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.
In the spring of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to study at the University of Grenoble Alpes in Grenoble, France, with the assistance of Academic Programs International (API). This experience was a dream come true, marking a period of significant personal and academic growth. Upon arriving in France, I was overwhelmed with a sense of achievement. It wasn't just about stepping onto new soil; it was about realizing a long-held goal. The initial feeling of loneliness quickly evaporated as I met my fellow students and mentors at the Paris airport. We connected instantly, sharing stories and dreams. It was here that I met some of my best friends for life, which became a crucial part of my journey. We spent a week in Paris with API’s amazing mentors, who helped ease our transition into life abroad. Then, we took a train to Grenoble, where some of us were dropped off with our host families and others, like myself, at the student housing. Living on my own for the first time was both challenging and enlightening. It taught me to appreciate my own company and to embrace both the quiet moments and the bustling life around me. The academic challenges were no less daunting. My courses in French politics and mythology pushed me to my limits, especially as I grappled with language barriers that made simple discussions feel like monumental tasks. However, these hurdles ignited a determination to improve my French. By the semester's end, I was not only more fluent but also more confident in my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. API’s support throughout this process was invaluable. They provided guidance and resources that helped me navigate the complexities of studying abroad, from academic support to cultural immersion activities. Studying abroad was transformative. It was not just about the lessons learned in classrooms but about the rich, immersive experiences that taught me about life, resilience, and the beauty of diverse cultures. This journey has deeply influenced my worldview and continues to shape my ambitions and goals. It was an adventure that challenged me, changed me, and, above all, enriched me deeply. (( For whoever is reviewing the submissions, I made a short 1 minute long video with clips from my experience. I am unable to add it with a URL but can share it if needed. ))
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.
In the spring of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to study at the University of Grenoble Alpes in Grenoble, France, with the assistance of Academic Programs International (API). This experience was a dream come true, marking a period of significant personal and academic growth. Upon arriving in France, I was overwhelmed with a sense of achievement. It wasn't just about stepping onto new soil; it was about realizing a long-held goal. The initial feeling of loneliness quickly evaporated as I met my fellow students and mentors at the Paris airport. We connected instantly, sharing stories and dreams. It was here that I met some of my best friends for life, which became a crucial part of my journey. We spent a week in Paris with API’s amazing mentors, who helped ease our transition into life abroad. Then, we took a train to Grenoble, where some of us were dropped off with our host families and others, like myself, at the student housing. Living on my own for the first time was both challenging and enlightening. It taught me to appreciate my own company and to embrace both the quiet moments and the bustling life around me. The academic challenges were no less daunting. My courses in French politics and mythology pushed me to my limits, especially as I grappled with language barriers that made simple discussions feel like monumental tasks. However, these hurdles ignited a determination to improve my French. By the semester's end, I was not only more fluent but also more confident in my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. API’s support throughout this process was invaluable. They provided guidance and resources that helped me navigate the complexities of studying abroad, from academic support to cultural immersion activities. Studying abroad was transformative. It was not just about the lessons learned in classrooms but about the rich, immersive experiences that taught me about life, resilience, and the beauty of diverse cultures. This journey has deeply influenced my worldview and continues to shape my ambitions and goals. It was an adventure that challenged me, changed me, and, above all, enriched me deeply. (( For whoever is reviewing the submissions, I made a short 1 minute long video with clips from my experience. I am unable to add it with a URL but can share it if needed. ))
