{"id":4990,"date":"2021-03-06T01:21:31","date_gmt":"2021-03-06T01:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/takeflyte.org\/?p=4990"},"modified":"2021-03-11T06:56:13","modified_gmt":"2021-03-11T06:56:13","slug":"aifs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/takeflyte.org\/aifs\/","title":{"rendered":"Partner Spotlight: American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS)"},"content":{"rendered":"

FLYTE is more than a non-profit organization. It is a community built by supporters and donors who want to empower students to change their lives \u2013 and the world \u2013 through travel.<\/i><\/p>\n

We are always filled with immense gratitude when larger companies and organizations choose to support FLYTE. When their mission and values align so well with ours, it means even that much more, which is why we are so excited to be the recipient of a grant from the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) and the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

AIFS has provided quality educational and cultural exchange programs that enrich the lives of young people throughout the world since 1964. They are one of the oldest, largest, and most respected cultural exchange organizations in the world. We had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Gertz, Chairman and CEO of AIFS, who took the time to share about his own travel experiences throughout life.<\/em><\/p>\n

With AIFS’ support and partnership, we are slowly making their goal to “bring the world together” a reality, one group of students at a time.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tell us about yourself.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I am from Brooklyn, New York and now reside in Fairfield, Connecticut.\u00a0 My hobbies are travel (of course), planning for travel, movies (especially international films), music (all kinds from rock to classical, world, reggae, etc.), art (especially modern art post 1900), reading world history books and poetry (especially beat poets from the 1950s).<\/p>\n

How has travel impacted your life?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

My whole life, apart from family, revolves around travel.\u00a0 I went abroad for the first time in the summer of 1973 and haven\u2019t stopped. Backpacked across Europe and lived in Eastern France for 6 months. I have taken at least 3 international trips a year except for 2020.\u00a0 It is liberating.<\/em>\u00a0 I don\u2019t love flying but I love airports and trains.\u00a0 Love wandering around cities in Europe without a plan.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

What\u2019s your favorite travel memory?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I have too many travel memories to pick out one but here are a couple:\u00a0 being alone on the Great Wall in Beijing in the dead of winter (a spiritual experience<\/em>), sleeping in Vondel Park in Amsterdam (don\u2019t ask!<\/em>), riding the trains through Switzerland with the snow falling, sleeping outside in the rain on the ferry from Holland to the UK, discovering Paris for the first time.\u00a0 I have traveled poor and luxe. Doesn\u2019t matter to me. Slept on park benches, cemeteries, hostels, pensions, 5 star hotels, trains, planes and boats.\u00a0 Met incredible people, but I think travel alone is more rewarding.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

We love how we’re all working together to empower\u00a0more youth to travel.\u00a0Tell us more about AIFS, the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation, and your leadership with these organizations.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

AIFS<\/a> is an educational and cultural exchange organization which impacts the lives of 50,000 young people each year. Programs are for travel and study abroad high school and college students, exchange students, au pairs, and camp counselors. Founded in 1964 by Sir Cyril Taylor, a legendary figure. I joined in 1985, became CEO in 2004, and Chairman in 2018. I speak at a wide variety of conferences and belong to many youth travel organizations. I was the Travel Editor of Transitions, a legendary and unique educational travel publication founded in the 1970s and still around. I write frequently about travel.<\/p>\n

AIFS has 500 staff and representatives with offices in US, Germany, Poland, Australia, and UK.<\/p>\n

The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation is a UK charity, founded by Sir Cyril Taylor before his death. It provides scholarships and funding for non-profits throughout the globe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

What advice would you give someone who\u2019s hesitant about the idea of travelling abroad?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

My travel advice\u2014keep your eyes wide open. Never turn down a trip.\u00a0 Bring one bag and never check luggage. Walk everywhere. Keep a journal. Don\u2019t sightsee\u2014travel.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

Thank you so much to Bill and the team at AIFS for working with us to create more access to travel opportunities for youth across the country. We love our partners and are excited to grow our community! Please send us<\/a> any recommendations of foundations or companies that also want to empower students through immersive study abroad experiences.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FLYTE is more than a non-profit organization. It is a community built by supporters and donors who want to empower students to change their lives \u2013 and the world \u2013 through travel. We are always filled with immense gratitude when larger companies and organizations choose to support FLYTE. 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