About Us
The American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) and its family of companies organises cultural exchange programs throughout the world for more than 55,000 students and young people each year. Since our founding in 1964, more than a million people have participated on an AIFS study or working-travel program.
AIFS Around the World
The American Institute for Foreign Study (Australia) Pty Ltd opened its Australian office in 1999 with the company focusing on the growth of established outbound programs, Camp America and Au Pair in America. In January 2005 following acquisition of CIEE Australia and its inbound cultural exchange business, AIFS opened a Sydney office and student centre. This office serves as the base for AIFS’ regional headquarters.
This year, around 4,000 – 5,000 adventurous young people will participate on an AIFS program to or from Australia. Our Australian outbound programs are Camp America, Camp America Work Adventures and Au Pair in America. Our inbound programs Work & Travel Australia, Professional Internship Australia and our new Au Pair program, AIFS Au Pair in Australia attract some 3,500 young travellers from over 20 countries.
Our Mission
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To provide the highest quality educational and cultural exchange programs |
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To enrich the lives of people throughout the world |
Our Values
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Excellence in programs, operations and people |
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Exceptional caring support for our program participants |
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Honest, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment of program participants,partners, and employees |
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Innovation |
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Teamwork and collaboration both within the organization and with partners |
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Encouragement of employee initiative and professional development |
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Responsible financial stewardship |
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Support of multi-cultural values |
Why choose AIFS?
The opportunity and need for enhanced global understanding is greater now than ever. AIFS programs teach young people from all over the world to understand each other's qualities, their similarities and differences. Participants will learn vital language skills, become more culturally aware, will meet new people, explore new places with the opportunity to add an international dimension to their CV.
In fact, our strength lies in providing AIFS program participants with the educational edge they need to succeed in a highly competitive, diverse and interdependent world.
Our Network
Globally AIFS has principal offices in Sydney, Bonn, Boston, London, Paris, Stamford, Warsaw and Washington DC.
Our Staff
Our staff understand the challenges, rewards and benefits associated with overseas study, work and travel. They themselves may have lived or studied in another country, some are multi-lingual, but each is happy to share their invaluable experience and knowledge with you every step of the way!
Located throughout Australia and supporting the Camp America, Camp America Work Adventures and Au Pair in America programs, is a national network of trained interviewers and coordinators Each is a past participant with their part-time role being to interview, inform and ultimately assess all applicants as part of the application process.