American Institute For Foreign Study

What American Institute For Foreign Study does

American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) is a privately held cultural exchange and educational travel organization founded in 1964 in Cincinnati, Ohio and now headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio serving approximately 35,000-50,000 participants annually across 29 countries, with 1.8 million+ total participants served since founding. AIFS runs seven core operating brands: AIFS Abroad (college study abroad and internships, 200+ programs), Au Pair in America (the first U.S. international live-in childcare program, launched 1986), Academic Year in America (high school exchange for students from 60+ countries), Camp America (international staffing for U.S. summer camps since 1969), ACIS (educational group travel for high school students, acquired 1988/1989), Cultural Insurance Services International / CISI (insurance covering ~190,000 participants annually, including non-AIFS), and AIFS Professional Pathways (J-1 visa sponsorship for interns and trainees, launched 2024). Supporting entities include the AIFS Foundation, Summer Institute for the Gifted, IEC (acquired 2019), and Richmond The American International University in London. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard enterprise systems: a CRM (established 1993), company websites, and online application systems; no proprietary AI, machine learning, or platform technology is disclosed.

Name

American Institute For Foreign Study

Legal name

American Institute for Foreign Study, Inc.

Website

https://aifs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) is a privately held, founder-era cultural exchange and educational travel organization founded in 1964 that serves 35,000-50,000 participants annually across 29 countries through seven operating brands spanning study abroad, au pair placement, camp staffing, high school exchange, J-1 visa sponsorship, and education-related insurance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange and Educational Travel Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Direct Enrollment & Third-Party University Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credentialing, Academic Credit, Assessment & Transcript Services (EDAIAFAO), Au Pair Program Sponsorship & Compliance (Visa/Host Family Support) (HSAAAEAB), Visa & Immigration Processing Support (I-20/DS-2019, visa letters, renewals) (EDALANAB), International Student Financial, Insurance & Tax Support (insurance enrollment, tax filing guidance) (EDALANAI)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange programs
• Study abroad services
• Educational travel programs
• International student exchange
• Au pair placement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stamford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Cultural Exchange Program Fees: AIFS generates primary revenue through fees for its comprehensive cultural exchange and educational travel programs. Programs include study abroad (college and high school), au pair placement, camp counselor staffing, high school exchange, gap year programs, and professional pathways. Fees are typically all-inclusive covering tuition, housing, meals, insurance, and cultural activities. Pricing varies by program type, duration, and destination.
2. Insurance Services (CISI): Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) provides comprehensive insurance coverage for international students and study abroad participants. CISI and its European affiliate CareMed provide insurance services for approximately 190,000 participants per year, serving both AIFS programs and other study abroad providers, universities, and colleges offering study abroad programs.
3. J-1 Visa Sponsorship Services: AIFS Professional Pathways provides J-1 visa sponsorship for international interns and trainees. The program grants temporary work authorization for full-time, on-the-job training for durations of 3 weeks to 18 months, supporting U.S. companies with compliance and visa sponsorship services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) is a private cultural exchange and educational travel organization that operates a portfolio of programs including college study abroad, high school exchange, au pair placement, international camp staffing, and J-1 visa sponsorship. Programs are all-inclusive, covering tuition/housing, meals, insurance, and cultural activities, and are delivered through 12 global offices and a network of 100+ international partners and 546 U.S. college/university institutional relationships. The company also provides international education insurance through its subsidiary CISI, serving approximately 190,000 participants per year.

Product overview

American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) operates a multi-brand portfolio platform of cultural exchange and educational programs, organized as a unified family of brands serving distinct segments. The core offerings include AIFS Abroad (college study abroad and internships), Au Pair in America (live-in child care), Academic Year in America (high school exchange), Camp America (camp staffing), ACIS (educational tours), Cultural Insurance Services International (insurance), and AIFS Professional Pathways (J-1 visa sponsorship). Supporting entities include the AIFS Foundation (scholarships), Summer Institute for the Gifted (gifted education), and acquired brand IEC (university recruitment). The company also maintains partnerships with Richmond University. These products operate under a unified organizational structure with global offices across 6 countries, serving approximately 40,000-50,000 participants annually across 29 countries worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIFS Abroad: Study abroad and international internship programs for U.S. college students and recent graduates, offering over 200 programs in 29 countries year-round.
• Au Pair in America
• Academic Year in America (AYA)
• Camp America
• ACIS (American Council for International Studies)
• CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International)
• AIFS Professional Pathways
• IEC (International Education for Global Minds)

