Program Reviews

My experience studying abroad in New Zealand at the University of Auckland through IFSA was truly incredible. As a dancer and dance major, this program was filled with invaluable opportunities. Working with IFSA staff and UoA's internship coordinator, I was able to secure an internship with Dance and Arts Therapy New Zealand. This was one of the highlights of my time abroad and offered hands-on professional experience in a field of great interest to me. In addition, I was able to choreograph and perform on stage with the university's dance studies students. This experience led to tremendous growth as an artist, dancer, and choreographer. But beyond my academic experiences, the on-site IFSA staff were so supportive and strived to have everyone's experience be the best it could be. The IFSA sponsored trips allowed for opportunities to travel, explore, and learn while being immersed in the host culture and surrounded by New Zealand's breathtaking beauty.

Traveling to Australia was a dream of mine that IFSA made possible. It was quite intimidating to travel across the world by myself, but having the support of IFSA kept me on track and made me feel safe and secure. IFSA not only helped me make new friends, but also helped me transition into Australian life. If you are thinking about going abroad, you should! IFSA allowed me to make some of the best memories of my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity they provided. IFSA also planned so many fun activities for us such as seeing a show in the Sydney Opera House, seeing the beautiful Figure 8 Pools, hiking the Blue Mountains, going to a zoo where we had the opportunity to pet wildlife, and so many more exciting adventures. I loved this program so much!

One of my main goals from this program was focusing on Mandarin study, and my professor was incredibly helpful, supportive, and overall a great teacher. I felt that my Mandarin reading, writing, and speaking skills increased a lot. The IFSA staff were also extremely helpful and I enjoyed all of the excursions and field trips we went on. I got to learn so much about many different aspects of China through the field trips and the core sociology course everyone on the 21st Century track had to take. In terms of living in Shanghai, it was extremely easy to get around the city, and the food was amazing, but it was a bit hard to get to know people who weren't fellow American college students in the program.

Studying abroad in Brisbane, Australia was the highlight of my college experience. I went as a junior and although I was halfway around the world, I never felt alone. IFSA staff and advisors provided my with the guidance and comfort I need to succeed. I was able to see beaches, see sanctuaries, fly overseas, skydive, make friends both in my IFSA program and in Australia, and I accredit that all to IFSA! Australia was the perfect place for me. Relaxed, surfing environment surrounded by nature. I was able to just put my headphones in and soak up the sun. I don't know if anything will every top Brisbane, Australia and I am so glad I decided to go.

For me, studying abroad with IFSA meant having a constant community of support around me. This came from and was fostered by the IFSA staff. When I landed in New Zealand, I was nervous and didn't know a single person in. I learned right off the bat that everyone was nervous and that the IFSA staff was there for us for whatever we needed. They really pushed us all in the program to get to know each other, which ended up being the best thing. I made life-long friends due to IFSA, and I am so grateful to this program.

IFSA Ireland was the most memorable semester of my college experience! IFSA gave me the ability to be independent if I wanted, but was always there for me if I wanted to socialize with other IFSA students or talk to someone. Their expertise on all things Trinity College Dublin made it a much easier transition for me than other abroad students I met at Trinity who were not a part of IFSA's program. The two overnight trips that IFSA planned for us, as well as multiple other smaller excursions, were some of the highlights of my abroad experience. I was even able to see parts of Ireland I would've never seen without their guidance and transportation! In addition, IFSA has extensive financial support for students. I was hired as a photographer for IFSA as a way to fulfil my work-study while abroad! When I got back to the U.S. after the semester ended, other friends were jealous of the stories I told about my program because of the constant support I received from IFSA! My most memorable experience, however, was the early start option that IFSA offered. I attended a 2-week course on Irish History and Culture before the semester started that included trips around Ireland. I was able to get accustomed to Ireland and get some class credits out of the way! I have so many great memories thanks to IFSA!

The IFSA Butler team was so supportive of my time abroad. From organizing events every weekend to hanging out one-on-one with my study abroad advisor, IFSA truly supplemented my incredible experience abroad. VUW is a wonderful and diverse environment that I wish and hope to return to in the future. I had an amazing time with my professors, who were individually and collectively very encouraging, as well as with engaging with their materials in the classroom--which were about Pasifika and Māori culture and creative writing.

I'm not sure what I was expecting before arriving in New Zealand... but my experience completely surpassed my expectations! It's difficult to describe this experience with worlds, as it often left me speechless. From when the plane touched down in Auckland until my final departing flight from Dunedin, IFSA was supporting me through it all. I truly felt like the program staff had my back every step of the way. IFSA gave me the freedom to live independently (choose my classes, go on solo weekend trips, etc.) while also providing endless opportunities, excursions, and safe spaces to explore the country and region even further. The courses I was able to take the University of Otago gave me a unique glimpse into New Zealand culture. As an Environmental Studies student, I loved being able to learn about the New Zealand landscape, geography, politics, and especially indigenous Māori customs, beliefs and traditions. During the week I spent time exploring the breath taking Otago peninsula, swimming at the local beaches and spending quality time with friends. The community of international students was incredible as well. I was able to make friends from everywhere - New Zealand, the UK, Norway, Brazil... On the weekends I went hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing, you name it! The opportunities for outdoor adventure and exploration were endless. My experience with IFSA and New Zealand transformed me as a student, global citizen and person. I feel incredibly thankful to have had such a life-changing experience.

I think that, overall, the experience of studying abroad doe a lot more than just offer a rewarding academic experience. In addition to that, it offers students the ability to gain cultural awareness as well as mature and become more independent. As students who choose to go abroad will be immersed in a culture and language very different from that of their home country, the challenging experience helps one to become more culturally aware and also develop the tools to think critically.

I think that the most beneficial feature of this program is how it helps students to become more engaged in academic opportunities and cultural events around campus. The academic experience helped me to gain new perspectives on topics that I learned at my college in the US which helped to enhance my overall understanding of certain global economic,political, and diplomatic issues.

Chile, in my opinion, is the most beautiful country in the world. If you love nature, or if you are a big-city person-- this location could not be more incredible. Santiago is a city of 7 million where you can get to almost anything imaginable by public transport. And right next to the city are the snow-capped Andes mountains, full of incredible nature experiences for anyone looking for adventure. With so much diversity in one city, you don't even need to travel outside Santiago to find an incredible experience!

The IFSA program makes all of the logistics of living and studying in a foreign country so easy, and the program staff on site are incredibly caring and helpful. The on-site director personally texts and calls in response to any problem you may have, no matter what time of the day or night. there are many incredible scheduled activities and trips with the group, and the on-site staff are always available for any questions about your host family or social life, your academics, travel, health and safety, language learning, culture shock, homesickness, or almost anything else that you may need.

One amazing thing about this program is that it allows you to truly become a part of the city's community and culture. You get to pick classes in multiple universities, and that helps you even more to see what a diversity of thought and opinion there are in the country. I went to the two best universities in Chile, the private Ponticicia Universidad Catolica, and the public, more liberal Universidad de Chile. It was so interesting and fun making friends at the two universities, and seeing two different perspectives on life. The stay with a host family in Chile was one of the most rich immersion activities I experienced while I was there. I really became a part of the family customs and traditions, and even helped my host mom to decorate the Christmas tree!
Overall, my time in Santiago, Chile was one of the most influential moments of my life, and it has made me dream of returning some day, or maybe even living there in the future. For anyone wanting to travel to Chile, I definitely recommend IFSA in Santiago.