The Learning Abroad Co. | Ireland, Spain, Italy

The Learning Abroad Co.

Why choose The Learning Abroad Co. ?

At The Learning Abroad Company, we offer programs where we can truly make an impact. We are passionate about helping young people gain life-changing experiences abroad, and we are dedicated to creating programs that provide real value. With our teams based in key locations across Europe, we leverage our extensive network of academic, business, and industry connections to design programs that are current, relevant, and of the highest quality. Our commitment to safety and support ensures that students can explore the world with confidence, knowing they are in capable hands.

Founded
2017

Reviews

Default avatar
Maggie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip to UK!

This was an excellent trip. It was very well planned and the leaders were incredible. We got to attend many insightful lectures and meet many business professionals, as well as touring many important places to English culture. We tried traditional British cuisine and got to learn how business and work is done in the United Kingdom. Overall this trip helped me to broaden my horizons and learn things I wouldn’t have if I didn’t come on this amazing trip! Would highly recommend you any students or young adults looking to explore the world!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make the most of it and enjoy every moment!
Pros
  • Learning experience
  • Great leaders
  • Insightful lectures
Cons
  • Housing
Default avatar
Tyler
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Don't Think, Just Do It!

I loved being able to go to Valencia, Spain to do an internship through The Learning Abroad Co.! I originally had an internship with a private hospital but it fell through a few days after I flew into Valencia. I was pretty frustrated with the situation but these guys were incredible in finding me a replacement internship at an HR business consulting firm and I had an amazing experience! It was so fun to live outside of the US because I learned so much about myself and I want to live in Europe again. I made some great friends along the way and we had so much fun with each other. The excursions we did helped me appreciate Spain in all of its beauty and they were all very well planned. Valencia is a gorgeous city with so much to do. The museums, cathedrals, activities in the main square, and the beaches are all things that you can't miss. One example is that The Holy Grail as recognized by the Pope is in the Cathedral of Valencia so that's amazing. The way of life is laid back and the food is to die for. I wouldn't change the experience for the world. I wish I could go back and hope I'll be able to get back to Valencia soon. If you're thinking about it, stop thinking and just do it. It's worth it, I promise!

What was your funniest moment?
I think one of my funniest moments was when my friend and I were asked if we were dating more times than we could count, when in reality we both had significant others at home. We got to the point that we just introduced ourselves as siblings haha. It created a good bonding moment for the both of us and something that we can look back on and laugh.
Pros
  • The people who run The Learning Abroad Co. are fantastic.
  • The activities that we did together. Ex: The Madrid Day Trip.
  • The experienced I gained in a professional setting to put on my resume (CV).
Cons
  • The lack of self control from a friend on the trip.
  • Learning that the internship I had accepted no longer could take me. (Out of the company's control)
Default avatar
Sophia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Valencia Internship

This internship abroad experience with The Learning Abroad Co. was the best thing i’ve done! It was such a life changing experience.. not only did they make the experience easy and enjoyable but they were very personable with the cultural immersive activities tailored to what field our internships were in. The Learning Abroad Co found me the perfect internship, I learned so much in my career field. It was such an amazing internship that I ended up getting an overseas remote job offer from the company! I would recommend this program to everyone!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Rabbit
Pros
  • Cultural immersive activities
  • Easy 24/7 assistance
  • I created some of the best relationships through my experience abroad
Default avatar
Camryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rome Consensus Internship

My time working with Romina and the Rome Consensus team was amazing. Humanitarian drug policy, and the world of drugs in general, was something that I had little to no knowledge on prior to this internship. However, after working with them over the last several months, I have learned so much. Knowledge and skills included. Romina was an amazing mentor! She was attentive, answered any questions that I may have had, and although our time zones were very different, she was always willing to work with me and make sure I had the tools and information that I needed to complete my tasks. My major is in Global Communication, and dealing with what I learned to be such a globally connected issue was very eye opening. Although I worked virtually the entire time, I was still able to meet and connect with people all around the world as we came together on this work. I recommend this program to people who are looking to expand their knowledge on humanitarian work and NGO's, as well as those looking to expand their international social media skills, and increase their global network / communication capabilities. I learned so much about myself throughout the entire process as well, I had such a great time with this team, and I am very grateful for this opportunity!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I was asked by the Rome Consensus team to present a question during their panel at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs 2021, their panel had hundreds of attendees from around the world, and many of them were incredibly influential and important figures in this field. I was so nervous! However, Romina and the RC2 gave me the prep and tools to ask a great question that I felt proud of. And the teams support made me feel confident the entire time!
Default avatar
Giulia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An unforgettable experience

I've been to Cork for three weeks in September. It was a school-organized project, but it still was very valuable for me. It let me face the world of work for the first time and I couldn't be more satisfied! My boss and my colleagues were very friendly. They never made me feel any difference between me and them, even if I didn't belong to their same country and culture. The family who hosted me took care of me as I was their daughter. They helped me coping with Irish traditions and daily routine. Cork was nor too small neither too big. I soon understood how buses worked and where the main streets were located. There was always something to do. I met a lot of new friends that now I call "family". I'm also very happy with the help given me by EazyCity staff as they have always been there in case of necessity.

