Program Reviews

I spent 4 months living in Cork, Ireland with a bunch of other study abroad students from all around the world. I got to meet people from so many different places, and I made friends with a lot of them. Not only did we explore the local Cork culture and social scene and a lot of other places in Ireland, but we traveled to a bunch of nearby countries as well. I went dirt biking in Morocco with two other Americans, two Dutch guys, and a Belgian, and when I went to Munich for Oktoberfest, I came away with a group of native German friends and the instagrams of some Austrians as well. It was so cool to be able to mix with all these different cultures and see how other people live.

When I think about a time I was the happiest, I think about studying abroad in London at City University through Arcadia and all of the traveling that I was able to do while I was there. I made friends from across the US and the world as we became like a family abroad. I had an incredible academic experience that not only expanded my knowledge and understanding of the topics I was studying, but also influenced my academic and career path. I left City University of London having learned a great deal and through a different perspective than I would have in the US, which is crucial. City has top-tier International Politics modules and lecturers, with many interesting topics, which played a role in why I chose City to begin with. The Forced Migration module that I completed at City is still my favorite class that I have ever taken and it prompted me to pursue the topic of forced migration even further and more in-depth once I returned to my home school. I thoroughly enjoyed the UK style of teaching and the focus on building students' knowledge base and understanding of the topics being studied. Having my grade rely heavily on two key assessments in an entire semester was daunting at first, but not having constant assignments allowed me to spend more time reading the recommended literature and to truly absorb what I was learning and understand the topics I was studying. I retained what I learned in a way that I often did not with the US style of teaching. Additionally, Arcadia provided incredible support from arrival and orientation until departure from the program. I also knew that they were always a resource for me to reach out to if I ever needed it. I loved that they planned different excursions and meet-ups for us. The Arcadia London staff truly provides a community for students studying abroad in England through Arcadia Abroad. Arcadia also provided our housing just a short walk from campus at the Thoresby House in Islington with the rest of the program participants. We had kitchens fully-stocked with all of the utensils we needed to cook in, laundry machines, bedding provided, and so much more. Thoresby House provided me a tight-knit community while I was overseas and also helped me form lifelong friendships. Another bonus about Thoresby House is that because of its location, there is lots to do, many places to shop and eat, and public transportation readily available nearby. Lastly, I fell in love with being abroad, and with London more specifically, making moving to London at some point a life goal of mine. London has it all: an incredible food scene (including Camden Market and some of the best gluten-free food I have ever had), many green space, lively/unique/robust neighborhoods, amazing public transportation, and so much more. London is also a travel hub, which allowed me to partake in many travel adventures outside of London, as well. It was the most worthwhile experience. From the Arcadia housing (location, format, living with the other Arcadia students, etc.), to the academics at City University of London, to the Arcadia London staff, to all of the experiences I had because of this program, I can say without a doubt that I would choose Arcadia Abroad - City University of London again. I only have positive things to say about the program.

I had a fantastic time studying abroad with Arcadia at the University of Wollongong. After a very fun, educational, and supportive orientation in Melbourne, Arcadia staff members helped me settle into my dorm in Wollongong where I lived amongst primarily Australian students. I spent time at the beach, explored the blue mountains, and traveled to Sydney a few times to explore a bigger city. This experience gave me the opportunity to become an advocate for myself and try new things! 10/10 recommend!!!!!!

I am really excited to study abroad. And this college is cheaper than other universities as well. I am from Nepal and right now studying on Bachelor 3rd year on the faculty of Humanities. I want to join a excellent University to extend my view, thoughts and ideas. As well as, want to study abroad. This university will be the perfect for me to create new thoughts and planning. After my Bachelor study, i am going to try this college and hoping for the positive response. I like to study Music or Sociology at there.

Marta and Eugenia in the Arcadia Center were great! Eugenia found amazing homestays for everyone! Compared to other programs who send students to the CLM, I liked that Arcadia had less strict policies on attending group events/classes -- some programs you could not skip any classes. They also arranged fun optional group excursions for us.

Unfortunately, there is a required Arcadia class that was in its first year when I was there, and it was taught in English. If you're hoping to take all of your classes in Spanish, this is a disappointment. It was also a point of contention between students and staff, as the teacher did not seem well-versed in the subject matter.

