Program Reviews

My experience in Singapore was absolutely amazing! Singapore is a beautiful, clean, safe country that was so much fun to explore. Everyone I met there was so nice and welcoming, and I never wanted to leave. Getting to study at SMU was especially great, because the location of the school is so central and conveniently located. Not only that, but the students have so much passion and excitement for their school, that even as an exchange student I felt welcomed and like a real, valuable member of the SMU community.

Plus, Singapore offers an amazing chance to explore surrounding countries in Southeast Asia! I got to visit so many countries that I never would have had a chance to visit otherwise in my life, and I am so grateful to have been able to experience so many unique and diverse cultures. I definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to get out of their comfort zone and try something new!

I loved studying abroad in Valencia! It’s a great city for someone looking for a vibrant, mid-sized city—not as big as Barcelona or Madrid, but still full of life. Valencia has a huge student population, beautiful access to the sea, and an incredible social and cultural scene that’s unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

I highly recommend going with ISA. From pre-departure support to the in-country staff, excursions, housing, and university options, my experience with ISA was excellent. I was placed in a beautiful top-floor apartment with a large terrace overlooking the city. I had the best roommates and I think ISA was intentional in matching up roommates when it came to homestay pairs or apartments which I know we all appreciated! ISA local staff make an effort to know the students. They took us out for not only our excursions but also typical Spanish meals and taught us about the culture. I can't imagine going with another program.

Singapore captivated me completely! I wouldn't change a single aspect of my experience there. The convenience of traveling to neighboring Asian countries was one of the unexpected highlights, allowing me to explore the region with ease. I was constantly impressed by Singapore's exceptional cleanliness and security, which created an environment where I could fully enjoy my passion for cycling - even late at night without any safety concerns. These four months were truly the most transformative period of my life so far. The connections I formed and the experiences I shared have left an indelible mark on me. While I deeply miss the friends who became like family during my time abroad, I carry our memories close to my heart and remain confident that our paths will cross again someday. Singapore wasn't just a destination - it became a second home that I'll always cherish.

Living in Japan truly changed my entire outlook on life. Before studying abroad in Tokyo, I had never left the United States, so to travel 7000 miles away from home was a huge leap of faith. However, I built a second home in Japan with my dorm, friends, teammates, and classmates. Being immersed in my culture and meeting my family there was incredibly rewarding, and I grew so much as a person and a student. Studying abroad takes you out of your comfort zone and pushes you to take chances you never would have at home. Japan is so safe, forgiving, and welcoming, I'm so glad I chose to study there!

Studying abroad in Thailand with TEAN was truly a life-changing experience that I will cherish forever. It pushed me far out of my comfort zone and helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Living in a completely different culture made me more adaptable, and it opened my eyes to the beauty of diversity. I not only gained valuable academic knowledge but also learned so much about myself and the world around me.

As a friend and daughter, I became more patient, understanding, and empathetic after interacting with people from all over the world. I learned how to embrace differences, listen more attentively, and create meaningful connections. I became a better listener, which made me appreciate the relationships I have with my friends and family even more.

This journey also sparked my love for travel. I now feel more confident and excited about exploring new places, trying new things, and immersing myself in unfamiliar environments. I now have a greater sense of independence and self-assurance that I can take with me throughout my life.

Academically, my experience in Thailand motivated me to strive for excellence in my studies. I realized the importance of education, especially when it comes to understanding the world from a global perspective. I became more focused, driven, and determined to make the most out of my academic opportunities.

Most importantly, studying abroad with TEAN in Thailand transformed me into a more worldly and open-minded individual. I came back home with a deeper understanding of global issues and the unique perspectives of people around the world. It truly changed my life in ways that go beyond what words can express, and I will forever be thankful for this incredible experience. If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend studying abroad with TEAN in Thailand – it’s an experience you will never forget.

I had such a great time studying in Barcelona, Spain with ISA for the Fall 2024 semester! The ISA staff was so great and helpful throughout the experience and provided me with so many wonderful opportunities and activities to get to know the city. I played in the study abroad soccer league as well as took Latino dance classes through ISA. Living in a homestay also helped me improve my Spanish and challenge myself! Throughout my semester, I became so much more independent and confident. This was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life!

I studied abroad in the fall of 2024 with ISA by World Strides. It was an experience I will forever talk about. I met some of my best friends and got to travel throughout Europe while studying for my degree. During my time abroad, ISA staff members created fun little day trips for each of the students to go on which helped with meeting people and learning more about Italy. I stayed in the social hub which I would say is the best option for meeting people from other programs and from around the world.

It was a very fun experience traveling, meeting new people, and learning about other cultures. The ISA Madrid staff were all so nice and helpful and fun to be around. I enjoyed every aspect of studying abroad except for the school part. The commute to UC3M was a drag and I never got used to it. There came a point where I just gave up on going to my classes that didn't take attendance. I also don't like the website they use for school, which was called aulaglobal. I think canvas is set up more organized and they should switch to that. UC3M engineering is very difficult, and those classes definitely require too much effort for a study abroad student to be able to balance the fun study abroad aspects and school at the same time. I also think the professor for the class called "Measuring Instrumentation" is a terrible professor who doesn't care about his students learning or success. His name is Pedro Martin Mateos and everyone should avoid him and his measuring instrumentation class. I also think the security guard in the La Latina Mi Casa Inn needs to mind his business. He loved to order us around and tell us we couldn't be downstairs or we were being too loud when we weren't. I also didn't really like the shared kitchen aspect. But my overall experience was really amazing and I loved it a lot, I'm just going into detail on the downsides because if I went into detail on the positives this would be exponentially longer lol.

Participating in the Korea University Summer Program was one of the best life decisions I've ever made. For one, this experience made me more independent and self-confident. Stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things and navigate through many obstacles such as language barriers and culture shocks allowed me to grow proud of myself and be more confident that I can accomplish more in my future travel journeys. The cultural activities hosted both by TEAN and Korea University made the trip even more special. Some activities include a weekend trip to Busan, a day trip to Lotte World, and attending a baseball game with other students. All the activities I engaged in allowed me to embrace Korean culture and learn about its history in a non-intimidating way. Making connections with different types of people was also a highlight of this experience. I made connections and new friendships with Korean locals and students of different cultural backgrounds. They allowed me to develop connections with Korean locals and other abroad students. Everyone I met along the way was super welcoming and made my study abroad journey even more exciting. If you’re looking for a summer or a short-term study abroad program, I highly recommend this one!

The 6 weeks I spent studying abroad in Valencia through ISA were the best 6 weeks of my life. My study abroad experience was truly incredible.

The classes were challenging, but they pushed me to grow both academically and personally. I learned so much, not just about Spanish, but also about the culture and history of the country. My professors were fantastic—engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate about their subjects. I genuinely enjoyed listening to them speak and attending class each day.

Housing was also a highlight of the program. I lived in a beautiful apartment that was equipped with everything we needed, and they even sent a cleaner every other week. We were immersed in a real apartment complex with local residents, which made the experience feel even more authentic and connected to the city.

Beyond academics, the program organizers did an excellent job of helping us connect with each other and with the local culture. They planned a variety of fun activities, from cultural excursions to social events, that made it easy to meet new people and truly experience life in the city. The staff was incredibly supportive, always available to help with any concerns, and made sure we felt safe and well taken care of.

I could not recommend choosing ISA more.