AIFS Abroad in London, England (GEC): Semester

Name: AIFS Abroad in London, England (GEC): Semester
Brand: AIFS Abroad
SKU: 15418
Rating: 4.88 (59 reviews)

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4.88 Rating

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Location

England
- London

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring

Subject Areas

Accounting Architecture Art History Arts Business Communications Criminal Justice Economics English Environmental Studies European Studies Film Finance Global Studies Graphic Design History Humanities International Business International Relations Journalism Liberal Arts Literature Marketing Mathematics Media Relations Music Performing Arts Philosophy Photography Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Statistics Theater +25

General grants/scholarships, BIPOC funding

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

High School Diploma

Housing

Dormitory

Language

English

Pricing

Price Details

AIFS Abroad is a premier provider of study abroad programs. Program fees cover tuition and housing, and over 50% of our study abroad participants receive financial support from AIFS Abroad in the form of scholarships or grants. Coordinated AIFS Abroad Flight Packages with major airlines are also available.

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Classes Some Meals Travel Insurance

What's Included (Extra)

Round trip flights and airport transfers included for students on the optional AIFS Flight Package.

Last Updated: Feb 15, 2024

Last Reviewed: Jul 10, 2023

Wish List

56 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Spend a January, summer, semester or academic year at the London Global Education Center with AIFS Abroad! You’ll earn up to 15 credits per semester. Academic credit for the AIFS Abroad London program is awarded by Fairfield University.

Enjoy cultural and social activities including:
• Guided city tours of Kensington and London
• Theater performances
• Music concerts
• Visit to an English soccer game
• Day trips to Cambridge, Stonehenge and Salisbury.
An optional 3-day trip to Paris (taking you through the Channel Tunnel!) is offered as well.

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

At AIFS Abroad, we want to support all participants in their study/internship abroad journey, inclusive of gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Everyone has a complex identity, and faith, spirituality, and religion are important factors when deciding on a program location.

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LGBTQIA+ Support

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Accessibility Support

Everyone’s experience is unique. We recognize the location you choose can have an impact on your sense of belonging. We encourage you to use the information below as you review your options to select the program and location that will be the best choice for you. If you do not hold the identities that are amplified here, this information is still a great resource for you as well. It will give you a better understanding of those who have this identity.

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Impact

Sustainability

In response to the overwhelming global climate crisis, AIFS Abroad is pleased to make Sustainability a key priority when considering organizational, operational, and programming decisions. We understand that the only way to effectively combat this crisis and mitigate the effects of climate change is to drastically reduce our environmental impact. Therefore, AIFS Abroad has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2025. AIFS Abroad is proud to announce we have signed the CANIE Accord, becoming the first US provider to make this commitment.

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Program Highlights

Earn up to 15 credits with transcripts issued by Fairfield University
Internship and volunteer opportunities
Tours of London and historic sites & day trips to Cambridge, Stonehenge and Salisbury
Optional 3-day trip to Paris, France
Health & Safety 24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance

Popular Programs

AIFS Abroad in London, England (GEC): January

Earn up to 3 credits while studying in the heart of London at the Global Education Center. London itself plays a vital role in your study. Critically analyze the legacy of the British Empire and consider the complexities of immigration by focusing on London’s global cuisine, learn about fashion marketing in one of the fashion capitals of the world, or find out more about the history of London by visiting major sites and hidden gems as the city becomes your textbook.

AIFS Abroad in London, England (GEC): Summer

Spend your summer in the thriving city of London, England with AIFS Abroad at the Global Education Center! Programs include a Traditional Academic Program, Shakespeare's Globe, or Museums and Galleries. You’ll earn up to 6 credits through Fairfield University.

AIFS Abroad in London, England: Study + Internship

Take 2 courses worth 3 credits each from the regular offering of courses on the Traditional Academic Program in addition to HIST/SOC 335 British Life and Culture (3 credits) and a 3-credit internship in your field of study and earn up to 12 semester credits. All students will be enrolled in INTN 310 International Internship in London which consists of 15 contact hours of seminars and workshops related to their placement and 90-132 hours of supervised unpaid placement.

