Introduction
Pioneered by AIFS, customized faculty-led study abroad programs are formal arrangements between AIFS and educational institutions in which AIFS provides logistical support, student services, classrooms, housing facilities and cultural activities at a location abroad, plus student medical insurance and over $50 million of liability insurance for the U.S. college/university. This arrangement enables institutions to conduct their own academic programs abroad at minimal expense, from two weeks to a full semester. Start building your institution’s perfect study abroad program today!
AIFS staff work with either faculty or administrators/the study abroad office to determine specific requirements, and then we send a detailed proposal which lists program components, fees, application deadlines and refund policies, so it is absolutely clear what is included in the program fee. All land prices are guaranteed in US dollars, and are not affected by currency fluctuations.
As a partner, the home institution maintains academic control over their students while abroad. The school determines admission criteria and selects and enrolls students. The school retains tuition fees and students pay a non-academic program fee to AIFS. Faculty from the home institution teach their curriculum abroad (with optional use of local adjunct professors).
AIFS provides logistical support, student services, classrooms, housing and cultural activities at the location abroad. Our on-location Program Staff is responsible for the day-to-day running of each program, ensuring everything goes smoothly. They provide logistical and pastoral support, allowing the faculty to focus on the academics. AIFS also offers a full range of social and cultural activities for students. Staff on the overseas campus arrange weekend excursions, theater visits, contact with local students and other cultural activities, adding another valuable dimension to the student’s foreign experience.
Customized, Faculty-Led Programs are an excellent study abroad option for many reasons! Here are just a few:
A tailored program that meets the needs of your institution—you decide the program length, time of year and courses.
Your institution retains student tuition fees.
Student financial aid still applies, making study abroad an option for more students.
Your institution provides a full academic program, so there is no issue of credit transfer.
Great opportunity to provide faculty development and globalize your campus.
AIFS books the on-site facilities/services and pays any deposits, so there is no financial risk to your institution.
Once the program details have been agreed upon, sit back and let AIFS do all the non-academic planning and make all the on-site arrangements.
Site visits, publications, webinars, Clifton Strengths-based programming, workshops, focus groups, and trainings.
AIFS Customized, Faculty-Led Programs organizes study abroad programs around the globe. Below is a selection of locations we have previously offered. If you do not see a specific location listed, please do not hesitate to call or email if you would like additional information.
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires
AUSTRALIA
Sydney
AUSTRIA
Vienna | Salzburg
CHILE
Viña del Mar
COSTA RICA
San Jose
CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague
ECUADOR
Galapagos
FRANCE
Cannes | Grenoble | Paris
GERMANY
Berlin
GREECE
Athens
HUNGARY
Budapest
IRELAND
Cork | Dublin | Galway
ITALY
Florence | Rome | Sicily
JAPAN
Kyoto
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland | Wellington
SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town
SPAIN
Barcelona | Granada | Madrid | Salamanca | Seville | Valencia
UNITED KINGDOM
Belfast | Cambridge | London | Oxford | Edinburgh | Glasgow
US Colleges and Unversities arrange CFL programs each year
AIFS program participants since our founding in 1964
Because each AIFS Customized, Faculty-Led Program is tailored to fit your institution’s needs, the process will differ slightly in every case. Our team will provide personalized service both before and during your study abroad program.
You’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire to give us the essential information about your prospective program. Upon receipt, we’ll match you with one of our Program Managers, expert in the program location, who will create a proposal for you. The proposal will list program components, fees, application deadlines and refund policies, so it is absolutely clear what is included in the program fee. All land prices are guaranteed in US dollars and are not affected by currency fluctuations.
Alongside the Program Manager, you’ll have support from our US based admissions team and regional university relations team who can assist with program promotion as needed. As a partner, the home institution maintains academic control over their students while abroad. Faculty from the home institution teach their curriculum abroad (with optional use of local adjunct professors), and the school determines admission criteria and selects and enrolls students. The school retains tuition fees and students pay a non-academic program fee to AIFS.
AIFS considers the health and safety of students to be our first priority. We take a comprehensive approach to preemptively minimizing risk and preparing students for their time abroad. We are also fully prepared to respond to any health or safety issue that may arise while they’re there. With almost 60 years of experience, our policies and procedures related to health and safety are extremely effective and our record is excellent. Additionally, we closely monitor what is being discussed in our field, regarding student health and safety, and we remain responsive to the needs of our college and university partners.
Learn More about Health & SafetyAIFS will work collaboratively with faculty and advisors to ensure the best possible academic and cultural experience for students abroad.