Study Abroad in Grenoble, France with AIFS Abroad

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 went abroad with AIFS in fall 2024 at Université Grenoble Alpes, and I was very attracted by the immersion and language-learning aspect that AIFS and the UGA program provided. I was placed in a wonderful homestay (with pets!), and I knew I could count on either my host or the AIFS resident director if I needed anything at all, from homework help to personal matters like homesickness. AIFS supported me--and my parents--during the entire registration and departure process. There were a lot of nerves going into the semester, but I was put at ease by how welcoming and helpful my host and resident director were, as well as the new friends I made at UGA. The AIFS resident director helped familiarize me with the city, and I got to experience so many aspects of French culture from cuisine to history to art while exploring Grenoble during the semester. My classes taught me a lot about French culture as well, including social and linguistic customs that you I never learned from a textbook. My French skills increased exponentially from the beginning of the semester to the end thanks to the immersive courses in UGA's CUEF program. Being abroad not only showed me how adaptable and confident I could become in my independence, but I also got to make friends from opposite ends of the world that I still stay in touch with today. I would recommend AIFS Abroad to any student looking to be challenged academically, is adventurous, and wants to go out of their comfort zone to explore the world and the culture and friendships it has to offer.

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!

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I completed the French Language and Culture program in Grenoble, France and the experience left me feeling appreciative, connected, and inspired. I think this program does a great job at offering the right amount of guidance and support and encouraging indpendence. Some of my favorite memories were the events and trips that AIFS plans which were educational but in the best way possible (I don't know how to explain this but you'll understand). I will be forever grateful that I chose this city as my second home and could not think of a better place to have immersed myself in French language and culture!

I have wanted to study abroad for years and studying abroad with AIFS in Grenoble, France exceeded my every expectation! The AIFS staff was incredible in supporting me from the moment I began the application process to the end of my program. The on-site Resident Director, Miranda, went above and beyond to make Grenoble feel like home the moment I arrived. I couldn't have chosen a better location! Everywhere you looked there was a stunning view of the French Alps and the locals were so kind and willing to help me learn French. The French Language and Culture Program also ensured that my academic goals were met while having fun in all the cultural activities and excursions AIFS offered. Some of my best memories were making crepes with the friends I made there and snowshoeing in the French Alps (the views were unforgettable!). My program was unfortunately cut short due to COVID-19 but I am grateful to AIFS for navigating the pandemic with students' health and safety as their top priority. I was able to finish my courses at home to still receive my credits and Zoom reunions with friends have been a must to relive those amazing few months. I wouldn't trade my experience with AIFS for anything and I highly recommend choosing AIFS for your adventure of a lifetime!

Going to Grenoble, France with AIFS was the best decision I could have made for myself. To start, the views were incredible - I loved that no matter where you would look, you would see mountains. Plus, I lived only a few minutes from the Bastille which made it super easy to get to if I wanted to take a hike. My experience would not have been the same if it weren't for my host family. They took me in as one of their own, and helped me practice my French even outside of the classroom. They even played games with me, such as scrabble, to help me practice! Being in the Intensive French Language program was, to say the least, intense. BUT, it helped me so much! I spent four hours a day learning and speaking French - I learned about so many different topics and it was very different from my French classes in the US, which is why I enjoyed it so much. My classmates were also amazing and they were from all around the world, forcing us to communicate in French. I met so many incredible people while I was abroad, and I hope that one day we can all reconnect and reminisce on our time together. AIFS was definitely the right program provider for me because everything was included - tuition, excursions, housing, food, etc. I didn't have to worry about whether I would have enough money to do this or that because the cost was laid out in front of me from the very beginning. If you are someone looking to study abroad, I could not recommend AIFS more! They will take care of you no matter what, so there is a sense of safety before you even arrive at your destination. There are also a lot of opportunities to go traveling on the weekends. I was able to go just about every weekend to a new country. AIFS allows for solo (or group) travel that doesn't interfere with any excursions or other activities, so use your time wisely, and travel to as many amazing places as possible. Take the leap to study abroad, you will not regret it!!

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The thought of packing my bag and go to a new country that has a different culture and language from the ones I know was quite nerve-wracking. However, AIFS did a lot to help make the whole study abroad process goes as smoothly as possible. The admission counselor was quick to answer any questions and provided me all the information that I needed before departure. Once all the students arrived in Grenoble, my amazing resident director gave us a tour of the city, taught us how to use public transportation, and provided all the necessary information we need to navigate the new lifestyle. My time in Grenoble allowed me to meet amazing people and learn about a new culture. Thanks to AIFS, my overall study abroad experience was wonderful.

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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 am beyond thankful for my experience with AIFS in Grenoble France! My host home had selected perfectly for me, with supportive staff with AIFS and from the school professors. I took advantage of the outdoors, the markets, the French immersion opportunities. My only regret: I should've studied abroad for an entire year! Do it and you won't regret it. Bon Voyage!

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...

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