Program Reviews

I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Florence, Italy! The housing was in a fantastic location, just a short walk from the city center and all the landmarks. The school itself was both challenging and exciting—there was always something new to learn, and the professors were passionate about what they taught. The staff was incredibly helpful and made sure everything went smoothly, from settling in to offering support throughout the semester. One of my favorite parts of the program was the weekend trips we took to nearby cities and sights. It was the perfect balance of academics and exploration. Highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a memorable study abroad experience!

My favorite place on earth! Granada is very special and has so much to offer. While being a smaller city, it does not lack excitement and activities for a younger generation. It's safe and the people there are kind and generous. I lived in Granada for almost 9 months, and my experience with the onsite directors, schooling, and fellow students was amazing. I would recommend Granada to someone looking for a smaller city with lots of culture and a slower-paced and affordable lifestyle. I cannot wait to come back and visit my directors and teachers.

I studied abroad in Cusco, Peru, during the summer term for two months. It was my first time being away from home, but my host family and advisors made me feel safe and welcomed. The culture in Peru is vibrant, and the community is eager to share the rich history of Cusco. During my time there, I attended dance classes, hiked Rainbow Mountain, explored local areas like San Pedro and San Blas, and even worked in the Inka Museum alongside my professor and classmates. Our WorldStrides advisors also took us to Machu Picchu, which is a memory I’ll always cherish. Although the sightseeing was incredible, the best part of my experience was building friendships and making connections both within and outside of the program. I loved my time in Peru, and Cusco will always feel like a home away from home.

Traveling to Barcelona without any prior travel abroad experience, I was extremely nervous and excited. This was my first time traveling a long distance without family or friends I was well-acquainted with. ISA made my comfort level great as soon as I arrived in the country. They made sure that I knew where I was going and were given ample time to make friends with the other study abroad students.

Barcelona is such a beautiful city! The excursions included visits to: La Sagrada Familia, a staple tourist attraction; A weekend trip to Valencia; and a trip to Girona and the Dalí Museum. Of course, we were given time to do our travel, where I traveled more inside the country (Madrid, Tossa de Mar, and a short trip south to Morocco). Having these opportunities allowed me to explore the city and get to know the locals, traditional foods, and more!

During my time there, I opted to do a homestay. ISA did a fantastic job in matching me with a family that cared for me and made sure I was well taken care of. I know that if I did have any problems (which I didn't), they would be able to support me to solve the issue I could have had.

I attended UPF while I was there. The classes took some time to get used to as they were quite different from what I am used to in the States. But I enjoyed the class options and was able to get the credits transferred back with ease.

Overall, this study abroad experience in Barcelona is something I will never regret. I was able to have a more global perspective on things. I really recommend this program, even if it is not in Barcelona, to study abroad as it helped me grow both personally and professionally!

My time studying in Athens was unparalleled. At first, the environment seemed hostile and unwelcoming, but that all comes with the sole purpose of studying across the world; these things that are foreign to you soon start to feel like home. The small, uneven sidewalks, the fact that pedestrians don't have the right of way, and the hospitality culture are all different from what I experienced in America, but I got used to them as time went on. One thing I loved was the liveliness of downtown Athens, which was only a 20-minute metro ride from my campus building. I was lucky enough to experience parts of the bustling city as well as the peace of Agia Paraskevi, where my school was located. I loved that my program offered things that both abroad and local students could participate in, like pottery classes or intramural sports. My program also allowed us to immerse ourselves in the history of Athens through tours of the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and overnight trips to Meteora with fellow abroad students. One minor thing I wasn't expecting was the amount of money I would spend on laundry. I ended up spending almost 8 euros on one load of laundry, and even sometimes had to hang dry my clothes (this was expected, going to Europe, but I didn't know it would cost so much). A pro of my living situation was how the buildings were somewhat newly renovated and came fully stocked with most kitchen utensils and things we needed. The rooms and living spaces were fairly spacious; however, you will most likely be sleeping in a bunk bed, whether you have a shared room or a single. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and many other essential local amenities are all within a 5-minute walk from student housing. I visited my favorite coffee shop, Dimellos, every morning on my walk to class and quickly became friends with the store owner. Everyone is so friendly, and I always saw a familiar face, whether it was walking to class or out at night, and it fostered a sense of community. Travelling was made easy and became second nature the more you did it. These are some things that made my time abroad so memorable, and if you are unsure where to study, you should consider Athens, Greece, as it was not originally an option for me, but now I see it as my second home.

