Explore Florence, Italy with World Class Programs

Traveling abroad with World Class Programs was indeed an experience of a lifetime. I got to experience aspects of a country I would have struggled to find or reach if I had not been with the program. The program not only gave me opportunities to learn about topics in another country in a more academic setting with fun classes that kept me engaged but also through more experiential activities like class trips and program-wide day trips to cities outside of where we were mainly staying. I personally was able to have very big cultural revelations about myself due to the nature of the program and the way that they helped immerse us in the culture of Japan. The amount of opportunities that we had to explore some of the culture ourselves with our programmed free time was also incredibly valuable as it enabled me and others on my trip to really feel connected with Japan and the city we were staying in.
Overall I think that anyone with the opportunity to go on a trip with WCP should take it as it provides a great opportunity to immerse yourself in another country’s culture and environment which will aid both your personal and professional life by providing you new ways of thinking about things. The experiences you’ll have in both program activities as well as just being a member of the program and interacting with your peers are some that you won’t ever forget because of just how impactful they are. You really will have so much fun that you might be making plans to get back to Japan as soon as you hop on the plane ride back home!

This trip was such a memorable experience. As students, we got to learn so much in the three weeks we spent in Japan while always having a great time. I started this trip with very limited knowledge on the country and it’s culture, but I left with what I feel is a much deeper understanding. During these weeks I met so many new and interesting people and enjoyed an array of different but very fun activities. The teachers leading the program felt like friends while putting our safety first and ensuring we have a good time. I could not imagine a better way to spend the end of my summer than traveling with World Class Programs.

Personally I can say that I’m not a stranger to traveling, I’ve been to different countries and plenty of cruises. Even still, this is hands-down the best thing I’ve ever experienced. The excursions were beautiful and I had more fun than I can physically describe. I walked in with absolutely zero knowledge in the classes I chose and now feel comfortable on my own and teaching others. It makes sense though, the staff were beyond helpful. In and out of class felt like spending time with family.

This program has got to be one of the best experiences of my life. And that’s not just because it’s in Japan, though that is definitely a big part of it (there’s nothing quite like walking through the streets of Japan and hearing a song by one of your favorite Japanese artists, which you would never hear in public in the US, playing in a store you’re walking by). The staff at World Class Programs manages to squeeze as much Japan experience juice as they can out of the few weeks you’ve there, and it doesn’t feel overwhelming. The classes are super fun and you get to use what you learn right after you learn it, which helped me remember the information SO much better than any other teaching method for me. With all the day trips, class trips, group activities, and free time you’re given, there’s so many cool places and things you’re going to find. I remember wanting to go back to Japan before I had even left the country to return home. And all that is great, but one of the best parts of my time on this trip was the people I was with. The students who get selected to go all seemed so happy to be there, the staff were super friendly and their enthusiasm was infectious, and I could not have asked for better roommates. They were so much fun to be around and hang out with. I wouldn’t have had as much fun on this trip as I did if they weren’t there. This trip was an incredibly fun and valuable experience for me, and I guarantee it will be for you if you decide to go with this program. (Also if you go to an arcade in Japan, try out Chunithm. It’s SO much fun.)

World Class Programs more than lives up to its name. I cannot recommend them highly enough. My daughter participated in the 2023 Florence program. She not only discovered a passion for art history, but also benefited from the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that Derek Tano and his amazing staff built into the program design. World Class also perfectly calibrated the balance between independence and supervision, giving the students a taste of what college life might feel like. My daughter returned with more confidence and with her love of travel and openness to new experiences enhanced. The memories and the friendships she made will last a lifetime.

As I think about my time with World Class Programs, the words that come to my head are professional, one of a kind, and all around exceptional.
 
Derek and Vieri, the program directors, carefully curated our whole program. Vieri being a local Florence native allowed us (the students) to better understand the city by showing us around in a way that only a local could. His fluency in Italian, plus local connections made it possible for us to do things that other companies couldn’t imagine. Derek’s background in art and art history made the whole city even more captivating. From learning about how to identity a roman building, to teaching us about the meaning behind the colors used in church paintings, Derek captured it all. When you combine these two masterminds you get WCP. Vieri and Derek allowed us to be independent - including housing, specific meals, and going around the city. Being held responsible for yourself is a big task, especially in a different country. But truthfully it was a task we could all handle. 
 
The program itself is education based, which should be the case for any of these programs. This trip is not a vacation but an adventure. I’ve created memories that I’ll be able to tell my grandchildren about. I’ve created life long friendships that will forever bond me to the beautiful city of Florence.
 
Thank you to WCP for giving me the privilege to fly to the amazing country of Italia, speak the language, be a local, eat delicious foods, cook delicious meals, analyze art, draw beautiful sculptures, shop like a tourist, create life long friendships, and so much more. 

Experience of a lifetime
I joined the Florence 2023 world class study abroad program trip. I took art history as my major class, and I’ve never been so engaged in a class and so excited to wake up each morning and go to class. My class consisted of about 7 people which was perfect for walking around the city, famous museums and churches. We never had a dull moment in class as we were always challenged to learn. Each individual in my class participated with the help of our teacher, who always supported us in and out of class. His positive attitude towards learning about art history rubbed off the students, so we’re excited to learn in a healthy and supportive environment. We learned to read churches, paintings and statues in a completely new artistic outlook. The staff are absolutely the kindest and most helpful people. They would drop anything to help you out, they genuinely care for your safety and your wellbeing. We grew to know each other so well; I am positive every student on the trip had an amazing relationship with the staff. I developed unbreakable bonds around the world during this trip with my now friends that will hopefully last me a lifetime. Sharing an apartment with 9 other girls taught me to be patient and was a great experience to do before college. I was intimidated about sharing a living space with so many people and it being crowded, but it was the opposite of that. The activities we did together brought us closer and taught us even more after classes. I would recommend studying abroad with world class programs for anyone, it’s an absolutely incredible experience. The worst part of the trip is the fact that you must say goodbye to the people have made bonds with. When I said goodbye at the gate, I remember crying for an hour straight after saying hugging goodbye. I love these people with all my heart and I would do anything for them. I recommend world class programs for any student who wants to be apart of another loving family.

My two daughters went on the program to Italy. From start to finish, it was an incredible experience. Not only did they see and experience so so much, but they really benefited from the outstanding leadership from Derek, and the community he cultivates among the students and his staff. He really knows how to connect with this age group. To be honest, my kids were sadder to leave their group that to leave Italy itself. That, to me, is the sign of excellent staff. While their days were packed with one amazing experience after the next, Derek was also always available to the parents. One example--my daughter's asthma acted up while she had a cold, and she didn't have her inhalers. So, even through the group was returning from a packed trip from Venice to Florence, Derek coordinated to get my daughter's prescription inhaler from a pharmacy...despite it being a Sunday and not actually having her prescription! He plied her with chicken soup, orange juice, etc--basically a parent's dream come true when so far away from your kids. Thank you Derek and the whole staff at World Class Programs!