AIFS Partnership Programs: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Transportation
Do I have to take the AIFS flight?
Can I change my return flight once I am in London?

Housing
Where will I live?
What will my family be like?
Can I move into my accommodations before the program starts if I am arriving in London early?
How far is the housing from school?
What are the meal arrangements?

Culture
What activities will be included?
Are there day trips?

Money
How much money will I need?
How can I get money in London?

Communication
Will I have access to email?
How can people contact me when I am in London?

General
Do I need a passport?
Do I need a visa?
What should I take with me?
What happens if I get ill abroad?
Will my hairdryer/iron work in London?
Can I buy textbooks and course-related materials in London?
What sports facilities are available?
Can I work when I am in London?

Transportation

Do I have to take the AIFS flight?
No, you can make your own airfare arrangements if you wish. However, with the AIFS Transportation Package, you will receive round-trip transfers between the airport and your homestay in London as part of the package. If you make your own flight arrangements, you are responsible for arranging your own transfers, and for any costs involved.

Can I change my return flight once I am in London?
You may be able to change the date but not the route for an additional fee, subject to availability. If you have a connecting flight in the US, you must check whether you are able to change that, as some cannot be changed. Please note that once the flight has been ticketed it is a contract between yourself and the airline. AIFS staff will assist you with this process but cannot make the change for you.

Housing

Where will I live?
You will live in a twin room with another AIFS student in a home in a residential area of London. This is an opportunity live as a resident rather than a tourist and as a result you will get the opportunity to experience the culture. Bed linen will be provided and will be changed weekly.

What will my family be like?
All the homestay families are different; they will not necessarily be a traditional family with a mom, dad and two kids. They are just as likely to be an older couple or a single person. All of the families are very experienced at hosting international students and have been carefully chosen and assessed by the AIFS homestay coordinator. The AIFS application form will ask you some questions about yourself, your likes and dislikes and also what sort of situation you are looking for (with or without children, pets, a more independent or family situation, etc). Please complete the form honestly as this will help us to better place you.

Can I move into my accommodations before the program starts if I am arriving in London early?
AIFS cannot provide you with accommodation before the start of the program. However, we can provide you with a list of accommodation options for the local area so please contact AIFS in advance for advice if you believe you will be arriving early.

How far is the housing from school?
Typical travel time to the AIFS Student Center is approx.45 minutes by London underground (tube) and/or by bus.

What are the meal arrangements?
Breakfast will be provided Monday to Friday by your host family. It is possible to cater for those who are vegetarian or who have particular allergies although we advise you to notify AIFS of this as soon as possible. If you have very specific dietary needs please inform us but understand that should you require specific foods to be supplied this will likely incur extra expense. If, for example, you require certain organic foods, these are much more expensive in the UK, and you will be responsible for purchasing them yourself. Again please make any such requests clear on your application form so that AIFS can contact you to discuss this in advance of arrival.

Culture

What activities will be included?
There will be an academic and cultural program of events arranged by AIFS in consultation with your faculty member during your time in London. London is a vibrant international city with a varied cultural and social scene from theater, music, sport, museums and galleries London has it all. If you are interested in the arts you will find much to keep you entertained during your programme and AIFS staff will also provide details of events occurring in London which you might like to join.

Are there day trips?
The program includes 2 day trips during your time in London plus 2 evening theater performances and a trip on the London Eye. Previous groups have visited Stonehenge, Stratford upon Avon, Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton.

Money

How much money will I need?
This very much depends on individual tastes. However, AIFS recommends that students budget $700-$1000 per month for day-to-day needs. This would allow for some activities and excursions but not extensive overseas travel or expensive purchases.

How can I get money in London?
The best way at access money when you are in London is to use an ATM. It is also a good idea to have a credit card for larger purchases, travel bookings and in case of emergency. Before departure please make sure you get PIN numbers for credit cards (Visa and MasterCard, preferably not American Express as this is not accepted in as many places in the UK and Europe). If you do not already have a credit card, we suggest you get one before you leave.

For checking accounts, try to get the CIRRUS or STAR system on your card. You can ask your bank for a list of banks that will accept your cards. Do not take their word that it will be accepted everywhere – this is often not the case. Also, double-check their charges for withdrawing cash abroad.

Another option is to bring a pre-paid card (Visa and MasterCard both offer these as well as many other companies) in Pounds Sterling. These are useful as you know are spending money you have rather than building up a debt and also it means that friends / family can add money for you if you need it.

