Program Reviews

Studying for a semester abroad with AIFS is truly one of the best things I've ever done with my time. It led me to some amazing (and often surprising) places, and I had several unforgettable experiences with a great group. Sevilla is a wonderful choice for any prospective travelers, and it is here where I really enjoyed elements like the food, people, music, language, history, architecture, and all-around culture. I also had many opportunities for learning important life skills, like navigating an unfamiliar place, becoming more independent and advocating for myself, cooking and eating well, learning a second language, and embracing discomfort. I've also made lifelong friends here and made countless memories that have enriched my life, all while studying in a great university where I could take classes that I am passionate about. If you are a student that is considering studying abroad, then look no further, especially if you are a foodie, history buff, or just an adventurous person. Sevilla is a unique destination with plenty of places to visit and things to do, and the people here are lovely. I would like to thank AIFS again for everything they have provided and helped me with, and to give special thanks to Edu, Sophie, and Marina. You were all excellent guides who helped make this kind of experience possible and were there to help me through some confusing and tough times. I would love to return here in the future and reunite sometime.

I chose to go abroad with AIFS Abroad because they had a unique program that I wanted to do: Cannes Extended Spring Semester Study Abroad & Internship. I had great support from staff, in particular my program director, Aude Romens, who made herself available to help and led excursions to local cities as well as taking us on longer trips to Paris and Florence, Italy. My housing experience was pretty great. I had my own room and had the best view overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. I had the opportunity to have cool experiences in my classes, such as creating a short film for my film class and putting on a play, all in French! I made some of the greatest friends abroad, who I still talk to today. This experience allowed me to grow my French language skills and also allowed me to participate in an internship during the Cannes Film Festival. I’d recommend AIFS Abroad to students who really want to make the most out of their experience abroad!

I chose AIFS Abroad because of the unique opportunities they offer, especially internships abroad. I loved the idea of being able to gain real work experience while also getting to live in another country. I ended up doing the Spring Internship Program in Barcelona, Spain, and it truly changed my life.

From the moment I applied to the second I landed in Barcelona, the staff were so supportive and welcoming. The Barcelona team made the whole experience feel exciting instead of overwhelming, and the cultural activities and trips were such a fun way to explore Spain and learn more about the culture. I also met so many amazing people through the program, both locals and other interns, who I know will be lifelong friends.

Interning abroad gave me a global perspective that I’ll carry with me into my career, and personally it gave me so much confidence and independence. If I can move to a new country by myself, I really feel like I can do anything. I would 100% recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone thinking about going abroad.

I went abroad to Paris with AIFS in Fall 2024. When I left, I was a bit nervous about many things. It was my first time living in a big city, I was far away from my entire family, and I was living with a host family.

When I got there, it was scary, but within the first month, I had become fully antiquated with the city and how to get around. Through my provider, I got to attend a bunch of cool events and meet some of my best friends. Now, I can't imagine my life without my study abroad.

AIFS not only gave me the experience of a lifetime, but it also gave me friends and memories I will have for the rest of my life.

I chose one of AIFS's summer programs and studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria this past summer 2025. In comparison to many other program providers, AIFS has a ton of amazing choices for shorter length programs like summer and January term. Summer term was a great option for me because my major requires several important classes during the term on campus.

From before departure through my time in Salzburg our program coordinators and instructors were amazing! They were so helpful, easy to work with, and excited to help us build connections and experience Salzburg. My program offered dorm-style housing which was a great way to meet people in program as well as other international students. The Salzburg program had a ton of awesome excursions scheduled for us which ranged from a baking class to taking a weekend trip to Vienna!

Over my time abroad with AIFS I developed so many skills by getting out of my comfort zone. I improved my language skills by getting involved in a German speaking community, gained more confidence traveling on my own, and developed my communication skills by building relationships with some great friends I made and the support staff at my program. I would recommend AIFS (especially their summer programs) to any students who are looking for a program that is perfectly structured to allow for some safety and comfortability but also enough freedom and time to explore and get out of your comfort zone! I would also recommend this specific program to students in humanities majors. I'm a History Major with a Minor in Art History so I especially enjoyed the Austrian Folk Art and Folk Customs class where we got to visit a bunch of amazing museums!

During the application process, AIFS claimed that they always found the perfect internship placement, which upon hearing I was initially skeptical. But it couldn't have been more true. I worked for an incredible company and still keep in contact with them. Everybody throughout the process was incredibly supportive which made it feel like I had a solid safety net while overseas. Berlin struck me as a super safe and culturally vibrant city, an elite place to spend the summer in. I was worried about the language barrier but everyone speaks english, and are generally very friendly.

