For many students, support services are what allow them to study abroad with confidence and navigate their experience abroad. The right study abroad support services can shape your experience before, during, and after your time abroad—and the right provider should help you navigate every stage of that journey. That includes selecting the best-fit program, preparing for departure, settling in overseas, and making the most of your experience once you return home.
Below, we’ll cover 12 support services worth comparing before you commit to a study abroad program or provider.
Ensure you have the best possible experience abroad—make sure your study abroad program includes these 12 support services!
1. Program Selection Support
Choosing the right program is something many college students struggle with, and one of the best ways to alleviate stress and uncertainty is to have expert support that can guide you toward the program that’s right for you. The best study abroad providers have dedicated staff who can help you identify programs that fit your academic goals, budget, interests, and comfort level.
AIFS Abroad supports students from the very beginning with dedicated consultation staff who can answer questions, guide you through the application process, and help you choose a program that aligns with your goals. Whether you’re still narrowing down destinations or ready to apply, our team is here to assist you.
2. Travel Assistance Packages
Travel logistics can be one of the most challenging parts of studying abroad, especially for first-time travelers. When comparing programs, find out whether your provider offers help with flights, airport arrival details, and departure planning. Some providers even offer optional travel packages or booking support to help students feel more confident navigating the journey to and from their host country.
In addition to providing pre-departure resources and orientations, AIFS Abroad programs feature an optional Travel Package that includes flights to and from your program, as well as airport pickups and drop-offs on-site. This ensures you have all the support you need to comfortably get to and from your study abroad destination.
3. Visa Support
Navigating visa requirements can be confusing, to say the least. Add on time-sensitive visa application deadlines and unexpected delays, and you’ve got a recipe for unwanted stress. When comparing programs, find out how much help (if any) your provider offers with visa applications, documentation, and deadlines.
AIFS Abroad goes further than many study abroad program providers when it comes to visa support. For eligible programs, AIFS Abroad Program Managers can apply for a student visa on your behalf, taking much of the complexity and guesswork out of the process. Our team provides clear guidance on visa requirements for your specific destination and supports you through every step, so you can focus on preparing for your experience rather than navigating the visa process on your own.
4. Financial Aid and Scholarship Support
Financing a study abroad program can feel overwhelming, and the level of financial support a provider offers is an important factor to compare. Some providers accept financial aid, while others may not. But the most supportive and accessible providers go one step further, offering their own scholarships and grants to help make international education more accessible.
As a charity-owned organization dedicated to expanding access to international education, AIFS Abroad accepts financial aid and offers our own scholarships and grants to help reduce the cost of going abroad. Our advising team can also help you understand how your existing aid package may apply to your program and point you toward additional funding opportunities—so cost is less likely to stand between you and the experience of a lifetime.
5. On-Site Support Staff
Students who are traveling abroad for the first time can greatly benefit from on-site support staff. Not only do on-site staff offer practical benefits—local recommendations, emergency assistance, housing support, and help with cultural adjustment—but they can also provide some much-needed peace of mind. It’s nice to know that if you have a question or run into an issue while abroad, dedicated staff are always there to assist.
All AIFS Abroad programs include trusted on-site staff who support students from arrival through departure. AIFS Abroad Program Directors and location staff help answer questions, lead trips and activities, and provide on-the-ground assistance so students don’t have to navigate their experience alone if they need support.
6. 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Emergencies can happen at any time, which is why 24/7 emergency assistance is an essential support service to look at when comparing study abroad programs or providers. Ask whether your prospective provider offers around-the-clock help for urgent situations such as medical issues, travel disruptions, lost documents, or other unexpected events. Providers with established emergency protocols and accessible support teams can offer reassurance not only to students, but also to their families back home.
All AIFS Abroad programs include 24/7 emergency assistance and reliable on-site support, so students can get the help they need—should they ever need it. Medical and travel emergency support services are also included and provided through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) to help students respond quickly to unexpected situations.
7. Travel and Medical Insurance
Insurance is another major support service that deserves careful comparison. Study abroad providers may differ significantly in what they include, so it’s worth reviewing whether coverage extends to medical treatment, travel interruption, emergency evacuation, and personal property loss. Comprehensive insurance can protect students financially and make it easier to get care or assistance while abroad. If coverage is included in the program fee, that’s a major advantage when comparing study abroad programs or providers.
All AIFS Abroad programs include a comprehensive travel and medical insurance package, along with emergency support through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Founded in 1996, CISI is a leading provider of study abroad and international student insurance coverage. Whether you need emergency evacuation, reimbursement for a claim, or help finding care abroad, CISI will be there to assist you throughout your program.
