AIFS Abroad Global Education Centers

Our faculty and staff are our greatest academic asset—the continuity of expertise and connections we have to local archives, libraries, and centers of cultural learning are unparalleled. Most AIFS Abroad faculty have terminal degrees in their field and are considered experts in their community; likewise, our onsite program directors hold decades of experience supporting students with extensive networks to facilitate participant success.

AIFS Abroad has more than 100 faculty teaching a comprehensive range of classes in our GECs. Subject experts and accomplished local scholars, our faculty serve as academic mentors and cultural gateways to understanding academic fields in the global lens.

AIFS Abroad offers 200+ classes and dozens of internships across our GECs, so students can custom build their curriculum based on academic and personal paths.

Course Examples

• BUSI/ECON 301: Europe and the Global Economy (Salzburg, Austria)
• ART HIST 343: Otherness and Diversity in Renaissance Art (Florence, Italy)
• PSYCH 320: Theories of Personality (London, England)
• POLI SCI 311: The Rise of the Right: A History of Fascism (Salzburg, Austria)
• FASHION 321: Italian Style Made in Italy (Rome, Italy)
• POLI SCI 318: London and Social Justice Movements (London, England)
• SOCI 300: Service Learning for UNESCO (Florence, Italy)

As our transcripting institution, the Fairfield University School of Record Academic Committee of faculty regularly reviews all AIFS Abroad courses and visits GECs annually to provide site specific feedback. All GEC coursework is assigned a department and course number by Fairfield.

In addition to their close collaboration, AIFS Abroad’s distinguished Academic Advisory Council is comprised of eight faculty from the U.S. and one faculty representing each GEC. All hold terminal degrees in their field and meet regularly to discuss and develop responsive, relevant curriculum.

We believe that center-based programs should not sacrifice local engagement or individual learning. By scaffolding our academic program with intention, our participants learn in ways they may not find in less personalized programs.

• AIFS Abroad’s experienced program directors facilitate thoughtful cultural activities which deepen knowledge of their host community.
• All GECs provide high impact experiential opportunities including award-winning internships, mentored research or community service.
• We integrate local sustainability education in program curriculum, fostering responsible stewardship in our host communities and building life-long student practice.
• Our Global Career Readiness program, which includes the CliftonStrengths® assessment, helps students identify and harness unique strengths for personal and professional development before, during, and after their program.

As our own centers, AIFS Abroad GECs can flexibly host university partner programs for semester and shorter-term programming with little customization. Our facilities include classroom and office space, wifi, housing, and the renowned AIFS Abroad student support and co-curriculum structure.