WorldStrides Reviews

I experienced London through the Summer 1 session with ISA, and my experience couldn't have been more positive! This was my first time overseas, so I was a little nervous before departing but once I arrived and met with ISA's staff and the other students in my program, my worries went right away! ISA did a great job introducing us to the city through excursions, and the marketing class I took was academically enriching. By the end of the trip, London felt like a second home. Thank you again, ISA!

Studying abroad in Seoul as a McNair Scholar and a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar was an extraordinary journey that not only enriched my academic experience but also allowed me to engage with high-level officials, diplomats, government leaders, and partake in a vital experience as an aspiring higher education administrator with a focus on global learning. South Korea, with its vibrant culture, technological advancement, and diverse landscapes, proved to be an amazing destination for my academic exploration.

I am immensely grateful for choosing the program that facilitated my study abroad experience. The support and resources provided by the ISA/TEAN staff were instrumental in making this adventure as smooth and enriching as possible. Their guidance, from pre-departure orientations to on-site assistance, was invaluable, helping to ease the initial overwhelming transition into a new country. The activities, orientations, and social events organized by the staff not only made me feel more at home but also allowed me to connect with other international students, forming lasting friendships.

One exceptional aspect of my study abroad experience was attending the CIEE Annual Conference in Seoul. This conference was not only an enlightening experience but also a crucial one for my aspirations as a higher education administrator with a focus on global learning. The conference provided a platform to network with professionals, scholars, and leaders in the field of international education and global learning. The knowledge and insights gained from the conference have been instrumental in shaping my academic and career path. It allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the global higher education landscape, exchange ideas, and learn from experts in the field.

Moreover, my study abroad program included an excursion to Busan, a picturesque coastal city. The private bus and guided tour provided a comprehensive exploration of the city, allowing us to experience its unique culture and stunning locations. Busan's blend of beautiful beaches, fish markets, and historical sites, such as Buddhist temples and colorful villages, made it an unforgettable addition to our study abroad journey.

Seoul itself is a marvel, a city where efficiency and aesthetics are seamlessly integrated into daily life. The advanced technology and infrastructure in Seoul are beyond comparison, making everyday experiences more enjoyable. The city's vibrant atmosphere, bustling streets, and diverse activities offer something for everyone. From the captivating nightlife to leisurely cafe hopping, from shopping in the city to sightseeing, Seoul truly has it all.

My time in Korea has not only broadened my academic horizons but has also given me a deeper understanding of the culture and way of life in this extraordinary country. Despite the language barrier, I felt safe and independent, a testament to the welcoming nature of the people in Seoul. As a McNair Scholar and a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar aspiring to be a higher education administrator with a focus on global learning, I couldn't have asked for a more enriching and eye-opening study abroad experience.

In conclusion, my study abroad journey in South Korea, particularly in Seoul, Busan, was a remarkable adventure that left a lasting impact on my personal and academic growth. The resources and support provided by the program, the vibrant city of Seoul, the diverse experiences in different regions of South Korea, the engagement with government officials, and the transformative experience of attending the CIEE Annual Conference made this experience truly unforgettable.

I loved my study abroad experience. I felt at home in Kingston. Living in Kingston is a unique experience, as it's about 45 minutes outside of central London, so it is a much slower pace of living. One of my main objectives in going abroad was figuring out if I could live comfortably in another country, and after this experience, it is safe to say that I definitely can. It was very intimidating going abroad to a country where I didn't know anyone, but it also caused me to step outside my comfort zone and helped me gain confidence when facing unfamiliar situations. London is such a unique, huge city, and you'll find that each area is completely different. When it comes to going abroad to London, it definitely is costly. I applied for scholarships through ISA/Tean and my home university, which helped fund my experience abroad. To anyone going abroad, I suggest researching the scholarships offered through your home and host university and scholarships offered by private companies. Going abroad is an experience I will never take for granted, and I cannot wait to go abroad again. I loved my study abroad experience. I felt at home in Kingston. Living in Kingston is a unique experience, as it's about 45 minutes outside of central London, so it is a much slower pace of living. One of my main objectives in going abroad was figuring out if I could live comfortably in another country, and after this experience, it is safe to say that I definitely can. It was very intimidating going abroad to a country where I didn't know anyone, but it also caused me to step outside my comfort zone and helped me gain confidence when facing unfamiliar situations. London is such a unique, huge city, and you'll find that each area is completely different. When it comes to going abroad to London, it definitely is costly. I applied for scholarships through ISA/Tean and my home university, which helped fund my experience abroad. To anyone going abroad, I suggest researching the scholarships offered through your home and host university and scholarships offered by private companies. Going abroad is an experience I will never take for granted, and I cannot wait to go abroad again.

I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Busan, South Korea. I felt that Busan, in comparison to Seoul, allowed me to immerse more into Korean culture and language.

As soon as I met everyone in my TEAN program, it felt like we shared a sense of community, and we got along with well with each other really quickly. When you're studying abroad, you're often surrounded by like minded people, who share a lot of the same basic interests as you! The resident director for TEAN Busan, Yeseul Park, is very kind, inclusive, and excited to help you get the best experience out of your program. I often felt that she went above and beyond to make sure that we were having an enjoyable and safe experience. Getting to talk to her and explore Busan and Seoul with her was a very happy experience. She gave a lot of helpful insights as a native Korean.

The program at PNU was exciting and allowed me to get close with students from all over the world. We spent a lot of time together, and quickly started to hangout during our free time. The PNU campus is beautiful and sits in between mountains. There are a ton of fun restaurants, karaokes, stores, and sports venues to visit near/on campus. In terms of the Korean classes, the teachers were ecstatic and helpful. They were so passionate about helping us learn and enjoy ourselves!

