AIFS Abroad

AIFS Abroad Reviews

Claire
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Dublin, Ireland | AIFS Review

I chose AIFS because I liked the amount of guidance they offered while abroad, compared to other companies my university partnered with. I chose the Dublin, Ireland program, and felt supported by staff when debating which internship would be the best fit for me. One of my favorite experiences was the Causey Farm trip, which was planned by AIFS. It was a great way to get close to my roommates (there were eight of us total), and it was a great way to experience Irish music, dance, food, and landscape. I became very close with my roommates after that trip, and am confident that I have made some lifelong friends in them. I'd recommend AIFS to anyone who wants to live or intern abroad, but is intimidated by the idea of doing it alone.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I'd tell future travelers that this program is super amazing and fun, but that you are only get get as much out of it as you put in. So be outgoing, and don't be afraid to go and do things alone!
Pros
  • Amazing housing accommodations
  • Good excursions
  • Full time support
What other participants should know
  • Expensive
  • Misunderstandings with homework
  • N/A
Autumn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience Ever!

I interned abroad in Galway, Ireland in the summer of 2024. AIFS provided me with lots of services and support, which is why I chose to go abroad with them. AIFS provided me with a lot of support during the interview process. They arranged my interviews for me. They also provided me with a service to learn about my top five strengths and how they can help me during my internship. During my program, AIFS provided me with a location coordinator. She was super helpful! She answered any questions and assisted me in any way she could. I also was not alone during my internship. I had about 20 interns in my program. Having other interns provided me with a great community and friendships. AIFS arranged my housing and provided lots of different excursions. AIFS was super helpful and made my experience great!

What was your funniest moment?
The funniest moment was the Irish dance class we took. This was one of the excursions AIFS provided us with. We took these lessons at the beginning of our program, so we were all still getting to know each other. These dance lessons certainly helped with that. We all danced with each other, laughing how bad we were. I'll always remember the amount of laughter echoing in the room. I didn't dance well, but I did have a blast trying.
Pros
  • Lots of support and services before and during the program
  • Creates a great community for their participants
  • Provides lots of excursions for participants
Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AIFS abroad in Florence

I chose AIFS Abroad because of their strong reputation and the balance of academics, support, and cultural immersion they offered. I studied in Florence, Italy, and from the moment I applied, the staff were attentive and supportive, guiding me through every step before, during, and after my program. Housing was safe, comfortable, and centrally located, which made exploring the city easy. The included excursions and cultural activities, like trips to Venice and Tuscany, cooking classes, and walking tours, made the experience feel both educational and immersive.

What surprised me most was how quickly Florence felt like home. Within weeks I was confidently navigating the streets, discovering favorite cafés, and even practicing Italian with locals. AIFS created a strong community that made it easy to form lasting friendships with other students, and the on-site staff were always there to help. Personally, I gained confidence and independence, and professionally I grew in my cultural awareness and adaptability, skills that will stay with me long after the program.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I experienced was how quickly Florence began to feel like home. I expected to feel like a visitor the whole time, but within weeks I was navigating the streets with ease, finding favorite cafés, and even chatting with locals. What surprised me most was the mix of everyday life with history.
Pros
  • Supportive and responsive staff before, during, and after the program.
  • Well-organized housing and excursions that made exploring easy and safe.
  • Built-in community of students that made it easy to form lasting friendships.
What other participants should know
  • Busy schedule at times.
  • Limited flexibility in housing or course options.
  • Cultural adjustment can feel overwhelming at first.
Aya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Supportive & Inspiring London Experience

I decided to study abroad with AIFS Abroad because of their strong reputation and the range of programs they offer. I joined the London program, and from the start, I felt confident in my choice. The staff were very responsive and made the pre-departure process clear and stress-free, which was a huge relief as I prepared to go abroad.

Once in London, I was impressed with the balance between academics, housing, and cultural immersion. The accommodation was in a great location, and the program included excursions that allowed us to explore beyond the classroom. The cultural activities organized by AIFS made it easy to experience London’s history and lifestyle in ways I might not have done on my own.

The best part of the experience was the community—I met incredible people from different backgrounds and built lifelong friendships. Personally, I grew more independent and confident, and professionally, I gained valuable skills that I know will help me in my future career. I would highly recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for a study abroad program that combines academic quality with strong support and amazing opportunities for personal growth.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would chooses a longer semester for sure. 2 months were not enough to me. LOL!
Pros
  • Supportive staff before, during, and after the program
  • Great housing in a convenient location and great view!
  • Wonderful field trips with AIFS!
What other participants should know
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
Makayla
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fun program and great staff

What drew me to AIFS was how thoughtfully their programs are built and the strong support network they offer. Studying abroad in Barcelona through AIFS was an incredible experience. The staff was always there to assist and made sure we had everything we needed. The cultural immersion was a big highlight; we weren't just visiting the city, we were truly living in it.

