AIFS Abroad

I never thought that studying abroad was going to be for me. As a student on scholarship and graduating a year early, studying abroad for a whole semester was out of the question. Yet, I also didn't want to sacrifice possible internship opportunities during the summer that would have helped me get a job. This program was perfect for me as I got all of the benefits of studying abroad without having to sacrifice anything. Additionally, the program was super flexible with their excursions, which was perfect for a busy student like me. I got to have the support of their team while also getting to feel like I was an adult professional in a foreign country. I couldn't have asked for a better group and a better time abroad and thank you AIFS Berlin for making it all happen.

Living: The living situation was excellent and I think is a rare find compared to most study/intern abroad programs, especially because in other programs they'd probably charge you for a private studio. I'm currently studying abroad in Barcelona and I live in a dorm with a roommate, and I still think back to how good my living situation was in Berlin. I remember there being ample cooking utensils, stove, microwave,toaster, coffee maker, not to mention it cam e with a flatscreen TV. I had queen bed and the bedroom was separate from the kitchen area. My current living space doesn't compare at all with my place in Berlin.. Like the if i wanted an apartment they wouldve charged me a large amount adn even then you share the apartment with 4 other people lol. So the berlin program had a top tier living situation. Work: This was my first internship, and I'm extremely grateful to this company for giving me the opportunity to work with them. My boss was extremely helpful and wanted to make sure we we're doing work that interests us, if we wanted to do more entreprenurial work or corporate finance/ accounting. I was impressed by the immense global reach of the company. I worked mainly in finance/accounting and most of the people I communicated with were based in the Netherlands or South Africa. A lot of the finance infrastructure was in Dutch, but using the translating tool, it was always easy to navigate.. towards the end I stopped using the translation tool and I really ended up learning a lot of Dutch finance terms. I always enjoyed socializing/ networking with other people in the office. They were very helpful and communicative, especially at the very beginning. I learned so much from them and my supervisors and working in an international environment. Now I feel more confident in the professional space and working in a team. The only complaint I have is that a clear work schedule was not specified with me and the other finance interns at the beginning, however, we soon found out and apologized for the misunderstanding. We understood to be there at 10am, we just didnt have communication or anything in writing, as to when the work day ended at first. Activities: I enjoyed the tours and group trips, great way to get to know better the city and rest of the country. I really enjoyed the Warnemunde trip. I wish I had gone on the Poland or Czechia trips. But I really enjoyed how accessible the nature was in and around Berlin. One of my favorite things to do was go hang out by a lake, which Berlin has many of and is great to do on a hot summer day. If I were to suggest another activity.. maybe a bike tour around Berlin. Or a group tour of some of the DDR sites- I loved visiting the DDR museum and all the remnants of that era. I really enjoyed my time. Hope to visit again.

My time in Berlin was amazing, I got exposed to new cultures and ideas as well as getting valuable and relevant work experience. AIFS connected me with incredible mentors who helped me grow personally and professionally as well as organized cultural outings to show me the unique experiences Berlin has to offer.

I chose AIFS Abroad because I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and experience a new culture through a program that offered support before, during, and after going abroad. I participated in the Barcelona Maymester program in summer 2026, and it was an experience I will always be grateful for. The pre-departure process was stress-free, which made preparing to study abroad feel much less overwhelming. Once in Barcelona, I loved exploring the city, trying new foods, going on excursions, and experiencing everyday life in a new culture. One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was learning to navigate a new city independently, as well as making lasting friendships with the people around me. I got to live in an apartment in the coolest part of the city all while living with my best friends. I was so grateful to be able to go to classes and become so independent in an unfamiliar city. I would recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking to experience a new culture, make lasting memories, meet new people, and grow both personally and professionally.

My semester abroad in Madrid with AIFS was genuinely one of the most memorable experiences of my life, and I would recommend the program to anyone considering studying abroad! From the beginning, the experience was well organized, and I felt supported throughout my time in Spain. Looking back, I am so grateful I chose AIFS because my semester became so much more than just an opportunity to study in another country. AIFS also offered a great variety of activities that allowed us to experience Spanish culture firsthand. These included tapas dinners, cooking sessions, and trips to beautiful cities like Granada, Toledo, and Segovia. These experiences gave us the opportunity to explore beyond Madrid while creating lasting memories with other students. I would recommend AIFS in a heartbeat! If you are nervous about taking the leap, I encourage you to go for it. My semester in Madrid gave me lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and personal growth that I will carry with me long after returning home. I would do it all over again without hesitation!