Program Reviews

4.88 Rating

based on 59 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

5 rating 93.22%
4 rating 5.08%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 1.69%

Academics 4.25
Support 4.75
Fun 4.3
Housing 4.65
Safety 4.85

Good for History Buffs, Foodies, Students

Showing 33 - 40 of 59 reviews

When I got to London I became very sick. My Afis advisor Anderson Hillen was amazing! She checked on me every day and brought me food,drinks, etc... She acted like my mom and it made me feel at home.

What would you improve about this program?

The program wasn't perfect and the living situation was okay. They put too many people in one room and the internet connection was not that good. It struggled with skyping and video streaming.The teachers and staff were very helpful and made me feel at home.

The Kensington location of this campus helped tremendously with day to day London life. You are located in central London and are able to explore so many parts of the city. The school is full of bright teachers and the AIFS staff at Richmond is the best! I would give anything to go back and do it all over again!

Read my full story

Studying abroad was the best decision of my life so far and I am glad that I went through AIFS. Each day I learned more about London, the world and myself.

One of the highlights of my experience was the orientation week. AIFS planned alot of fun events to help us get accustomed to London including a bus tour of London, a ticket to London Eye, a ticket to a theater show and more. Each semester the orientation week changes but the staff do a great job planning events and informational sessions (like safety awareness).

Other highlights include the amazing onsite staff that was always there if you needed anything, having some meals included and location. I'm definitely glad that I chose AIFS.

What would you improve about this program?

There isnt many negative things that I can say about the program. But there weren't many opportunities to get to know people in the program. I would recommend including some get-to-know-you games or teambuilding activities.

Read my full story

The staff (particularly Anderson and Tracy) were absolutely incredible in making us feel included and welcome at this school and in London. The location was amazing, being so close to Hyde Park and Kensington High Street as well as two separate Tube stops in such a close proximity.
Within the walls of Atlantic house, it was a great college experience, and as soon as we walked out, we felt like actual Londoners, which was very important to me. I would do it again in a heartbeat, only the second time definitely go for the whole year--or more!!!

What would you improve about this program?

The food was definitely sub-par, and it was a little disconcerting we were only fed breakfast/dinner and only on weeknights, and not given a stipend for the remaining days.

I can't simply express my love for my study abroad program. Everything was amazing. It was well-organized and I felt like my money was well spent. I got up each day for my classes, and when they were done in the afternoon I had a whole evening to explore and sight see! Also, most of the classes do NOT meet on Fridays so you will have long weekends a lot of the time. I had an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything, and I just want everyone to be able to say the same.

What would you improve about this program?

The food in the cafeteria was awful. I had toast almost every night in the cafeteria. However, breakfast was usually pretty great.

The only regret I have about this program is that I wish I'd done the 6 or 9 week program instead of just 3 weeks. Location is great, courses are educational but not overbearing, and the staff do a great job of providing opportunities to do things unique to the UK and London. Lots of time for sightseeing and travel around both London and the rest of the UK. It's hard to ask for a better summer experience.

Being able to study abroad was absolutely a life changing experience. AIFS specifically, made it easy to navigate the specifics and their staff was always willing and able to help with planning the trip and making it happen. I love that the Richmond experience allowed us to have the best of being a study abroad student while still allowing for the option to get to know not just locals but people from all across the globe. In addition, I have to say that the student trips and activities offered were very reasonably priced and offered something for everyone. To this day I find myself telling stories from my time abroad and am constantly looking for the next chance to return. If you are going to study abroad, which everyone should, I am confident that AIFS is an excellent choice. I was told this before I went abroad and I believe it now; there is no better time and no cheaper way to travel Europe than when you are a student.

I honestly had the time of my life at AIFS at Richmond London. The housing was comfortable, safe, and at a convenient location. The activities planned by the program were great, and the staff was amazing, friendly, and always there to help. Would definitely recommend this program to anyone considering it!

Questions & Answers

Does this institution have a good history department?

Yes this university has a great history program! I took History of London while I was there and got to take field trips to different locations throughout London that I wouldn't have thought to go see otherwise! I also to a British Art and Architecture course which was so great because it was history and art together!

By Alyson Kruger on October 4, 2016

Does this institution have a good film program?

I'm not entirely sure about their film program. I did my study abroad in 2007, and they had an excellent art, art history, and photography course that my roommate and I both did at that time. So, I would say their art program in general was terrific!

