AIFS Abroad in Grenoble, France (GEM): Semester

I always wanted to go back to France and truly understand the meaning of life in another country. The only time traveling to France is to visit family on my mother’s side. So being able to visit the country on my own, in a part of France I have never visited, was an eye opening experience. Living by myself encouraged me to learn how to cook many different platters that I wouldn’t normally have, and pushed me to go out and explore the city. I had great support from the AIFS and CUEF team. Miranda Rea was amazing and helped me through some difficult times. She was encouraging and supportive and without her I believe I’d have a difficult time crossing the finish line. Class was difficult yet fun. I’ve learned so many different grammar rules and learned that even though you make some mistakes, “just know everyone makes mistakes in French. Even the French!”, Professor Kristof would say that to me when I’d make a common mistake that most francophone people do. However, I did catch on pretty quickly since I’m bilingual in French and English. In all, I had a wonderful experience and would recommend this organization to whoever is looking for an exciting learning experience in a different country!

I found the peace in being alone. I didn’t feel the constant need to have someone near, yet I knew when I wanted people they were there. I found that the art of nothing, is so beautiful. There is so much nature surrounding us and people around every corner of the world we haven’t met. This world is vast and I want to discover so much more!

I love learning and I love traveling; I think I love traveling because it helps me learn-- the world is the best classroom after all. Enrolling in an AIFS program allowed me to live in France for a semester were I was able to immerse myself in courses and cultural experiences to propel me towards my personal, academic, and professional goals, and honestly it was one of the most profound and enriching life experiences I have ever had. I highly encourage students to take full advantage of whichever study abroad opportunities are available to them. I highly recommend applying for an AIFS program because AIFS provides an incredible all inclusive study abroad experience which offers a blissful balance between guidance and navigation through a challenging cross cultural experience as well as promoting an environment for young adults to indulge in their independence. AIFS made it easy for me to move across the Atlantic, take some classes, and to explore who I am. AIFS is renowned for their all inclusive programs which offer a variety courses, scholarships, flight packages, excursions, insurance, etc… BUT one of my favorite features about the AIFS package is the personal contacts who I felt truly cared about me getting the most out of my semester abroad. My admissions representative Erin reached out to me as soon as I started my application, she helped me secure me VISA and scheduled my flights for me. Once in France, my regional director Miranda helped me acclimate into my new host culture, introduced me to my loving host family, and translated for me at the doctors office. It was reassuring to know that there was always someone I could turn to if needed. Even after completing the program, the alumni coordinator Angela provided me with resources to help market my study abroad experience to future employers. AIFS connected me with a group of people who share my passion to learn and to travel and helped me create professional and supportive networks which continue to benefit me more than I ever imagined or expected from applying to international academic program. Thank you to the many people at AIFS who dedicate their time to help me and other students learn from the world.

AIFS in Grenoble was the perfect choice for me! Grenoble is such a nice little city! It's very easily walkable but also has great public transportation around the city center and outskirts. You can see mountains everywhere and it is absolutely beautiful, both in the winter when they're snowcapped, and in the spring when they're turning green with trees, and there are parks everywhere. It's not so big that it's overrun with tourists that deplete the beauty of the French culture, but there are many people that speak English if you're not very good with the language at the beginning (or middle or end of your trip). I thought most everything was fairly priced, and there are many different options at every price point for food, clothing, necessities, etc. AIFS set me up with a host mom who had breakfast and dinner for me 7 days a week, and it was a wonderful way to experience French cooking and learn some new tricks to use in my own kitchen, but also allowed me to try the different restaurants around Grenoble when I wanted. The opportunities that AIFS provides, like a cooking class, were great, but business students were not allowed to go on the excursions to other French cities that the AIFS French language and culture students went on (though the resident director there said she was working on changing that). Speaking of the resident director, she was absolutely wonderful!! She was such a sweet lady and ready to answer any questions we had, before and during our stay there. The classes at the business school were not terribly interesting and there is no flexibility in what classes you can take because of how the school's program is set up, but you take them with classes full of local and international students from all over the world. It was so interesting to learn about their home cultures while you're both trying to learn and live in a new one. The schedule also allowed quite a bit of time for traveling! I absolutely would recommend Grenoble as a study abroad destination, and I definitely want to go back!

I chose Grenoble, France as my destination for study abroad based on a few criteria. I did not know the language (I wanted to immerse myself and learn as I lived there), I did not know anyone studying there or living there at that time (I wanted to exercise my independence and meet people on my own), I wanted to live with a host family (preferably who did not speak English so I could really learn and practice my French). I looked through many third party programs and stumbled upon AIFS. This program was everything I needed and more. AIFS gave me the opportunity to go on excursions with the group who were from all over the USA. We ate French traditional food, visited the most beautiful places together, met French students and toured around the city to get comfortable with our new living situations. The program also gave me the most incredible host family. My host mom and I became close despite our language barrier. AIFS allowed students to be as independent or involved at their preference. Our director was extremely caring and open to helping us with everything including travel plans, host family gift ideas, and even the simple local etiquette which we would only know by living in the city. The entire four months were the greatest experience of my life. I was able to experience the culture and the fun with the people I grew close to and the city I soon called home... without having to deal with the nitty gritty logistics which thankfully AIFS had already taken care of. Insurance was covered, tram passes were included in our payment, and paperwork for school was situated. These are just minor examples of what help and aid AIFS provided. Incredible people, incredible program, incredible memories...