About AIFS

The leading provider of cultural exchange and educational opportunities for more than 1.6 million young people.

Since 1964, The American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) has been the leading provider of cultural exchange and educational opportunities for more than 1.6 million young people. Opening the doors to its Australian office in 1999, AIFS begun offering young Australians opportunities to experience summer camp and working as an Au Pair in America. In 2005, AIFS Australia commenced offering inbound programs to provide Australian families with the highest quality, intercultural live-in childcare and work & travel opportunities for internationals from across the globe. For over 50 years, we have been committed to cross-cultural exchange. The opportunity and need for enhanced global understanding is now greater than ever. AIFS is proud to meet this need through our programs. We provide our program participants with the educational edge they need to succeed in a highly competitive, diverse and interdependent world.

1964

Cyril Taylor, Roger Walther and Dough Burck start the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1965

The first group of AIFS students – a total of 1500 participants – travelled overseas on high school study abroad programs.

1967

The AIFS Foundation, an independent public charity, is created with the assistance of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

1969

Camp America program is established for international students to visit the United States.

1970

AIFS experiences substantial growth including the addition of College Study Abroad programs and further expansion to new international offices and programs.

1972

AIFS purchases Richmond College to support study abroad programs in the United Kingdom. Camp America expanded to Australian applicants facilitated by an agent here in Australia.

1981

Academic Year in America (AYA) is established.

1986

AIFS launches a new concept called Au Pair in America, providing cultural exchange and live-in childcare for American families.

1999

AIFS opens its office in Australia in Melbourne. We celebrate our 30 year anniversary for Camp America.

2005

AIFS acquires the inbound operations of CIEE, and opens its dedicated inbound centre in Sydney's CBD that becomes the hub for AIFS' operations in the Asia Pacific.