AIFS Abroad

My experience studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, through AIFS Abroad was truly unforgettable and one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. During my four-week program at Universidad Nebrija, I had the opportunity to strengthen my Spanish-speaking skills through my Spanish for Healthcare course while immersing myself in Spanish culture. Living with a host family allowed me to experience everyday life in Spain, practice communicating in Spanish outside the classroom, and learn more about the country's traditions and lifestyle.

Beyond academics, I appreciated the opportunity to explore Madrid, participate in cultural activities, and connect with students from different backgrounds. As someone who initially felt nervous about traveling abroad independently, this experience pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident, independent, and open-minded. It also strengthened my appreciation for cross-cultural communication, which I hope to incorporate into my future career in psychology.

I would highly recommend AIFS Abroad to students considering studying internationally. The program provided a supportive environment to learn, explore, and grow both academically and personally. I returned home with new friendships, unforgettable memories, improved language skills, and a greater desire to continue exploring opportunities abroad.

I chose AIFS Abroad because of the support it offered throughout the study abroad process, and it exceeded my expectations. Before leaving for Barcelona for my Summer 2026 Maymester, the pre-departure process was stress-free and helped me feel prepared and excited for my experience. Once I arrived, I appreciated knowing that support was still available while I adjusted to a new country and navigated unfamiliar situations. What stood out most was that the support did not end when the program was over.

My time in Barcelona allowed me to live in a new city and experience a new culture. I made lasting connections with the people in my program as well as outside of it. I got to try traditional Spanish foods and participate in fun excursions that showed me diffrent perspectives of Spain. Going abroad without knowing anyone pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me become more independent, confident, and adaptable. I am especially grateful that AIFS made the experience feel supported from beginning to end, I would recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for a study abroad program that offers not only an incredible cultural experience but also genuine support to help make the experience even better.

I highly recommend studying abroad with AIFS! My experience throughout the Spring semester in Madrid went smoothly, and I couldn’t have been happier with the program overall.

I was especially satisfied with my housing and roommate experience. I lived with five other girls, and we became close friends within just a few days of sharing the apartment. Our place was conveniently located near the heart of the city, surrounded by great local restaurants, a metro station, and Casa de Campo, one of Madrid’s largest parks. Having everything nearby made it easy to explore and enjoy everyday life in the city.

I also loved that the program offered a variety of activities and trips included in the experience, such as visits to Granada, Toledo, and Segovia. These excursions allowed us to explore more of Spain and learn about its history and culture. However, one of my favorite experiences was the farewell dinner, where we all came together to celebrate our time abroad and spend a memorable evening with our AIFS leaders, Lucas and Manuela.

Lastly, the AIFS staff consistently made sure we felt comfortable and supported, whether it involved our classes, professors, or roommate situations. They were also available 24/7 for emergencies, which provided an additional sense of security while living in a new country.

I’d recommend AIFS to anyone looking for a meaningful study abroad experience that goes beyond the classroom, encourages personal and professional growth, and creates opportunities to build lifelong friendships while exploring a new culture. My semester in Madrid was an unforgettable experience, and I’m so grateful to AIFS for helping make it possible!

Studying abroad in London with AIFS was one of the best experiences that I have had in college. I loved being able to explore the city, seeing museums and famous landmarks, and immersing myself in British culture outside of the classroom. The housing provided was a great part of the experience, and the staff was always helpful and made adjusting to a new place feel a lot easier. I made amazing memories and friendships that I will have for the rest of my life. I would absolutely recommend AIFS to anyone!

I first came across AIFS' Summer Internship Program in Galway through my school's study abroad portal and immediately thought the program looked too good to be true. Between the catered internship placement, the provided housing accommodations, and supportive staff planning incredible-looking group excursions, I thought that there had to be a downfall. I could not have been more wrong!

I chose to apply for their program in Galway because of the opportunity to explore an English-speaking country that had opportunities for an internship in my major (psychology). The program coordinator, Karen, did an amazing job helping me get placed with an internship in my field of study, planning tons of super fun group outings (Irish dance class was one of my favorites), and being a reliable source of support throughout the eight weeks. Even before the program started in early June, the pre-departure staff worked seamlessly to help my family and I prepare for this big adventure. AIFS took care of everything - from transportation from the airport, setting up housing accommodations (where everyone had their own room and bathroom), working to find the best internship placement for every individual student, and - as I said before - planning 10+ group outings for us to experience as a group of new friends.

This summer, I made 30 new friends that I otherwise never would have crossed paths with and still talk to them to this day (almost two months post-program)! I gained so much confidence navigating a new city by myself, making so many new friends, expanding my professional network, and learning about a new culture. There were definitely ups and downs, as the jet lag and initial nerves about being with a big group of new people did get the best of my emotions at first, but after opening myself up to new experiences and talking to new people, I learned that we were really all in the same boat.

I'd recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking to push themselves to grow in a supportive environment, wants to meet amazing new people, and explore the world!