Summer Foreign Language Study Abroad Programs in London

My time at Richmond has been the best 3 weeks of my life. I've never felt freer and happier. I have made so many friends along the way that I will never forget, friends that I laughed with until we were all out of breath and crying. The history that London has is almost unreal, walking by churches that are older than America. Everyone was unbelievably kind, at concerts we were upgraded to front row seats, and in class we were given opportunities to see Oxford and York - both of which were some of the best moments I had with the friends I made. Our professor was always willing to answer two million questions, before Richmond I had never had fun learning. I'll never forget my time in London with Richmond and every opportunity it's given me.

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

I had such a great time at Lite Regal Education Summer School 2025 The Intensive English course really helped my English improve a lot in such a short time. I also met so many new friends from different countries everyone was super kind and friendly.

If I had to describe my study abroad experience in one word, it would be extraordinary. It was no question that I wanted to study abroad. Ever since my mom told me endless stories about her experience in college, I knew I needed to follow in her footsteps and become worldly. When it came to making a decision on where I wanted to go, London was my top choice. I had been to Europe before but never England. London always fascinated me with its dynamic cultural backgrounds and its plethora of entertainment. Once the location was settled, I then chose to go with API. During my application process, API was extremely helpful in assisting me with any questions or concerns I had. They helped make the application process easier and less stressful. API made my arrival to London very easy as they gave me clear instructions prior to my flight over. My Resident Director was also extremely approachable which made my adjustment to London seamless. I made amazing friends from API who I was fortunate enough to travel with during the semester. I also made great friends in my classes and am so glad they got to expose me to their ways of life in London. I went to London with an open mind and am extremely fortunate that I was able to expand my horizons. Going abroad taught me that it is so much more than attending classes and doing school work. I learned self reliance and gained so much confidence within myself. I cannot wait to bring back the knowledge I have obtained and share it with other students who want to go abroad and have the experience of a lifetime.

I did my study abroad with API in 2021 as regular covid was dying down and before omicron kicked in. There were some things changed because of the pandemic but they took a lot of precautions and I felt very safe doing my study abroad with them. I loved every second of it. They have a good amount of group activities where you can get to know other people but a great balance of free time outside of your courses to explore. I was able to do so much in the few months I was there and as soon as I left decided I needed to move back. I was accepted into grad school in London this year. This program gave me the opportunity to feel out a new place and learn to love it while having a support system of people familiar with the area. It absolutely changed my life for the better.

I did the London College of Fashion study abroad experience and it was the best summer of my life!!! API was extremely helpful in everything from getting off the plane at Heathrow to my last week in London, API made England feel like my home away from home!!!! I loved every second of it and was able to fully immerse myself into the new culture in England. API was there every step of the way planning fun events and making sure I was taken care of the whole time! They showed us the ropes of the tube and took us on tours all over London and even cities and towns outside of London! I seriously could not have asked for a better summer!

My semester abroad in Granada, Spain was absolutely unforgettable. I decided to stay with a host family and I lived in their home with another student in the same program. Living with a roommate, we became really close friends. My host family was so kind and welcoming, they included us in everything they did. I learned so much Spanish culture and tradition from spending time with the family. The school was called Center of Modern Languages and I had a mixture of Spanish and Business classes. I loved speaking Spanish in class and getting to know other students. AIFS provided a level placement test at the beginning of the semester so that everyone found courses that were appropriate for their knowledge of Spanish. The classes were very fun and I enjoyed going to class. The AIFS program excursions were some of the best experiences/trips that I went on. I was blown away by the Morocco trip as well as the Seville/Córdoba/Gibraltar weekend. The trips were well planned, affordable, and allowed for free time to explore with friends. I made so many connections with locals, got to experience once in a lifetime activities like riding camels next to the ocean, and tried amazing foods. The program application process was hassle-free and the program advisors in Granada are so helpful. I would often visit their office and just chat with them or ask their advice on where to visit on the weekend. They organized cooking classes, art classes, sporting events, and cultural activities like a flamenco show. Granada is such a wonderful city. It is very walkable and the people are very friendly. There are endless tapas bars in the city where you get free food with each drink purchase. I made friends with lots of locals and other students from across the US. I attended exchange club meetings where you get drinks and tapas, and you chat in whatever language you are trying to learn with people from around the world. AIFS did a wonderful job providing opportunities for all of the students in the program to get to know each other. I made a close-knit group of friends and we spent so much time together. I am so thankful for having met them thanks to AIFS. We even visited each other once we arrived back in the US! I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience Spain on a more personal scale compared to bigger cities. I think Granada is the most beautiful city, and the Alhambra is a must-see!

