Program Reviews

Every morning, I would wake up to a beautiful view and there was always ongoing action. Perugia is a beautiful and quaint city that is perfect for college students to immerse themselves in the culture and feel safe at any time.

Living at Marylebone hall was the dream. The tube was right across the street. Beautiful walk to everyday (ten minutes past many embassies). The classes were not too difficult but I felt that I learned. Westminster is a very large school, but easy to make friends and connections. I would highly recommend this program to anyone studying Literature or writing, because of the large amount of classes offered in this field!

I'd never lived in a city before. The best part of the experience wasn't the classes, though those were interesting, since I've never taken a class with more that 25 people before, and in Cork I got the big-city experience. The best part was building myself a little life.

College students may live away from home and learn a lot, but I'm pretty sure I learned how to be an adult from living in Cork. It was little things, how to grocery shop in the variety of beautiful local markets and then be able to make an actual meal. I started going to the gym, because health was more important in Ireland than it seems to be here. I found a favorite coffee shop, and made friends with the regulars and would sit and do my reading and talk to them for hours. There's the joy of having favorite pubs, and stopping on every bridge walking home at night to enjoy the lights on the water. The city as very busy, and I learned to take advantage of the constant events and concerts and dances and lectures. I took day trips to neighboring little towns to go hiking.

Like I said, it was a little life.

And sometimes, it was annoying. It's really cold in Ireland. My roommates refused to clean- ever- and when the streets flood it gets hard to go to class. Strangers are mostly friendly, but other students didn't really talk after class, or volunteer answers. It was strange to be the only person to raise my hand. It was new to worry about money so often.

My experience is in no way exceptional or outstanding from anyone else's, I'm sure. I can tell you, though, that it mattered immensely to me. Sometimes I dream about Cork and I wander around, walking into buildings and wondering where everyone has gone. I think about it all the time, since I made some wonderful friends, some of whom I am fairly sure I will never see again. I made a little life there, but it was mine, and I loved it very much. Should you ever have the chance, go to Ireland. Sit on an ancient hillside in Kinsale overlooking the ocean and maybe you'll find something intangible there that makes you feel like this is where you were meant to be.

Glasgow was amazing. I wouldn't give up a day there for anything. The Arcadia staff provided a pretty good orientation, as well as opportunities for smaller trips within Scotland on weekends and what not. There was also an opportunity for a weekend homestay, which I would highly recommend because it was a great part of my experience abroad! It can be hard to meet Scottish students because housing generally puts you with other international students but there are so many clubs and societies at the university that it's easy to meet Scottish students that way! All in all, it was a fantastic experience.

Going to New Zealand was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The Arcadia program was a wonderful choice for me. The program director, Jane, and all of her staff are amazing. Everything I could need, I could depend on Jane to help with. If she couldn't help, she found someone who could.

The classes at Vic are good. I was disappointed that I couldn't get into a class that I really, really wanted to take (New Zealand Sign Language- I was a Deaf Cultural Studies Minor). However, the classes that I took were good. Students should know that grading in NZ is not the same as in the US and you shouldn't expect to get an A without going above and beyond the level of work that is expected.

The social life in Wellington is pretty good. I found that people that go Vic, or even just people that live in Wellington, like doing things. Everything you do can be a social experience because people are so nice and willing to socialize.

I liked where I was living. I had five flatmates, but we all got our own rooms. We shared a kitchen and two bathrooms. Two of my flatmates were Kiwis and the other three were study abroad students from the US. It's nice that Arcadia gives students lots of choices of living situations, so there is something for everyone.

I went to University of Edinburgh because it was one of 3 programs offered for my major so I did not know what to expect, but the University, city, and people more than exceeded my expectations. The Arcadia staff thinks of everything you could need like a historic Scotland and rail cards, which come in very handy. They are always available and provide awesome events to get to know students studying at other programs throughout Scotland. There is always so much to do and the city is so beautiful I never got tired of walking around exploring the sites.

My semester in London was probably some of the best few months of my life. I was lucky enough to intern with Simon & Schuster UK in the editorial fiction department, and being able to learn about the inner workings of a publishing company solidified in my mind that I want to work in one after I graduate. I worked closely on the publication of dozens of books, and it was amazing to get that kind of experience. My classes were all interesting, and I loved how our professors were encouraged to utilize London in their teachings. Two of my professors gave walking tours instead of lectures on different days, and we visited a museum in another of my classes. I lived in Earl's Court, which is a beautiful area, and we even had a maid that cleaned a few times a week. It was such a wonderful experience.

The living situation was perfect, living in Carlaw, a student apartment complex everything you needed was provided for and everyone was so friendly. The location of Auckland is perfect to allow you to travel through out the whole country. And the Arcadia staff was FANTASTIC! Could not ask for better advisors.

Great study abroad/ research hybrid experience!
Allows time for independent exploration of culture but also group excursions were well planned, interesting, and worthwhile.

Spanish classes were rigorous and focused on conversational skills.

Research mentors were extremely helpful and kind. I learned a lot about the research process.

I really enjoyed this program-the professors are very passionate, concerned about giving you a good education but also great people and laid back (for example, we went out to the pub after our last exam.) I lived in Earls Court-the facilities were nice although the only downside was sharing rooms due to there being 6 of us. We had a basement flat in a gorgeous building, swanky area (Chealsea borough) with only about an 8 minute walk to the tube and a 5 minute walk to the nearest bus stop. I took 3 classes in addition to the internship (first with Street Kids UK) The Prince's Trust-I had an issue with placement about 2 weeks in and when I mentioned that it wasn't the experience I anticipated/I didn't think I'd get as much out of it, the staff were very helpful in helping me acquire a different, more suitable placement. As an anthropology major, working with a nonprofit organization was really great; it was a privilege to work for The Prince's Trust since it's so well-known and helps a lot of young people in the UK become employed. I love the work environment in the UK-pleasant people, lots of tea breaks, after work pub time with coworkers and a relaxed attitude. A few trips/events were offered by Arcadia such as Oxford for the day, Wales adventure weekend, Thames River Cruise and Tower of London visit. The interns also had a pub quiz night and farewell night where everyone got 2 free drinks which was nice.