Products and services

• AIFS Abroad Study abroad and international internship programs for U.S. college students and recent graduates, offering over 200 programs in 29 countries with year-round availability for earning academic credit and work experience.
• Au Pair in America The first international live-in child care program for U.S. families, providing qualified young women from around the world on J-1 Visas to deliver quality intercultural child care while learning about U.S. culture.
• Academic Year in America (AYA) High school international exchange program where students from over 60 countries come to the U.S. as exchange students and live with American host families for an academic year or semester. Organized by the AIFS Foundation.
• Camp America International staffing program for U.S. summer camps, facilitating young adults ages 18+ from around the world to travel to the U.S. on J-1 Visas to work as camp counselors and provide support functions.
• ACIS (American Council for International Studies) Educational group travel programs across the globe for teachers and high school students, providing exceptional educational journeys rather than ordinary tours.
• Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) Comprehensive insurance coverage for the international education market, providing policies for international students coming to the U.S. and American students studying abroad, serving approximately 190,000 participants per year through CISI and its European affiliate CareMed.
• AIFS Professional Pathways J-1 visa sponsorship program for international interns and trainees pursuing professional opportunities with multi-sector U.S. companies, providing temporary work authorization for full-time on-the-job training for 3 weeks to 18 months.
• Customized Faculty-Led Study Abroad Formal arrangements between educational institutions and AIFS Abroad providing logistical support, student services, classrooms, housing facilities, cultural activities, student medical and fee refund insurances, and over $50 million of liability insurance for U.S. colleges/universities at locations abroad.
• IEC (International Education for Global Minds) University representative and educational consultant that recruits students from Germany and Austria to study abroad at partner universities in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, or China. Acquired by AIFS in August 2019.
• AIFS Study Abroad Gap Year Study abroad programs for high school seniors during the academic year and summer, offering a first taste of college life on an international campus with a wide range of unique programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.8 million individuals have participated in AIFS programs since 1964
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• The Forum on Education AbroadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026AIFS Abroad partnered with The Forum on Education Abroad to launch the Community College Access Scholarship, a $50,000 initiative providing $2,000-$5,000 awards to enable community college students to participate in education abroad programs. The partnership addresses significant disparity while leveraging AIFS's 13 community college partnerships.
• World Central Kitchen (WCK)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025AIFS named World Central Kitchen its Official Global Charity, reaffirming dedication to social responsibility. Partnership demonstrates organizational commitment to humanitarian values and global community engagement through cultural exchange.
• IEC Online GmbH (International Education for Global Minds)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019AIFS acquired IEC, a leading university representative and educational consultant recruiting students from Germany and Austria to study abroad. IEC developed partnerships with approximately 130 universities worldwide and was AIRC-certified. Acquisition expands AIFS university network and European presence.
• Institute of International Education (IIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIFS joined IIE's Generation Study Abroad initiative to double U.S. study abroad participation. AIFS committed $250,000+ in scholarships. Organizations co-produce Global Education Research Reports series addressing study abroad trends, first-generation students, and global mobility.
• Richmond, The American International University in LondonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIFS founded Richmond College in 1972 (purchased 1843 institution). Now a free-standing non-profit American University accredited by both U.S. and UK education authorities. Has 1,000+ students from 100+ countries with campuses in Richmond Hill and Kensington, London.
• NAFSA: Association of International EducatorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIFS maintains membership and active participation in NAFSA. Chairman Bill Gertz served on Development Committee of NAFSA. Organization recognized by NAFSA as invaluable supporter and contributor to study abroad initiatives.
• American Camp Association (ACA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCamp America affiliated with American Camp Association. ACA National Conference participation. Partnership ensures quality standards and regulatory compliance for international camp staffing programs.
• International Au Pair Association (IAPA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCamp America and Au Pair in America affiliated with IAPA. Chairman Gertz previously served on IAPA Executive Board. Partnership supports industry standards and best practices in au pair placement.
• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural AffairsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIFS is a U.S. Department of State J-1 visa designated sponsor (BridgeUSA). AIFS Foundation is also a designated sponsor. Long-standing regulatory relationship enabling cultural exchange programs.
• Alliance for International ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of 90 cultural exchange organizations in the U.S. AIFS Chairman served as Chair of Alliance for International Exchange. Provides policy advocacy and industry coordination.
• US-UK Fulbright CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-UK Fulbright Commission introduced Sir Cyril Taylor Memorial Award for Social Entrepreneurship, funded by Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation. Supports British postgraduate students to study for master's degrees at American universities.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is the largest U.S. nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization, directly competing with AIFS Abroad across college study abroad, faculty-led programs, internships, and high school exchange. The two organizations also co-developed the Ping-Taylor Professional Fellows Grant, underscoring their head-to-head positioning.
• IES Abroad: IES Abroad is a Chicago-based nonprofit offering semester and year-long study abroad programs in 30+ cities, directly comparable to AIFS Abroad's college study abroad catalog. Both compete for institutional partnerships and student enrollment in the same Western European and Latin American destinations.
• API (Academic Programs International): API provides study abroad and intern programs for U.S. undergraduates across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. It competes head-to-head with AIFS Abroad for both individual student enrollment and customized faculty-led institutional contracts.
• CEA (Cultural Experiences Abroad): CEA is a study abroad provider offering credit-bearing programs and internships in 20+ cities. It directly overlaps with AIFS Abroad's college study abroad and internship offerings and competes for similar university partners and student segments.
• Cultural Care Au Pair: Cultural Care Au Pair is one of the largest U.S. J-1 au pair agencies and a direct competitor to Au Pair in America. Both operate under U.S. State Department J-1 designation, place live-in childcare providers with American families, and compete for the same host family demographic.
• InterExchange: InterExchange is a nonprofit cultural exchange organization offering J-1 visa-sponsored Work & Travel, au pair, intern, and trainee programs. It overlaps with Camp America, Au Pair in America, and AIFS Professional Pathways, making it a direct competitor across multiple AIFS verticals.
• BUNAC: BUNAC provides work, travel, and cultural exchange programs primarily for U.S. and U.K. students, including J-1 Summer Work Travel. It directly competes with Camp America for international staffing placements and with AIFS Abroad on student exchange programs.

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: EF Education First is the global incumbent in educational travel, language training, and cultural exchange, operating in 100+ countries. It overlaps with AIFS on study abroad, au pair/cultural exchange, and high school travel programs, but at materially larger scale and with a broader portfolio including language schools.
• WorldStrides: WorldStrides is the largest U.S. provider of educational travel for K-12 students, directly comparable to AIFS's ACIS brand. Both organize group educational tours and cultural trips for middle and high school students and teachers.

Emerging players

• GoAuPair: GoAuPair is a smaller U.S. State Department designated au pair agency operating on a more tech-enabled matching platform. It competes with Au Pair in America on live-in childcare placement but at smaller scale and with a more digitized, lower-cost operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aifspr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aifs
• Facebookfacebook.com/aifsabroad

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Institute For Foreign Study