AIFS Abroad Reviews

I knew that studying abroad was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wanted to make sure that my trip to Spain was a smooth transition there and that when I returned back to my campus in the spring I was still on track to graduate. AIFS did that and so much. I loved that I could play an active role in choosing courses that I was interested in. I was also thrilled that AIFS prepared me mentally with resources that made me feel at ease (packing list, SIM card options, etc.) While I was abroad, I had an experience like none other. Gaye and Julia treated me like family and when I needed them they were always there to make sure I had what I needed even on days when I was super super homesick. They let us have our freedom and experience around us but were still there to provide support. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my time in Spain and how much this trip changed and impacted me. It is definitely the highlight of not just my college matriculation but my life. The professors were outstanding, the city was beautiful and rich with culture and history. On days that I was homesick one of my greatest memories was going to get frozen yogurt and just sitting outside in the plaza or roam around the city to explore an area I hadn't been. The apartment I stayed in was literally steps away from the plaza and I enjoyed having the option to cook for myself because I am very finicky about food. Of course nothing was perfect, but even on bad days, I wouldn't have traded this opportunity for anything. As an African-American studying abroad was a priority for me. I wanted to travel and engage with a different culture and see what the world was like for myself. I wrote several blogs about my time in Salamanca (head over to AIFS

Going abroad to Spain has been my dream since I first started studying Spanish in middle school. To be able to live out this dream literally, boosted my confidence in the fact that I know I can make my dreams a reality. While I was there, I realized my passion for the language grew so much stronger and that my dream of actually permanently moving abroad could be made true. This experience opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities and I did stuff I never thought I would do. My confidence was so much higher there than ever before. Coming back, I think about it every single day and as I get closer to having to job-search, I know I'm not going to limit myself to any particular location. I am a completely different person with a much more open mind than before going abroad and I think if anyone has even considered going abroad, then they should do everything in their power to make it happen. You absolutely cannot regret going to a foreign country while you're in college. The program far exceeded my expectations. They were there when I needed them, but we weren't required to do anything or stuck to any sort of schedule except for school. We were just given an abundance of options. Having everything included such as accommodation and food, really helped with budgeting.

Granada was the best place to study abroad! I lived with a host family, took all my courses in spanish, and immersed myself in the culture. The on-site resident directors with AIFS were AMAZING!!! They went with me to the doctor when I got sick, helped us with our schedules, and guided us on where we should shop and places we needed to eat at. The excursions they plan were very well planned and very fun! I knew nothing about Granada before heading over there and had never left the country before so I was very nervous to leave but I am so glad I chose AIFS in Granada. I felt completely supported and enjoyed every part of my experience! My host family was great and loving, my classes were not as hard as I was expecting, and the culture and life in Granada is rich! I would recommend Granada to everyone but especially to those who want to go to a spanish speaking country and come back speaking the language. Granada is an amazing place to learn the Spanish language.

This program is honestly once in a lifetime. From the matching of my Host family, from the personal accommodations that were easily made if something was not up to par, my semester in Costa Rica with AIFS was one that I will never forget. Going to a country by yourself for a semester can be nerve-wracking as was for me in the beginning, but AIFS made sure that right from the very beginning, I was taken care of. There is a huge list of things that I can pinpoint to why I would recommend this program to someone but the top three on the list would have to be because:
1.) The Program does not sugarcoat and always has your best interest in mind when it comes to literally everything.
2.) The experience of living with a host family allows you to fully emerge in the culture and interact in a family atmosphere.
3.) Costa Rica is just a fulfilling place to take a breather and celebrate life with other people who become family forever.

I studied abroad in the beautiful city of Florence in the Spring of 2018, and it was definitely the best decision I ever made. After traveling to Europe on a high school trip the summer before my Senior year, I knew that studying abroad was something that I wanted to do in college. As a Pre-Nursing student, I knew it might be a little more difficult for me to study abroad. I was determined to make it happen, and decided that I wanted to go in the Spring semester of my Sophomore year. I decided that I wanted to study abroad in Italy, because I have always dreamt of visiting places like Florence, Rome, and Venice. I was scared and nervous to be heading to another country completely by myself, but I am so glad I decided to do it. I ended up meeting such amazing people and met some of my best friends who I have been able to meet up with again since we have all been back in different states. I was able to see and experience so many things that I have only ever read about or seen pictures of, and learn so much about other cultures in the process. I was able to travel and see so much more of the world than I ever thought possible in four months. AIFS and the staff at Richmond in Florence did an amazing job of providing cultural activities and events for us students. I never would have done some of the things that I did had it not been for the school organizing the activities, such as attending the world-famous Carnivale in Viareggio (truly and unforgettable experience!). One of the best parts of the Florence program in my opinion is the meal plan. Being able to experience dining in authentic Italian restaurants became one of the highlights of my experience abroad and became a routine for my friends and I. One of my favorite parts of a typical day in Florence was getting to go out to dinner with my friends, enjoy amazing food, and create memories. I could not imagine my semester abroad without the nights spent at our favorite restaurants, all thanks to the meal plan! Studying abroad was the best decision I have ever made, and if I could recommend it to anyone and everyone I absolutely would!