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I chose AIFS Abroad for my semester in London because I wanted to experience living in a new country while continuing my education, and I’m so glad I did. The staff were incredibly helpful and supportive, which made adjusting to life in a new city much easier. The housing accommodations were also a great part of the experience and gave me a place to feel comfortable while living abroad. Having an Oyster card to use on the Tube made it so easy to get around London and explore different neighborhoods, landmarks, and attractions. The Eurail pass was another great benefit because it gave me the opportunity to travel and experience even more while studying abroad. One of my favorite parts of the program was getting to explore London, visit museums and landmarks, and experience everyday life in a different country. I also made amazing friendships and became more independent and confident navigating new places. As a marketing and management student, studying abroad gave me a new perspective on different cultures and helped me grow both personally and professionally. Between the supportive staff, housing, transportation benefits, and opportunities to explore, AIFS made my experience really memorable. I would definitely recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking to study abroad, make new friends, and get the most out of their time in another country!

I chose AIFS Abroad because of the variety of programs that they offer. I went to Paris, France for a January term to take an Accounting class at the American Business College. The AIFS staff was super helpful with me. Even before departure, they were there for me helping me with my housing options and to coordinate my flights, during my program they invited us to different excursions and to the AIFS office in Paris to know the staff and after the program they were very interested in our feedback and reviews. During my program I stayed with a host family and it was such an amazing thing because i got to experience French culture first-hand while also sharing a little bit about my own culture. The American Business College is a place where students from different cultures and backgrounds share one same perspective on global business with an American point of view, which made everything easier for me. This program had a great impact in my life because it made me get out of my comfort zone and get to know so many people while earning credit towards my degree. I'd recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking to study abroad or intern while getting credits towards their degree. AIFS is very helpful, has so many programs available and a staff who is always willing to make the best for you.

My name is Kabba and I studied abroad in London, England during the Fall 2025 semester! I chose to study abroad because I wanted to explore an opportunity to grow by doing something out of my comfort zone. AIFS helped make my experience an unforgettable one by ensuring I was prepared before departure and providing me with support during my time abroad. I would recommend studying abroad with AIFS to anyone who is willing to expand their horizon!

I chose AIFS Abroad for my 8-week summer internship in Berlin because of how responsive and organized they were from the very beginning. Any questions I had before departure got answered quickly, which made the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming. Once I got to Berlin, that same level of support continued. The staff were easy to reach and genuinely helpful whenever I needed anything, which made a huge difference living in a new country for the first time. I stayed in an apartment in a great location with my own room, which gave me the independence to explore the city on my own schedule while still feeling settled. AIFS built in a solid mix of activities and excursions like a trip out to Peacock Island was a highlight, and I also ended up playing badminton and joining a city tour, which were great ways to actually experience Berlin rather than just pass through it. Those activities were also where I met a lot of the people I got close with during the program. Having a built-in group made it easy to explore the city together instead of navigating it solo. Looking back, the experience pushed me to be more independent and comfortable navigating unfamiliar situations, which I don't think I would've gotten the same way from a shorter or less immersive program. I'd recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for a summer program that balances real independence (your own space, your own time) with enough built-in structure and support that you're never actually on your own when it matters.

I was told that I would have an interview before leaving for London and that was not the case. I had to continue to wait for my provider to find a company for me to interview with, and I constantly reached out to her because she would never send me updates about the process. The process was very stressful and unreliable. It was very hard to get a straightforward answer from my advisor, and I ended up with an internship that wasn't related to my degree.

I was definitely nervous before going abroad, but AIFS made the whole process so easy. They set you up with everything you need beforehand, and continue to support you throughout your entire time abroad. On my first day in Prague, I met our two program leaders, who are both locals and somehow knew everything about the city. They gave me so many great recommendations throughout my time there, helped me whenever I had questions about navigating life in Prague, and constantly checked in to see how my internship was going and if I needed anything. One of my favorite parts of the experience was getting to explore Prague and other nearby countries with the other students in the program. We became so close and made so many memories together. AIFS also planned activities throughout the summer that I never would have thought to do on my own, including pottery painting, a jazz concert, a theatre performance, group dinners, water activities, and even a weekend trip to a town in the Czech countryside. These experiences were such a huge part of what made the summer so special. I felt like I was actually living in Prague rather than just visiting as a tourist. Our program leaders showed us the local spots, introduced us to different parts of Czech culture, and helped us experience the city in a way we probably never would have been able to on our own. Professionally, I was also really happy with my internship placement as a marketing intern. It was a great fit for the skills I wanted to strengthen and the goals I had going into the summer. I learned what it’s like to work in a different country, communicate across cultures, adapt to different workplace norms, and build professional relationships outside of my immediate team. Between making lifelong friendships, connecting with people at my internship, exploring Prague and surrounding countries, and constantly trying new things, this summer pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way. I came home more confident, independent, adaptable, and grateful for all of the people and experiences that made this summer so unforgettable. I would choose this experience a million times over. ❤️

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Had an incredible time. Didn't know what to expect since this program was new to me, but I absolutely loved it and would totally recommend it to anyone looking to study abroad. Met amazing people and made friendships even though I knew no one going into this. Would 100% go through this program again.

