The application typically includes an official transcript, passport photos, a signed course selection sheet and disciplinary clearance form. Application requirements vary by program; students will have access in their online AIFS Abroad portal to all required forms they must submit. Students applying must have their courses approved by their school as part of the application process.

If your program requires a visa it will be noted on the AIFS Abroad website. Once admitted to the program your AIFS Program Manager will share the required documents on your AIFS Student Portal and will provide guidance on how to apply for your visa. Please note that non-US citizens will be expected to determine and obtain all necessary visas to participate on the program. Any questions regarding the visa process should be referred to your program Program Manager.

The staff at AIFS Abroad can guide you through every step of the process, from submitting your application materials, to applying for a visa if needed, to airport transfers on arrival. The level of attention provided assures a smooth transition to life overseas for our participants.

We know that talking to your family about your plan to study abroad can be stressful at first, especially if they have not gone abroad themselves. As such, we have put together some tips to help you have this conversation.

Students should consult with their academic advisor and the study abroad office at their home university to determine which term best fits into their academic plan.

It’s a big world and there are a lot of great locations to choose from. Before selecting your program location it can help to think about your future. Do you have a dream career goal or a course that you need to take while abroad? If so, let that position direct your focus in exploring locations. You can search by academic discipline or length of time that you want to be abroad.

• Internships, service learning and volunteer programs all offer additional opportunities to engage with your host culture in meaningful Being able to say you studied abroad and did additional structured activities outside of the classroom can be a huge draw for a potential employer. Make sure to talk with your academic advisor to determine if your major requires an internship or volunteer hours for graduation.
• The AIFS Abroad blog features posts from current and recent study abroad participants and provides more in-depth information about specific You can also log into your AIFS student account and click the “Ask Alumni” button to see a list of students who studied abroad from your university or in your country of interest.

It varies depending on location and program choice; please call the U.S. office for further details at 1-800-727-2437.

Yes. At AIFS Abroad, we believe in the power of international exchange to bring the world together and want to support all students as they change the way they see their world, no matter their gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Our website has resources to help you throughout your study abroad journey. We also encourage you to visit your university’s study abroad website and office as they might have more information and resources on diversity and inclusion in study abroad. While abroad, if you experience challenges related to your identity or want to talk to someone, we encourage you to connect with your Program Director in-country. They will be able to provide guidance and support to you as well as point you toward resources in your host country to assist with your experience.

We encourage you to contact Kory Saunders, Director of Inclusion Initiatives, at ksaunders@aifs.com. We also recognize the importance of being able to speak with others who have a shared experience and are a part of your community. If you would like to speak with program alumni, please email alumni@aifs.com and indicate which communities you belong to (ex: student of color, student with a disability, first generation college student, etc.) and we will do our best to connect you with others. We also encourage you to check out the Student Resources section of our website for materials that might be helpful to you throughout your study abroad experience. We also offer scholarships specifically to students of diverse backgrounds. You can find out more about all our scholarships here.

We understand that you might have concerns related to your identity that could affect your decision to study abroad and/or influence your location choice. We are committed to helping you

find the best location for your needs and will do everything we can to support you throughout your study abroad experience. If you would like to discuss concerns related to your identities, you are encouraged to connect with your Admissions Officer or Kory Saunders, Director of Inclusion Initiatives, at ksaunders@aifs.com.

We want to support all our students through their study abroad journey. You should download the applicable access forms from the Student Resources section of the AIFS website. Upon completion, these forms can be returned to the Program Manager for your intended program location. Your Program Manager will review the access form and liaise with our on-site staff to determine which accommodations can be made. Depending on your needs, it might take weeks to be able to confirm answers from our program locations. Your Program Manager will contact you with more information as the process continues.

• If you do not have a location in mind, but want to go to whichever location can provide the accommodations you need, please email your form to alumni@aifs.com and our Director of Diversity and Alumni Initiatives will connect with Program Managers and On-Site staff to provide recommendations on locations.
• Please note that AIFS cannot guarantee that we will be able to honor your requests, but we will do everything within our means to ensure you have a fulfilling experience abroad.

When you create your free AIFS Abroad student account, you gain access to our vast alumni network who are happy to answer questions about specific locations and the study abroad process in general. To connect with alumni, click on the “Ask Alumni” button in your AIFS student portal. You can search by program location and host university.

In response to the overwhelming global climate crisis, AIFS Abroad is pleased to make Sustainability a key priority when considering organizational, operational, and programming decisions. We understand that the only way to effectively combat this crisis and mitigate the effects of climate change is to drastically reduce our environmental impact. Therefore, we have launched the AIFS Abroad Green Initiative and are committed to reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2025.

AIFS will be partnering with The Gold Standard to offset carbon emissions from AIFS Abroad operations and programming; undertaking a campaign to educate students on climate change issue and sustainable practices; and adopting “green” business practices as an organization.