WorldStrides Reviews

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.

For Future Study Abroad Students:
As you embark on your university journey abroad, it's crucial to strike a balance between academic pursuits and personal enjoyment. While choosing courses, make sure to include subjects that genuinely interest you, but be mindful not to overload your schedule with exclusively major courses. Leave room for exploration and flexibility, as this will not only contribute to a more enriching academic experience but also allow you the freedom to enjoy weekends and engage in spontaneous trips.

Unlike the educational system back home, you may find that assessments are fewer in number but more demanding in terms of grading standards. Therefore, it's essential to approach your studies with diligence and a proactive mindset. Additionally, take the time to research and compile a list of places to visit and activities to experience both on and off campus. Having a well-thought-out bucket list can help you make the most of your time abroad, preventing any missed opportunities.

During your stay, time will undoubtedly fly by, and to make the most of this transformative experience, be proactive in socializing. Join clubs, attend events, and strike up conversations with fellow students in your classes. The connections you make and the experiences you share will not only contribute to a more fulfilling academic journey but will also broaden your cultural horizons.

In summary, approach your university experience abroad with a thoughtful blend of academic focus and personal exploration. Be proactive in creating a bucket list, manage your time effectively, and embrace opportunities to connect with people and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of your host country. Studying abroad is not just about earning a degree but about creating memories that will last a lifetime. So branch off from what your used to/conformable with and go gain new experiences!

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.

During my time in Milan, I had the incredible opportunity to meet so many amazing people. It was truly a life-changing experience that allowed me to grow closer to myself and gain so much confidence. Immersing myself in a new culture and learning a new language was both challenging and rewarding. While studying in Milan, I got to travel all throughout Europe. Exploring different countries and experiencing their unique cultures was absolutely mind-blowing. Throughout it all, I had such amazing support from the people I met and the community around me. Milan will forever hold a special place in my heart for the incredible memories and personal growth it brought into my life. It truly was a dream come true!

Culture is Spain is amazing, especially for young students in the capital city! Great museums, excursions, clubs, and food. Weekend travel is also very easy. Studying in the morning, going to a museum or shop during the day, tapas for dinner, then clubbing til the next day. Trips to cultural sites and communities in Spain was very interesting and gave a lot of insight into the culture and history. Connecting with locals gave me lifelong friends and even deeper connection to Spain. The program overall was set up very well and organized. Felt like staff was just a message away and super nice!

This was an incredibly experience and I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to be immersed in another culture and looking to learn copious amounts in a short period of time. One of my classes was the highlight of my program as it was onsite and I truly learned more than I ever have by being hands on, in the physical locations. We got to about 2-4 different historically and religiously significant sites each class period, with our professor as a tour guide we had built a rapport with. The weekend ISA excursions were also a great balance of fun and exploring while still learning about the places we were going. There was also a fantastic balance of independence to explore with group activities.

I absolutely loved my time in Ireland. I met so many beautiful people and visited amazing places. The staff was so helpful every step of the way and arranged some awesome activities throughout the weeks. I would go back in a heartbeat. I even felt safe and comfortable enough to stay an extra week on my own and continue to explore and meet the locals. As a woman this is very important to me and is something I don’t find often even in my own town. The buses were easy to navigate as someone who has very little experience traveling.

I absolutely loved the experience I had through TEAN. Even far before we touched ground at the airport. The staff was very supportive and made sure to have all of our contact information updated. They also set up many fun events, such as going out to restaurants and excursions to different popular cities in tourist areas. They did not choose the cheaper options, but rather options that were most comfortable and helpful to students at all times. I definitely recommend going with TEAN more than any other program, because I am actually going to study abroad through teen again in Japan next semester, that’s how much I liked them. You will get a very fast responses from the staff and also make lifelong friends from this program.

Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I chose this program to learn French while exploring France. The program exceeded my expectations in what we could fit into four weeks. We had a weekend excursion to Saint-Malo, which I had never even heard of. It was so much fun seeing this new town and going to the beach and seeing a castle in the ocean! We even hiked to a landmark that is normally surrounded by water. This was a great way to bond with others in the program. Back in Paris, we went to class everyday, and the group of students were very diverse and all different age groups. Most of our learning was audibly speaking French. For my afternoon class, we did an interactive art class that took us to different museums and landmarks in Paris. We were basically running around the whole city seeing everything we could with our incredible guide! At night, we had free time to shop, eat, see shows, meet up with the other students and relax. On the weekends, we were able to do what we wanted and could even go on weekend trips (I went to the south of France and Disneyland Paris). I never felt unsafe, as the program encouraged walking/ doing things in groups and reporting to them if we were leaving Paris. The accommodations were the choice of a home stay or a student apartment; I chose the student apartment. It was ok, not the nicest, and it got loud at night, but I had my own room and a great view. There was also a gym on premise which was nice to use. We were centrally located to a convenient store and restaurants so we didn’t have to go far. All in all, I met cool people I’ll always remember and saw Paris firsthand all while learning the language collaboratively. It was a four weeks I’ll always remember. I highly recommend for those looking for a more experiential study abroad with a great mix of people. Thanks, ISA!