This trip was everything. I was pushed outside of my comfort zone constantly while knowing that I was supported and safe. Our directors were readily available and truly wanted to make the experience the best possible for each one of us. Any problems were handled swiftly, calmly, and remarkably. They worked hard to plan fun trips for the group to bond, adventure, and learn. Classes were intellectually challenging yet rewarding and a great opportunity to make Greek friends. (Some were quite boring like any class can be, and still a good opportunity to make friends!) In terms of living situations, dorming with seven other people was challenging and thankfully my roommates worked hard to create a fulfilling dynamic. We bonded over our fears, goals, and desire for adventure. I always felt safe and or had resources to get safe quickly allowing me to explore the neighborhood and Athens. Every day was a chance to explore my new environment and in turn, myself. I am so thankful and will remember my time in Greece forever :) Highly highly recommend.
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would go on more solo trips within Greece. Looking back, I flew to other countries and utilized public transport a little bit in Athens but I did not venture much into my home away from home. Given the opportunity to live in Athens again, I would push myself to explore closer destinations and utilize public transportation much more. Seeing nearby cities and natural phenomena. Specifically, I never saw Meteora and I really wish I had. I say solo trips because I had many ideas planned with others but they never came to fruition, so I would change this by challenging myself to do solo trips. The few solo adventures I did were my most meaningful, impactful moments.
Pros
Public Transportation
Planned activities by directors
Hospitality of Athens
Cons
Athens is not a very green city which was hard for me, a nature lover
Many room mates, hard to get alone time if needed
School clubs were a little overwhelming to join and I consider myself extroverted
It is cliche to say, but I had the most immersive, life-changing experience when studying abroad with ISA at the University of Westminster in London. For one, the city is a melting pot of various languages, cultures, customs, history, etc. I learned so much just by walking through the streets of London and getting out of my comfort bubble. ISA did awesome helping with any questions I had pre-arrival and while I was in London. There were many different excursions and trips planned within the city and in other surrounding cities in England. However, there was still plenty of time for me to independently explore the city with some friends that I met while doing the program. I love London and am so thankful that I chose ISA to lead me through this experience.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice is to explore, explore, explore! My program was only 3 weeks long, so I took every day and made it an adventure. London is SO big and there is so much to do, see, and try! After my class, my friends and I would make it a point to do something new each day to get in every bit of our time there. It goes by in a flash, so do not waste the time by going back to your room to sleep or be on your phone (but of course, take care of body and health! ).
Milan was an amazing experience. I cannot talk highly enough about my time there and the program through ISA. The opportunity to attend an amazing university in Milan allowed me to create lasting relationships with other international students and professors. I had the ability to further my abilities in the Italian language and experience the culture first hand that Italy has to offer. There was lots of support from ISA staff if needed as well as independence to navigate a new city and explore.
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I saw would have to have been the Duomo. While this is a big tourist attraction, I was amazed at the size of the church. Additionally, we had the opportunity to go on the roof and tour in the duomo through ISA and that was an amazing experience with some of the best views of Milan.
Excursions and housing was amazing but there was not much language and culture immersion. I felt like all events were coordinated with other Americans and we rarely got to interact and learn with locals. The grading and attendance system was also not lenient or understanding at all and some of the professors were biased towards Americans. It was a fun experience that I would recommended but I did not learn as much culture and language that I hope for even when I was trying to make an effort in immersion.
My experience studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain was one of the most life-changing and formative experiences of my life. Studying at one of the oldest universities in the world was definitely an amazing experience, but this program provides so much more than that. Onsight staff provide excellent support and opportunities to travel around Spain and beyond. The city is the perfect medium-sized city (I think it's great for people who are not accustomed to city living). The nightlife and cafe culture offer limitless opportunities for social engagement. I also found professional outlets that have helped me apply for graduate school, such as volunteer English second language teaching at a local school. Salamanca is the perfect place for students who might feel like other metropolitan areas aren't the right fit. My experience abroad is something that I can positively say will stay with me for the rest of my life!
I (uncharacteristically) did not put a lot of forethought into my decision to study abroad at Stirling University, but on that random late December night it just felt like applying for this program was what I needed to do. And—as it turned out— I really did need this experience. Everything from my incredible new friends, the field trip to see Pictish cave carvings, and the flexibility of the program that allowed me to be able to join in on folk music open sessions in pubs all around the country was exactly what I needed in my life, and I will be talking about those memories for the rest of my life.
Pros
Fantastic quality of instruction
Flexibility to travel on your own
Beautiful location in central Scotland that’s a great home base for day trips
Cons
If you don’t put yourself out there it’s easy to become socially isolated
This experience was one of the best I have ever had. I went on this trip completely alone, not sure what to expect. I was nervous but filled with excitement. Upon my arrival, I was picked up by my host family at the ISA building. My first impression was that they were very kind, but I was nervous so we did not speak much at first. I was excited to be a part of a home stay, however my first weekend there, my family went on a trip, and I was alone. It was an interesting experience adjusting to a foreign country alone, but I managed. I do wish I had gotten closer with my family however.
I met the most incredibly people and made lifelong friends of both locals and other students in the program. The excursions were fun and educational, and the trips were well planned. My only regret is that I wish I would have stayed longer! Because of this program, I am going to be returning to Spain this summer for an internship in Madrid.
Pros
Expanding my cultural understanding of the world.
Ability to travel all across Europe.
Making lifelong connections all over the world.
Cons
Uncertainty with being alone (this went away after the first couple of days)
Weak connection with host family.
Wish I would have had more time to travel on my own.
Florence was the best home base! The city itself is amazing and you can do so many different things in your free time. It also allows for easy travel to other amazing places. I traveled to nine different countries in the span of my four months studying abroad. I was immersed into the culture and had experiences that I would never trade. I kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, white water rafted in Croatia, played blackjack in Monaco, swam in the baths in Budapest. I was able to do and see so many amazing things.
Despite COVID erupting during my semester in Granada, I am very happy with the memories I gained while being present. I did not travel outside of the country while I was in the semester because I wanted to save travel for after academics. For this reason, I spent a great deal in Granada and neighboring villages and towns which was incredible for me. I found that I had a better understanding of place and belonging because of this. Our program directors were absolutely amazing and handled the difficult circumstances with grace and compassion for all of us.
Choosing to study abroad in Milan, Italy was the best decision I have made in my life. I would highly recommend anyone that is debating to study in Milan to do so. Milan is such a beautiful city full of so much history, incredible food, and stunning sights. During my time, I studied at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. I was able to take an Italian language course as well as other unique types of classes that were a lot of fun to be apart of. The program leaders from ISA were very helpful during my time and always gave us suggestions on different places to explore, places to eat, and different events going on in the city. If anyone is debating about studying abroad in Milan, do it! I promise you will love it.