By Amber Hays-Bennett on January 14, 2016

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

It had been my dream to study abroad in London for as long as I can remember. I definitely did thorough research for which program best suited me. Two years before I went abroad I found AIFS and new it was the right fit for me.

AIFS's London program offered everything I could have ever imagined. The Richmond campus is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington, just steps away from Kensington Palace and Hyde Park. Because of its location, I knew it would be safe. Also, it was located in Zone 1, making travel around London incredibly easy, especially with two tube stations right around the corner.

AIFS also provides things that others did not, like an on-campus meal plan during the week, housing and on-site staff.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Because of AIFS's all-inclusive package, I didn't have to find my own housing in London like I would have if I went through a different program. Everything was done for me which made pre-departure planning a lot easier and stress-free. AIFS also includes an optional flight package, this was extremely helpful for me. If you choose this package, AIFS books your flights for you and even gets you transportation from the airport to your new University. As a first-time solo traveler, this was a very nice feature that made traveling a lot less scary.

The University also provides bedding, laundry, and garbage services daily. This way as soon as I landed abroad I didn't have to worry about finding bedding and I could nap jet lag away.

The one thing that I did have to organize on my own was my classes. Since AIFS is an affiliate program you have to take a few extra steps to get things approved by your home University. The main thing being classes, I had to get them approved by my school's department head to make sure the credits transferred back smoothly.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

My main advice to someone going on my program, or studying abroad, in general, is to keep an open mind. Things most likely are not going to go as you planned them but that is all part of the journey.

Many people think that studying abroad is a picture perfect experience because that is what they see from others on social media, but I want people to know that it is extremely difficult and it isn't what you see on Instagram. But in the end, it is the most rewarding experience you can ever have.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day or week looked a bit different for me than it did for others on my program, as I did not do as much traveling outside England as others.

In my program, most people had one or two classes a day Monday through Wednesday. Rarely were classes held on Fridays. For me, I took an hour or two every day to remove myself from the hustle and bustle of the city to take a walk in Hyde Park, the largest of the Royal Parks in London having about 350 acres! It was nice since it was a few blocks from campus. After clearing my head in the park I would go to class, get lunch with a friend, explore a bit and visit many many museums. A lot of days ended in a nearby pub with friends enjoying a pint or two with the locals.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Going into my semester abroad my biggest fear was that I wasn't going to make friends. Unfortunately, that fear was a reality for me the first few weeks. I was able to overcome this by putting myself out there, and just being friendly and open to everyone I came in contact with. I talked to everyone that I had classes with and made lunch plans with them.

I wish I wasn't as timid and reserved the first few weeks, but I eventually found my group and I am so grateful for their friendship even now a year later.

What did your parents like about this program?

My parents had nothing but good things to say about AIFS and all the staff in both America and London. When I first got to London, I had the hardest time adjusting, especially with my anxiety it made the first few weeks even more difficult.

My parents knew I was in good hands with the on-site staff at my University, the two resident directors, Nicki and Anderson, were there for me when I needed anything. Whether it was a hug, helping me switch classes, or advice on where the best tea was in the neighborhood, they were always there for me.

The optional flight package also put my parents at ease the day I left for my semester abroad, it reassured them that I was going to get to the correct location.

Celeste Gregorio

2015 Alum

Bianca Auriemma

2013 Alum

Maura Hinken

2013 Alum

Teyonna Ridgeway

Chad Myers

Jonathon Maeser

Location

Location:

London

Currency:

English Pound

Weather:

Jan-Mar

52 F / 36 F

Apr-Jun

70 F / 43 F

Jul-Sep

73 F / 52 F

Oct-Dec

61 F / 37 F

Airports:

London-Heathrow

( LHR )

Gatwick

( LGQ )

London Stansted

( STN )

London, although typically regarded for its architecture and city lifestyle, is made up of 40% public green space in the form of incredibly lush parks. London has created an environment where you can spend the day enjoying city life and then escape to Primrose hill, the Thames, or a walk by the canals.

About AIFS Abroad

AIFS Abroad is a leading provider of study abroad programs. Since 1964, more than 1.5 million students have traveled abroad with AIFS Abroad. Comprehensive program fees make it convenient for students to study abroad and intern abroad to experience all that the world has to offer. Celebrating 60 years of service in 2024, AIFS Abroad has the...