Program Reviews

My name is Sebastian Aguilar, and I’m currently studying at Texas A&M International University. In the summer of 2024, I had the privilege of joining the Hispanic Studies Program at Universidad de Nebrija in Madrid, Spain, through AIFS Abroad. Looking back, I can confidently say that partnering with AIFS was one of the best decisions I made.

From the beginning, AIFS supported me every step of the way, providing comprehensive guidance, opening doors to networking, and fostering connections that will undoubtedly shape my future career. Lucas Zugasti, the Madrid Student Services Advisor, went above and beyond in ensuring everything went smoothly—from helping with apartment check-ins to organizing events that immersed us in Spanish culture. His advice and insights into student life in Madrid made adjusting to a new environment much easier. Additionally, Barbara Franconi, AIFS’s Director for Buenos Aires and Madrid, played a crucial role by encouraging me to apply for the AIFS Ambassador Program. Through this role, I’ve expanded my network, developed professionally, and created lasting connections within the AIFS community.

Academically, the International Management course taught by Professor Omar Espana Arrieta was a highlight. Professor Espana Arrieta’s approach, blending innovative teaching methods with real-world business insights, allowed us to lead projects and presentations that deepened our understanding of global business practices. For anyone interested in international business, I highly recommend this course. It not only sharpened my skills but also allowed me to connect with like-minded students, making the experience richer and more impactful.

This experience was invaluable in helping me pursue my long-standing dream of launching an international business in commerce and logistics. Growing up between the U.S. and Mexico, I was naturally drawn to global commerce, and Spain’s strategic position as a gateway to Europe, Latin America, and Africa provided insights into international business opportunities and challenges. My ambition to build a business rooted in global markets feels much more attainable now that I’ve seen the possibilities up close.

Studying abroad truly broadens horizons, and for students where opportunities to study internationally may seem distant, I encourage you to take a leap of faith. Yes, the process requires determination and resourcefulness, but AIFS offers support at every turn. Personally, I worked in a federal work-study position, participated in affiliate marketing, and even sold homemade treats to raise funds. It was challenging, but the investment was absolutely worth it.

For those who are ready to embark on this journey, my advice is to start, even if everything isn’t perfect. AIFS, along with resources at your home institution, can help you navigate any obstacles. The experience will equip you with the tools to become more than just a student; it will shape you as a global leader, ready to engage with the world’s complexities and opportunities.

I studied abroad at Maynooth University for an entire Spring semester. Maynooth grabbed my attention because it was the perfect mix of a big and small university. My home university in the US is extremely small so I wanted something a little bigger, and at Maynooth University you get the perfectly sized university in a lovely walkable town that's only 30 minutes from Dublin! Being able to walk down to town from my dorm within 5 or so minutes was extremely convenient and always a fun time with friends. The classes were also very well taught and class size could range from small to large. I really enjoyed the classes that I took at Maynooth, I noticed a lot of differences in terms of perspectives and information in comparison to what I have been taught at my home university. Their grading system is also a little different, so if you get a 60 on a paper, DONT PANIC! That actually is a very good score in their grading system.
In AIFS's program, it was required that we lived on campus in the dorming apartments. These apartments are shared between 5 people, everyone has their own room (with a lock) and a bathroom and a common area that is shared with a living room and kitchen. I absolutely loved this dorming style because I had my own space while also being able to go out and interact with all my roommates! While living on campus, I made friends that will easily last a life-time. Two of them were my roommates in our apartment, and the other one lived right down the strip of dorm buildings that we met while at a pub! It took me a minute to gain the courage to talk to new people, but once I realized how polite everyone was, I got settled in and forced myself out of my shell which made making friends a lot easier than I thought.
Another huge perk to going abroad is the amount of little weekend trips you can easily take to new areas in Ireland, and all around Europe. The trips I took ranged all over, I went to Italy, France, Scotland, England, Germany, and Spain. Having the ability to travel so easy like that started my love for traveling and my yearn to learn about new cultures. The fun outings and activities AIFS had set up for my program also helped me be absorbed into the rich culture Ireland has. When you get to Maynooth, you will have a university contact who will help you through the culture shock, adjustment of living in a new country, and will be there for any questions and concerns you have. They're there to help you feel comfortable!
Overall, studying at Maynooth made me gain a lot of independence in my day-to-day life. Because I was alone in a country I was not familiar with, it forced me to make decisions for myself and learn to live by myself. The experiences I had, the new perspectives I learned, and the variety of cultures I encountered opened my mind and educated me more about the world I live in. I fell in love with Ireland and I think it will always have a special place in my heart because of this semester I studied abroad and I would not go back and change anything. Some advice I would give anyone wanting to study abroad but is currently nervous and scared, its nowhere near as scary as your mind is making you think. At the end of the day, the journey of being abroad is what you make of it, your in control of how you want to spend your time while abroad! The opportunities are endless. And if you're debating on attending Maynooth for a semester, DO IT! It will be the best decision you will have ever made.