10/10 experience

The phrase 'coolest little capital in the world' really holds true for this city. It gives off such a modern and hip vibes with the feeling of culture and history as well. Some of the friendliest, easy going people ever encountered, with the perk of being one of the safest countries in the world! Indeed, windy welly is a true phrase as well so don't forget your rain jacket and some layers (and just leave your umbrella at home). Even on a rainy day, Wellington does not lack any views or things to do - Cuba street for some shopping or coffee date, botanical gardens, museums, Westpac stadium for a rugby game, and much more (guess you'll just have to go to see for yourself!).

Being located in the bottom of the north island, there was easy access take a ferry to the south island or get cheap plane tickets into Christchurch then rent a car to tour the entire island. Renting a car to travel across and up the north island was also very doable.

Other traveling opportunities open such as using Easter break from classes to travel to such as Fiji, Australia, SE Asia.

10/10 experience

Wellington being the 'coolest little capital in the world' really holds true. Living in a flat that has a view of a rugby field on one side, ocean and mountains on another, the city on another, and looking up to see the botanicals gardens pretty much sums up my experience. New Zealand is a place for those who can enjoy natural beauty and adventure. The south island is a must see place- which I was fortunate enough to visit three times with various friends I met through AIFS. Some of my personal favorite memories that may give you a taste of what life abroad here looks like includes sky diving over Lake Wanaka with my mom while she visited on Easter break and renting a van to live out of for the week while traveling across the south island with two others.

My semester in Limerick, Ireland was better than I could have ever imagined. I felt comfortable with no language barrier, but also was able to experience a culture completely different from my own. Throughout the semester, I learned so much about myself and how I handle situations different than ones that I have been in before. I learned a lot about my awareness (of my surroundings, culture, and myself) that I hope will make me a more valuable employee after my approaching graduation. Being a business major, I am setting myself apart when I say that I took economics and IT classes in Ireland. I wouldn't change my experience for anything and I wouldn't want to go through any other provider either. AIFS really seemed to value the idea of support when abroad. Whether that support be for me as a student, or for my family at home, who were so far away from me for the entire semester. I never felt alone and everyone question I had was answered with the help of the on-site director who was like our mom away from home. They also planned amazing excursions that helped us see more of the culture and helped us bond as a group. Living on campus with students was another huge plus for me on this program, since I do not know how comfortable I would be in a host family situation. I really did have an adventure of a lifetime!

Studying abroad was easily the best decision I have ever made. It challenged me. It brought me experiences I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. It ultimately gave me wanderlust and a better perspective of the world. Living in Prague showed me so much that I simply can't write it all down in text to do it justice. Going into the semester, I knew that I would get to travel to countries I've never been and eat food I've never tried. I was going to meet all sorts of people and be the tourist who asks for directions and recommendations time and time again. However, what I didn't know going in was what really had the most impact on me going out. The appreciation I have for a quaint cafe or an evening in a park watching the sunset came from studying abroad. The love I have for meeting new people and knowing that I can learn something from everyone I encounter stemmed from living in Prague. The outlook I have on the world and wanting to experience it all is something that will never leave me, and for that I am forever grateful to Prague. What you think you'll get out of studying abroad, you most likely will. However, its all the extra stuff that comes with it, the stuff that comes from taking the wrong train for the third time or going to your favorite cafe every Tuesday; It's the moments of fate or serendipity that you will hold near and dear to your heart for the rest of your life. So, what are you waiting for? Choose Prague, Love Prague, Pick Prague.

My experience abroad completely changed my life. Many, if not all, students who have had the chance of studying away from the United States will say the same thing, but I truly feel like my experience was unique. From the moment I arrived in Salamanca, the AIFs staff made it their personal mission to make me the happiest gal in the world. Not only was I provided with a trip to London to kick off my semester abroad, but I was placed in a loving home stay with a host Mom who truly became my mom. AIFs choice of host families went above and beyond what I expected as my host mom made it her mission to include me and my roommate within Spanish culture as best as possible. In addition, AIFs made sure I recieved the best of Spanish experiences by organizing excursions throughout Spain and giving me the opportunity to take classes in an actual Spanish classroom. When my professors heard I was an aspiring journalist, they went out of their way to get me in contact with local journalists. I tagged along to protests and was able to live a very unique and important moment in Spain’s history, the Catalonia cry for independence. AIFs provided me with trips, memories, and the opportunity to really understand and decide whether this field was what I wanted and I could not recommend this program enough. It changed my life, it could potentially change yours.