Berlin is a really wonderful and historic city to live in. My German is basically nonexistent and I still felt like I was able to get around fine. The AIFs staff are very supportive, and the organized actives were well structured and thought out. If you weren’t interested in some or all of the activities, you didn’t have to participate and there was plenty of time to do your own thing around Berlin or travel throughout Europe. I didn’t particularly enjoy my academic experience at Humboldt, there were a few good classes but also a few really awful ones. So, if I could do it again I would probably do the AIFS program with Freie Universität academic program.

My colleague and I have had the pleasure of accompanying 21 amazing humans on a 3 month journey that will most certainly change them for the rest of their lives. Thank you to AIFS for sharing Rome with us and attending to every detail that made this an experience that will live with us eternally. The AIFS Rome center staff were excellent in providing impactful excursions, extra-curricular courses, and ensuring that all of us were well informed and provided for in every part of our journey.

Going to London for study abroad was exactly what I needed in my life. It gave the independence and the friendship I craved, but it also made me learn about different cultures and ways of life different from my own. I was able to go to so many tourist destinations in the city very easily using public transit. London's public transportation--although can get pricey--is one of the best on the planet and it was one of my favorite parts about studying aboard in London. My favorite places include Kew Gardens, the West End theater scene, The Tower of London, Camden Markets, The National Gallery, The Victoria and Albert Museum, etc. and that's not including all the things in did in England overall. And a decent amount of museums are free which helps with budget planning for tourist things. However, if you are not into culture or learning about culture, this city isn't for you. Music, art, religion, and history spill into every direction in London and you have to be prepared to soak it all in. There were a few criticisms and warnings about this program that I will advise; however, despite all of this, this program was well worth the cost. The living situation had it's ups and downs. If you are used to living in a crowded dorm or house, and need privacy and space, the living situation is great! The only things you will have to share are the kitchen, common room, and laundry machines for the most part. The bathrooms in each room are incredibly tiny though, so I wouldn't buy like a rolling shower caddy because it won't fit. A lot of people I knew put the shower curtain over the toilet to give themselves extra room. A constant problem I had was that the bathroom would flood as the rain would clog every two or three showers, so cleaning the bathroom constantly was a must. Also, the place I lived didn't provide almost any cleaning supplies which for a four month stay with only two suitcases worth of stuff is quite inconvenient. So, If I were to repack for this trip, I would forgo majority of clothes I brought and bring cleaning supplies instead particularly a travel Swiffer, a duster, Clorox wipes, mini trash bags, and felt foldable bins for multi purpose storage. I luckily brought 3 felt foldable storage bins which I used to store clothes in the closet and as a trash can. Because yah you can buy that stuff there, and I did, but the place I lived didn't have a good vacuum or mop and the floors got so gross. Plus, Primark clothes are so good and cheap. Also, if you are trying to budget for stuff prior to your trip, save at least 10-20 pounds each week for laundry. Laundry was one of the more expensive and inconvenient things in London. I would not save all your laundry for when you have time, but do one small load a week. But actually considering all that, food in the grocery store was not that expensive compared to American prices. The grocery stores are smaller and don't have as much of a selection, but if you actually do the conversions you will save so much on groceries. I normally spent about 10-20 pounds on groceries a week on about 5-10 items whereas in the United States on the same amount of items, I spent 70 dollars. Trust me, I cry every time I enter an American grocery store now. Overall, this program was absolutely amazing. The pros outweighed the cons by a significant amount. I got to meet so many people, and have so many adventures. Before my trip, I had a lot more regret because of my choices. I constantly wished for a time machine. But if I went on a different path academically or socially, I wouldn't have had this experience and it really made up for hardship I went with before. So if you are considering going but are thinking about all the things you will miss on campus or missing your friends, I would still go because think about the new friends and adventures you are missing by not going. Trust me, your friends will be waiting for you once you get back. I wouldn't have trade this experience for anything as the impact it had on my mental health and self esteem was priceless.

