AIFS Partnership Programs: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

• About us
• Benefits of faculty-led study abroad
  • Pre-departure services
  • On-site support
• Program locations
• Sample programs
• The program process
• Testimonials
• Contact us

Testimonials

From Faculty & Study Abroad Coordinators:

“The Director and Staff members for AIFS in Florence have made my teaching experience abroad truly enjoyable. They attend to everything... from the time we are greeted at the airport with individualized Orientation packets and apartment locations for both myself and the students, to our day of departure, not one detail is forgotten. The staff at AIFS were invaluable and I would never think of my experience in any other way.“
– Lynette Mooney. Towson University

“Sometimes life can be simple: that’s why every year I have AIFS organize my study abroad program. I recruit students, I teach my class, and AIFS does everything else, and they always do it very well. They get the apartments, the classroom, arrange our group dinners, our trips, our museum visits, and they hire the best guides I’ve ever known. Every year is a joy.“
– William Wrightson, American River College, CA

“For faculty who feel totally inadequate to deal with the personal, health, and legal problems of students far from home, AIFS is the safety net that we simply don’t have on lots of overseas programs.”
– James A. Sappenfiel, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

From Students:

"Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity.  This program was a good balance between studying and absorbing the culture."
– Taylor Ramsey, NCSAC Florence 2009 Spring Semester

"This program is planned well and the people that you meet here will become friends for life.  This is an experience that everyone should try because it changes your life."
– Gary Angell, NCSAC Florence 2009 Spring Semester

"The program was more than I had expected, great staff, beautiful adventures and wonderful memories."
– Juliette Nelson, NCSAC Florence 2009 Spring Semester

"Enjoyed myself immensely!  Met great people, ate great food and travelled and lived in amazing places…need I say more."
– Katie Jack, NCSAC Florence 2009 Spring Semester

"This is my second time studying abroad through AIFS & definitely recommend it to everyone."
– Kiersten Parigian, NCSAC Florence 2009 Spring Semester

"AIFS made this experience very memorable something that I will always remember and cherish with all I have learned and the new friends I have met."
– Sherice Leon, NCSAC Florence 2009 Spring Semester

"I would definitely recommend this program to any friends or family.  It is definitely an excellent way to experience Italy as well as another culture."
– Lauren Zanetti, NCSAC Florence 2009 Spring Semester

"I would go on any AIFS program if I had the chance.  I liked all my classes, learned a lot about Italian life, culture and history and the entire staff was really helpful and nice."
– Lena Kendall, NCSAC Florence 2009 Spring Semester

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Paris. Apart from being the most significant event in my life, it was a tremendous growth opportunity for me. Reflecting back on my experience after a few years has helped me get some contrast and an idea of how much it has benefited me in my life today. My experience in Paris created a more independent and confident person that could not only tackle life's troubles, but do it in a foreign country. This helped immensely in my transfer to San Diego State University. Without the wisdom gained abroad I would have had a much harder time with the transition.  

This semester abroad provided me with skills, friends and memories that will last my lifetime. The most amazing part of it all was that aside from the travel it was as affordable as going to a university at home. I saw the trip as an incredible value that is paying dividends everyday. I am completely convinced that this trip changed my life in the most positive way- I ended up minoring in French two years after not speaking a word before the trip. The entirety of the experience from the excellent faculty to the AIFS staff were exceptional. I would recommend this experience to anyone with a desire to grow, learn and meet new friends. Best wishes to you Kirsty and keep up the amazing work you, Norma and Tom do for students."
– Zachary Harrison, NCSAC Paris 2006

"I have talked to other students who have studied abroad through their Universities and none of them have as much joy and happiness as I do at the mere sight of anything that reminds me of my semester abroad in Paris with AIFS, they were the happiest months of my life!"
– Remy Moore, SRJC Paris 2006 Spring Semester

"I went to Paris in 2000 through AIFS and it was the best time of my life. Being able to list the experience on my college applications put me ahead of other students with similar grades and extra curricular activities. Also, as I transitioned into the working world after college, I found that most jobs looked for experience abroad.

At the time it was a cost efficient way to live in the best city in the world, travel throughout Europe and build credits towards my Junior College Transfer. Little did I know that it was also the launching point of my adult life to get me into a great university and eventually a six figure salary. I still think about Paris everyday and would recommend it to everyone."
- Doug Baudler, Modesto Junior College Paris 2000 Spring Semester