Cusco is the perfect study abroad destination. As someone who has spent a significant amount of time in Europe if you prefer nature and outdoors over the city and more upbeat life style. This should be an easy decision. The views in the entire country of Peru, but specifically Cusco are incredible. I highly recommend. The ISA support team is both incredibly transparent and responsive. They included incredible excursions like Machu Pichu as well. One thing that truly surprised me was the quality of teaching. Both of my professors were incredible teachers and also very understanding. Thank you Alberto and Professor Ortega

For my 2025 spring semester I finally got to fulfill a years-long goal of studying abroad. My journey towards completing this experience was very intentional and I prioritized a lot more than just having fun.

Before entering college, I set the goal to take a semester abroad and do everything I can to make it work financially and academically. I knew I wanted to travel in the future and always thought I'd find fulfillment in doing so.

I spent my sophomore year researching study abroad programs until I landed on ISA in Seville for spring of my junior year. I could complete my Spanish minor immersed in Spanish culture and take classes that counted as credits towards my global business undergraduate certificate and my B.S in finance. Being able to stay on track academically and getting a scholarship and other aid from my home university seemed to make this a worthy opportunity for me. However, I wouldn't truly know how worthy it would be until actually doing it.

When I touched down in Seville on my 1,000+ mile solo-journey, ISA helped me get to my host family and made my traveling feel stress-free. ISA consistently offered this type of support throughout my semester, for both my academics and safety.

I was worried about meeting my host family and making friends i the program. I had not gone abroad with anyone that I knew and would be living with a random roommate in the house of a family that did not speak English. These things were well beyond my usually comfort zone, but I knew they would make for a valuable experience that would be fun to look back on. I ended up having a great roommate and a fantastic host family that I was able to practice my language skills on. Ultimately, everyone going into this experience, whether with friends or not, is probably out of their comfort zone in some way. The first week reminded me of my first week at college freshman year where everyone is willing to socialize and make new friends more than they may usually be. It was funny having that experience again a few years later with other students who have already been through that as well.

Overall, I had an amazing time in Seville, and I want to go back in the future. I bonded over soccer with classmates, and we spent a lot of time watching games at bars, going to games in Seville (Soy con Betis), and even taking trips together in Porto and Mallorca, outside of the trips that came with my ISA program. Soccer was a big reason I chose Seville as I knew it was the heart of serious passion in Spain. I get goosebumps thinking about the roar of Betis fans in the Benito Villamarín as they sang before and throughout games and beeped their motorcycles to the tune of...bad words towards their rivals. My soccer experiences peeked seeing an American score for Betis against Madrid from the front row and that same player scoring in the derby against Sevilla (as I stood in a crowd outside a bar nearby the stadium, where about 10% of people could actually see the game on the bar TV and the rest screamed for Betis blindly). I got to experience the love of soccer in Seville many times a week in different ways, meeting people from Spain and around the world as my friends and I went to different bars, games, and events.

Seville was rich with culture and events like "Semana Santa" and "Día de Andalucia" were extraordinary to experience. I meant so many local people in Seville, on solo trips to other cities, and with my friends and program. I learned so much from these people and will cherish every conversation.

I will cherish all of the conversation. All of the food, kebab especially. All of the soccer. All of the trips. All of the nights out. I have countless stories to tell and experiences I won't forget. Seville was a perfect city for its location, weather, medium-size, food, culture, and so much more. My host family was super supportive as well and I made a friendship with my host brother and sister that has lasted beyond my programs finish.

