AIFS AbroadReviews of aifsabroad.com

The location and the people were incredible but my overall experience with Global Experiences was not. Was especially hard to deal with in the pre-departure phase if your not from America. Communication was very poor early on and prep meetings were scheduled at stupid hours of the night. When I arrived in Florence, I stayed in an apartment that flooded and slowly fell apart across the time I stayed there. A literal beam fell from the ceiling at one point, and many rooms were covered in mould. The internship (if you could even call it that), was only 1-2 days a week and the lady would give me 2 minutes of her time then leave me to do Instagram and blog writing all day. She would frequently forget I was coming some days and I waited up to 45 minutes to even get in the building on many occasions. Expressed concerns about internship to the location coordinator, and she said this had happened before with the last intern. Great. There were others too in the program far worse though, doing long hours of menial tasks such as hanging donation clothes all day. One girl even had to travel by train an hour just to get to her internship (at her expense), and they worked her to the bone, not even letting her have one day off for an extended weekend trip. We know from the start it’s unpaid experience but some experiences seem very exploitive. From what I gathered, its very hit or miss with your internship placement, there were a few who absolutely loved it. However, going back, I wouldn’t risk it. Idk if anyone will ever see this because miraculously I never found any bad reviews when I was researching this company, but I would give this experience zero stars if I could.

DO NOT PAY MONEY FOR AIFS ABROAD. If I could give this review less than half a star I would. It was one of the worst academic choices I've ever made. This program was so horrible in every different aspect, including the schooling program, housing accommodation, and traveling were absolutely horrible. There were so many things wrong with this program for me and my fellow students that it would be nearly impossible to write everything in this interview. Just please trust me and save your money by choosing a different program to study under.

If I could give this company a zero, I would. This company is a joke. They wasted 4 months of my time, took my money, asked that I book my flights, and then sent me a note saying "Your trip has been cancelled" because of low enrollment. But the deadline for other programs is a week away and it is impossible to get in now. And I'm out hundreds of dollars each in flight and hotel cancellations. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. COMPLETE SCAM. CHOOSE ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVE FOR YOUR COLLEGE STUDY ABROAD GOALS. Edited for the response below. Airfare costs money to cancel. Family vacations rescheduled to accommodate new dates costs money. Hotels take non refundable deposits that are forfeited. Enrollment in reputable programs cost extra money to expedite. The downstream impacts are significant, and the response below indicates cancellation occurs in a vacuum without downstream implications. Nothing could be further from the truth. Stay away unless you’ve got thousands of dollars you’re willing to give up in cancellation fees.

I studied abroad with AIFS in Buenos Aires, Argentina during Spring 2020. This was unfortunately when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and I was recalled to the US after about 6 weeks in Argentina. During this time on-site AIFS staff were incredibly supportive, and kept in touch with me as I had to navigate uncertainty, and even during my online semester. I was still able to complete all of my coursework and stay on track to graduate which I am also incredibly grateful for. The AIFS program in Argentina is not as popular as some of their programs in Spain or Italy, but I think that allowed for us to have a smaller group of participants, and gave us a more personal experience of the city. I love the food, the people, the language, and the culture, and am grateful AIFS helped me during the pandemic.

I'm so glad I chose to go abroad with a company like AIFS who provided me with constant guidance before, during, and after my time abroad. Thanks to their comprehensive team, I always felt taken care of and safe. The Resident Director at my program location always went above and beyond and I can honestly say my experience would not have been the same without her expertise and support!

In Spring 2020, I studied abroad in Grenoble, France with AIFS, and it is single-handedly the best decision I have ever made! I knew I wanted to study abroad in France to fulfill my French minor, and once I saw the mountains in Grenoble, I knew it was the place for me. I was able to practice French every day through the Intensive French Language course offered by AIFS, as well as speak French with my host family. AIFS did a wonderful job matching me with a host family - they welcomed me immediately and helped me learn the language even outside of the classroom. Although my semester abroad was cut short due to the pandemic causing me to miss out on the amazing excursions included in the AIFS package, I was able to go on a day trip to go snowshoeing! It was a blast and the view of the mountains was breathtaking. I was also able to take a few weekend trips to other countries with my new friends. Studying abroad with AIFS allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and do something on my own for the first time. I took the leap of faith and I allowed myself to dive into a new culture, new language, and new surroundings which helped me to become more independent and enhance my worldview. If you decide to study abroad, you will not regret it and it will change your life - 100%.

Studying abroad through AIFS was an incredible experience that I am so I was able to have. The two months spent abroad were seamless with the help of the AIFS staff. From prior to leaving for study abroad I felt as if the staff at AIFS was there to answer any questions and uncertainty that I may have had. While studying abroad during the spring of 2020 I was unfortunately sent home early due to covid. However, the AIFS staff was there to help in such uncertain times. A staff member was able to reschedule my flight and car ride to the airport to ensure that I got home safely.

I spent the Spring Semester 2020 studying abroad in Florence, Italy with AIFS and I cannot suggest it highly enough. AIFS made the process from application, to visa, to trip departure as simple as possible. There was someone there to guide you at every step of the way and answer any question that you may have. And that help was not just in America! The Resident Director and professors at the abroad campus are so extremely helpful and also are always there for you. They made the visa process (anyone who has gone through this knows how overwhelming it looks) as easy to do and took all the stress of it away. Also the AIFS flight package was extremely helpful in taking the stress away from trying to book flights and dealing with layovers. It also gave me an extra weekend trip in London before landing it Italy which was so exciting! My time in Florence was unfortunately cut short due to Covid-19 but the courses I took there were so interesting and nothing like anything I could take at my American college. Also the professor's were so passionate about what they were teaching which made learning so much more exciting! Finally AIFS was so helpful in safely getting us out of Italy as the pandemic was starting. Choosing AIFS for my study abroad program was the best decision I made.