AIFS Abroad Reviews

My experiences with AIFS in Salamanca were amazing and unforgettable. Before I left, I received advising every step of the way from the adviser for Spain. When I got to Spain the on site AIFS staff showed everyone in our program around Salamanca, took us to dinner, engaged us in cultural activities, and introduced us to our host families. After the first two weeks I knew that I would miss Spain more than anything because of the incredible experiences that AIFS provided to me. I was practiced Spanish all the time, I took cooking classes, I went on excursions throughout Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and I engaged in all of my classes. I wish that I would have stayed for a full year rather than only a semester.

There is next to nothing that I would change about my semester in Prague with AIFS. Prague is a beautiful city with convenient public transportation that can get you within a ten minute walk of anything, a rich history, cheap travel options, and an interesting culture. AIFS finds the perfect balance between coddling you and not giving enough support; when you first arrive, you will have a couple of weeks of orientation where you learn the basics of Czech language and culture, tour important parts of the city, and view other significant sites in the Czech Republic. Throughout the semester, you can visit the AIFS office in the center of the city for help planning travel, ideas for what to do around town, or any personal issues that might come up. Additionally, they plan weekly cultural events for students like café outings, tickets to the opera, or sporting events that help you immerse yourself in the culture.
The classes are easy to get to and mostly occur in the historic Charles University building, and while you don't get to take classes alongside Czech students, there may be other European students who are enrolled in your classes through the ERASMUS program.
Overall, I felt that I had access to all of the resources necessary to have the best possible experience in Prague. I learned so much about Czech culture and about myself.

AIFS was one of the best fit programs for me. I appreciated the fact that they were all inclusive and I had a lot of worry taken off of my shoulders since I did not have to book my flight or find housing. The professors at Polytechnic University in St. Petersburg were very encouraging. I did however only have experience with two professors and my classes were mainly with other Americans. This made sense because Russians aren’t usually taking Russian History and Russian Language classes. I hope that the Russian language professors continue to be there for years to come. My professor was very encouraging and even told us on the first day of class that we would be speaking Russian better than her after only a semester of study. Although, I knew this was not true, it started me off on a positive foot with such a difficult language. The option to stay with a host family was definitely a perk that made the program more appealing. I chose to stay with a host family. I was the only student that got the experience to stay with a host family that had children. I look back on that experience as something that made my stay all the more unique. I now have a much better representation of Russian everyday life. I am very thankful for the in country program advisers that were always there to support my stay in St. Petersburg.

Studying abroad in Perth, Australia for a semester was truly a trip of a lifetime! I did everything from taking a surf lesson, exploring the city, and taking a 10 day outback trip. AIFS was completely there along the way, from pre-departure to when it came time to leave. We had an onsite AIFS representative, who took us on a few outings, gave us advice, and helped us with adjusting to a new culture. With AIFS I was even able to participate in a week long Pacific Studies course taught in Fiji, prior to Australia.
Perth and the surrounding areas had a great public transportation system, which we all used to get around to the beaches, grocery stores, etc. It had a great nightlife and plenty to do during the day, as well. Murdoch University also had some great things for international students, such as some optional excursions which included the outback trip, a trip to Rottnest Island, and a local animal conservatory. Overall, I am so thankful I went through AIFS. I made so many memories and never felt alone along the way.

MAKING TRAVEL PLANS

It is without a doubt that almost everyone’s favorite part of studying abroad is traveling to different countries. As a matter of fact, I spent most of my study abroad experience doing activities in Barcelona that were provided by my program. However, I have myself planned and travelled on two weekend trips around Europe, but only on weekends when I really didn’t have any big papers to write or exams to study for, especially when I had long weekends with four to five days off. Believe it or not, if you follow these simple planning guidelines, your weekend trips will not only be hassle-free, but much more enjoyable as well. Here are my five need-to-know tips for planning weekend travel.
• Travel with a group: Traveling with friends is not only safer, but also much more fun. I travelled to Prague and Budapest on my own and while I never felt like I was in danger because I was exploring with different groups. When I was in my Prague, I travelled with Bus2alps, when I was in Budapest, I travelled with Weekend Student Adventures. I stood in a 6 to 8 person room hostel with other study abroad students. Having multiple heads working together will make planning and getting around much easier, and if nothing else, it’s always better to have some company.
• Creating a Budget: Actually, you’ll want to plan 2; one for your flight and hostel you book ahead of time, and one for the amount you’re going to spend when you’re actually traveling. Good hostels can be as cheap as 15 or 20 Euro a night depending on the time of year, and flights as low as 50 to 80 Euro round-trip. If I was going to be in a city for say 3 days and 2 nights, I usually took out the equivalent of $200 to $250 in local currency. Remember, the earlier you do your booking, the cheaper your travel will be. Check currency exchange rates before you leave! In some places like the Czech Republic, the rate is something like $1 to 20 Czech Koruna, so don’t be surprised when you take out 5000 CZK from the ATM.
• Bring a copy of your visa and passport with you: I had my passport in my pouch at all times because I figured it was safer that way, although some people will disagree with that. If you’re following my lead, keep a copy of your visa and passport in your hostel locker, and on the off chance your passport does get stolen, having this will make your trip to the U.S. consulate to get a replacement go a lot smoother.
• Investigate public transportation in your destination city: Few days before my weekend adventure begun, I have spent some time reading transportation maps about the city I am going to. This is something I personally advise all travellers to do before their trips begin, because this will help them avoid getting lost, spending money constantly, and make their trip a hundred times more safer. Note on Taxis: In mainland Europe, taxi drivers are occasionally known to charge you a ridiculous rate when you come to your stop. Negotiate either a price/mile rate or an overall rate right when you get in the cab, and stick to it. If the cabbie tries to mess with you, threaten to get the police and more than likely they’ll back down as they don’t have the time to get involved with the cops.

EXCURSIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR PROGRAM

Many cultural activities and travel excursions are included in AIFS Study Abroad programs. In addition, you’ll find great options available to supplement your experience in meaningful, sometimes life-changing, ways. No matter what country you choose to study in, the AIFS programs provide optional excursions during specific weekends. They are there to make your study abroad experiences fun, enjoyable, and memorable.

Seville & Granada AIFS Excursion

Now that I have been enrolled in my courses and have a sense of what my work-load is throughout the semester, I start to travel with my group on the first optional excursion to Andalucia. On Friday morning, I take a one-hour flight from Barcelona to Seville. Seville is famous for its architecture. Seville’s architecture is a mixture of the old and the new, the ancient and the modern. Phoenicians, romans, visigoths, arabs have lived in this city and therefore have left a trace in buildings, urban planning and culture. After spending one night in Seville I take a three-hour bus ride to Granada, another city in Andalucia that is a little more hilly. Granada is very famous for its beautiful gardens, city views, and historical palaces. Here are two wonderful places to go to during your time in Andalucia. One is in Seville and the other is in Granada.

(Granada) Alhambra:
The Alhambra is probably one of the most breathtaking places you'll ever visit, but be sure to have good walking shoes because it'll take a good 2 to 3 hours to see the whole thing. Even though, different palaces that are part of the Alhambra were used less and less and fell into disrepair for hundreds of years. Squatters moved in. A lot of the original artwork was lost. Parts were destroyed in the 1800s during battles with the French and a strong earthquake. It's possible that the entire complex could have been forgotten about altogether if it hadn't been “rediscovered” by European scholars in the 1820s. Since then, its been reclaimed and is still undergoing restoration. I personally love the Alhambra as a palace of fascinating architecture. Spending time up in Alhambra felt like being up in heaven, smelling flowers, and seeing so many people make it for an eternal loving life.

(Seville) Plaza de Espana:
My favorite place in Seville is Plaza de Espana. The massive building is Seville's most impressive after the cathedral, for its sheer scale and grandeur. Love it or hate it - fabulous or fussy, magnificent or overblown, depending on your point of view – I would advise you not miss it when visiting the city. Plaza de España was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 (Expo 29), along with many of the pavilions you can see in and around the Parque Maria Luisa. I think Plaza de Espana is one of the biggest and most famous landmarks in the capital of Andalucia. Here is a fun fact. Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones was filmed at the plaza. If any of you are huge Star Wars fanatics, this is definitely the place to go if you want to feel like you are in planet Naboo with Senator Amidala.

Morocco AIFS Excursion

Because AIFS is one of the best study abroad programs in the world, I have signed up for an excursion travelling to a new continent and a new country, which was in fact, number 30 on my Travel Record Books. I went on the excursion that I had been looking forward to the most: Morocco. Considering the fact that my Dad is from an Islamic country, I was so excited to visit a Muslim country, and finally experience a different country with cultural similarities. During my three days in Morocco, I have tried different food, walked around different towns, and went camal riding. I loved Morocco. I loved my time there. I loved the places I wandered through and the people who proved that Moroccans are kind, welcoming and helpful. However, I was super frustrated that I ran into local men I met were being childish because I was ignoring them. I am referring to men who were selling Moroccan souvenirs on the streets. Here is some personal and helpful advice for people who plan to go to Morocco. This is advice when it comes to running into strangers who ask for money or try to force you to buy supplies. There’s not really much you can do to avoid attention (I have met women travelling with men who were drained from the abuse directed at them) but there are steps you can take to minimise it. Look as if you know where you’re going when you’re out exploring. If you look frightened and disorientated you’ll also look like an easy target. When local men approach you keep your head held high, avoid eye contact and stride purposefully away. If they persist, ask them firmly to leave you alone. Some of you may ask me, how were you able to prevent yourself from being involved in bad incidents? I remained with my group and made sure I was staying with the people in my group. I disregarded any word that was spat out by any childish stranger trying to get my attention. Other than getting myself out of the dangerous situations, I am very happy to say that Morocco is a country where people can explore the religion of Islam.