Ultimately, you can make study abroad what you want it to be. I meant other students in countless different situations and found that success abroad came down to just how willing you are. Willing to embrace a new culture, start conversations with strangers, try to communicate in a new language, and adjust to countless other things. I was willing to do these things and left Seville with so many great memories, new American and Spanish friends with them.

My classes were anchored to local events and offered activities throughout the city. I had plenty of support from the people at ISA Seville's office and rarely felt unsafe. Overall, I had a lot of fun and studying abroad and it was well worth the hype I gave it beforehand.

I would encourage anyone who wants to take courses in business or Spanish, experience soccer culture, eat good food, meet nice people, and live in a nice city to choose Seville. These are things I can speak to directly and I hope anyone reading this with overlapping interests would consider Seville for their study abroad city.

Living on the Gold Coast was an incredible experience. It’s such an amazing place with stunning beaches and warm weather. On the Gold Coast there’s a really relaxed yet active lifestyle that makes it easy to enjoy every day.

I lived off campus in Broadbeach, just a short 5-minute walk from Kurrawa Beach. I spent a lot of time at the beach going for walks, swimming, catching a tan, or watching the surfers!

I stayed at Meriton Suites in Broadbeach, and it had everything I needed. The apartment was modern and comfortable, and the building had great amenities like a pool, hot tub, gym, sauna, and even a place to grill. Broadbeach was a balanced place to live. It was quiet enough to focus and unwind, but still had restaurants, cafes, and shops nearby.

There’s so much to do in the Goldcoast.
There were nearby mountains you could hike, several beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, amusement parks, restaurants, etc. It always felt like there was something new to see or try. At the same time, the area felt really livable, not just a tourist destination.

Surfers Paradise was just a 6-minute tram ride or a 1.5 mile walk along the coast. This area was a lot more lively, with a busy social scene. I really felt like I had the best of both worlds living wise.

The weather was a major highlight. Almost every day was sunny and warm, which made it easy to spend time outdoors and really enjoy the environment. By the end of my stay, I felt healthier, more connected to nature, and just overall refreshed.

I studied at Griffith University on the Gold Coast campus, and it was honestly a great experience. The academics were good, and all my courses transferred smoothly back to my home university. The professors were super helpful and approachable, which made a big difference. The campus itself had a lot to offer, however there wasn't a huge social scene on campus like there is at my home university. I only had to go to campus three days a week, so I had a nice balance of study and free time to explore the area.

If you’re thinking about studying abroad, I’d really recommend the Gold Coast. It offers a great mix of natural beauty, things to do, and a comfortable lifestyle that’s easy to settle into. This experience felt like a 4 month vacation while also getting an education!!

This past summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy through a three-week program with ISA and WorldStrides. I took a course called Wine Windows and Wine Business Walks, which explored the history, culture, and marketing of wine in Florence. We walked through the city learning about Florence’s unique wine windows, visited local wine shops, and studied how storytelling, tradition, and modern business strategies intersect in the Italian wine industry. It was such a creative and immersive way to learn — definitely not your typical classroom experience.

One of the highlights of the program was the incredible day trips organized by ISA and WorldStrides. We got to visit Pisa and take the iconic photo with the Leaning Tower, explore the charming hilltop town of San Gimignano, and experience the beauty and history of Siena. These trips gave us a deeper look into Tuscany’s culture and made it easy to bond with other students in the program.

Florence itself was magical — from the daily gelato runs and sunset views at Piazzale Michelangelo to the art, food, and history around every corner. It truly felt like I was living inside a postcard.

This program helped me grow both academically and personally. I left Italy with a broader perspective, new friends, and unforgettable memories. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, I can’t recommend this program enough.

This was a wonderful program in a not-so-traveled part of Australia. When Americans think of Australia they usually imagine up Sydney or Melbourne. But Perth is quite the city gem. It's a very culturally rich city with fun activities, festivals, and museums. The area has plenty of nature, with Yanchep National Park nearby as well. There are plenty of fun places to go, and it is a large city to explore. The University is world renoun and the campus is beautiful. Everyone I met was so kind, and we were offered many opportunities to go out and explore the city and the surrounding area.