This company makes you pay over $3,000 for an extremely small studio apartment just for two months. The average rent in Paris is around €900 for a full one bedroom apartment. I understand they are working as an agent too but this was heavily inflated. There were too many Americans in one building where we received constant complaints about our volume level, cleanliness, etc. we should have been split up as to not cause negative feelings to the locals. There was almost no room to network or build professional relationships. I am fairly certain AIFS does not properly vet their host companies as there a multitude of complaints regarding interns placements and lack of professionalism from their host companies. And almost all companies are not interested in a work visa. The program was a huge waste of time, money, and resources. Do not go through this program at all, it’s a total scam!!

My experience with AIFS Abroad was incredible! From start to finish, I felt supported every step of the way. Samia was absolutely amazing—she was so patient, kind, and always willing to help me navigate life in NYC. She truly made the experience unforgettable. My internship at Workville was equally fantastic, with an incredibly supportive team that helped me grow both personally and professionally. I couldn’t have asked for a better study abroad experience and would highly recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone considering studying abroad!

After being ghosted multiple times by the employer I was originally matched with, I was placed with C.R.E.T.A Rome, a ceramics studio and artist residency studio. I am a graphic design major and was tasked with designing two catalogues for the upcoming shows of one of the studio's owners, a magnificent ceramicist. I worked in person 20 hours a week and 10-15 hours remote per week and this has been a very rewarding experience. The placement was perfect and I'm very grateful.

I decided to study abroad with AIFS and it truly was the best decision of my life. The AIFS Abroad team was so incredibly helpful--jumping onto phone calls to answer every one of my many questions. I had never lived abroad before but AIFS walked me through each step. My university required that I book my flights through AIFS' travel package, which I found to be so incredibly helpful. I did not have to worry about how I was getting to the airport or what flight to get. AIFS did it for me. From making sure I knew how to use the Tube to immersing me in the culture from the first moment I got off the plane, AIFS Abroad welcomed me with open arms. I loved going to class in a different part of the city as well. Kensington is GORGEOUS and getting to experience the life of a Londoner who travels back and forth from home is an experience I'll never forget. From traveling to Europe to visiting so many museums, from seeing theatre productions to meeting new people, London opened my world up. AIFS Abroad encouraged me to try new things and to spend as much time as I could out and about in the culture of England--while also making sure I got my schoolwork done! I even met my partner while there. I kept a digital journal through Instagram of my travels called "Lost In London"(@katharinegutkoski & @ontherecord._). I truly cannot thank AIFS Abroad for everything. Going to England changed my life and I would choose AIFS Abroad again and again and again.

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I recommend everyone study abroad! AIFS made the process seamless and easy. The experiences I had here exceeded my highest hopes. Greece was the perfect place for me and had many supports there. I’ll spend forever reminiscing on this incredible experience!

I am very lucky to have been a part of AIFS Spring Semester Abroad. I had a wonderful experience meeting new people, trying to food and exploring new places! Jenny and Renata are such charismatic people and they will do everything in their power to make sure you have a comfortable transition. They also are great mentors and all in all, a great time to be around. Prague was an amazing city and I really appreciated everything the program had to offer. I definitely recommend!

Everything about AIFS is organized so well! I loved all the planned trips and classes, sports, and volunteering you could do within the program. I think my favorite part about this program was the meal plan and my friends I met and became so close with. I also learned a lot about Italy and got to explore a lot of my interests in my classes. My only one issue was with the absence policy. I get that 3 absences is generous, but I didn't like how you couldn't get an excused absence with a doctor's note. Unfortunately I got sick a lot during the program because students would come to school sick as they had no other choice. This caused sickness to spread rapidly among students in the program. It was disappointing that when I was sick I couldn't rest even if I had gone to the doctor and provided a doctor's note. I feel like maybe it would even make sense to change it to 2 or 1 absence as long as students can get their absences excused with a doctor's note.

I was so worried about living abroad and my program was literally on the other side of the world. Somehow, someway, my company made me feel like I had been on the team the entire time. I was in office every day I could. The camaraderie between not just myself and my coworkers, but my boss as well. I don’t even think they were trying that hard. They are just fantastic people. Not to mention my company had regular events centered around interactions with each other. What a phenomenal group of people!