I completely recommend doing a homestay! Everyone loved their host families

The city of Cape Town alone could fulfill anyone's ideal itinerary for a study abroad destination. With the city so close to the universities, and plenty of hikes just an Uber ride away, traveling to other countries or cities on the weekends was unnecessary. There was never a shortage of new coffee shops, art pop-ups, or bars to go to in Cape Town. The University of Cape Town was challenging, something I wasn't prepared for but ended up loving. The class discussions were progressive and related to the political and social challenges the city was facing. The Arcadia house in Mowbray was perfect for creating close connections with people in the program and its location was an easy bus stop or walk from campus. Our RA Pumi was helpful and welcoming. She introduced us to her friends which was a great way to meet locals.

I'd wanted to go to New Zealand my entire life and I was able to through Arcadia and the Vic. The Arcadia program managers were amazing and fun to be with--very interesting and amazing people! I had decided to take easier classes while abroad because my credits with my home school gave me some wiggle room in what I had to achieve while I was there, which gave me more room to explore and experience all that Wellington had to offer.

Speaking of Wellington, it is an incredible city; I'd definitely consider living there for a period of time. It's extremely walkable and just fun to learn the ins and outs of. There are two farmer's markets every Sunday, one on the water front, which also has a bunch of food trucks, and another, slightly smaller but less busy one only a few blocks away! There is also a night market every Saturday night on Cuba Street off of Manners (at one of the food trucks we got 2 massive, delicious samosas for $6NZD, which is like $4USD--quite the bargain).

A few other Wellington highlights were the Botanical Gardens (the Botans) and Koha. The Botans are beautiful and free and just a great place to go hang out! Plus some glow worms live there so if you want to scout some out for free it's the place to do it, 100%. Koha (which means gift in Te Reo Maori) is a cafe super close to campus, on the way from the Hub to Kelburn park/field, which is within range of the campus wifi and has the sweetest staff. It is a Christian organization but you don't have to be Christian to go hang out there (I'm not lol). There you can get coffee, tea, hot cocoa, sometimes they have sweets, and you only pay what you can! You leave a 'koha' when you leave, so it's a very nice very affordable place for students to come and get some work done. Highly recommend it.

My last note would be that the trips that Arcadia takes you on are unbelievable. For one, orientation was a blast and a good way to get to know the people you'll be spending time with. Two, the weekend trip to Abel Tasman was a once in a lifetime experience and I appreciate that Arcadia added this to the group activities because I wouldn't have been able to afford it otherwise. The scenery was beautiful and the hiking was amazing! Most of the students also got to go kayaking the last day there, which looked like a blast. I (unfortunately) had just gotten a wrist cast off and so could not participate in that.

10/10 experience! I already miss it and the people, though I know I made some life-long friends while I was there (sounds cheesy to say, I know, but it's 100% true... so... sorry for the cheese but it is one of the best foods.)

The experience was great. The staff have been very lovely and supportive. I have enjoyed the activities they've planned for us and I would recommend this program to anyone who would like to study abroad. The University of Auckland is the opposite of my home school in the US and it gave me the opportunity to become more independent and adaptable. The courses were rigorous and demanded a lot of work which allowed me to work more on understanding my preferred way of learning and studying.

London is the perfect city to go to if you are looking for a home base from which you can explore all of Europe. I traveled to 17 countries in 5 months and loved every second of it. Arcadia also has a great support system in helping everything from the application process until you are ready to leave your program. In addition, Arcadia encourages you to acquaint yourself with the city you chose and thus holds a lot of free events.

ARCADIA:
Awesome program! Very thorough orientation and the transition into my semester abroad went smoothly. The Directors and Student Support Coordinators answered ALL my questions and were very helpful/accessible throughout the entire semester. We went on many excursions together too: geothermal parks, black water rafting through glow worm caves, surf lessons, a re-created indigenous Maori village, Zorbing, an All Blacks rugby game, and more! I had lots of fun and bonded well with my fellow Arcadians on these weekend trips. Not only that, but Arcadia coordinated my accommodation and placed my entire program in Carlaw Park Student Village. Carlaw is located in a great neighborhood and is just a 10 minute walk from campus. I have to say that it has the most facilities and was the cleanest student accommodation I have ever stayed in.

My experience was unique because I took a Pacific Studies course as well as a Islam in the Contemporary World course... topics I could not have taken in my home university. By the end of the semester, I felt that I had gained a rich cross-cultural learning, where I definitely had to engage in cultural humility and self-reflection, while confronting and reconsidering my preconceptions. With courses that foster critical thinking as well as the most beautiful natural landscapes/views I have ever seen, studying abroad in New Zealand at the University of Auckland was truly a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I'm glad I did not pass up on!