Global Awareness is sponsored by Au Pair in America and the American Institute For Foreign Study.

Au Pair in America

Approximately 4,000 young people from around the world arrive each year to live with an American host family and assist with child care in this unique cultural exchange program. This one- or two-year program is coordinated and monitored by local AIFS Community Counselors who provide general support and social and cultural activities for au pairs and host families alike. Au pairs take advantage of educational opportunities available in a given area and often participate in civic events to gain a broader awareness of American culture and community life. Au Pair in America is a designated program of the United States State Department.

For more information, visit www.AuPairInAmerica.com. To request a free Au Pair in America brochure, click here.

American Institute For Foreign Study

The American Institute For Foreign Study, Inc. (AIFS) and its family of companies organizes cultural exchange programs throughout the world for more than 50,000 students each year and arranges insurance coverage for our own participants as well as participants of other organizations. Since our founding in 1964, more than a million students and teachers have participated in AIFS programs worldwide.

Visit us on the web at www.aifs.com.
"We Bring the World Together"

World Wide Education and Travel | Gifted and Talented Education | Professional Staffing | World Wide Insurance

AIFS World Wide Education and Travel Programs

Academic Year in America
www.academicyear.org – high school foreign exchange student program

Academic Year in America (AYA) is the program arm of the AIFS Foundation. Using its designation by the department of State as an authorized "J" exchange visitor sponsor, AYA has enabled 800-1000 students annually from overseas to attend American high schools. The students attend U.S. high schools for five or ten months and share their language and culture with their host families. American high school students also travel abroad under AYA auspices to study in Germany, France, Holland and Spain. AYA also sponsors summer camp experiences in countries such as Brazil, Chile, France, Austria and Spain.

American Council for International Studies
www.acis.com – educational travel for high school students and teachers

Founded in 1978, ACIS annually organizes high quality educational travel programs for more than 30,000 U.S. high school students and teachers. Students and teachers from more than 2,000 school districts travel on one to four-week educational trips in Europe, China, Mexico, Africa, Australia and to the Americas. For most participants, ACIS programs provide their initial exposure to a foreign country. Students and teachers stay in quality hotels, are led by experienced guides to places of historic and cultural interest, and return home with a fresh, exciting perspective of learning possibilities throughout the world. Custom-designed educational travel programs for students and special interest groups generally include a period of educational sightseeing and lectures on politics, foreign culture and other subjects.

ACIS Summer Advantage – for High School Students
www.summeradvantage.com – campus-based and adventure travel programs for high school students

Summer Advantage connects high school students with college learning, adventure, and travel! Summer Fast Track programs are 4–5 week campus-based programs offered at top-flight universities in London, Paris, Rome, St. Petersburg, Salamanca and Berkeley, California. They provide students with opportunities for traveling to exciting cities while earning college credit. Fast Track participants earn a college transcript, giving them a great head start on the college application process. The Europe on the Road Summer Adventure program is a 30-day educational travel program to some of Europe’s most exciting destinations including Italy, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Our unique Fun Fact Discussions and Venture Trek Outings allow students to discover the world through a balance of traditional learning and hands-on exploration.

AIFS Study Abroad College Division
www.aifsabroad.com – study abroad programs for college students

In affiliation with international universities, AIFS annually organizes study abroad programs for more than 5,000 American students during the academic year and the summer. All courses are for academic credit. AIFS works closely with 500 American colleges and universities, providing students and faculty with high quality educational experiences abroad. AIFS also arranges study abroad programs for 80 American universities and colleges on a partnership basis, providing housing, transportation, classrooms, meals, student services and cultural activities. Faculty from U.S. institutions participating in this program teach their own courses at AIFS centers.

Richmond, The American International University in London
www.richmond.ac.uk – undergraduate and graduate university in London

Like the city in which it is located, Richmond, The American International University in London, provides a diverse, multicultural environment. The University combines the student-centered approach of an American liberal arts college with outstanding British and American faculty in fully accredited AA, BS, BA, MA and MBA programs. Students come to Richmond from more than 100 countries. Small classes and personal attention from the faculty, an extensive advising service and a wide range of courses make Richmond an ideal study abroad choice. At Richmond, you don’t just read about a global culture, you experience it. Richmond is an independent, co-educational, non-profit international liberal arts and professional studies university of approximately 1,200 students. The original Richmond College, founded in 1843, was a constituent institution of the University of London until the founding of the present University in 1972, which bears its name and occupies its campus.

Gifted and Talented Education

Summer Institute for the Gifted
www.giftedstudy.com – summer programs for gifted and talented students

A unique and prestigious three-week residential, co-educational summer program for academically talented students in grades four through eleven, the Institute blends a strong and challenging academic program of introductory and college-level courses, an opportunity for cultural exposure and social growth, and traditional recreational summer camp activities to create an effective, well-balanced, rewarding and enjoyable summer experience. Programs are conducted at Princeton University, Vassar, Bryn Mawr, and Amherst Colleges, UCLA, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, Drew University, Emory University, Fairfield University, and Moorestown Friends School.

Professional Staffing

Camp America
www.campamerica.aifs.com – camp counselors and support staff for U.S. summer camps

Camp America brings more than 8,500 foreign students and young people into the United States each year to work as camp counselors and support staff in U.S. summer camps. Camp counselors teach sports, crafts, performing arts and other skills to campers. Campower participants contribute maintenance, kitchen and office support. Camp America is designated by the United States Department of State as a J-visa sponsor.

Resort America
www.resortamerica.aifs.com – seasonal staff for U.S. resorts, hotels, conference centers and other facilities

Resort America matches experienced, reliable, seasonal staff to resorts, hotels, conference centers and other facilities. Work expertise ranges from maintenance, office, dining room, kitchen, housekeeping, landscaping, sports, waterfront and other related functions. All are registered post-secondary school students, many preparing for careers in tourism, hotel management and food service, and come to the United States with J-1 visas.

World Wide Insurance

Cultural Insurance Services International
www.culturalinsurance.com – insurance for international students, study abroad groups and international travelers

A rapidly growing member of the AIFS group is our student insurance subsidiary, Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). CISI specializes in organizing insurance plans that meet the needs of its customers for travel abroad on educational and cultural exchange programs. Working in conjunction with several A-rated insurance companies, such as Virginia Surety Company, CISI provides medical and other insurance coverage to 80,000 students each year.