I had the absolute best time in Granada with AIFS. I decided on a homestay and was paired with another female student. She and I became very close friends and our host family was so amazing and included us in everything they did. The classes were dependent on the level you tested into, which made it very flexible to adapt to each student's learning. The AIFS program trips were so fun and they gave us lots of free time to explore. Granada is absolutely beautiful with so many fun things to do with friends!

This is such a great program because you really get out what you put into it. As a student who was studying German, I was able to take rigorous courses and improve my German language and grammar skills. I really enjoyed the professors and classmates I had from Humboldt and can really see an improvement in my German comprehension. I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking for a little less structure! I really appreciated the freedom to travel on my own and make my own plans, but also join in on the group events when I wanted to.

If you are currently an undergrad and are looking into traveling,I definitely recommend AIFS! AIFS had many options and locations I could choose from to travel to, but based on the experience I wanted, I chose to travel abroad during summer to Barcelona in Spain. I loved how well AIFS was partnered with my home institution and offered courses that applied to my degree plan. I got to connect with other students and interns from the program, which helped me build quality relationships. UAB was also a great campus to attend while abroad, my professors and other international students were great! The AIFS on-site staff was truly so sweet and helpful with any concerns I had about housing, the city, or anything personal. Everything in Barcelona was super simple to navigate and there was always something I could do on my free time like walk to the beach or meet up with friends. Overall 10/10 recommend AIFS and Barcelona, I loved it!

I studied abroad this summer with AIFS in Paris, France. First of all, the AIFS Abroad team in Paris is absolutely incredible with setting up activities, tours, and so much more. They even helped me get a home doctor visit when I had food poisoning for a week and were so incredibly helpful with both scheduling and reimbursements in regards to the visit. Second, my french language class was so beneficial and helped me grow my french skills significantly. Coming in, I barely knew any french but at the end of the summer I could communicate and order food/ask questions completely in french! I was in a class with students from all over the world and got to understand a little bit more about life in other countries, which I would not have otherwise experienced. Finally, studying abroad with AIFS made me so passionate about the global experience and what life looks like across the globe. Through my experience abroad I cultivated lifelong skills and learned how to better communicate with people from different backgrounds. I can not recommend AIFS more and encourage anyone interested to start the conversation and study abroad if possible!

I loved everything about this program and loved my internship. Cassidy was so helpful and kind through the entire program- I would definitely recommend. I was able to travel often and was placed with random roommates but got along with them great. Cassidy was very helpful for anything that I needed and my internship was fantastic at smart trip- my bosses could not have been nicer and I learned so much through this role. I loved this program and would recommend to anyone especially college students.

I was part of the 8-week Intern Abroad Summer Program in Barcelona, Spain this past summer and it was absolutely amazing. I had met so many cool people within the program and outside. I loved my internship and the people I was working with. They truly made me feel welcomed and we shared so many memories even outside of work. I think this whole experience was very impactful in my life. I was able to learn a lot about myself and the world. I made many great connections during my internship and I hope to keep them strong as I continue my career.
I would love to go back in time to do this again!

My semester abroad at Murdoch University through AIFS was by far my favorite semester of college. I took two exercise science courses and did a research internship. I loved the program and getting to live on campus, meet other international students, and explore Australia. AIFS really helped me every step of the way and I am so happy that I chose them as a program provider. I spent the semester going to classes, hanging out at the beach, exploring Perth, and traveling around the west coast. Overall this program was amazing and I can't recommend it enough!

Going abroad was the best decision I’ve ever made. Dublin offers so much to explore: efficient and affordable transportation lets you easily reach the beach, farms, or charming new towns. The local area is vibrant with endless activities, and the locals are incredibly friendly. I’ve never felt safer walking at night than I do here. The group trips were fantastic, and our advisor Sharon was always available to assist with any issues or offer great recommendations. Every day brings a new adventure in this amazing city.