Program Reviews

My time in Valencia with ISA has been incredible. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed, supported, and fully immersed in Spanish culture. The city itself is the perfect balance of historic charm and modern energy—whether I was walking through the old town, enjoying the beach, or grabbing food in Ruzafa, there was always something new to explore.

Academically and personally, this program exceeded my expectations. My Spanish improved so much through both coursework and daily life interactions, and I felt like I was truly living the language. ISA’s on-site staff were amazing—they were always available, organized fun cultural excursions, and genuinely cared about our experience. They made it easy to feel at home even while being abroad.

One of the best parts was getting to connect with other students from across the U.S. and locals in Valencia. I made close friendships, had unforgettable experiences, and grew more independent and open-minded. Whether we were visiting Albufera, biking through the Turia Gardens, or just sharing tapas after class, there was always laughter and good memories.

This experience not only confirmed my passion for international education, but also helped shape my personal and professional goals. I can’t recommend ISA Valencia enough—it’s a fun, rich, and life-changing program in one of Spain’s most vibrant cities.

I could never have anticipated how much support we would be provided on this program, I always felt that I could ask questions, ask for help, or just go to chat about Madrid for a bit in the ISA office. The trips with the staff were so much fun and their knowledge of Spain (and Morocco!) are so extensive! I will always recommend this program to everyone I know! One tip is to be ok with doing things alone, sometimes the best adventures are ones you stumble upon while just exploring the city on a day off.

After researching different study abroad programs, I decided ISA was the best option for me, and I am so glad I did! ISA has the best benefits, is so budget friendly for what they provide, and there for you every step of the way. My experience in Seville was something I will never forget, and I highly recommend taking the step to go with ISA! I especially loved that ISA has an office in every study abroad city, so I know I have people there who are there for me in case of emergency or any needs I have! The bonus trips were also an amazing perk and gave me the opportunity to see new places and also get to know people on my program better.

I had an incredible experience abroad. I truly enjoyed learning from my professors, whose insight and dedication made a lasting impact. The program staff were exceptionally responsive to emails and provided consistent support, which made me feel confident and well taken care of throughout the entire process. I always felt safe and supported during my time abroad, especially at the beginning when everything was new. The kindness and helpfulness of the staff made a huge difference and helped me settle in smoothly. Overall, I absolutely loved the experience and am grateful for how seamless and enriching it was.

My nerves about study abroad were overcome by the exceeding of my expectations at Bond University. This semester was an amazing experience from the great Bond staff and faulty, traveling throughout Australia and New Zealand, and the relationships I formed! The professors that I had this semester were so knowledgeable in their fields and had so much to share. I discovered a new interest of mine through my Sport Development class. After studying during the week, the weekends were filled with traveling all over.

Honestly, this was one of the best experiences of my life! As someone who has never traveled outside of the country before I was extremely nervous. Except, when I landed I knew that I never wanted to leave! The professors clearly valued the students more than academics (however, I still felt like I learnt more here than I have at my home university). The culture, the food, the people, the environment, the architecture, are incomparable to the United States. Seville allows you to express yourself.

Before coming to Korea, I was a picky eater. However, given a unique situation and a positive mindset towards new experiences, I tried new foods and enjoyed eating seafood for the first time.
If you're unsure about studying abroad in Korea, you should go for it and enjoy the experience of being in a new country. I explored a new culture and ate fresh foods I would never find in the US for a lower price. I recommend checking out night markets, new districts, and social media to find hidden restaurants serving unique foods. Overall, this program has provided me with the opportunity to discover new things and given me an experience that I will never forget.

Studying abroad was truly the best experience of my life, and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone. Going into it, I was terrified—traveling to a foreign country alone without knowing anyone felt overwhelming. But taking that leap paid off in ways I never imagined. This experience gave me so much confidence in myself and a deep trust in my own abilities. I not only made lifelong friends and unforgettable memories, but I also left with a stronger, more fulfilling relationship with myself. Being immersed in different cultures firsthand is the best way to gain perspective, knowledge, and personal growth. A huge part of what made this experience so incredible was the support from ISA. From the very beginning, they provided guidance and reassurance, making the transition so much easier. I always felt safe knowing that if I ever needed help, I could rely on them. Their support allowed me to focus on enjoying my time abroad and truly making the most of every moment.

If you're on the fence about studying abroad—do it. It’s scary at first, but it’s an adventure that will change your life in the best possible way!

Going to J.F. Oberlin University was incredible. I had an amazing time. Classes were interesting and engaging, and the social scene was great. Something to note is that it is easier to join clubs and activities in the spring semester, as that’s the beginning of the school year in Japan. One thing I really liked about J.F. Oberlin was that it was located in Machida, which was a little calmer than central Tokyo, but still close enough to make frequent day trips into Tokyo. Machida is definitely a less touristy place than most big Tokyo sights, but the calmness of it really helped me feel like I wasn’t just living in Japan as a tourist, but that I was living in a place where other people lived their day-to-day lives.

I really enjoyed all the cultural outings that TEAN put together. However, there was a slight issue with communication with TEAN while in Japan. If you’re someone who suspects that you might need quite a bit of extra support, this may not be an ideal program. But for those who are very independent, this may work great for you. Or, if you’re a really independent person, direct exchange might actually be a good way to go.

I went to UC for Forestry, as the school is well known for the program, and I am so glad I did. The classes were very interesting, and I felt completely welcomed as an international student, as many professors accommodated for lack of prior knowledge of the area by taking time with me to help me understand the land I was now living in. As for the program, I was able to meet some great people who have already moved into the status of life-long friends. I was able to go all around the South Island and see some of the most beautiful sights in the world, and some were already included in the program. Whether it was boating on the Milford Sound or sea-kayaking with dolphins and penguins, my experience was nothing less than extraordinary. Our advisor was super helpful and provided us with great support and recommendations as we went through the semester. I had the time of my life, and I would recommend it to anyone!