AIFS Abroad Reviews

I absolutely fell in love with the city of Salzburg!! The city is filled with places like the Mirabell Garden, a castle called Hohenssalzburg, many beautiful mountains, a river, outdoor markets, historic landmarks and so much more. Having grown up watching the Sound of Music as a kid, it was fun to see many of the locations it was filmed at and to also learn more about Mozart as well. The place I lived in was centrally located & it was easy to get to other places by foot or by bus. The food was amazing in Salzburg with yummy things like schnitzel, sachertort, and many other Austrian specialties. Lots of great places to eat at that also including smaller vendors serving gelato, pretzels, and Kebaps. From the very start AIF’s is very helpful, anywhere from giving you a list of things to pack to helping you organizing your travel plans. Things you have to get use to while there are setting up appointments to wash your clothes, taking bags with you when you buy food, & having most stores being closed on Sunday, except restaurants and some tourist places. Thought at some times frustrating at first it was nice to have things quieter on Sundays and you soon get use to planning ahead for shopping & laundry. Austrians love to go on walks or sit in café’s, especially on Sunday. I absolutely loved the peacefulness about that aspect of their lives. You are surrounded by such beauty that it lifted my spirits daily and I found it so neat to be one minute in the new part of town, then a few minutes away the old part filled with great history, followed soon by breath taking nature that seems to frame it all in. During my time there I had two hours of German and two hours of culture class on every week day, though the times varied and the class rooms sometimes changed. It kept us on our toes and we had to make sure we paid close attention to our schedule. At first it was a challenge until we got use to it. Even their numbering system was very different at the university we took the classes at. 200 level rooms could be on the third floor, 300 level rooms on the second, and so on. The class it self was very informative and we enjoyed a few field trips were the learning became very hands on. The weekend excursions were so much fun and our tour guide went above and beyond as a host! From seeing the salt mines to day drips in other cities, such a Munich, we got to see many wonderful thing and had so much fun. You also will get some down time to go to places that you enjoy such as lakes, the Zoo, or even traveling to other cities or countries. If you ever get an opportunity to do your study abroad in Salzburg, it will be such a rewarding time. My main regret is that I didn’t do one of their longer programs. I participated in their short one month summer program and while it was a wonderful experience, it went by too fast. I left feeling like I had so much more that I wanted to explore and learn. At least I now have a good reason to go back someday! I could really go on and on about my time there but hopefully this gives you a glimpse into what your life will look like if you take on this adventure with AIFS! You will get a chance to grow, travel, learn, make great friends, and it is so worth the time and money you put into it!

Before setting foot in Salzburg, Austria, one can underestimate the beauty they are about to encounter. Majestic alps, the sprawling walls of the fortress, historical buildings and shops - Salzburg is a city of true beauty. Nestled about the city are buildings constituting the University of Salzburg. Our classes were housed in a variety of buildings - old and new each one unique and different. While at the University we were able to meet students from all over the world in addition to the locals. I had the opportunity to spend a year in Salzburg living in an Internationale Studentenheim - a European version of an International Dorm. While living at the Internationales Kolleg - as it was called, I was able to make lasting friendships with other students whose real homes stretched all over the European continent. Creating these friendships helped to enrich my experience and deepen my connection with Salzburg.
The AIFS office is centrally located in the Stadtmitte or the City Center. Having spent a year abroad, I grew to know and appreciate having such an awesome staff to support me and provide assistance when needed. There was always a smiling face (and a tin of cookies) welcoming students for whatever their need may have been.
My friendships that I made with other Americans in the program are some of the longest-lasting and most sincere friendships I established during both my college career and life beforehand. I have gone to visit my friends and former roommate both with in the U.S. and abroad.
The travel opportunities within the program are excellent - educational and informative. We were able to see the sights in London, Vienna and Prague, as well as many locations in Austria - all inclusive with the program cost. As Austria is so centrally located within Europe, travel outside of the country is easy and uncomplicated.
Adjusting the the diet and culture is a pleasure in Salzburg. The Austrian custom of Gemuetlichkeit or hospitality, ensures that each experience within the service industry is efficient and satisfactory. The food is rich-tasting, fresh, and delicious. Much of the produce, poultry and meat is locally sourced - even at McDonalds!
With pristine lakes, breathtaking Mountains, and a culture rich in customs and tradition, the AIFS Salzburg experience is one not to be missed. Studying abroad here can only change your life for the better. You will learn more than you ever thought possible and meet some of the best people on earth!

Hestea de Wet, or Mama H as her American students call her, is the AIFS program advisor. She is there from the moment you get off the plane to when you return to the airport to come back to the States. She is the stabilizing force in a time when and place where it is easy to get overwhelmed.

