Locations: Austalia, China, England, and Italy

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 internship study abroad programs in Australia, China, England, and Italy. For detailed information about program offerings, courses, dates, and fees for each program, go to AIFS's web site.

In Sydney, Australia, the internship is worth 3 or 6 credits. Students are required to work 10 or 20 hours per week, under the direction of a workplace supervisor, and generally will work on a specific project within the organization. The student may then choose to enroll in either one or two additional courses offered by Macquarie University to build up a full-time course load. Students who are enrolled in the 6-credit internship plus one additional course will satisfy visa requirements. Past internship placements have covered the following areas: communications, media, strategic business planning, project development, NGO projects, marketing, website development, environmental sciences, music management, and children's entertainment.

In Beijing, China, students have participated in internships in finance, marketing and PR, green technology and environmental services, business administration, travel and tourism, NGOs, charities and more.

In London, England, students participating in the semester program earn up to 15 credits. It consists of intensive study of Contemporary British Culture, internship seminars and an unpaid internship. In addition, students choose one or two semester-long, 3-credit courses taught weekday evenings by Richmond faculty, many of whom are practicing experts in their fields. Check online at www.richmond.ac.uk to see what courses are offered in the evening. Past placements have been in advertising, museums and galleries, art and design, music, education and research, NGOs, event planning, fashion and beauty, politics and governments, finance and accounting, public relations, law, theatre / theatre management, marketing and market research, media, journalism, and publishing. Locations include Sotheby's, the National Archives, the Burma Campaign, the Royal Thames Yacht Club, the House of Commons, the U.S. Embassy, GE, E! Entertainment, CNBC, CNN, the Travel Channel, and many, many more.

In Florence, Italy, internships are avaialble in management, marketing, education, tourism, journalism, economics, business, and fashion. Lcoations include, the Palazzo Vecchio, The Florence Newspaper, Roberto Cavalli, and many more!

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

If you are interested in applying for a API 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).

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.

**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.