Looking back, I wish that I had known that when TEAN places you in the PNU summer program, it's not just TEAN students in the program. The trip begins with just TEAN students in Seoul, but when you get to PNU, you're immersed in PNU's program, with other international students. This was an amazing experience and made it better, I just remember that I was surprised when there were other international students in the program.

Overall, I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking for an immersive and exciting experience in South Korea! My experience truly helped me grow so much as an individual. I will never forget my 2023 summer in Busan.

I studied abroad in the spring of 2023 in Paris, France. I loved the location, food, everything about it was amazing. I travelled every weekend to go see the world and ISA was very supportive and helpful. We had meetings with the Paris staff to discuss our housing, school, safety, and pretty much anything you can think of. My apartment was nothing special, but it was in a decent location with access to the Metro Line 1. Overall, I had an awesome time and although some aspects were not as great the program in general was fantastic.

I had never been overseas before studying abroad, so I was really nervous and overwhelmed at first, but the ISA staff were very helpful in laying out all of the steps I need to take in order to have a successful experience. Once I landed in Paris, people from the ISA Paris team met me at the airport and took me to the office, so I could get settled, then they paid for an Uber to take me to my host's house. I really liked being able to live with a French family who provided meals for me because I felt like I got to see how locals lived and ate. My university was also great. It was in a beautiful building with a cafeteria. I liked most of my professors, even though there was a pretty strong language barrier at first. The best part of the experience was being so centrally located and being able to visit a plethora of museums and monuments, and also being able to travel to other countries on the weekend. I did face some culture shock, which is to be expected, but all in all I LOVED my experience.

I was able to study abroad through the TEAN program in Australia even when I thought it wouldn't be possible, and I'm beyond grateful for that. It was my dream to study abroad in Australia and the whole experience was insane!! Bond University is an amazing place for meeting many different people. I made best friends for life here. The Gold Coast is a super convenient location to travel around Australia and I was able to visit Byron Bay, Sydney, Tasmania, and more. I loved the classes as well, I wish I could've taken them all. I also appreciate TEAN's flexibility throughout the application process.

I came into study abroad eager and excited, looking to improve my fluency in Spanish. Without realizing though, I also came in treating study abroad as an item on a checklist, but it was so much more! From the warm & welcoming culture of the people, to the rich seafood, that I didn't know you could put in an empanada, to living a 10 minutes' walk from the beach, I fell in love with life there. My host family made me feel so at home and I loved walking and exploring the city every day. The public transportation was easy, though the Micro's were surely an adventurous ride!! Being immersed in this culture swept me off of my feet. Building relationships with the other students studying abroad, the local Chileans, and our residential director was a highlight for sure! While I knew that it was custom to kiss on the cheek when greeting, this still took me by surprise and I had to adjust. I would say that I started to get a bit homesick around week 6 and this probably lasted about a month or so, but our residential director did an amazing job with having these open types of conversations with us, always asking what kind of support we needed and having us reflect. But there was always something to do, whether a festival in Valpo or something hosted by UAI's student exchange team, so getting outside of the house and planning things to look forward to helps with that a TON! Honestly, my heart is still there, and I am seriously considering moving there. I visited the San Pedro de Atacama Dessert and it was stunningly breathtaking!...SO, if you're still debating, let this be your sign to say YES and DO IT!! ;) thank me later, I hope you have an amazing experience!!!

I was very nervous before going into this process, I'd heard all about the things of culture shock and not having the best host family, but I could not be happier to say that none of this was true when I went to Argentina. I had the best experience getting to Argentina, meeting my host family, and adjusting to the culture. My host family went above and beyond to make sure I knew how to work public transportation and exchange my currency. The university had amazing teachers and I enjoyed both of the classes I took during my time in Buenos Aires. I met so many amazing people there; from my program, other programs, and even locals that I still talk to today. This was probably one of the most memorable experiences I've ever been able to be a part of and I hope that I get the opportunity to go back to Argentina someday. I highly recommend to anyone looking to travel abroad to do it, even if you don't go to Argentina, go abroad somewhere. I promise you you will not regret it and you will make so many memories that you will forever hold on to, I know I will.

Being a first-generation college student and having immigrant parents, I believed that dreams were nothing more than an exaggerated expectation of what was possible and that we should never hope to realize them. My dream was to travel and my younger self would’ve never imagined that there would be chances for me that may support me in making aspirations come true. And I'm pleased I did because choosing to study in South Korea was the best choice I've ever made. Korea University in Seoul was the best place to continue my studies at, and TEAN was really helpful with paperwork and making sure everything was prepared properly. They also gave me more opportunities to learn more about the country and introduced me to some of the greatest friends I made while traveling. I would suggest this to anyone who has a desire to learn and travel because it was unquestionably the correct program and location for me. This is ideal for you if you enjoy Korean cuisine, the language, or entertainment, or even if you are just seeking for a place that has a lot of differences from your country.

And if you are also considering Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, here are some suggestions based on my personal experience:
• Study the culture- Understanding the differences in culture is important for traveling and simply being respectful to others, so make sure you’re aware of customs and traditions of the country you are visiting.
• Korea University is a fantastic school, and as a business major, classes can be competitive (most of the business courses are graded in exams and group projects/presentations).
• Bring good walkable shoes, you will need them!
• Bring an umbrella or you might end up buying multiple.
• Public transportation is amazing and TEAN will guide you through it as well.
• Koreans are curious people so if people come up to you or start a conversation, be open minded to them. I was approached multiple times but why were wondering where I was from, curious about what borough me to Korea, and my experiences.
• Save up of course. There’s so much to buy and you will need space in your luggage for all the souvenirs so make sure you have a good financial plan for the time you will be there.