API
Programs and Reviews
Academic Programs International, API, is an educational organization dedicated to providing challenging and enriching study abroad programs for our students. The experience of living, interacting and learning in an international environment presents invaluable opportunities for each student's academic and personal development.
All of their academic and extracurricular offerings are selected with the goal of helping students to become more self-aware and culturally sensitive. API envisions each student evolving from a tourist, to a resident, to a global citizen; API is dedicated to supporting this lifelong process.
API strives to provide the best comprehensive study abroad experience possible with personal attention available to all students throughout his or her program. API works closely with home universities to offer support before, during and after students' education abroad experience.
Programs Abroad
Reviews
90%Overall
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100%Overall
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Barcelona was so amazing. I took my bike with me aborad so I was able to experience and see more of the city everyday as I rode to class and around the barrios. I lived with a host family, which has its ups and downs, but forces you to use Spanish or Catalan at home. I had classes monday throuhg thursday, and I can definitly say that my langauge class I had everyday and my integrated class with Catalan students were my best classes. Don't be afraid to break the ice, Catalans are very friendly but you need to go out of your way out of you comfort zone, to meet new people and make new friends. While my integrated class was challenging, it was also fun, find a subject that interests you and pursue it.
The University is really close to the beach, so take your homework with you, but don't be afraid to use the extensive library at UPF at all locations. Don't forget to check out the local places nearby, like Bo D Be for great food, Parque de la Ciutadella for some great people watching, and Sidecar for music other than the worst top 40. Explore, ask locals (they know!), go for a walk or a bike ride, this is an adventure that I wish I was going on with you!
Critical Feedback:
My class within the API offerings was taught by someone who hadn't ever taught before I feel. The instructor also had a lot of prejudices that colored the lessons. The integrated classes were a much better experience for me.
100%Overall
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My summer in Cadiz was the best thing I have ever experienced!! The city itself was the perfect place for me. It was small enough that I could safely walk everywhere and become familiar with the city, it had beautiful beaches and weather, and most of all had a small home town atmosphere. It was filled strong, passionate people who were friendly and ready to help you at a moments notice. The summer nights were a time for friends and family to spend time together and have fun. Being so close to the coast, Cadiz had amazing seafood! Though it is located in the very Southern part of Spain, it was not hard to travel throughout the country, and even to other surrounding countries. My typical day included morning classes, afternoons on the beach, La Caleta, evenings having dinner with my host family, then getting gelato at Plaza Mina or going to a bar and watching the futbol game with friends. Especially in the summer, the weekends always busy with festivals or celebrations that really added to the cultural experience. There is always something to do, I explored museums and discovered the diverse history of Spain, climbed the Torre Tavira to see a spectacular view of Cadiz, walk through the Plazas and shop, and go dancing at night!
I could not have studied abroad without the support of API, who's staff was as excited as I was about traveling , and helped me step by step from America to Spain. My program coordinator in Spain became my mentor and friend, and went out of her way to make sure that my group had the best experience possible. She also only spoke Spanish to us, which made the transition to my host family easier.
The program coordinator there had a close relationship with my host family, and knew that the family would be welcoming and helpful during my time there. I felt included in all family activities and felt that they really enjoyed the company! Staying with a host family really accelerated my knowledge of the Spanish language and culture.
The teachers at the University of Cadiz also contributed to my language skills. Taking language classes in a fun and relaxed environment helped me retain important grammatical information and use it in real life situations. The teachers there were relatable and understanding, and I felt comfortable taking risks in speaking out loud in class.
This experience is something I will always remember, and has made me become more of myself, now that I have a piece of Cadiz in me always.
Critical Feedback:
API is a little more expensive than some other programs, but worth it!
100%Overall
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Studying abroad with API in Granada, Spain exceeded all expectations I had about studying abroad. API Granada's staff greets you with open arms from the moment you step off the plane and will take care of you until the moment you depart. Students never need to stress or worry as Granada's staff members are always willing to help their students with whatever they needed. They truly are wonderful and kind people.
I opted to stay with a host family and I couldn't have made a better decision. My host family not only demonstrated patience as I intially fumbled through the language, but they helped me improve my Spanish, and even treated me as if I were a member of their family. Plus the accomodations are perfect as my roommate and I felt we had our privacy when it was needed, while not offending our host family when we needed time apart from them to study or Skype someone from home.
The academics of the program are a challenge as far as adjusting to taking them all in Spanish, however the amount of classwork and homework is totally managable so no one feels they are missing out on opportunities to explore Granada or travel outside the city. Granada is perfectly located with all of Europe and northern Africa waiting to be explored so close by.
Between the quality of the program and its value (its cost including tuition, housing, trips, etc.) I would recommed studying abroud with API in Granada, Spain to anyone who is interested in embarking on such an incredible opportunity.
Critical Feedback:
No, the program is perfect.
100%Overall
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I was extremely hesitant about studying abroad because I had never been so far out of my comfort zone. I knew I wanted to go to Spain, preferably a big city so that English wasn't completely impossible to use if necessary. I had a few friends who had studied in Barcelona with API so I decided to give it a shot and apply. From the moment I arrived at the airport in Barcelona, the API staff were there to greet our entire program. They made everything so easy and fun right from the start.
