Modesty. Above all, modesty is what I've found on the campus and within the community of Victoria and Wellington. When you have this characteristic of individuals, it charges a wave of kindness and concern throughout businesses and authoritative figures. I've loved every minute here. The lack of sun is compromised by all the smiling faces.
What would you improve about this program?
More introduction to the city you'd be staying in, not Auckland.
I've been to Madrid 5 times before and studied abroad with 2 different companies prior to "studying" with ISA and I can honestly say ISA has been the worst company ever. Their policy is if something goes wrong it is your fault. If you find a problem with their substandard housing or education, then it's your problem not their. ISA Madrid and the main staff in Austin are completely useless, rude, and do not care about their students. Unwilling to help you, and in fact hide their shortcoming to make themselves look professional. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!
Response from ISA by WorldStrides
Dear Fabian,
Thank you for taking the time to review our Madrid program. We are always open to constructive feedback from program participants so that we can continue to improve and provide the best student experience possible.
It's truly unfortunate to hear that you felt your experience abroad was inadequate, after all the assistance that ISA has provided to you. While we continue to assist you with ongoing matters, we wish you had shared these concerns while you were abroad, not after you returned home, so that we could have been in a better place to directly address them and help you have a great experience. While you also did not like the host university, historically, ISA students have felt differently. In fact many expressed a sense of pride in being a part of this particular university, with it over 700 years of academic excellence and it being ranked within the top 250 universities in the world according to QS. Again, we appreciate your feedback and will take it into account during the thorough program evaluations we administer each term.
Studying in New Zealand through ISA was one of the best decisions I have ever made! ISA provided so many great opportunities to feel comfortable and be prepared. Upon arrival in New Zealand, the Bridging Cultures Program was essential in making me feel safe and ready to be abroad for 5 months. The educational and cultural seminars were lifesavers and I don't know what I would have done had those not been provided. Check ups with our on-site coordinator throughout the semester were pretty cool, a nice chance to debrief with everyone. I met some lifelong friends through ISA and was given some amazing travel options through the program too - I got to go to Australia for spring break! ISA is truly wonderful, affordable, and so helpful in preparing a student to have the experience of his/her life!
What would you improve about this program?
I would maybe have more interactive opportunities before leaving, perhaps be able to communicate with an alum that has been to the same place or have another webinar session? That really helped! So maybe another internet session while in the midst of applying and doing all of the visa stuff, and then the last webinar session before we leave to go abroad.
I would definitely recommend this program. I had an incredible experience combining Study Abroad with Service Learning in El Hospital del Nino while staying with a Peruvian host family. My language skills improved immensely, I gained an appreciation for the Peruvian culture, and met wonderful people from around the world. Study abroad has been a highlight of my college career and a life changing experience. The onsite staff through ISA are absolutely amazing--willing to help out with anything at anytime. I would also suggest signing up for all of the excursions. I went to on trips to the rainforest, to Cusco and Machu Picchu, and to a desert oasis/beach town, and those were highlights of my entire trip.
What would you improve about this program?
If I could change one thing, I would have gone for an entire semester instead of just a summer program. Two months was much too short, and the summer programs don't provide the same opportunity to meet local students, because the courses are only for ISA students.
My study abroad experience was the best four months of my life and changed my future for the better! I traveled to Barcelona, Spain with the International Studies Abroad program for the fall semester of my junior year. Barcelona is an exciting, diverse, and welcoming city that steals a part of your heart. I made some of my best friends during this program and now have a second mother in Spain who was my home stay mom. The International Studies Abroad (ISA) program took us on a variety of weekend trips that were included in the program. This allowed me to see other parts of Spain that I wouldn’t have thought to travel to on my own. My favorite of these trips was to Valencia where we spent the day in awe at the beautiful architecture unique to the city. Studying abroad is an original experience that will be exciting and unique to all who embark. I ended up traveling to 14 different countries during my time in Europe and was exposed to gorgeous scenery, varying cultures, and remarkable people. I highly encourage everyone to study abroad because you will be left with the best memories and will have learned more than you ever could in your home classroom. International Studies Abroad changed my life and I plan on returning to Europe in the fall to pursue a Master’s program. The only regret I have about my study abroad experience is not staying longer!! Best of luck fellow travelers!
