AIFS Abroad Reviews

After attending the GE Program in Sydney, Australia last summer I decided to intern in the London GE Program this summer as the Residential Advisor. Not only did both internships exceed my expectations, but the other students who were selected for both programs shared such a similar mindset and it was a very powerful atmosphere to live and work in. The global experiences team did an exceptional job at helping us improve our overall career skills (resume, cover letter, interview prep, etc.) and also did a great job matching us with the perfect company in our desired field to allow growth. I could 100% see myself working at the company I interned at this summer. I think it was really cool that my internship the second year was more advanced, as my skills in my particular field have improved. There was a great balance of support and freedom throughout the entirety of the program. Figuring out housing, transportation, visas, finding the internship itself, meeting people, and any of the confusing or scary logistics that go into moving abroad seemed effortless with their help. Thank you GE for giving me two of the most memorable summers and international experiences of my life!

From start to finish this experience has given me so many amazing memories. My internship was so fun and well assigned to what I was wanting! The social scene in London is wild and there is always something for everyone! Other than lack of air conditioning in almost everywhere in London this summer has been the best ever! You truly do get out what you put in, not only to your internship but the city! I met some incredible people who are lifelong friends.

I had a great time in London! My internship was with a social media company. Since I’ve never made videos for social media before it gave me a new perspective on film and helped me hone my skills. The company I worked with was great and it was thanks to Global Expierences that I have this connection! Expierencing London on the weekends was amazing and being located in the central part helped with that. Overall I would recommend this program because the connections and cultural expierences are worth it!

I got to intern in Paris through Global Experience this summer; the internship was pretty tough at the moment, especially having to work long hours unpaid. However, as I think back, it was definitely worth it and had improved my personal skills and experiences. Though I have heard complaints from other people in the program about their housing, my home stay experience was pleasant. Even though I didn't know anyone from the program before going, definitely go the the events because you could make great connections and friends here.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to intern abroad! Prior to arriving in London I was super nervous about traveling and living in a new city, as I had never traveled by myself before and had little experience traveling abroad in general. However, as soon as I arrived I felt at home and found that the city is much easier to navigate than I had expected. I feel that my internship provided me with a greater knowledge and experience in the mental health field and I hope to apply these skills later when searching for a career in counseling. Overall, I have gained more confidence from this experience and feel a sense of both personal and professional growth. To anyone that is on the fence about interning abroad or nervous about living in a new country, I would say to go for it and be prepared for the time to fly by.

My experience from Global Experience has been tremendous in a way that not only was it my first time to live in Europe, but also my first internship at a fashion manufacturer. Though the company is a small company, I feel that I had come at the right time where the company is preparing to launch its own brand. I was able to take on many roles ahead of my experience where it had challenged me to grow more than I initially expected.

I would want the future participants to know that aside from growing experiences in career, living abroad is all about traveling and becoming cultured as well. "Work hard, play hard!"
I would definitely suggest to not be afraid to travel alone. There is an unimaginable amount of self-growth that comes from that once it can be looked at in a positive perspective.

My experience have impacted me in a way that it had filled my soul and opened my eyes on this untouched territory of mine on what is life out here, and the beauty and differences in the world aside from what we have ever known.

My favorite memory? This one is a hard one as it has been my first time doing almost everything I have done here, from traveling completely alone for the first time, visiting every city for the first time. I will say that making new friends, visiting countries I never imagined to visit so soon, conversations with strangers, exploring with roomates, getting lost with roomates, getting to know the city, speaking another language, creating family-like bonds with roomates all have been a favorite memory of mine and I will definitely miss it all.

In conclusion, all the advisors of GE has been great since the get go from helping my decision to intern abroad, making me feel comfortable in this huge commitment, prepping me for the internship, and walking me through the preparations. Post arriving for the internship, they have been very personable and available every step of the way. The events and social events have also been wonderful to be with interns on the same page and sharing this experience together. Carmen has been so hospitable and personable the whole way during the internship and coordinating every social event!

My time in London would not have been as amazing as it was without Global Experiences. I did not know what to expect, and the staff go above and beyond to help answer questions, quell any fears, and give tips on things to do/see. Carmen Chamorro (London coordinator) and Jen Mackin (program advisor--based in the US) are both super helpful and want to make sure that all participants are enjoying themselves. Global Experiences provides day trips most weekends to the surrounding area (i.e. Stonehenge, Bath, Brighton) and tours around in London, but, if you do not wish to do one of those, Carmen will suggest loads of other options for you to do so that you can experience the all of what London has to offer.

I worked as an Interior Design Intern this summer and it was an amazing experience. I was mostly nervous about not knowing anyone going into it, but the program did a great job at organizing events to allow us to meet one another. It also helped that our location coordinator, Carmen, was awesome and made sure we were all taken care of. I loved my internship and can't think of how it could have been any better. This program and internship has helped me to feel more prepared for the real world and confirm my passion for design. London is an amazing city and has given me nothing but good memories.

Before coming on this trip I had no idea what to expect as I didn't know anyone and hadn't ever had a real office job before. Never once though was i worried that i wasn't going to enjoy my internship at my company. The Global Experiences team in London (Carmen Chamorro and Jen Mackin) did an incredible job of finding everyone the right internship in their specified career field. Throughout the preparation period heading into the trip they asked all of the right questions and were really inclined to find you the best possible internship. As a result, as soon as i got to my internship i felt welcome and needed. Carmen and Jen were also always a quick email away from helping you with any questions you had about your internship and always had your back if something were to go wrong.

As for the social events hosted by GE, i would recommend going to as many of them as possible. They are a great way to meet the other people in your program, get closer to your supervisors, and network with people from around the world. Jen and Carmen also made them incredibly fun and enjoyable and were inclusive of everyone. Each social event was different and allowed you to truly experience the city you were in as well as its surrounding areas.

Overall, I would give the internship and social events aspect of GE a 10/10! Highly recommended for everyone!

I guess this summer will always be here, deep inside of my memories, warms my body in cold nights. London was never just a city, but a spring that surrounds you with its history, spirit and culture, a spring that drowns you with its magnificent beauty. Many years later, it might be difficult to remember what was I doing at the last day of July or what was the last words I said to my roommates, but I will never forget the smell in St Paul's Cathedra, I will never forget the warm breeze from the English Channel, "Wait, are those stars or lights from Normandy?" I will always remember that nameless song I heard at the bus station. Magic is real, my friend.

Thank you global experiences. Thank you for this amazing summer.