Please research these options and read all of the small print related to them before committing to anything.

If you run short of money, or in the unfortunate event you have your wallet stolen, AIFS on-site staff can give you details of how to have money wired to you in an emergency situation from friends and family.

Communication

Will I have access to email?
The AIFS Student Center in London is WIFI enabled and there are also desktop computers and printers for you to use. Internet access will be available in your housing although this may be dial up rather than WIFI. When you are in London you will find that you cannot be online 24/7 but that is part of the joy of study abroad – engaging with people and places face to face rather than just online.

How can people contact me when I am in London?
You will be given the address of your homestay 10-days before you leave the U.S. however we request that you have mail sent to the AIFS Student Center, this way packages can be signed for if you are in class and mail readdressed should it arrive after you depart. The address is below.

AIFS staff in London will be able to advise you on getting a pay as you go cell phone or which calling cards to use. Many students use applications such as SKYPE and FaceTime as a free way to keep in contact with their family and friends as well.

AIFS Address: AIFS Student Centre, Dilke House, 1 Malet Street, London WC1E 7JN, UK.

General

Do I need a passport?
You will need a valid passport to travel abroad. If you have a passport that will expire during your program or within four months after the end of your program, renew it now. You will not be able to board your flight without a valid passport in hand.

If you are applying for your first passport, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html. 

If you need to renew your passport, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html.

To obtain a passport you will need:

    I. Passport Application Form DS-11
    II. Proof of Citizenship
    III. Present Identification and Photocopy
    IV. Application Fee
    V. Two Passport Photos

The automated appointment number for all passport agencies is (877) 487-2778. For general passport information, you may dial the Federal Information Center at (800) 688-9889, or visit their website at www.travel.state.gov.    

Do I need a visa?
Not unless you are planning to stay for 6 months. AIFS will provide you with a letter which you may need to show at UK immigration on arrival – this confirms that you are enrolled in one of our programs with Des Moines Area Community College and that you are not enrolling in a U.K. university during your stay. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please talk to the nearest embassy or consulate for requirements in case you do need to arrange a visa. Do not forget to obtain visas for other countries you may wish to visit. It is not possible to do this once you are in the UK.

What should I take with me?
Not too much. Every year students find that they bring clothing that they never wear or toiletries that they could have easily bought in London.

If you are on medication, you should bring enough to last you for the programs as well as a copy of the prescription in case you need a refill.

The weather can be unpredictable, so bring warm clothes. It is best to bring clothes that you can layer to be appropriate for all kinds of weather. You should also bring a waterproof coat. You will do a lot more walking than you are used to, so bring comfortable shoes.

Remember to leave space in your suitcase for souvenirs you will buy.

AIFS will provide you with predeparture materials covering things such as packing, communications etc prior to departure.

What happens if I get ill abroad?
Your host family or AIFS staff will make a doctor's appointment for you if you are ill whilst abroad. You will have to pay for everything up front including the doctor's visit and medication, and then you may make a claim on your AIFS medical insurance. For this you must make sure you have filled in all the medical forms correctly and have all receipts. You will receive a refund back in the U.S. for all costs exceeding $50. No pre-existing conditions are covered. Please read your insurance information for conditions that may be excluded. There are also pharmacies in London where you can buy over the counter medication for minor coughs, colds, sore throats, etc.

Will my hairdryer/iron work in London?
Yes, if you bring the correct adapter and converter for voltage. Appliances designed to operate in the US may not operate in London unless they are fitted with a dual voltage switch or used with a transformer. Electrical sockets are different in Europe, so you will need an adapter plug to fit in the appliance. To save space, inexpensive hairdryers can be purchased upon arrival for approximately $25.

Can I buy textbooks and course-related materials in London?
You can buy paper and other materials in London. London has many large bookstores, but unless your professor has asked them to order your books in especially they may not have the exact edition your professors require. Please check with your professor regarding any books/reading materials they might require you to purchase in advance.

What sports facilities are available?
London does not have as many sports facilities as you may be used to back at college in the US. However, the university has a well stocked health suite with treadmills, cross trainers and bikes as well as a weights room, steam room, sauna and climbing wall. They also have a sports hall, floodlit hockey pitch, dance studio, fitness classes and squash courts. AIFS students may join the gym whilst in London for a reduced student fee.

Can I work when I am in London?
It is illegal to work in the U.K. unless you have a work permit. If you do want to stay and work after the program, you will need to apply for a work permit before you leave the US. It cannot be done once you are in the UK.