Programs

Displaying 1 - 4 of 4

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Nicoletta Marchionne

Job Title
International Programs Co-Ordinator
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Nicoletta was born and raised in Rome where she studied International Relations at Roma Tre University. During her studies, Nicoletta did an internship with a Study Abroad provider in Rome. As a part of her internship, she shared housing with American students, accompanied them in cultural activities and shared her local knowledge to help them immerse in the Italian culture.

Nicoletta has been working in the study abroad industry for over 10 years as a Student Services Lead, Housing Coordinator, Site Director and more recently as International Programs Coordinator . She has lived and worked in Italy, Spain, France, Ireland, and the UK and developed a good understanding of students’ needs and all the essential aspects required to build a unique program abroad. Her great experience in risk management helps her to create not only unique but also high quality programs abroad.

She is curious and energetic and loves sharing her insights into a new culture to help students experience their time abroad like a local! Local traditions and food are her favorite ways to learn about a new culture.

What is your favorite travel memory?

It is hard to pick just one... Bathing in a river with Elephants in Chang Mai? Or the first town I ever visited in Ireland... Dingle? Or the road trip from Rome to Amsterdam with my best friends? I don't think I can choose just one. Every experience, both the good and is an experience I cherish. May these moments abroad continue!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I joined EazyCity, the European sister company of EZC Study Abroad, in 2014.

I started out as Branch Manager in Cork, Ireland, then worked as International Operations Coordinator and I am currently working at EZC Study Abroad as International Program Coordinator.

I have definitely grown from a professional point of view. I also changed my approach to students, at the beginning I was younger and I used to live the experience together with them, now I am more focused on the full picture of the program. My priority is to select the best opportunities out there to guarantee not only a fun experience but also a valuable one that will help students with their professional growth.

My focus is also on the health and safety and risk management procedures which I find to be an essential aspect of any study abroad program. I try to put all these elements together when building a new program!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I have plenty of romantic stories to tell. Many students fell in love while abroad and now they have families with the person they met during their study abroad. But my favorite one is the story of Chloe, a student I met in Rome.

She was the only one from her school attending the semester abroad at that time because her friends backed out at the very last minute. With all the other students coming in groups, I was concerned she might feel alone. It's safe to say she had the time of her life; she met so many people and made new friends whom she then traveled Europe with. When she returned from her semester abroad, she applied for the same job as her friend (the friend who decided not to study abroad), they both got the job but Chloe's salary was higher than that of her friend, thanks to her experience abroad.

When students complete their Study Abroad program and return home, they return with new perspectives on culture, new language skills and a great new willingness to learn. All these are very attractive to future employers.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

It is not easy to pick one... Maybe Sorrento, only to start every single day with that amazing view of the Costiera Amalfitana? Or Cork, to be surprised again by the Irish landscapes and the kindness of the people? It is not easy to choose just one but if I really had to choose I think I'd like to go to Valencia in Spain.

Valencia is the perfect destination for an authentic experience. It is a medium sized city with a beautiful beach, great universities, rich history, and delicious food – what more could you ask for! The city is also very well connected with the rest of the country. Our academic partner in Valencia provides valuable courses and really allows the students to make the most out of the experience… So yes, the combo semester + internship in Valencia is the program I would choose!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Most of the study abroad providers are US companies who develop their onsite teams abroad. EZC Study Abroad was set up the opposite way: we have first developed expert on-site teams and strong local connections before opening our US office to reach out to students. I believe these are the elements that make our programs so successful! We are experts on the ground and I am proud of our dedicated on-site teams, always helping our students deal with any challenges abroad.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Having a strong company culture, a clear and ambitious vision and hiring the right people who understand our values. Allow people to play to their strengths, and you will be shocked at the productivity and efficiency that is created within your organization. At EZC, we are all passionate about what we do and we never stop learning and exploring. We also always try to anticipate the needs and wants of our customers so we can always provide them with the best experience abroad.

Professional Associations

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