommates didn’t step up and say that she didn’t like the internship they lined up for her. This program is extremely accommodating and will find an internship you’ll love. They’re really big on having a 10 out of 10 experience.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

My internship was very different in hours compared to everyone else. Most internships are 9-5 from Monday-Friday. Most days after work, I’d try to get together with the other people in the program and grab dinner or do a small activity. On the weekends I always tried to do something BIG. By doing this, I crossed off everything on my list!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was actually commuting to my job. I found out a month before going to Australia that my internship was 2 hours away by transit (most are local). I didn’t find out until the week before I got to Australia (when my boss emailed me) that she picks me up and drops me off from work 3 days of the week. Global experiences knew this too but I didn’t ask. I simply uberpooled (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) the other days. Most of the time I saved 50% off my Uber fee and they didn't pick anyone else up. I realized that commuting to work wasn’t even worth fearing. If you’re uneasy about something, talk to the global experiences staff or email your employer.

What were your favorite things you did in Australia?

-Camping in the Blue Mountains
-Figure 8 Pools
-Sydney Bridge Climb
-Great Barrier Reef (a little piece of advice, you’ll want 3-4 days here at least!)
-Melbourne Cup in Melbourne!
-Glow worm caves
-Holding a Koala and Feeding Kangaroos at the Gold Coast
-Grounds of Alexandria
-Wine tasting in Hunter Valley
-Chinese Garden of Friendship

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Lydia Theologus

Lydia spent her senior year of college interning abroad in Florence, Italy for a Tuscan Wine Touring company. After graduating, she wanted to help other young professionals have the same life-changing experiences. At GE, Lydia's favorite job tasks are showcasing their interns' amazing experiences abroad on their platforms.
Lydia Theologus

What is your favorite travel memory?

When thinking of my favorite travel memories, an array of breathtaking new sights, laughter, stepping out of my comfort zone, and spending time with unforgettable people flashes through my mind. One memory that combines all four aspects was during my time interning abroad in Florence, Italy.

My roommates and I took a day trip to visit Cinque Terre, the string of centuries-old villages on the Italian Riviera coastline. After exploring Riomaggiore (picture the famous shot of colorful houses on a seaside cliff), the beach town of Monterosso al Mare was next on our list. The furthest villages away from each other, there were two options for methods of transportation: the train, or a strenuous 7.5 mile hike that could take up to 5 hours. While most of the group opted for the train, my roommate from Amsterdam was feeling adventurous and asked me to join her in the hike.

Together, we braved through climbing, descending, narrow passages, and steep, uneven stone steps. Though it was exhausting, the trek was well worth it as we discovered incredible views of the coast, lush olive groves, and exotic plants and flowers.

My favorite part was coming across a quaint stand selling limoncello during one of the descents, manned by a sweet old Italian man. While I may have regretted thinking that taking a limoncello shot in the middle of a 5-hour hike would be refreshing, I’ll never regret that I said yes to a new adventure that would turn into a cherished memory.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I started working at Global Experiences fresh out of college, eager to learn and take on responsibilities. While I've gained technical skills such as learning how to code and Photoshop, I've also learned valuable soft skills that I'll have with me for the years to come. I've gained organizational skills and become more confident in my decision making. Through being welcomed to give new ideas and input, my creativity has also been able to grow.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I'm lucky to be able to work with many of our alumni and interns while they're abroad and capturing their stories and experiences. I get to hear a lot of awesome perks that our interns receive from working hard at their internships, but my favorite was when our Barcelona Fashion Business intern, Olivia V., attended the 080 Barcelona Fashion Show for work. She was interviewed by Elle Magazine, and was featured on their next issue!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

This question is perfect for me because I have gone on one of GE's internship abroad programs!

Fall of my senior year, I had a marketing internship abroad in Florence, Italy for 3 months. Studying abroad in Italy had always been a dream of mine, and Florence seemed like the perfect choice for many reasons. I wanted to experience a different culture, and knew that Florence had so much art, history and architecture to offer for me to learn and explore. For my first time living abroad, I wanted to live somewhere that was easy to get around in, yet was also an easy gateway to explore the rest of the country and Europe. The language barrier did not bother me either because I heard that Italians were friendly and just appreciated you trying to speak their language.

Upon arriving, these reasons proved to be right on all accounts. Interning in Florence, Italy was everything that I could have dreamed of and more!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I find Global Experiences to be unique because of how passionate every member of our team is about our mission. We've all had life-changing experiences abroad, and want to help young professionals gain a worldly perspective while enhancing their career path. We truly care about every single intern that goes through our program and are dedicated to finding the best possible match for them from pre-departure to when they're on the ground. I felt that myself as I was going through the Florence program, and was confirmed once I started working behind the scenes at GE.

I was especially proud of my team when we pledged to donate $20,000 every year in scholarships to interns. We want to make this experience accessible to as many students as possible, and to make this official was really exciting.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe that the biggest factor in being a successful company is to value your customers and always put their best interests first. It's important to ask for their feedback, listen, and act on it. No one knows their customer journey better than they do. Using their data to create useful, personalized experiences for others is okay, but it's important not to abuse their data. A successful business starts and ends with valued customers.

Professional Associations

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