Many countries and their citizens around the world are working diligently to do their part to mitigate the climate crisis. AIFS Abroad students are able to see this firsthand during their study abroad and international internship experiences by immersing themselves in the local culture and taking part in our climate change education efforts. By getting involved and observing on the local level, students are able to authentically reflect on their own practices at home. Just ask Catherine, an AIFS Abroad Alumni Ambassador from Seton Hall University who studied abroad in Granada, Spain and is pas ..read more

Whether you’re an Environmental Science major or just need to fulfill a class requirement for your undergraduate studies, why not take those types of classes as you study abroad? Environmental Studies/Sciences is a very popular field that college students pursue when they study abroad. In addition to general Environmental Studies, there are so many adjacent fields to consider, too: Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources & Conservation, and more. Here are a few of our fantastic study abroad locations that offer classes in Environmental Studies. 1. San José, Costa Rica San José, Costa Rica S ..read more

Last year, during the NAFSA annual conference in Washington, DC, a sudden bell rang in my head. In the Starbucks line of the Marriott Marquis, twelve colleagues and I lined up for coffee like drones from the chain-inside-a-chain, while in a city brimming with small businesses. Coffee shops owned by local, BIPOC, queer, women, and immigrant neighbors just waiting to tell us a story of their neighborhood, to introduce us to local art hung on the wall, to show us where we are. The bell chimed, “we can do better than this.” It reminded me of a study abroad program I directed in Sevilla, Spain near ..read more

Doing a study abroad program can be a life-changing experience. Just ask Hannah, a college student from Towson University and an AIFS Abroad Alumni Ambassador who spent a fall semester studying in England’s capital city of London. Now that she’s officially part of our alumni community, Hannah can reflect on her study abroad experience. Read on to hear all about it in our recent interview with her. Interview with AIFS Abroad in London alum Hannah from Towson UniversityIntroducing Hannah Q: Hannah do you want to introduce yourself and just tell us a little bit about you? A: Hi everybo ..read more

Doing a study abroad program can be incredibly transformative. Just ask Andrew, a college student from Rowan University and AIFS Abroad Alumni Ambassador who spent his Spring 2023 semester studying in the heart of Tuscany: Florence, Italy. Hear from Andrew about his study abroad experience and the impact it’s had on his personal growth. As a first-time international traveler, Andrew now had the world at his fingertips because of his decision to take the leap and study abroad — something he says he never thought he’d be able to do. “As a New Jersey student, I never imagined myself traversing f ..read more

“What is Your Why?”. When it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, asking this seemingly simple question can be the most powerful tool in opening discussions to create a culture of belonging and advance the mission of inclusive excellence. As I have explored my “why” as the Director of Inclusion initiatives, I am also encouraging my colleagues at AIFS Abroad, and colleagues at our partner universities to explore their why. To find success we must view Access, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) not as a one-off task, project, discussion, or program; but rather an intentional, integral ..read more

We’d like to welcome the 2024 AIFS Abroad Board of Advisors, including those new to our board, Marcus King (Prairie View A&M University), Erin Kane (Augustana University), Melissa Matsubara (Hawaii Pacific University), Jason Hope (University of Kentucky), Taylor Morgan (Texas Women’s University), and Jake Koelzer (University of Michigan). The AIFS Abroad Board of Advisors is a truly consultatory body which represents our diverse, complex network of university partners and their interests in our collective work. These new members join our continued members: Annique Kiel, Drake University&n ..read more

We are proud to announce that AIFS Abroad is a finalist for the prestigious Award for Advancing the SDGs Through Education Abroad from the Forum on Education Abroad. Underpinned by the United Nations’ seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, this award is particularly rewarding and complex as it strives to reconcile our global intercultural work with the substantial climate footprint it can create.   The nomination stems from our renowned efforts in Sustainability, one of AIFS Abroad’s foundational pillars. Through practices like carbon offsetting for international travel, pursuing g ..read more

In the Tuscan region of Italy lies a quaint, historic city that’s home to Renaissance-era art and architecture: Florence. Emily, a recent graduate from Roanoke College with a degree in Communication Studies and Marketing, was eager to indulge in a slow-paced yet dynamic lifestyle while interning abroad. She found Florence the perfect place to do so, and was quick to live like a local during her fashion internship there. Read on to hear all about Emily’s experience doing a fashion internship in Florence. Deciding to Intern Abroad With her undergraduate degree behind her, Emily knew she was ..read more

Growing up in the United States, there are certain expectations, rules, and customs one must follow to be considered acting as a “professional,” but one thing I’ve learned being a film intern in San José, Costa Rica is that “acting professional” is a relative concept. While I miss the “natural” pace of the workflow that I grew up with, Costa Rica has offered a unique and exciting experience to how I think about organizational culture. In addition to that, it has made me think more in depth as to the kind of company I’d like to work for in the future. As a recent college graduate with a Bachelo ..read more