The past me would never have agreed to study abroad. I was afraid and scared, as I was never the person who took on challenges. I was always the person who played it safe. However, studying abroad in London taught me that it is okay to take risks without knowing the challenges ahead. I want to thank my good friend Emily, who persuaded me to study abroad. I gave her the story of how I could not study abroad this year because it did not align with my schedule, and she said, "Just do it anyway, this is the perfect year to do it." (Context: I was set to graduate one year early." She was studying abroad at her university in London around the same time as me, but she is the type of person who helps me break out of my shell and lets me be the best version of myself. Also, thank you to the API Abroad team for being so patient, they are seriously the sweetest team of people ever. The three weeks that I have been in London have felt like I was there for one week. The first day was very scary and I was thinking, "Will I like London?" It is obviously a challenge to be by yourself in a country for the first time. I felt like an American tourist due to how I was asking literally every British local on how to navigate the tube. It felt scary because I am the type of person to easily get lost and using my iPhone for Maps caused my battery to decrease faster than usual. But then, the fear of annoying every British local turned to me feeling like a British local. Comfortably, I was able to go solo to the tube by myself and go to places where I never would have imagined going by myself. I found out that I love musical theatre. I was in London and musicals are what they do best (besides New York, and I have never been there sadly). I went to Crazy For You (with a friend), Wizard Of Oz, Moulin Rouge, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet dance production. Going to these fun events by myself helped my confidence grow day by day and me having not have to worry about social pressure. I did what I wanted to do in London and that is the beauty of doing things solo. It made me stronger as a person and helped my fears of doing things by myself in a big, diverse city. The education between the U.S. and the U.K. is very different. I was afraid I might have not set my priorities straight since I am here to learn (of course!) and not on vacation. I loved the hands-on experience because my professor planned the field trips 7 months in advance. What an honor as we went to The CommonWealth and the IMO (stands for International Maritime Organization). We also had guest speakers who worked in very prestigious companies and shared their expertise with a group of future business leaders (us!). It was such an amazing experience and I am so grateful to have a professor like Dr. Evangelos Markopoulos and UCL for giving me the opportunity to go to their summer school. API Abroad did such an amazing job of providing fun and unique excursions to us! I only went to a few which is Jack The Ripper Tour (was so afraid, but so interesting since I love true crime). Additionally, I went to the production of The Tempest. I find that maybe Shakespeare is not my cup of tea and that is alright. Another excursion I went to was the StoryBook dinner which I tried British food (steak and ale pie with sticky toffee pudding). The storyteller did such an amazing job telling us the story of London and his thoughts on Prince Harry. Overall, I can not complain about how API Abroad is so, so nice. We don't talk about the housing. The showers were so small, but the employees at our accommodation were so helpful and sweet. Let's just say I do not miss the showers but I am so grateful to live in a place that felt safe for me as a woman. Now, all I can think about my study abroad trip is to go back to London immediately (during Christmas of course!). To talk about my experience in a Taylor Swift song...all I can think of is the song "All You Had To Do Was Stay" (Taylor's Version)! I wish I did stay but thank you to API Abroad and UCL!

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad

I definitely had a really exciting and wonderful trip. There were a few aspects like traveling and staying at more cities besides just Salzburg would have been a lot more fun. But the tours and field trips were absolutely incredible and the people who showed us around were amazing! Loved to see the history and beauty all over

From arrival to departure, AIFS made my study abroad experience a 11/10. Great staff through and through allowed for a complete cultural assimilation in the time I spent there. It was the experience of a lifetime that I would recommend to everyone.

AIFS was definitely the right choice for me and I think it will be for anyone else seriously considering study abroad. From the moment I signed up for emails (before applying) to now (over a year out from leaving Germany), I have felt so supported and have had a lovely experience. The included trips and activities were definitely my favorite parts (the street art tour and cooking class especially!) and I’m still in contact with our Resident Director, Nele :)

I studied abroad with API during the fall 2009 semester and my experience still positively impacts my life 10 years later! I loved all the things that were included in the program, such as the excursions and cultural events, and I felt truly supported by the API staff both in the US and abroad. While in London, API gave me the opportunity to grow more independent and confident and I developed a love of travel. I am still great friends with many people I met while abroad. I highly recommend every student study abroad!

The London summer program at the University of Westminster turned out to be a lot more fun than I expected. They designed an international summer school, so you can meet students from all over the world. One of the best parts was the arranged rips, which made it easy to see a ton of stuff without having to plan it myself. That said, there is still plenty of time after class to explore London. Class was a few hours in the morning and then you had the rest of the day. There was still some homework involved, but it was manageable. I feel like I still learned a lot in class, but the teachers and school understand why you’re there. Some of my favorite memories were my trip to Wimbledon, visiting abbey’s and castles, Tower of London, and the numerous museums you can visit. There is so much to do and see in London, you will never be bored! To be honest, I wouldn't trade my study abroad experience for anything. Not only was the summer program in London a great fit for me, but API was as well. It was my first time abroad and my mom appreciated the support API provided. I was able to be independent but know someone was still there in case I needed something. Not only do you get information before and after your trip, but there are people physically there with you. I also really enjoyed our API group. We had some arranged outings like the Tower of London, which gave us a chance to get to know each other so you never felt alone. 8 years later and I still talk to many of them. If you are even considering studying abroad in London, go for it! You won't regret it. And API helped provide an amazing experience and I would highly recommend them if you plan to study abroad in London or anywhere.

Everyone needs to go abroad. It is awesome experiencing so many cultures. Professors while abroad are very helpful and care about their students. I really enjoyed getting to know my professors and learning not only class content but also from their real life experiences. Traveling on the weekends was obviously my favorite part of this experience. I was able to visit a bunch of different countries. Wish I could stay longer.

By getting outside of my comfort zone as much as possible, I was able to experience parts of the world while figuring out new things about myself! Staying in a home stay is completely worth it because you get to practice your Spanish and meet incredibly interesting locals!