AIFS Abroad Reviews

I don't even know where to start. This experience changed my life forever. London is the most amazing city for one to find new interests and meet new people! I got to travel to France, Morocco, around the UK, and would have went to Ibiza but the Icelandic volcano erupted and my flights were cancelled! I met so many amazing people, one which called me today! After coming home I started my online shop which is based on a necklace that I found in Brighton! Honestly, I could go on forever about how amazing it was and how safe I felt and everything else. All I can say is that it was perfect and I grew do much as a human being.

The staff at Richmond in Rome honestly and truly care about each individual's experience in Rome. They go out of their way to have a packed schedule of not only awesome classes, but events most nights of the week. Including: Wine tasting, dinner with Italian friends, Museum visits with personal tour guides, Excursions and Soccer games. And the best part--the staff usually comes with you to these events, so they become more like you're friends than the front office workers. The academic scene is typical of a study abroad program-- light, but informational. There are tons of trips to museums, churches, and monuments so you actually learn the information onsite, which makes it not only memorable but exciting as well. The apartments are actual apartments, with actual Italian landlords that speak only italian. This helped you get a feel of living in Rome rather than just going to school there and living in a dorm with only american students. This program was the best decision, and I would never have changed it.

I loved being in Russia, and because of the experiences I had with this program I cannot wait to return one day! Academically I was taught very useful information and the teachers were always open to helping you with understanding topics and situations that may otherwise be confusing. The living situation was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. It definitely wasn't a standard that most of the Americans on the trip were overly comfortable with, however, those with open minds and a willingness to adapt will be comfortable in no time. Never did I feel like I was in any danger or even feel unsafe. Petersburg was a beautiful city and was so exciting to explore. Our trips to other cities were just as exciting and a great learning experience. Any students serious about learning about Russia, the culture or language, will enjoy there experience here.

I went abroad for a semester because I wanted to challenge myself, to become more independent, more wordly, and be able to relate to many different kinds of people. I also wanted to improve my French. My experience provided all of that and more. It's been a year now since I was in Paris, and I miss it every day--I wouldn't give up my time in Paris for anything.

During the week, we had classes every day. You could choose however many classes you wanted to take. Don't let the program staff bully you into taking more than you want to take--the point of being in Paris is NOT to go to school and study your butt off, but to experience the city! I took the required language class (3 hours/day) and one other French Civlization class. Both were good classes but were time consuming. I decided early on that my grades didn't matter that much to me and was much happier after that. The language class is every day, and the other classes are once or twice a week. I lived with one other girl in a French family's house, which was amazing. We had our own bedroom. We would wake up, eat the breakfast provided by the family, catch the metro to school, go to class, then do something fun in the afternoons (museums, parks, etc). Our classes were located in the middle of Paris, right across the river from Notre Dame Cathedral.

The excursions provided by the program are wonderful. They're free, they're guided by experts--why wouldn't you go? They took us to places like Versailles, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Edith Piaf museum.

Wonderful, amazing, life-changing, extraordinarily fun! DO IT!

Going to Costa Rica for a semester was undobutedly one of the best choices I have made in my life. I got to experience a culture different from mines and it was very eye-opening. Living in a household with a Costa Rican family allowed me to immerse myself in the language as well as the cuisine. Additionally, going on the different excursions were a blast, because I got to do things I thought I would never do (zip-lining and white water rafting). I would definitely encourage anyone to study abroad in Costa Rica. You will truly have an excellent time.

