Program Reviews

I'm a pell grant student, WorldStrides fought tooth and nail to keep my refund money, and if you need a refund your best bet is to completely avoid this travel company.

Read the reviews for WorldStrides on the Better Business Bureau too for a better idea of what you're dealing with studying with them. Is the university nice? I won't discredit it, and I admit I didn't have the best experience.

My story is exhausting to tell... but if you have a refund check you need... literally don't go with WorldStrides. Take it from me. In fact, my story is on the BBB website for a better idea!

I won't discredit the good reviews but I feel like it came from people who were a lot more privileged financially. Their good experiences like the bars weren't facilitated by WorldStrides though.

As a first-gen student studying abroad for the first time, I was incredibly nervous entering the program in Málaga, Spain. After I arrived in the airport, however, I was instantly greeted with such a warm welcome by incredible staff and amazing group of peers!! Our first week there, the program helped us get settled into our new housing, become acclimated with the community, and ensured we got to see such incredible sites such as the Alcazaba! Truly the program opened me up to have such amazing experiences that I've never would have had from meeting lifelong friends at the homestay to getting to experience the rich foods on the coast. Worldstrides does an amazing job of really providing a home away from home when you are getting out of your comfort zone and exploring a whole new world!

During my time in Berlin, I lived my best life. Getting dropped off in a foreign country no knowing a single person is very scary. But then I left knowing about 200 different people through random interactions and putting myself out there in local community. Being on your own and having to figure out most things by yourself, really builds you as a person. Through living on my own with not much support and traveling to other countries alone, I was really able to discover who I was. Studying abroad is much more then just going to a different university in a different location. You learn so much about other cultures, people, ways of life, and yourself. I 1000% recommend going abroad, it changed my life!

Studying abroad was one of the best and most impactful experiences of my life. I learned so much about myself and what I want out of my life. Salamanca was the perfect fit for me, not too large, but always had something going on. The on-site WorldStrides directors in Salamanca were so helpful, kind, and always available for anything that we needed.

Universidad de Salamanca placed me at the right level for me to understand, but also get the most out of my time there. They were very accommodating to everyone's needs, and the professors were amazing. Out of my five professors during my time there, only one of them was bad. I loved Marta, she's the sweetest! During their summer sessions, we had class Monday through Friday from 9am until 1 or 2pm. You get 3 free skip days each month-long session, and if you miss more, then you fail. I used my days each month for extending weekend travel, which I highly recommend.

WorldStrides figures everything out for you with the university and helps you with any issues you may have. They pick you up from the airport in Madrid. You get to stay 3 nights in a fancy hotel while exploring Madrid with organized tours, informational meetings to prepare you for Salamanca, and getting to know your group during free time. While in Salamanca, WorldStrides had many activities for us, such as tours, cooking classes, dancing classes, and boats. Another amazing experience was the trip to Santander, which was completely included.

I stayed in a Residencia, which I would recommend over a homestay. It is similar to a US college dorm, and I loved having my own space and not living with the uncertainty of a family, which some of my group members had some difficulties with. But do what feels right for you! Before I went abroad, I was worried about meeting people, but I made so many friends. There are so many opportunities in your group, classes, Residencia, around town, and in your travels.

Another thing is that I traveled so much in my 2.5 months. I got to go to Italy, Portugal, Greece, and Croatia, as well as many weekend trips around Spain. I absolutely adored the north of Spain! This experience is what you make of it, and you will get out what you put into it. I did find myself in an English bubble, and sometimes I wish that I had spoken more Spanish. But I love all the English-speaking friends I made from all over the world. Thank you, WorldStrides! And to you reading this, go have the time of your life abroad :)

I had the most amazing time with Worldstrides in Valencia, Spain. Through my program, I took two classes at the University of Valencia, "Spanish Cinema" and "Spanish History and Culture." In these daily classes, I spent valuable time with the people in my program and learned so much about the history and culture of Spain. My time spent with my host family was equally enriching, if a bit intimidating. When I first arrived in Valencia and met my host mom, I realized she spoke absolutely no English. I certainly wasn't fluent, and I was terrified at the idea of having to communicate entirely in Spanish with her. By the end of my trip, though, my Spanish language skills had increased tenfold, and I was having daily conversations with my host family about their lives and interests, as well as what it was like to live in Spain. I made connections with my host family and my classmates that will last a lifetime, and I owe much of this to the Worldstrides program and team. The on-site staff made us feel comfortable being in such a new environment, and they always had advice and recommendations to help us feel more at ease. I would recommend this program to anyone wanting to improve their language skills and get to know a different culture and country.

