Program Reviews

Participating in the Rome Study Abroad opportunity was a huge step for me. I was the first one in all of my family to go to Europe. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first arrived, but right away I felt safe and supported throughout the program. There was so much to do around the neighborhood and the transportation from our living quarters was great! I would highly recommend this program to freshman at Lewis University because it’s the only program a freshman can do their second semester. I would love to go back some day!

My semester abroad in Barcelona at UPF was arguably the best semester of my undergraduate experience. The pre-departure organization and communication was great with lots of individualized help and attention. It was really easy to schedule meetings and get in contact with Anna since I had many questions and logistical problems prior to departing.
The course offerings weren't too flexible and once you register for your classes you cannot switch them either. I tried to drop a class I found out was no longer necessary and I was not allowed to after the first day of the program. I also didn't get my top 3 course choices. So please be flexible and be prepared to not get your first choice class. Do lots of prior research to find the most flexible program with the best classes for your major.

The things I learned and experiences and opportunities I had made up for any sort of complication or struggle I had. I learned so much more in my semester abroad than I ever would in a classroom.

I highly recommend this program to everyone!

I cannot explain how amazing my experience was in this 500 word review. This is a once in a life time experience where you find amazing friends, indulge in culture, and travel around Spain and Europe. I found new lifestyles that I have brought back to me to the U.S. I am in the process of planning my trip back to Sevilla with my friends from study abroad to relive our time we had there. I've already visited many of my friends from study abroad in the U.S. One year ago today, I was reading reviews and deciding whether on not to do it. I ended doing it worrying about how I was going to do on my own. Ended up learning that everyone was in the same boat, looking for friends worried about how it was going to turn out. Everyone was super friendly and wanted to explore, speak and learn about Sevilla, Spain. Highly recommended even if you don't know much Spanish. Best of luck and have fun!

Granada is such an incredible city with vibrant student life and opportunities to connect with others! There are so many restaurants to check out that offer some amazing, typical Spanish dishes all within easy walking distance of the university and housing! Granada connected me with some of my closest friends, really becoming my home and opportunity to travel and see new places I could have never imagined! The program includes several trips covered in the overall cost to cities such as Madrid, Toledo, Sevilla, and Cordoba with visits to attractions like the Real Alcazar (used during filming of Game of Thrones) and the Alhambra, the crown jewel of Granada! There are so many great opportunities to have in the city, and it's very affordable too! See Granada for yourself and have the best semester!

Studying abroad in Australia during university had always been a dream of mine and I am so happy I was able to go with a TEAN/ISA program! This program was extremely helpful and supportive throughout my application process, once I arrived in Sydney, all the way until it was time to head back home to the US. The staff are always available to answer any and all questions applying students may have and provide thorough instructions on how to complete the application process. Once you arrive in Australia, all students attend a 5-day orientation packed with so many fun activities where you get to know your peers and how to best assimilate to the Aussie lifestyle. Throughout the semester, the program hosts multiple different cultural experiences and events. The program provides many resources and point of contacts students can utilize throughout their stay to make their stay as enjoyable as possible. I would highly recommend for everyone to study abroad during their time in university, and if you choose to do so, go with a TEAN/ISA program! You will not regret it, the memories will last a lifetime!

For four months, I studied and lived in Milan, Italy. I arrived in January, and adapted to the Milanese way of life and embraced the culture entirely. I have entirely fell in love with Milan, grown significantly more comfortable in my Italian language skills, and met so many wonderful people. Most weeks, I traveled on the weekends to other European nations; during the week, I made sure to visit a new museum or place of cultural significance. I am constantly learning and am in awe of something new each day. As an Italian major, this experience has allowed me to finally be immersed in the subject that I have been studying for years. Although I have been fortunate to study Italian prior to my time as a student at Penn State University, I believe that being put in real-life situations has challenged me to develop my Italian skills significantly. At the doctor's office or the hair salon, I surprised myself finding the correct Italian words, when under pressure to describe an ailment or hair color shade. Being in an Italian-speaking environment has allowed me to utilize my textbook education towards real-world application.

Going abroad with ISA was one of the best decisions of my life, even though it tragically got cut short by COVID. I went abroad in Spring of 2020 and I had the most amazing 6 weeks of my life. I loved the university, Le Catho, where I studied French language and culture. My French skills grew exponentially in that short period of time. I chose to live in a homestay which was really special because I developed a beautiful relationship with my host mother. I also loved the excursions they took us on, such as Normandy and Mont Michel! The on-site staff were also amazing people, allowing for a seamless transition from arrival to daily life. Getting sent home from COVID was very jarring, and hard for both myself and ISA. They were able to do the best they could in the circumstances and I was appreciative of their support during those hard times.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my study abroad program was canceled. Despite this, the Gilman Scholarship offered options to use our award for virtual learning opportunities. I decided to look for programs through International Studies Abroad (ISA), which had many virtual learning choices. I was excited to find a program that aligned with my major in San Jose, Costa Rica that focused on health psychology.

Through virtual learning, I engaged with a diverse team from different nations including my Costa Rican professor which broadened my general understanding of health psychology, social context, influence, health, and illness from a cultural perspective. Ultimately, what I valued most about this experience was learning the differences in cultures between two countries. As a future psychologist, it is important to recognize the differences in cultures since it plays in important roles in influencing human behavior. I believe that studying abroad is crucial for education because it allows you to gain a cultural perspective that you can apply to your professional journey, no matter your field. I especially appreciate that the ISA, despite COVID-19, managed to help me find virtual learning options because they recognize the importance of studying abroad, even though a computer screen. Although, I would prefer to study in Costa Rica in person, it was certainly a cultural exchange and a great opportunity to meet individual from different nations who are interested in the same issues I am.

My month in Costa Rica was a trip to remember! I loved my homestay family and the friends I made with other students in my program. My Spanish skills improved by leaps and bounds. My Spanish class supported my learning in fun and engaging ways, and living with a host family gave my the opportunity to practice my skills in the real world. I loved the opportunity to travel around the country on the weekends. I got to spend time on both coasts and make a trip to Arenal Valcano. I can't wait for my next opportunity to travel to Costa Rica!

Seoul is such a unique city filled with so many interesting and different neighborhoods. I particularly enjoyed Hongdae and Itaewon because of the nightlife and food. Hongdae was full of fashion and young college students which I enjoyed because I lived in a quieter and more residential neighborhood. I loved Itaewon because it reminded me of home. The area is filled with ex-pats, particularly Americans because it is where the US military base is located. Because of this, Itaewon has tons of American restaurants and bars. My favorite restaurant there was called Route 66 and it had $1 pizza slices and trivia on Thursday nights. I really enjoyed being able to go someplace that was filled with other Americans whenever I was missing home. Overall, South Korea has something to offer for everyone such as bustling city life, surfing on the coast, and hiking into the clouds. I definitely recommend studying abroad here!