University Studies Abroad

USAC

Why choose USAC?

USAC is a non-profit consortium of U.S. universities that collaborates to offer affordable, academic and authentic study abroad programs. There are abundant opportunities to immerse in the culture, history, and academics of other countries providing an unforgettable experience. Each program is designed to help you grow into an engaged citizen of the world—not only through academic experiences, but also through field trips, internships, volunteering, and service learning.

Students can choose from programs in over 50 cities across more than 25 countries, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. Students can enroll to study abroad with USAC for summer, semester, an entire academic year, or winter session.

Website
usac.edu
Founded
1982

Scholarships

USAC logo

USAC Scholarships and Financial Aid

USAC awards over $2 million in scholarships and discounts each year to assist students with their study abroad expenses.

Value
$500 - $5,000

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

There are LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and allies throughout the world. However, cultural understanding of gender identity and sexuality does vary from country to country. USAC has compiled a lot of resources to help you through that learning process.

Accessibility Support

USAC is dedicated to working closely with students with disabilities to ensure the best study abroad experience possible. You may request reasonable accommodations after your initial application is complete. We routinely receive requests for scheduling, material, and environmental accommodations for the classroom setting, which may include assistive technology, scribes and readers, printed material, and interpretation.

Impact

Sustainability

Environmentally-conscious students choose USAC because many of our programs are held in some of the most sustainable countries in the world. There are options to take coursework in sustainability and the environment, as well as field trips and studies where students can leave a lasting impact on their host country.

Reviews

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

If you're reading this, take this as your sign to apply to study abroad, trust me.

I honestly think going to Ireland was the best decision I ever made. At first, I was nervous to even apply, but then my close friend gave me some good advice: "If not now, when?" So, I took my time and submitted an application just to try, and I am so happy I did. I remember sitting at JFK Airport before leaving for a flight to Dublin and I had no idea how amazing the next 5 weeks of my life would be. In Galway, I lived in a shared apartment in a village filled with pastel colored buildings with three other girls from all around the USA. I never experienced homesickness once because once I got there, my days were filled with making shared dinners in our kitchen, singing songs on our way to town, watching movies and doing homework on slow nights, and finding a new family to explore Galway with. I am still in contact with the people that I met on our trip, and in fact, some of us are planning an annual trip to go back. Our program director was so supportive, making sure we knew the ins and outs of the city before letting us loose, and he was always very diligent to make time for one of us if anything arose. The classes were amazing, the professors came from all over Ireland, and our tour guides on field trips were charismatic, reciting poetry at times and truly immersing us in hidden spots all over Galway county. I was really intimidated by the prospect of European travel, as I was born and raised in a pretty isolated part of Montana, and this trip made me realize that I belonged to something on a global scale. Going to Galway really did change me and I am so grateful for the effect it has had on my life. Since going to Galway, I have made friends from Ireland, Germany, and the UK. There are so many people out there, so many connections to be made, so many things to learn. If you even have an inkling of an idea to apply, I would say, do not underestimate the liberation of traveling. It may seem daunting, but it is possible and it will be so amazing.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The construction of the walls of Galway started in the 13th century, and you can see parts of them scattered around town, one place being in a modern shopping mall or behind a colorful pub. I've never seen so many different eras collected in one place, it's almost like being a time traveler.
Pros
  • Meeting so many new people in a global hub for tourism and travel
  • Ireland is such a gorgeous country
  • If you love history, it is a great place to connect with historically significant culture
Default avatar
Casen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best semester abroad!