I had the best time spending the month of July in Salamanca, Spain! I never felt alone because there were many other students in the area, along with a very accessible and supportive Worldstrides team. Not to mention the support from my amazing host family that was willing to help me in any way they could. My classes were at a great level that left me feeling challenged but not overwhelmed. There was never a moment that I felt bored during the program because of the vibrant nightlife, exciting excursions, and constant opportunities to meet new people. I would recommend studying in Salamanca to anyone who wants to be encapsulated by a culturally rich and historic environment with a blend of youthful energy.

This program was absolutely amazing! From the very beginning, I felt welcomed and supported by both the ISA and UCV staff, who were incredibly kind and helpful throughout. I made lifelong friends that I now get to see at my home university, and I formed a deep, lasting bond with my host mom that I’ll always cherish. Although I was super homesick at first, this experience turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. I grew so much personally and academically, and gained a new perspective on the world. I highly encourage everyone to study abroad if they have the chance—it’s truly life-changing and unforgettable!

I spent five unforgettable weeks in Peru through the WorldStrides Community Health & Medical Spanish program at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. While living and studying in the Miraflores District this summer, I balanced classes with bonding with my host family and participating in social excursions.

Academically, I learned so much. From the simulation labs with other UPCH students to the community clinical experiences at the Piedra Liza Health Center, the exposure to the Peruvian healthcare system was invaluable.

Outside of the classroom, I made the most of my time in Peru. Notably, I tried various Peruvian dishes (with lomo saltado quickly becoming a favorite), took a cooking class, hiked Machu Picchu, cheered at a fútbol game, relaxed on a weekend trip to Máncora Beach with friends, rode horses, admired art and history in museums, and sand-boarded at the Huacachina desert oasis.

This program challenged me to practice my Spanish daily, immersed me in a new culture, deepened my passion for nursing, expanded my professional network, and broadened my global perspective. I'm beyond grateful for this opportunity, and I will carry the friendships and memories I created during this study abroad experience with me forever.

The Tropical Marine Biology program at Murdoch University was truly one of the highlights of my undergraduate experience. Studying directly on the Ningaloo Reef made the material come alive in a way that no classroom ever could. The program was a mix of engaging lectures and hands-on fieldwork, where we practiced underwater surveys, collected data, and learned how to analyze the patterns we observed in real-time. The instructors were not only knowledgeable but also approachable and passionate about marine science, which made the learning environment both exciting and supportive. Outside of academics, the program gave me the chance to connect with other students from different backgrounds, share adventures, and push myself outside of my comfort zone. I left the program with stronger research skills, lasting friendships, and a deeper love for marine ecosystems. It’s an experience I would highly recommend to any student curious about marine biology, travel, and adventure.

From the moment I arrived at ISA Granada, the program’s academics and immersive cultural events made every day an adventure. The Spanish courses at the Universidad de Granada were great, and all programming outside of class was guided by the dedicated team of Lorena Herrera, Ángel Garzón Peña, and Marisa, whose support and local insights unlocked hidden corners of the city. Beyond the classroom, I explored Granada’s Moorish monuments, witnessed passionate flamenco performances in the Albacin with the group, and had a lot of fun at the excursions to Toledo’s medieval streets, Madrid’s art hubs, the Alpujarra’s mountain villages, Almuñécar’s beaches, and had the most amazing spring break in Morocco. Also, the food was terrific and had great spots around every corner. All architecture and every meal celebrated Granada’s rich tapestry of Moorish, Jewish, and Christian influences, from fragrant tagines and almond-based sweets to stews, tapas, and fresh seafood. Living with my host family felt like I was at home in Spain. Their warm hospitality, home-cooked feasts, and late-night conversations turned moments of uncertainty into stories of laughter and resilience. ISA Granada didn’t just improve my Spanish; it showed me how to embrace the unfamiliar, listen deeply across cultures, and forge connections that transcend borders. I returned home more culturally aware and inspired to channel my problem-solving and adaptability skills into my career.