Russia is known for being both vast and mysterious. It is the largest country in the world yet many people know very little about it. This is one reason I choose to study there. Before my study abroad experience, I only had a vague picture of what day to day life in Russia consisted of. For centuries authors and adventurists have noted Russia's mysteriousness as part of its beauty. Russia has long been known for its introverted or "cold" mentality, so I was curious just how true this stereotype was. The Russian language, like the country itself, is also something of mystery, especially to the western world. I was drawn to discover what Russia was really like. So January 2011, I began my Russian journey. Russia, unlike many study abroad destinations, require an extensive visa process. At first the pages of questions can be overwhelming but with help from AIFS, it really wasn't too much of a hassle. AIFS took care of all the hard work I like to imagine. So I recommend not getting freaked out by the long process, it's worth it. Deciding what to bring is also something that takes time but not difficult if you prepare. The weather while I was there was mainly winter with a few weeks of spring towards the end. Most days, until early April, were white with snow yet still sunny. I experienced temperatures below zero degrees but was prepared so that wasn't a problem. I recommend bringing many layers. Bring long underwear and wool socks. Bring shoes that are somewhat waterproof, I actually bought a pair of rain boots in St. Petersburg that worked great for me. I've always had the mindset where if my feet are comfortable, then I'm comfortable. So with some long underwear, some thick pants, a sweater and a winter coat, I was comfortable enough to trudge through the layers of snow. Day to day life in St. Petersburg was a fascinating new experience. I choose to live in the dorms my whole semester and didn't regret it once. I made friends with students from all over the world. The dorms are also connected to the university classrooms so you don't even have to get all bundled up before class everyday. When I left for Russia, I had only one semester of Russian under my belt so I tested into the second lowest Russian language class. This worked out well for me because I had, in my opinion, the best professor and also a small class. But most of my learning, like any language, was done outside the classroom. Often I would meet Russians when we would go out on the weekends. This is where my language really grew and it was nice to interact with Russians my age. Groceries are easy to get and inexpensive, just a walk across the street and you're there. The cultural excursions were also a big plus to the AIFS program and they were all great! We toured museums, went to hockey games, went bowling. You can find something new to do everyday in St. Petersburg. It's also a beautiful city to walk aimlessly around. It is often known as the most European city of Russia but this does not mean they are "European." It's really just the architecture that mimics that of Venice, Italy. The people and culture are still Russian so if it's a Russian study abroad experience you're looking for, go to St. Petersburg! The semester I spent in Russia was honestly the most eye opening and fun I've ever had. I would recommend this program to anyone!

It may seem excessive that I rated this program 10/10 in every category, but it was seriously the greatest experience of my life and I can't imagine how any aspect of it could have been better. The location was fantastic, the professors and staff were amazing every step of the way, and I could not possibly recommend this program more highly. I miss Florence and the people at Richmond every day!

Studying abroad in Salamanca was the best decision I've made during my academic career. It was not only enriching on an academic level, but on a personal and cultural level, as well. I very much grew as an individual and made friends from literally all over the world. The University is fantastic, and the classes offered are definitely some of the best that I've ever taken. The AIFS staff there are also incredibly helpful; they mix fun and support in great way and arrange all of the necessities for you, like living, group travel, and extracurricular activities like cooking and dance lessons. We also did several dinners and tapas outings together. I wouldn't be able to write a review for Salamanca without mentioning the nightlife. I've never had so much fun in my life! It was such a fun-loving global community with so many opportunities for socialization. And as a city, Salamanca is just beautiful. The architecture is breathtaking and it's very conveniently located for travel and visiting purposes.

This trip was definitely the trip of a lifetime and one I will never forget or ever be able to replace. I learned so much during my time abroad that now I want to travel the world! The social scene was fantastic in Italy and the classes outside in front of the real architecture was to die for! I would go back in a heart beat. I recommend this study abroad experience to everyone and their mother!!! IT IS SO WORTH EVERY PENNY! You will never get the life experiences anywhere else! CIAO! ~Kalie

Richmond was one of the greatest experiences of my entire life. When I studied in London, I got to travel to seven different countries and meet tons of new people. My favorite place that I went was Stockholm, Sweden. It was a Richmond planned trip and it was amazing. Sweden was breath taking, and I went only know two people and I came back with a lifetime of memories. I would not trade my study abroad experience for anything!