I have had such an amazing experience studying in Reading. The town is beautiful, and it gives you perfect insight into British life. USAC was amazing! The program director was always available to provide guidance or support, and the arranged events were great for building a sense of community within the program. I met some close friends through USAC, which helped me to assimilate into the university easily. I have had such an amazing, insightful, special experience and cannot recommend this program enough!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack a reusable travel mug! Reading is a very sustainable town, so you'll need reusable shopping bags, mugs, etc. Also, be sure to bring a strong umbrella, because every now and then we get a good rain here.
Pros
  • Close to London, but not directly in the chaos of the city
  • Excellent support from the USAC program director and on-campus Study Abroad Office
  • A fun, busy social scene on campus
Cons
  • It'll take you a while to get to and from the airport!
Default avatar
Zaida`
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Finding the Joy in Life

This program was life-changing. The staff made the transition into Japan smooth and helped with any issues. I never felt overwhelmed, and I was set up for success. The school's community is amazing. It is impossible not to make friends, and you will meet the coolest people. I genuinely fell in love with life again after this program. The education is informative and interesting. The Japanese classes are well structured, and I enjoyed them. I encourage everyone to apply for this program! Nagasaki is a lovely city, and you get a lot of perks for being a student! I recommend the art museum, the rope line, and my favorite place-- Nagasaki Seaside Park!

Default avatar
Ines
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience in Prague as an Italian student with new American friends

Spending three and a half months in Prague felt like taking a small jump into the future,
towards the slightly more independent life that I imagine after university. I had my own space
for everything, studying, making friends, wandering through the city, stopping at cafes to
work, and visiting museums.
I tried to make the most of this opportunity to break away from my usual routine, which was
always filled with work and university commitments, and to enjoy some time for myself. I
realized that adapting to living in another country, with people speaking another language
(Czech) and, at the same time, with American friends, and thus from another culture, was
more natural than expected and, in fact, stimulating every day. It was a double cultural leap
that made me realize how much there is still to learn, even just by stopping speaking my
native language.
I took these months to grow and have experiences that I had always put on hold, diving
headfirst into everything I love, absorbing every suggestion and experience. It was my
American roommates who made me think right away about how little I had traveled in
Europe so far, while they had flown for at least 12 hours just to be here. Given these
premises, their goal was to see as many countries as possible and plan every weekend at
their disposal. My initial plan was completely different; I thought of enjoying Prague and
taking advantage of lighter courses to focus on some freelance work I had in progress or
start my thesis. Needless to say, I succumbed to their enthusiasm, and, in hindsight, I admit
that there was nothing better I could have done.
The first destination, after initially adapting to Prague, was Munich, a memorable experience,
especially as a first opportunity to bond with my friends out of the study programme's usual
contexts. Then, after a quick check of the cheapest flights, we went to London, where,
thanks to a frantic race among a thousand museums, I finally saw my favorite works of art in
person. Following that was Berlin, where despite the cold, we experienced an extremely
vibrant city, culturally rich; and finally, Amsterdam, which was my second trip entirely "solo"
but truly wonderful.
However, Prague was always waiting for us between weekends, a place where I immediately
felt at home, both because of the beautiful relationship established with my roommates and
the useful orientation provided by USAC in the first two weeks of the program. During that
time, in the mornings, we attended the intensive Czech language course, and after lunch,
usually trying local food, we were guided to various parts of the city. This allowed us to learn
the basics for every easy conversation and gave us the opportunity to get to know each
other better between the conviviality of meals.

