Step into one of the world's most influential healthcare systems during this immersive January Term study abroad program in London. You'll spend two weeks at AIFS Abroad's Global Education Center in the prestigious Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, exploring the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) through an action-packed, experiential course that takes you directly into the spaces where healthcare is delivered. Rather than learning about British medicine from a textbook, you'll meet NHS professionals in person, visit hospitals and clinics, and gain real-world insights into how one of the world's pioneering universal healthcare systems actually operates.

The course itself is a 3-credit comparative healthcare seminar that challenges you to grapple with contemporary debates surrounding the NHS—sustainability, funding, the role of social care, and mental health's impact on health outcomes. By the end of your winter break, you'll have developed an informed and nuanced perspective on different healthcare models and their underlying values. This isn't abstract study; you'll explore the Wellcome Collection to see how science, medicine, and culture intersect, visit St George's NHS Trust Hospital Campus to observe how the next generation of medics are trained, and learn about innovative sexual health and HIV care for the LGBTQI+ community. You'll even visit the Covid Memorial Wall across from St Thomas' Hospital, connecting global history to the very real impact of healthcare systems.

Beyond the classroom and clinical visits, London itself becomes your learning laboratory. You'll take a guided city tour with a professional guide, see iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, explore the bunkers where Winston Churchill strategized during World War II, and walk through Brick Lane to understand the historic communities of migrants who have shaped Britain. A day trip to Oxford provides contrast to London's energy, while evening activities might include West End theater performances, curry nights in Banglatown, or gaming venues that show how technology transforms modern life. You'll live in shared accommodation with other AIFS students in a fully furnished apartment with a lounge and kitchen, and a London Transport travel pass is included so you can navigate the world's oldest underground railway system with ease.

This program is designed for students from any major who are curious about global health, policy, and culture. You need a minimum 2.5 GPA and must be at least a first-year student, but no prior healthcare background is required. AIFS Abroad handles the logistical details—your tuition covers up to 3 semester credits awarded by Fairfield University, housing, all excursions and cultural activities, a welcome orientation, 24/7 emergency support, comprehensive insurance, and even carbon offsetting for your flights. An optional travel package with round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways and airport transfers is available if you want a seamless door-to-door experience. Your Program Director, Heather Lees, and student advisors provide on-site support throughout your stay, including mentorship on academic and cultural adjustment. This is your chance to understand how one of the world's most admired healthcare systems works while immersing yourself in one of history's most vibrant, multicultural cities.