AIFS Abroad

Program Reviews

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Austin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sydney, Australia

Prior to this experience, I had never been out of the States and I had never flown before. I was more worried about the flight over here than I was about living here for 2 months. But the GE staff was accommodating and welcoming and walked me through the steps from how to apply for a visa to how to transfer currency and even just tips on making it through the airport. I ended up having to come a week later than everyone, but the GE staff, specifically Andrea, made me feel so welcome and excited.

Pros
  • Resume booster
  • Natural scenery
  • City life
Cons
  • Rough weather
  • Expensive city
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Alan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Very good experience!

This experience was better than I expected. I came here to just get a little work experience and have fun but I’m leaving with way more. This experience makes me want to move back here to Barcelona somewhere down the line based off my time. My internship experience was with a great company that opened my eyes in many ways. This was not just something to say I’ve done it, but more of an opportunity to do more when I am
back home. Our host Inma and Elena were amazing. Very very nice people who made the group feel like family. They were helpful with most anything. Also great events hosted by the two. Overall, this experience likely changed my life and I would definitely recommend.

Pros
  • Work experience
  • Amazing fun city
  • Great food
Cons
  • Shared rooms
  • Having internship options
  • Expensive
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Caroline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Internship Experience

My experience with Global Experiences was invaluable! I loved the way this entire experience was set-up. GE first provided their interns with "tools" which were great resources to have such as a strengths assessment, learning about workplaces around the world, and how to be a successful intern. Next they provided us with great guidance having a welcome and exit orientation, weekly-check in's, and a midpoint reflection with my host employer. This guidance really helped me become more self-aware, which was key on my entire journey to learn and grow as much as possible. Lastly, GE did a phenomenal job of networking. I was able to share my experience with other interns, learn through cultural events provided like: a cooking class, art tour, and city tour. I was able to network and increase my professional development through a strengths workshops and weekly-check ins

Pros
  • networking
  • resources
  • guidance
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Samuel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Unforgettable Experience

My Global Experience as a whole was one to remember and will forever be a lifetime experience! I have met amazing people along the way that I will be able to count on in the future. From the beginning, my onsite GE coordinator Lourdes was attentive, lovely, and caring with everything we had going on! Any questions or concerns I had, Lourdes was there! I could not thank her enough! Creating bonds with locals in Madrid will always be something I will cherish! Muchas gracias por todo Lourdes :) <3!!

Pros
  • Meeting locals
  • Sightseeing
  • Relationships
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Chapel
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Not worth it...

When I first started this experience it was going really well. My advisor was helpful and it made me excited and hopeful. When arriving to London it was going great until the program actually started. The program leader in in London should not be in her position. She is extremely unprofessional and speaks in a very rude manner to participants. She treated us like children when we're all adults trying to learn more. I understand the topic of a Visa is important but the way she spoke was unacceptable. She called most of the participants unprofessional and sent us all multiple threats. Her position must be stressful with the amount of people in the program but if you can't handle it without staying professional then it's time to find another job. I have never met anyone so unprofessional in my life. For us to be paying so much and to be treated like kids, it's terrible. My interactions with her along with all the other unhappy participants made this experience more negative and not worth the money. Also, the housing is horrible. It is in a bad part of town and the company unite students is cheap. They lost SO many of my packages, never answer the 24/7 phone, and are so unhelpful if you have any problem. Which you will have a lot of problems like broken appliances in the kitchen and in the bathroom, terrible wifi that goes out every weekend, bugs, smells, it goes on. For paying so much money I expected better housing.

Cons
  • Terrible London advisor: Shaani
  • Terrible housing
  • Waste of money
Response from Global Experiences

Thank you for reflecting about your time abroad and sharing your feedback with us. It is extremely important for us to know when we are missing the mark on interns experiences. It sounds like you have started working with team members to resolve the issues you have encountered, but if you are still left unresolved please email your point of contact and we can continue to work together.

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Lillian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Madrid- Una experiencia muy bonita

I can sincerely say that my time in Madrid changed me. During the last months, I have come to understand more about myself, about life, and about my career. This program allowed me to meet extraordinary people that I will not forget. Through it, I got to visit the most important attractions that Madrid offers, and even explore its surrounding cities; Toledo and Segovia. I can say that I felt safe since the first day, as our coordinator, Lourdes, was always attentive to what we could need and how we were doing. She truly cared for us, and her positive energy was contagious. She also shared some really good life advice with us.

Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Tours
  • Support
Cons
  • Before reaching the city there were issues with timing regarding interviews and placements
  • A couple of my peers thought meals could have been included in the tours to Toledo and Segovia.
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Alison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

This internship program was one to remember. I learned a lot at my job in which I will take into my future career. I also made everlasting connections with my coworkers. Before coming here, I had no experience in my internship field. However, I gained so much knowledge and was supported every step of the way. Learning about the Spanish culture was so fun and exciting. I loved meeting so many new people not only at my job but within the program. Definitely recommend this program if you are thinking about interning abroad!

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Elliza
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

This program was overall an amazing experience. At first it felt scary to trust Global Experiences to find me an internship and housing in a foreign country. It took a few weeks for me to get matched to a company, but it was worth it in the end because I loved my placement! My commute was a little long, but it helped me learn the public transportation system and see more of the city than other interns did. My apartment was in a very convenient place in the city otherwise, with metro and bus stops 5 minutes away. Almost every week we had a social event with GE, and those were my favorite part. We got to learn about the culture of Catalonia, and hang out with the other interns and awesome GE staff. Shout out to Hailey, Inma and Elena for being there for us every step of the way!

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Clara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Design Internship Milan

Our program coordinators, Amanda and Antonella, went out of their way to make sure that we enjoyed all of the sights Milan and the surrounding area had to offer. They planned a lot of fun excursions for us (Lake Como, Verona, Armani Silos, etc) and were always happy to answer questions for us if we wanted to travel on our own. I would highly recommend Milan and the surrounding area of Northern Italy to anyone looking to work or even just travel around Europe! There is so much to do and a lot of great variety, you won't get bored.

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Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a Lifetime!

I felt very comfortable studying abroad in a foreign city. Between my program advisor and work supervisor, I was able to adjust to living and working in Ireland pretty fast. My advisor hosted many events to educate me on the cultural history of Galway and introduced me to the social scene. My supervisor supported me in overcoming obstacles that appeared in my work and allowed me to flourish in my own work. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who is searching for a summer internship.

Pros
  • Was able to work on my own project for work.
  • Gave me freedom to explore Ireland and Europe with friends.
  • Got educated on cultural history of Ireland
Cons
  • The expenses that were had during the trip were more than anticipated, but worth it!