In the following weeks, the actual courses began. The ones I chose were: "Alternative
Culture, Literature, Music, and Lifestyles," "Art Photography," "Marketing Principles," and
"Sustainable Development: Key Dimensions and Challenges." Each of these courses was
not held at Charles University but in dedicated classes at USAC, where only the program
participants attended. One great advantage of these courses was the small number of
students, allowing the professor to focus more on us and tailor the program to our interests.
As for the commitment, in addition to the mandatory attendance classes, there were almost
always assignments to complete, often in the form of essays. This was not a problem for my
classmates accustomed to the English language, but for me, It turned out to be a good
writing exercise. Occasionally, we also had to prepare presentations for the class, which also
helped me improve my language skills, especially because I realized that I had never said
certain things except in Italian.
All this made me understand even more how, being communicators, it is important to
practice English; otherwise, as beautiful as our projects may be, they remain limited to an
Italian audience, limiting their potential. It should also be considered that being good
communicators in Italian does not automatically mean being good in another language; it's
always like starting from scratch again.
Regarding the accommodation, I must say that it was more in that aspect that I learned the
most by communicating daily with my friends and roommates. The apartment was located in
a very strategic area of Prague, right next to one of the most important metro stations,
extensively connected to the center by buses and trams and surrounded by supermarkets
and cafes. In less than 20 minutes on foot, we reached the main square, while the journey to
the university was about 25 minutes between walking and taking the metro. Another pro of
Prague is its very efficient and user-friendly transportation system. Besides this, I would like
to say that the city is truly beautiful and very safe. Despite the initial impression that people
may seem cold, they are always ready to help when needed. An example is when I realized I
had lost my iPad on the shuttle from the airport to the center, and miraculously found it the
next day thanks to the driver's willingness. Even though none of them spoke a word of
English, when I went to the bus depot to retrieve it, they were extremely kind and helpful to
me. In experiences like this, but not only, the USAC staff also proved to be valuable and
always available to support us in anything.
As a final balance of this experience, I must say that yes, I went beyond my initial plans by
traveling much more than expected, but I still had the opportunity to start my thesis and
make room for my freelance work, without neglecting the courses neither at my home
university IUSVE or the ones in Prague with USAC. Furthermore, I bring home tons of
precious memories from the new cities I visited with wonderful people, whom unfortunately I
will no longer see in my daily life once back in Italy. Thanks to them, I found myself taking
more flights in one month than I had taken in my entire life, and now I feel completely
comfortable traveling and living in a big city as an European Capital. While it was a
significant step from the countryside of Treviso to Prague, London, or other large cities I
visited, I appreciated all the new perspectives I discovered by meeting new people; it was
like taking a dip into the present after spending so much time studying in my small world. I
learned to make myself known and live every experience as an opportunity to enrich myself
culturally a bit more, whether it's a conversation at the bar or a major event like the "Free
Palestine" protest in London. I will forever be connected to the wonderful people I had the
pleasure of meeting and the memories captured in the photos I took during these months.
Special thanks to the collaboration between USAC and IUSVE for the scholarship that made
this experience possible.

Ines,
September – December 2023.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The great amount of art and amazing museums in the city. Def worth it!
Pros
  • wonderful city
  • transportation works really well
  • overall prices are low
Default avatar
Natalie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

If you’re on the fence you should definitely do it!

Choosing to study abroad with the USAC program in Bilbao has proven to be an incredibly rewarding decision. The supportive staff in Bilbao have gone above and beyond to ensure that students feel welcomed and supported throughout their time abroad. From helping with administrative tasks to offering guidance on cultural immersion experiences, the staff's dedication has been instrumental in making the transition to living and studying in a foreign country seamless. Moreover, the opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich Basque culture and explore the diverse landscapes of the region has been both educational and personally fulfilling. Overall, the USAC program in Bilbao offers a fantastic blend of academic excellence, cultural immersion, and supportive guidance, making it an unforgettable and transformative experience for students.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was Basque cuisine, which introduced me to a whole new world of flavors and culinary traditions. From indulging in pintxos, a variety of intricate tapas, to savoring dishes like bacalao al pil-pil and txangurro, the experience expanded my palate and challenged my taste buds in the best possible way. Basque cuisine's emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and its unique combination of seafood, meats, and cheeses provided a delicious and unforgettable culinary adventure.
Pros
  • Cultural immersion
  • Self discovery
  • Academic enrichment
Cons
  • Being away from loved ones
  • Never wanting to leave
  • Financial considerations

Programs

Displaying 1 - 9 of 60

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

I chose USAC's Nagasaki program because they offered a lot of classes that I wanted to take. Teaching Foreign Languages, Peace Studies, International Relations, Traditional Arts, and Martial Arts sounded like amazing, once-in-a-lifetime classes to take in Japan. The location was also very important to me. I didn't want to go to a big city and I knew that I wanted to be surrounded by nature. Nagasaki has so many mountains and hills. It's such a beautiful place. It was also the most affordable of USAC's Japan program options.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

USAC helped with a lot of the paperwork process. They had a few webinars. One was for understanding the visa process. They gave us some online guides on how to do stuff, like how to prepare for the flight, health and safety stuff, and how to adjust once you're finally abroad. USAC also gives out scholarships if you apply on their website. I ended up being given $2,500 in scholarship money from them.

