Who Can Join AIFS Abroad Study Abroad and Internship Programs?

Updated

AIFS Abroad study abroad and international internship programs are designed primarily for U.S. college students and recent graduates. According to AIFS, participants can choose from over 200 programs held year-round all over the world, with the opportunity to earn academic credit and gain work experience. If you are a currently enrolled U.S. college student or a recent graduate looking for a structured overseas study or internship experience, these programs are aimed at you.

Who the programs are for

The core eligibility described by AIFS is:

  • U.S. college students — currently enrolled undergraduates (and in some cases graduate students) at U.S. institutions.
  • Recent graduates — people who have completed a degree and want international work or study experience.

This means the AIFS Abroad track is generally not positioned for high school students or non-U.S. students. AIFS runs separate programs for those groups (see the comparison below).

What the programs include

AIFS Abroad covers several distinct program types under one umbrella:

Program type What it involves
Study Abroad Academic coursework at international campuses, with academic credit
International Internship Work experience abroad, often combined with academic credit
Customized Faculty-Led Programs arranged between educational institutions and AIFS Abroad, where AIFS provides logistical support, student services, classrooms, and housing
AIFS Professional Pathways Career-oriented international experience
Gap Year Programs for high school seniors, offered during the academic year and summer

Programs run year-round and across many global locations, so timing and destination are variables you can match to your own schedule and field.

How to tell if you qualify

Use these questions to check your fit before applying:

  1. Are you a U.S. college student or recent graduate? If yes, the AIFS Abroad study and internship programs are built for you.
  2. Do you need academic credit? Study Abroad and some internship options are structured around earning credit.
  3. Do you want work experience instead of, or alongside, coursework? The internship and Professional Pathways options are the relevant tracks.
  4. Are you a high school student or a teacher organizing a group? Look instead at AIFS's other programs: Academic Year in America (high school exchange), ACIS Educational Tours (teacher-led high school travel), or the Gap Year option for high school seniors.

Other AIFS programs, for comparison

AIFS is broader than just the Abroad study and internship track. Its other programs serve different audiences:

  • Au Pair in America — for U.S. families hosting international au pairs, and for qualified young women coming to the U.S. on a J-1 visa.
  • Academic Year in America (AYA) — high school students from over 60 countries coming to the U.S. for a year or semester.
  • ACIS Educational Tours — educational group travel for teachers and high school students.
  • Camp America — international staffing for U.S. summer camps, for young adults 18+ on a J-1 visa.
  • Gap Year — for high school seniors seeking a first taste of college life on an international campus.

If you fall outside the "U.S. college student or recent graduate" group, one of these is likely the better match.

Practical next step

Because program availability, destinations, and credit arrangements vary by track, the most reliable way to confirm your eligibility is to go to the specific program page (Study Abroad, Internship, Professional Pathways, or Customized Faculty-Led) and check the stated requirements for the term and location you want. The AIFS site organizes these under its Programs section, with each program linking to its own site for details.