My favorite excursion was probably the Cederberg Mountain trip. This trip happens about a week and a half after you arrive in Stellenbosch. It's a weekend to get away with Mama H and the other international students...and to conquer your fears if you're afraid of heights! Mama H cooks all the meals and takes you to the top of the Cederberg Mountains. Getting to the top of the Cederberg Mountains was an incredible experience I'll never forget. You also have an opportunity to do a wine tasting there. I would highly recommend this optional excursion. The Garden Route spring break trip, included in the program fee, is awesome as well. You also get time at the end of the semester (I had just about 3 and half weeks) to do your own traveling or to spend time in Stellenbosch.

Expect to do a lot of walking! Stellenbosch is a beautiful town...lots of restaurants and wineries. The campus is beautiful and after a few weeks you'll hardly notice how much walking you do. In terms of housing, you live on campus in either Academia or Concordia. You will share a room with AIFS students but live with international students from all over the world. Some South Africans do live in Academia but don't expect to naturally interact with them. If you make an effort to meet and get to know the South African students, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Stellenbosch is a safe area. Of course, that's not to say that bad things can't happen; just like with anywhere else, don't put yourself in a dangerous situation.

As far as classes go, I did the LSCE program and took South African History and HIV/AIDS in South Africa. I would not recommend the South African History class but the HIV/AIDS class was very informative and the LSCE program was probably the most rewarding experience I had during my time abroad.

I would highly recommend this program!

This program was all that I could have hoped for! It started out with three amazing days in London, England. We were given a tour of central London by a wonderful tour guide name Nicki, she showed out group all of the best places to go, the best places to eat, and many historical sites as well. After London, we were off to Cannes, France. It was just stunning, clear water, friendly staff, and excursions to Nice and Monaco. We were housed in dorms for our 2 week language orientation, which helped all of us get closer to each other as well as practice our French skills. This part of our trip was the most essential part! It was hard work getting used to the French educational system, which is a lot like the Socratic method used in Law schools, but you learn so much!

After a 5 hour TGV ride, we were finally in Paris. Breathtaking is the only word that one can use. We explored in our group, and most of us became flaneurs, and found a bunch of great spots to hang out, do homework, or just have a picque-nique.When it came to the Sorbonne's placement tests, I think all of us were scared, but it went off fabulously! The teachers were extremely nice, while their homework was sometimes difficult. They really want their students to learn, so they push them academically. Trust me, it is well worth it! I learned so much and now I am not scared to speak French. By the end of my time abroad, French just rolled off of my tongue. The best part of the experience were the ladies at the AIFS: Paris office! They are just great, they are always there for you and want you to do your best and have the best time possible. When it was time to leave, I cried my eyes out when I had to say good-bye to them. Everyone should go on this trip, it will change you forever. I am now independent and my french language skills have greatly improved. Apply, Apply, Apply!!! You will not regret it!

This program helped me better learn Spanish, become acquainted with Spanish culture, and so much more. It was incredibly planned and living with my host family was the best experience I could have ever imagined. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if we could have somehow gotten the fellow program students to speak in Spanish for the duration of the study abroad. While it was great to learn and speak Spanish with natives in Salamanca and in class, the American program students would speak English with one another during program events. Other than that, this study abroad was phenomenal.

I honestly had the time of my life at AIFS at Richmond London. The housing was comfortable, safe, and at a convenient location. The activities planned by the program were great, and the staff was amazing, friendly, and always there to help. Would definitely recommend this program to anyone considering it!

I loved studying in Granada so much! The only regret that I have is that I could not stay longer!
I lived in a homestay and felt as though I was truly a part of my host family. I lived with an older couple who had five children and seven grandchildren that lived within five minutes of them and were constantly visiting. It was a great experience.
The AIFS staff were very helpful and always open to suggestions. Our group really enjoyed the sports activities, so two or three extra days were added during our trip that were not previously planned.
I went to Granada knowing no one and left knowing that I had met several life-long friends.
I would recommend it to anyone that is interested, no questions asked.

Studying abroad at Richmond in London was the best choice I ever made for myself. I was nervous about going abroad, as I was leaving for my first semester of my senior year and didn't know anyone, but it turns out I could not have made a better choice. The location in central London could not have been more ideal, and staying in Kensington was so easy to get to places from it was awesome. The staff here could not have been more helpful, and they made the whole experience even better. I could not imagine my college experience without having studied at Richmond in London, and I think that it's an experience that everyone should have as well!

I enjoyed everything about my semester in London through AIFS. Everyone i met through AIFS at Richmond were so wonderful and helpful. The school in Kensington is so close to where we lived and the area is beautiful. London had so much to offer no matter what your tastes were. The thing i loved most about being in London was that it was a great starting point for other traveling as well! I didn't really experience any major difficulties. Anytime I had questions or minor issues, there was always a willing staff member around to help out. When it was time to leave to come home, I wanted to stay because my dorm at Atlantic House had become such a home to me.

I had the time of my life living in London for 9 weeks over the summer! It was a great experience! Kensington was a great place to live, and I was able to go to a lot of areas in London that I haven't been to previously. The classes I took were great and I loved that I was able to get the European perspective on subjects, the professors were awesome. All in all, it was a great time and definitely changed my life!