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Comparative Healthcare

England, Italy, Spain | AIFS Global Education Center | May Term 2025
A group of students listening to an instructor during a demonstration.

Overview

Learn about the origins of global healthcare, compare how countries are managing current challenges and gain insight into how healthcare might look in the future, all while experiencing firsthand the sights, sounds and splendors of London, Barcelona, and Rome. 

What’s Included

The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.

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  • Tuition

    3 semester credits

  • Courses

    Course available in health studies, international studies, social sciences

  • Housing

    Shared rooms in student residences or tourist-class hotels

  • Meals

    Breakfast throughout (students need to budget for daily lunch and dinner)

  • Cultural & Academic Activities

    Field trips to museums, hospitals, senior centers, innovation hubs and a cooking class

  • AIFS Travel Manager

    who will be with the group throughout the program and available to provide local information, answer questions, take care of logistics and deal with emergencies

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance
  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network
  • Green Initiative

Additional Options & Opportunities

  • AIFS Flight Package

    Round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways

    Transfers between the airport and accommodations overseas

Program Details: Study + Travel Comparative Healthcare

Dates

May 11, 2025May 31, 2025

Term

May Term

Institution

AIFS Global Education Center

Application Deadline

March 1, 2025

Inclusive Fees

$7,790

Eligibility

Open to First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.5 GPA

Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Academic Interest

  • Health Sciences

Global Themes

  • Health Sciences and STEM
Learn More About Global Themes

Rolling Admissions

Admission into this program is done on a rolling basis. You can expect confirmation of your acceptance within 2 working days of completing all required tasks.

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

Academic credit for the Comparative Healthcare program is awarded by Fairfield University. Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university founded in 1942 in Fairfield, Connecticut, well known for their commitment to international education. Fairfield is a fully accredited university and member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. 

In 2020 Fairfield and AIFS partnered to develop a school of record relationship that will allow academic credit to be available for both Fairfield and non-Fairfield students. 

Course syllabi and faculty credentials are reviewed and approved by Fairfield University. 

  • Health Sciences

Students will participate in assignments and activities that require them to consider and reflect upon how national approaches to healthcare are shaped, as well as using firsthand experience and contact with local experts to take a variety of perspectives on the efficacy of systems. Tours of historical medical sites and visits to hospitals and medical facilities will complement the classroom teaching.

View All Courses For Comparative Healthcare
Maria Instagram Takeover

A Summer Abroad Studying Healthcare

Meet Maria, a college student from @rhodescollege who took over the AIFS Abroad Instagram story recently to answer questions about what it’s like to participate in our Comparative Healthcare program. This Study + Travel program option is multi-destination, making stops in England, Spain, and Italy.

Living Abroad

Departure from the U.S.Optional overnight flight from the U.S. to London.* 
Day 1Arrive in London. Transfers for group flights.* Rest of day free. 
Day 2Morning orientation followed by a sightseeing tour with a professional guide. See London’s famous sights including Piccadilly Circus in the heart of the West End, the Houses of Parliament on the banks of the Thames and Buckingham Palace, plus an inside visit to Westminster Abbey.  
Days 3-6Morning classes will introduce the course and cover topics such as the key differences between U.S. and European healthcare, medical education in Europe, the difference between private and public healthcare, and provision of specialist health services such as Sexual Health Clinics.  

Afternoon visits will include walking tours, a visit to a London Medical School, the Wellcome Collection, and specialist clinics.
Day 7 Free day.
Day 8Morning flight to Barcelona. Afternoon guided sightseeing tour 
Days 9-12Classes will cover topics such as Mental Health, Innovation in Healthcare, and Youth Support Services. Visits will include research centers, community organizations, and historic medical monuments such as the Modernist Hospital of Sant Pau.
Day 13Free day.
Day 14 Morning flight to Rome. Afternoon guided walking tour. 
Days 15-18Classes will cover topics such as the Italian healthcare system, approaches to pandemics, and the Mediterranean diet and eating disorders. Visits may include historic medical locations, public hospitals and botanical gardens, and a group cooking class.
Day 19Study day. 
Day 20Morning: Final class and exam. Free afternoon and farewell dinner. 
Day 21Optional return flight from Italy to the U.S.* 
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Social identity & access

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

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Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    March 1, 2025
  • Deposit Deadline
    March 20, 2025
  • Scholarship Deadline
    March 1, 2025
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    May 10, 2025
  • Program Begins
    May 11, 2025
  • Program Ends
    May 31, 2025
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    May 31, 2025
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Flight Package

Participants can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS Abroad programs that includes a round-trip flight from 25 U.S gateways and airport transfers to and from campus. Participants who choose to book their own flights will be responsible for connecting with the group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements from the airport.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed approximately one month prior to departure. Your program fee is guaranteed, and the optional flight package is an additional fee. Please note that once we have finalized the pricing for your flights the cost may change, and you will be responsible for making the additional payment if you want to participate in the flight package. Your program advisor will be in touch should there be any changes in the price of your flights.

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $2,460
  • Boston
    $2,360
  • Buffalo
    $2,400
  • Charlotte
    $2,560
  • Chicago
    $2,580
  • Cincinnati
    $2,540
  • Columbus
    $2,440
  • Dallas
    $2,640
  • Denver
    $2,720
  • Des Moines
    $2,540
  • Detroit
    $2,540
  • Houston
    $2,800
  • Los Angeles
    $2,740
  • Miami
    $2,520
  • Minneapolis
    $2,540
  • New York
    $2,360
  • Newark
    $2,360
  • Orlando
    $2,380
  • Philadelphia
    $2,480
  • Phoenix
    $2,680
  • Pittsburgh
    $2,440
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $2,460
  • San Francisco
    $2,720
  • Seattle
    $2,740
  • St. Louis
    $2,540
  • Washington/Dulles
    $2,480
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Ready to Study Abroad in Multi City?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com