I don't think I could have chosen a more perfect study abroad program! As an Art History major, getting to view and discuss some of the most iconic works of Western art and architecture in person is an experience that cannot be replaced by textbook images or projected pictures. Every day was jam packed with excursions, tours, and lectures that were both informative and entertaining. Despite being a traveling program, I definitely felt like my study abroad experience gave me plenty of opportunities to embrace and explore different cultures and ways of life within each location. The support of my AIFS tour manager and professor were also phenomenal, and I could not consider my first time traveling outside of the U.S to be success a success without the unparalleled support of the AIFS staff both at home and abroad.

My time spent in London, England was by far the best experience of my life. It provided me with both personal and professional growth, while having the time in my life in another country. I was able to become more independent and become more confident in myself and my abilities. My life post-program has been filled with excitement, with graduating from college and obtaining a new job in the field of social work. Some useful tips I have are to be organized, and communicate effectively, before, during, and after the program. The process of preparing all the necessary documents prior to leaving can be stressful, but is definitely worth it. I enjoyed my time in London so much, that I am looking to make a permanent move there in the next few years. If your on the fence about whether or not to participate in the program, that is completely understandable. However, my advice is to go for it and never look back. You won't regret it!

The four months I spent in Barcelona with AIFS were the best of my life, and the most valuable of my college career. The world was my classroom, and I learned more than I have in any class in my life. I chose AIFS initially because it was the cheapest option I looked at, but it also turned out to be the best! The accommodations, activities and staff were all exceptional. My apartment was newly renovated, and was located along the pedestrian avenue that connected La Sagrada Familia to the historic San Pau hospital. The onsite staff arranged activities- from walking tours, to visits to neighboring towns, to cooking classes, to dance lessons- each weekend so that anyone who stayed in the city had something to do. All of these were already included in the program costs, so we never had to pay more to participate. The onsite staff were so incredible. They truly made me feel like I was at home in Barcelona. They went above and beyond to take care of us. When I woke up with pinkeye, I emailed them saying I thought I needed to go to the doctor, and in less than an hour they had made me an appointment for that very morning. They met me at the metro and accompanied me the whole way. I really feel like AIFS cares about me. They made me feel safe and cared for despite being more than 5000 miles from home. They create such a great environment among all of the students. I credit AIFS for a lifetime of memories and friendship. Not only did they make my time abroad spectacular, but they have continued to provide me with opportunities to grow even after I have returned.

If you're looking to go to Barcelona, here are some of my insights into the city: The weather is amazing. I arrived in January, and the temperature never dropped below 45. It was sunny nearly every day, and I was in the ocean in February. The physical location of Barcelona is perfect, because it sits between the mountains and the beach. Some days I would wake up and hike up in the hills on the edge of the city, then walk down to relax on the beach in the afternoon. If you go to Barcelona, make sure you make the day trip up Montserrat. Montserrat is an incredible mountain, maybe an hour outside of the city, offering some of the most breathtaking views I have ever experienced. Barcelona offers a vast range of activities, from shopping, to hiking, to clubbing. It really does have something for everyone. The architecture is incredible. Parc Guell and La Sagrada Familia are my favorites because of the sheer amount of detail that Gaudi put into them.

I really would highly recommend studying abroad to every student. I truly feel like it makes people into more empathetic and understanding global citizens. It is also the most valuable learning experience you can take advantage of. It helped me to develop an abundance of skills, both personal and professional, and also to gain a deeper understanding of who I am and what I want in life.

Global Experiences' Dublin program truly helped make my dreams come true. Since high school, I've wanted to work in a math/technology role at a feature animation studio. However, such positions incredibly competitive and hard to come by, and I had very few contacts within the animation industry. I chose to take part in Global Experiences to improve my chances of gaining work experience that would help me work towards my ideal career.

GE blew me away with their internship placement process. Despite the specificity and rarity of the internship I was hoping to have, GE was patient and persistent during my placement process. I was amazed by the attentiveness of my program advisor and my internship placement coordinator throughout the entire process. I really felt that they were listening to me and trying to do their best for me.

In the end, I couldn't have been happier with my internship. GE ultimately didn't place me in Dublin -- instead, I worked in a beautiful Irish town called Kilkenny -- but their willingness to explore alternative locations in Ireland paid off big time. I was able to do exactly the work I was hoping to do in a successful and renowned studio that I've admired for years.

As a bonus, I got hired permanently after my internship! Because of Global Experiences' exceptional program, I was able to break into an intensely competitive industry and have the kind of job that I thought I'd be lucky to have five years from now. If you have very particular professional ambitions, GE is a great way to start building the career you want most.

My experience in Stellenbosch, South Africa with AIFS was one of the most influential moments of my life so far. My time there was a really pivotal moment in both my personal life and career plans. There were many opportunities for myself and others to learn about and experience the rich culture. South Africa has eleven national languages, so it was so different and great to meet people who spoke completely different languages from town to town. Living there, we were able to experience the every day lives of South Africans and feel extremely welcome there. We also experienced the diversity that is present in an individual town and from town to town across the country. It was extremely important to me to be able to travel to different parts of the country and learn about their culture. This experience allowed me to be immersed in their culture and be challenged. It allowed me to grow as an individual and I believe that it presented me with a purpose in life that I plan to pursue.