API was always there to help whenever we had any questions or concerns, or just needed help in any way. They brought us on fun and educational day trips, weekend trips, and other various events, and always made us feel safe and excited. They gave us tours around the city, the metro, our neighborhoods, and the school right away. API made the transition from America to Spain so easy and made me feel very welcomed but not smothered, which was very important to me.
I lived in an apartment with three of my friends in la Gracia, a nice neighborhood consisting of many stores, families, and local restaurants and bars. My favorite activity in this neighborhood was to sit in the square on warm afternoons with my friends drinking mojitos, while little children ran around playing soccer.
The classes at UAB were great. The teachers are very aware that study abroad students are trying to do as little schoolwork as possible and never overwhelm you with studying. I walked to school almost every day, enjoying all of the sites as I went along. Each day on my walk to the Sant Pau campus, I would look over at the Sagrada Familia and think of how awesome it was to be able to see that and palm trees on my way to class.
Traveling around Europe was incredible and so easy. Of course, we looked for the cheapest flights so they were often at odd hours of the night, causing exhaustion, but it was worth it. Oh, and Ryan Air is one strange experience. I traveled around Spain to Sitges, Valencia, and a few other places on my own, and to Poblet, Sevilla, Cadiz, and Costa Brava with API. I also traveled out of the country to Rome with API, and to Paris and Greece on my own time. Each trip was amazing and has its own unique memories.
The nightlife in Barcelona is the most insane nightlife I've ever experienced anywhere. Our group of friends would head down to the clubs most nights at about 1am and dance the night away until they closed at 6am. I learned very early in the semester that I was going to be constantly tired for the entire trip. Thank God for siesta! There are a bunch of clubs down by the beach, which were always a blast, and there were clubs throughout the city, as well. We saw so many incredible DJs for no more than 15 Euro. Promotors are all over Barcelona to help study abroad students get into every club for free. Although it was exhausting, these Barcelona nights were by far the best nights I've ever experienced.
The four months I spent in Barcelona were easily the best of my life. I met so many incredible people and made lifelong friends through this program. If you have any hesitation about studying abroad with API, don't. Just do it. I promise you will not regret it.
Critical Feedback:
I would try to make it a little less stressful to switch classes at UAB if necessary.
Alumni Interviews
Staff Interview
I recently chatted with API's Vice President of Development, Jeramy Johnson, to learn more about API and the philosophy behind their study abroad programs. Jeramy is also in charge of API's social media and he is highly regarded within the industry for his ability to reach out and connect with students across multiple platforms. Be sure to follow Jeramy on Twitter @APIstudyabroad.
Megan: What position do you hold at API? What has been your career path so far?
Jeramy: I began work at API in university relations, marketing, and communications, and over the course of a decade I have worn many hats -- including that of transcript processor! Along the way, I have learned our programs inside and out. I am now the Vice President of Development at API. In this role, I manage the development of new study abroad programs and locations and coordinate the flow of information relating to existing programs. I am also responsible for the production of our marketing materials (print and online), as well as our large social media presence.
Megan: Did YOU study abroad?
Jeramy: I did not have the opportunity to study abroad in college, though I have traveled extensively and have visited nearly all of the API program locations. I was initially drawn to study abroad through personal relationships, fell in love with it, and have been working in the field for nearly 10 years. I plan on taking a brief sabbatical next spring to begin my own personal study abroad journey with API!
Megan: What separates API from other study abroad program providers?
Jeramy: Innovation. Academic excellence. Outstanding value. These are all points of distinction for API, but what truly sets our programs apart are the intangibles, such as the people who work for this organization and the interactions the students have with them. From the student's first contact with a program manager, to their amazing on-site staff, to their return home, they are provided with exceptional expertise and personal service - and these are the things that are most often cited in our many positive evaluations and enduring relationships.
Megan: A recent report suggested that up to 50% of incoming freshman stated that they intended to study abroad during college, but then only 3% actually did. What's going on here?
Jeramy: That's a good question, and I think many factors are at play here. I'm not surprised by a decline, but such a drastic drop is disconcerting. Perhaps it has to do with financial perceptions, or perhaps it may be that many majors/departments have not seen or communicated the value of a study abroad experience to their students. I know that all of the study abroad offices that we work with are diligently working to get the administration and faculty on their campuses to appreciate the value of study abroad (with many successes), but we all still need to dedicate ourselves to fostering greater accessibility.
Megan: Which country do you think is an underrated study abroad destination? Conversely, do you think there is a country which is overrated?
Jeramy: I don't know that I'd label any country as "overrated" - I believe any international educational experience can be valuable to a student. There are certainly many underrepresented countries and locations in the U.S. study abroad landscape, and API has been excited to pursue the development of programs in such areas. From "off the beaten path" locations in traditional countries (such as Cadiz in Spain or Taormina in Italy) to non-traditional locations such as Hungary, Poland, Qatar, or the UAE, it is a goal of API to continue to expand the reach and range of study abroad opportunities for our students.
Honestly, API provides more resources to the city than any of my friend's other programs did. Simple as that. Worth every penny spent. API provides not only excursions but local activities to help you to truly discover the city you are living in.