I opted for the apartment housing, and it turned out to be both comfortable and ideally located. Close to the school and many of Barcelona’s must-see spots. One of the most rewarding aspects was the connections I made with people from all over, which wouldn't have happened without this program. I’m truly thankful to AIFS and their amazing team for making this experience so memorable. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be part of a supportive, engaging academic environment while exploring a new culture.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate the most while abroad was calçots, aka spring onions. My program took us on a trip to where the first calçots were harvested, Tarragona, Spain. There, we participated in a Calçotada, which is a feast centered around the barbecued onion and other meats. It was a fun experience and I would 100% do it again.
Perwa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AIFS study abroad

My experience with AIFS Abroad during my internship in New York City was nothing short of incredible. From start to finish, the program was well-organized, professionally run, and filled with meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth. But what truly made the experience unforgettable was the incredible support I received from Samia.

Samia went above and beyond at every step of the journey. Whether it was answering late-night questions, helping me navigate the city, or just checking in to make sure everything was going well, she was always there. I especially want to highlight how much she helped me when my return flight was unexpectedly canceled, in a moment of stress and uncertainty, Samia stepped in and helped me find emergency accommodations. That kind of care and responsiveness made all the difference, and I’ll always be grateful for her kindness, quick thinking, and genuine warmth.

I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone looking to intern in New York City. Not only will you gain invaluable experience, but you’ll also be supported by people like Samia who truly care

Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Dream experience

My internship with AIFS has been a phenomenal experience. I have grown so much in these last two months, and I only wish I could stay longer! I had an internship in the Garment District, so I got to spend my weekdays working in Times Square, which has been my dream since I was a little girl. I was exposed to what it would be like to run a shop, which is something I hope to do with my business in the future. I plan to transition from the sewing machine to the tattoo machine. I strengthened my social, technology and professional skills, along with building upon my top five Clifton strengths: empathy, ideation, individualization, developer and intellection.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I never would have expected to testify at city hall when I signed up for an internship with a glove shop. I had the incredible opportunity to go to City Hall alongside supporters of the garment district to testify in front of city council members, highlighting the issues with the MSMX plan. The MSMX plan aims to rezone the garment district to make space for housing and developments. It felt good to speak on behalf of the local makers and artisans because it felt like I was making an authentic contribution towards preserving the garment district.
Pros
  • Professional development
  • Exposure to city life
  • Long lasting connections
What other participants should know
  • Expensive
  • Hot weather
  • Immature peers
Lilly
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I love New York

My internship was in New York! I had a great time and met so many people that I know I will be friends with for a long time. I really enjoyed the experience I got, and besides a few issues I had with my managers my experience was amazing overall. I would love to live in New York again and work somewhere else. I’m very grateful for the experience I had! The housing location was great, living in Brooklyn was beautiful and taking the train to Manhattan everyday was so fun! I truly enjoyed my time here and I’m sad it has to end.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I did this over again the only thing I would change is where I was placed for my internship. I made really good friends while at my placement company, but the work environment was not very positive to me and I often dreaded heading into the city because I didn’t like the work I was doing.
Pros
  • Location
  • People
  • Food
What other participants should know
  • placement company
  • the subway (too hot)
  • my work hours
Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

University of Sydney Extensive Program

I studied abroad in Sydney at the University of Sydney for 7 weeks, taking a 3 week extensive course called Outdoor Education. The class was super informational as well as enjoyable, allowing us to explore Sydney within the context of the class. We went on a camping trip in the Blue Mountains and a day trip to Royal National Park. The University of Sydney also offers some weekend activities, such as a surf camp, which I highly recommend going to! They also give discounts on snorkeling at Manly and some other events.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Sign up for the Outdoor Education class with Professor Sam!
Elise
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

NYC Summer Program 2025

I absolutely loved my experience with this program. Everyone I met was incredibly friendly and my site advisor Samia was absolutely welcoming. I learned how much I love NYC from this program and found a viable place for me to live in the future. I love my internship experience at Towers & Associates P.C. They welcomed my fellow intern and I with respect, kindness, and professionalism. We were both thrilled with the wide range of experiences we had during our tasks. We learned how to deal with a fast paced and emotional environment that happens frequently in family law. I could not recommend this program more if you’re looking for an initial professional experience in which you’re treated with independence and care.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I was surprised how friendly New Yorkers are! I was told by so many people (including my program advisors) that everyone in NYC is more short and distant than midwesterners. I disagree, they are down to the point for sure, but they will always answer questions and give help with directions when you need it!
Pros
  • Gain professional experience
  • Meet new people
  • Freedom and independence
What other participants should know
  • Traveling to and from work in a big city
  • Dealing with stressful situations during internship and learning how to manage those challenges with efficiency and professionalism