All I really did on my own was fill out the forms/applications, mail out the visa application, and book my flight.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

If you plan to come to Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies, then I have two pieces of advice for you. The first is to save up as much as possible. Even though everything is much more affordable in Japan, you will end up going out a lot with friends and the money adds up fast. My second piece of advice is to make as many friends as you can within the first week or two of being here. That is when everyone is very social. People form their groups fast, so don't be shy. If you are too shy to start a conversation, just sit somewhere alone on campus, and right away, people will come up to you to talk.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average school day is different for everyone here. But in general, classes for most start at either 1st or 2nd period. The classes work in a way that kind of makes it feel like high school. We have 6 periods but most of the classes end at 5th. 6th-period classes are really just for make-up classes. Classes are an hour and a half each. Students in our program usually have about 1-3 classes per day. Language classes are twice per week. For other semesters they have been four times per week. When we're not in classes or doing homework, we are usually exploring and/or out with friends.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Honestly, one of my biggest fears was just getting here. I have a huge fear of airports (not airplanes) because there are so many things that can go wrong. Once I finally got to Japan, though, I was completely fine. Somehow, nothing had gone too wrong. Looking back, I think it was a good thing to worry about, but not to the extent of how much I was worrying. Now my biggest fear is the thought of going back to the U.S. I love it here so much that I hate the thought of myself willingly going back by the time my visa is up.

Do you feel homesick?

No. I only miss two things, which are my dog and my best friend. I can FaceTime my friend, though. We even have plans for her to come to Japan at the end of this semester so that we can travel around the country. But I can't do that with my dog.

My point is that a lot of the other people in my program are pretty homesick. But I'm not. So, if you're really close to your family then, yeah, you will probably really miss them. But if you don't have much that you're leaving behind for a semester or two, then you shouldn't have to worry too much about it. Plus, you can always Facetime or message them.

Staff Interviews

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

Sarah Kapel

Job Title
Program Advisor

Sarah advises students who are planning to study abroad in USAC China, Prague, Haifa, and Bristol programs, and helps them with housing, flights, culture shock, and any other pre-departure questions they may have. She graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Nevada, Reno and studied Visual Design at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. When she's not at work, she loves to hike, ride her bike, and explore local coffee shops.

What is your favorite travel memory?

While in Costa Rica, I loved seeing the local flora and fauna every day. Every morning, I would have a cup of the best café in the world with my host family, and then I would walk to school. I loved how normal it was to see beautiful bromeliads growing on the side of the road and hearing howler monkeys.

On my walks to school in Puntarenas, there were two iguanas that would greet me in the morning. I named them Magenta and Ramses, and they made me smile every day.

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

I have learned to laugh at my mistakes. I started at USAC as a student worker and recently was promoted to a Program Advisor. I used to be very nervous to make a mistake, but working with USAC encouraged me to use those moments as opportunities to learn and grow personally and professionally.

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

I recently received an e-mail from a USAC student who just returned from studying for a semester in China. He thanked USAC for giving him the opportunity to see new parts of the world, meet interesting local people, and learn more about his own culture and heritage.

I love when students have personal connections to our programs because I believe that it enhances their experience, and they gain a greater appreciation for their own heritage.

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

Montevideo, Uruguay. Since this program opened, I have been dreaming of visiting this beautiful oceanside city. I love learning about Latin American culture, and I think that Uruguay would offer a unique experience separate from more traditional locations. The program also has super cool tours and fields trips offered – like visiting Buenos Aires!

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

USAC is unique because we have a lot of heart. All of us have studied abroad or lived abroad so we know how special it can be. I am proud of USAC every day, but we do have a pretty amazing Halloween party each year. I was so proud of my team for decking out in full Harry Potter themed attire this past year.

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

I think it’s really important to support your coworkers.

USAC is a successful company because we are one big family, and we help each other out.

Even though we have hundreds of staff members spread out all over the world, we're able to support each other near and far. Being supportive of one another sponsors a positive work environment.