Locations: Austalia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and Turkey

What is AIFS?

AIFS is a third-party provider that arranges study abroad programs for students. EIU has a partnership with AIFS which means EIU students can participate in an AIFS study abroad program and earn EIU credit. With each AIFS program, EIU students will pay their study abroad program fees directly to AIFS. Your EIU student account will only be charged for the $300 EIU study abroad administrative fee. You will not pay EIU tuition or regular fees for the term(s) you are studying abroad.

AIFS offers study abroad programs in Australia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, South Africa, and Spain. For detailed information about program offerings, courses, dates, and fees for each program, go to AIFS's web site.

The following features are included in your program fee:

  • All programs include housing and a meal plan.  In many countries, students can also choose to live in a homestay, independently or in a residence hall.
  • AIFS organized social/cultural activities and field trips to help you learn more about your location and complement your academic studies.
  • Round trip airfare* (if selected; a no-airfare option is also available) *airfare subject to fuel surcharge and taxes
  • Student Advisory Center with advice on budget, travel, tours, flights, etc.
  • AIFS support services to help you with financial aid transfer, academic advice, visa assistance and more. 
  • On-site Resident Director and support staff for guidance in issues relating to health, academics, language, cultural differences and more.
  • Transcripts for transfer credit to your home college or university.
  • More than $600,000 in scholarships awarded annually
  • Grad school and career planning service - A “members only” AIFS exclusive web site in association with Peterson’s

AIFS mission statement:

The AIFS mission is to enrich the lives of young people throughout the world by providing them with educational and cultural exchange programs of the highest possible quality. For more than 40 years, AIFS has been a leader in global exchange. We use the tools of the free market to pursue our mission-driven family of businesses.

Values we are committed to:

  • excellence in programs, operations, people;
  • exceptional caring support for the welfare and safety of our program participants;
  • technological innovation;
  • honest, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment of our program participants, partners and staff;
  • teamwork and collaboration both within our organization and with our partners;
  • support of employee initiative and professional development;
  • responsible financial stewardship;
  • the advancement of diversity and multiculturalism

How does applying through a third-party provider like AIFS work?

If you are interested in applying for an AIfS program, you must fill out the EIU Study Abroad Application Materials and all AIFS application materials for the program in which you are interested. All AIFS application materials are located on their web site. Your application materials (EIU and AIFS) along with the AIFS application fee should be turned in to the EIU Office of Study Abroad (1207 Blair Hall). The Office of Study Abroad will send the appropriate materials to AIFS for you.

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall, Summer, Academic Year: March 1st
  • Spring: October 1st

For EIU application materials, click on the links below:
EIU Application Materials
Course Approval Form
Also, please complete your Travel Consultation (as indicated in your EIU Application checklist).
Study Abroad Health History

Foreign Entry Requirements

Passport
To enter any of the AIFS program countries, you must have a valid passport. If you are a U.S. citizen and do not currently have a valid passport, or if your passport will expire during the time you will be overseas, please go to the U.S. State Department web site for information on how to apply for/renew your passport.

Visa
A visa is your permission to enter a particular country for a specific amount of time. To find out if you need a visa for the country you plan to study in, please visit the Foreign Entry Requirements page on the U.S. State Department's web site. You can use the Foreign Entry Requirements page to get contact information for the Embassy of the country in which you plan to study. By contacting the Embassy, you will be able to determine what you must do to enter and remain in the host country during your study abroad experience.

Travel Document Systems (TDS) can also provide you with helpful information on every country, including entry requirements, cultural information, travel conditions, economy, and more.

You are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet on the country where you plan to study. It will provide you with a great deal of information on your host country and will help you prepare for your trip.

**Please be aware that you are responsible for obtaining the most up-to-date information on the entry requirements for the country where you plan to study. The Office of Study Abroad only provides general information, as visa regulations and procedures are constantly changing. Please consult the Consulate for the host country for more information. **

Please note that EIU does not own, operate, or sponsor this program.