I chose AIFS because it was the perfect combination of location, academics, affordability, and experiences! AIFS is a partner with my university so I was able to transfer credits back to fulfill my degree requirements. I went abroad to Rome, Italy for the winter J-term and I was able to accomplish so much during such a short amount of time. I chose the travel package through AIFS so I had transportation to and from the Rome airport and had staff with me until I got to the program meet up location. My Rome support staff were awesome and all had very unique backgrounds. They even taught a wine tasting class in house! There were a bunch of excursions offered through the program like an opera visit, tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, a cooking class, and trips to Florence and Assisi. My class focused on Italian Culture and we had regular field trips to places like an olive oil tasting class, grocery markets, and the fashion district near the Spanish Steps. While I did go in with friends from my university, I became friends with other people from other schools and with people from my home university that I didn't know prior to going abroad. I gained a lot of experience learning how to shop for myself in a different country, navigating a language barrier, and learning how to manage fun and academics. I actually switched the focus of my second major because I loved the concept of Slow Food that I learned while abroad. I really would recommend AIFS for anyone that wants to learn authentically and experience things firsthand, rather than sitting in a classroom all day.

I chose AIFS Abroad for its wide variety of activities within the program. Going abroad to Berlin through AIFS was straightforward and accessible, thanks to their easy-to-navigate application portal and responsive enrollment managers and staff. My enrollment manager was always easy to reach by phone or email and got back to me quickly. They also had firsthand experience in Berlin and the apartments where I stayed, making our conversations very personalized and insightful.

During my stay in Berlin, the program manager was extremely friendly, open, and fun! We enjoyed local activities and group meetings together that introduced us to Berlin’s culture and social life. After the program ended, the same program manager even reached out with a kind message recommending that I apply for a post-AIFS program internship.

My housing situation was amazing. I had the opportunity to stay in an AIFS-owned apartment in the heart of Charlottenburg, Berlin. From my balcony on the 7th floor, I had an incredible view and was surrounded by a variety of stores, cafés, and local businesses. AIFS also organized several group trips to sites in and around Berlin, giving us insight into the city’s rich and historic culture. We were provided with public transportation tickets for the entire semester, making travel throughout the city very easy and convenient.

I also made lifelong friends while abroad through AIFS. We met during the first few days through various AIFS activities and quickly began traveling and exploring together. We still talk to this day, and I’ve even been able to visit a few of them at their home universities. What I found especially amazing was how each of us had different experiences and takeaways from Berlin, even though we did most of our activities together. We were able to blend our passions to create a unique experience I couldn’t have had anywhere else.

Being abroad also allowed me to explore myself in a new setting—joining local pick-up soccer games, experiencing the city’s social life, visiting museums and art exhibits, and improving my German language skills. I highly recommend AIFS to anyone eager to step outside their comfort zone, experience a new culture, and explore their passions in an exciting international environment!

My time in Rome will be an experience I cherish for the rest of my life. Not only was the internship and AIFS amazing, but the staff, the students, the housing, the excursions, and more all exceeded my expectations. Every part of the internship was made less stressful by the staff and helped me secure an internship without having to apply and interview countless times. I still see and talk to friends I made there today. I made connections that have led to job opportunities and future positions. I would recommend anyone chase their dreams with AIFS.

I studied in Florence, Italy during Fall 2024. I chose AIFS Abroad for a number of reasons. Having face to face interactions with AIFS staff during the application process made the steps to getting abroad much more manageable. Having the opportunity to take courses that not only worked toward my graduation goals, but also sparked interest in new areas was a huge asset to my time abroad. Through my courses, and connections at AIFS, I was able to build lifelong connections, friendships, and met with professionals who are continuing to help me achieve my goals.

Beyond the academics, the accommodations and opportunities presented through AIFS positively contributed to my time abroad. Living around the corner from the Duomo, and crossing the Ponte Vecchio everyday to get to class was a unique cultural experience. AIFS provided field trips to better immerse students in Florentine culture, and excursions outside of Florence to see beyond common tourist attractions. As a student through AIFS, we had a meal plan to use at local restaurants, access to cooking classes, museum tours, and many other opportunities at our finger tips to embrace our time abroad.

Moving across the world can be daunting; however, the friendships and connections I built through AIFS are ones I will cherish for the rest of my life. Those who share abroad experiences together with have a unique type of bond. I had the opportunity to live with five other girls who were also studying through AIFS. I never could have imagined the experience we had together. But, now I cannot imagine living a life without them by my side. I truly feel indebted to AIFS for introducing me to my lifelong best friends.

The AIFS community is one-of-a-kind and one that I knew undoubtedly would support me through my time abroad, and continues to show up for me even a year after!

Thinking back to who I was a year ago when I was leaving the US to go abroad, compared to who I am now, is inspiring. I had no clue how much I would grow as an individual. I became more confident, outspoken, independent, and driven than I could have ever imagined. The experiences I had abroad shaped me into the person I am today.

I recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for a unique abroad experience. Fueled by individuals who are eager to see you succeed, and will be there to support you every step of the way.