Studying in Rome was the best experience of my life. There was always something to do, or new to discover. Our university was always hosting different activities that ranged from trips to the beach, to cooking classes with a local chef. Rome was always full of life; there was always a new restaurant to have dinner at, or a new place that served the " best gelato in town." Going abroad, and going through ISA was one of the best choices I've ever made.
What would you improve about this program?
The one thing I wish we could have done different was the departure date. Our program ended in the middle of the week, and I would have liked to have one more weekend in Rome.
Buenos Aires is the most exciting city I have ever been. It breathes, laughs, and loves. The Argentine people are passionate and energetic, and once they get you within reach, you can't help but fall in love. I reencountered my love for soccer, dancing, and meeting new people. One of the best parts about my experience was my incredible host family. They taught me more about Argentine culture and history than any class could have, and I never would've found them without ISA.
I loved my program because they gave me the tools and knowledge to explore and learn on my own while still being safe and having a bit of a support system. I am so happy to have gone to Buenos Aires with ISA, and I would absolutely recommend them to any student looking for a life changing experience.
What would you improve about this program?
If I had to change one thing about this program it would be to make it longer. I didn't want to be done with my program when the time came, and would've loved to stay a few more moths, or a few more semesters.
My experience studying abroad in Morocco has allowed me to meet others with similar passions as my own and work with locals to learn about issues that affect them on a daily basis. Using and improving my French and Arabic allowed me to make closer connections with my host family, and I was able to learn about the major religion, government, and politics within the nation from conversations with local friends and professors.
What would you improve about this program?
I only wish my program was longer so I could travel more throughout the country and further explore the different cultures and religions and how they interact with the dominant culture and social norms.
This was my second time in Ireland with ISA and this trip was just as amazing as the first time! I love using ISA because of all of the support they give! Any question I had or problem I faced, the resident director was available to answer and help me out! They definitely were the perfect fit for me!
What would you improve about this program?
I think I would change the amount of activities we did inside Dublin. While we took lots of trips around Ireland, it would have been nice to spend some time exploring Dublin as a group, especially at first.
The experiences I had and the friendships I made were more significant that I could ever imagine. The excursions offered with the program allowed me to travel with my new friends without the pressures of having to plan the trips myself. The courses I took were unlike anything I've ever taken in America, I went on class trips and gave performances. I took cultures and opera. I could go on for hours about my amazing host mom. I strongly suggest living with a host family because it just adds a whole other level to your trip. I learned the language, had homemade meals, and met so many people. I wish I could go back everyday. I miss the city filled with so much art, beauty, history, and love. If you want a memorable study abroad experience this is the program you need to take.
What would you improve about this program?
I would say this program needs to change the amount of free time the students have because there are so many excursions that there isn't much other free time except after class.
Response from ISA by WorldStrides
Dear Fabian,
Thank you for taking the time to review our Madrid program. We are always open to constructive feedback from program participants so that we can continue to improve and provide the best student experience possible.
It's truly unfortunate to hear that you felt your experience abroad was inadequate, after all the assistance that ISA has provided to you. While we continue to assist you with ongoing matters, we wish you had shared these concerns while you were abroad, not after you returned home, so that we could have been in a better place to directly address them and help you have a great experience. While you also did not like the host university, historically, ISA students have felt differently. In fact many expressed a sense of pride in being a part of this particular university, with it over 700 years of academic excellence and it being ranked within the top 250 universities in the world according to QS. Again, we appreciate your feedback and will take it into account during the thorough program evaluations we administer each term.