8. Health and Wellness Support
From adjusting to a new environment to managing existing health needs, having access to health and wellness support can make a meaningful difference in your experience abroad. When comparing study abroad programs, look for providers that offer accommodations for students with mental health needs or learning disabilities and differences, as well as on-site staff who are there to support your wellbeing and can help you find local doctors, specialists, or pharmacies when needed.
AIFS Abroad is committed to supporting the health and well-being of every participant on our programs. Our on-site staff can connect students with trusted local healthcare providers and resources, and we work with students who require specific accommodations—such as disabilities, mental health considerations, and learning challenges like ADHD—to help ensure their experience is as comfortable and successful as possible. We also offer mental health and wellness resources that provide accessible support before, during, and after your study abroad program. If you have specific health or wellness needs, we encourage you to reach out to our team as soon as possible.
9. Cultural Integration Activities
Cultural integration goes beyond sightseeing. It includes structured opportunities to learn about local customs, navigate daily life, and build authentic relationships with the people and places around you. Look for study abroad programs and providers that offer built-in cultural activities led by knowledgeable local staff or partners, as well as resources to help you get your bearings, such as guidance on navigating public transportation and understanding local etiquette.
AIFS Abroad programs include a robust calendar of cultural activities and excursions led by local staff who bring your host city to life in ways a guidebook never could. Whether you’re exploring historic neighborhoods, attending local events, or participating in community-focused coursework like service learning, these experiences are designed to deepen your understanding of your host culture and connect you with your new community abroad. Explore our site-specific cultural resources and service learning and community service classses abroad.
10. Career Readiness Programming and Professional Development
Some study abroad providers help students connect their international experience to their long-term career goals. As you compare programs, see whether they include any career readiness resources such as coaching, a strengths assessment, resume support, interview preparation, or post-departure programming or resources that help students articulate the value of studying abroad to future employers. Services like these can be especially useful when students return home and begin planning their next steps.
AIFS Abroad integrates career readiness into our programs through Strengths-based programming, powered by the CliftonStrengths assessment developed by Gallup. Students can take the assessment, participate in virtual workshops, and have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a certified Gallup Strengths coach—helping them identify their natural talents, articulate their skills, and connect their time abroad to their long-term professional goals. Full-Time Internship and Study + Internship programs go a step further with additional career readiness programming, including resume building, interview preparation, and a second, post-program coaching call.
11. Credit Transfer Support
Without proper credit transfer support, students may find themselves returning home with credits that don’t count, courses that don’t apply, or transcripts that arrive too late for registration. The best study abroad providers work closely with students and their home universities to ensure courses are pre-approved, credit transfer processes are transparent, and transcripts are issued in a timely manner. Credit transfer support protects your academic progress and ensures your time abroad counts toward your degree.
The AIFS Abroad team works with students and advisors to help ensure coursework aligns with degree requirements, credits are clearly established for courses, and official transcripts are sent directly to your home university upon program completion—so you can go abroad confidently knowing your academics are in good hands. For AIFS Abroad programs at our Global Education Centers (GECs) across Europe, we award academic credit through Fairfield University, our U.S. school of record, which is recognized by institutions across the country.
12. Alumni Programming
Standout study abroad providers continue to support participants even after the program ends. Alumni programming can include networking opportunities, events, mentoring, program ambassador roles, or other ways to stay engaged with the community. These opportunities help students reflect on their experience, manage reentry shock, maintain international connections, and continue benefiting from the program after they return home.
AIFS Abroad fosters a lasting global community, giving students ways to stay connected to their experience beyond their time overseas. We offer post-program resources that support students as they process their time abroad and return home, along with alumni internship opportunities, professional opportunities, networking, and more—all designed to help participants maximize their abroad experience and remain connected long after the program ends.
For an overseas experience backed by trusted support at every step, choose AIFS Abroad as your program provider and study abroad with confidence.
The right study abroad program is about more than just an exciting international destination. What truly defines an ideal program is often the support that gets you there, keeps you engaged, and helps you make the most of the experience when you come home. From program selection and travel logistics to on-site staff, emergency assistance, cultural integration, and career development, the support services a provider offers say a lot about how much they’re invested in your success.
With over 60 years of experience and a comprehensive suite of student support services (including all 12 of the above!), AIFS Abroad is designed to help students thrive at every stage of their journey. Don’t settle for a program that simply opens the door—look for one that’s there to walk you through it and support you on the other side.
