WorldStrides Reviews

During the spring Semester of 2024, I got the chance to study abroad with ISA in Cusco, Peru. During my time there, I stayed with a host family in their apartment. My host family only knew Spanish, so I was lucky enough to get to practice my Spanish speaking skills with them.

I also met my best friend in Cusco and became close with their host family. Because I got to get to know all these people and me and my friend were both heritage speakers we got to have a very authentic experience.

Despite Latin America being known as dangerous, I never felt or faced any danger when in Cusco.

The program was structured very well. Every day (except the weekend) we got to go to two classes, and then in the afternoons, we got to be independent and roam around the city to explore stuff on our own.

In addition, there were also days where our ISA professors would take us on field trips. For example, one of our professors (professor alberto) took us to many different places, such as Sacsayhuaman and San Pedro market.

In addition, the program also took us to Machu Picchu and Madre de Dios (a section of the Amazon rainforest)
For spring break me and my friend also got to travel independently to Lima and Paracas.

Although I studied abroad alone, from day one, WorldStrides made me feel so accommodated! The staff genuinely cared and knew my name before we had even met in person. The excursions were so worthwhile, and were oriented around activities that were genuinely exciting for college students. This included a surfing lesson, paella cooking class, included tickets to the most famous art museums, and so much more! If I could do this whole experience over, I would not change a thing (except stay longer :))

I cannot rave about the experience that I had with ISA enough! I went with my best friend, and it allowed us to gain a whole realm of experiences and opportunities while we were making unique memories that will last a lifetime. We stayed with a host mom, Inma, who truly made us feel right at home. She loved and cared for us like we were her own children, offering to help us with whatever we needed, whether it was a ride to/from the airport, flamenco lessons, or assistance with my Spanish homework assignment - she was always there. I cannot express how much I miss Sevilla.

I went to Rome in the Spring of 2024 and it was an unreal experience. My professors were super helpful and I learned so much in my classrooms as they were smaller. I also travelled to 11 countries on the weekends. From skiing in the alps, to the desert in Morocco. It was amazing to see all the nature and architecture that the world has to offer. The Italian people were super friendly and the food was the best I ever had. Rome has a special place in my heart for life. I highly reccommend this experience to everyone!

I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Florence, Italy! The housing was in a fantastic location, just a short walk from the city center and all the landmarks. The school itself was both challenging and exciting—there was always something new to learn, and the professors were passionate about what they taught. The staff was incredibly helpful and made sure everything went smoothly, from settling in to offering support throughout the semester. One of my favorite parts of the program was the weekend trips we took to nearby cities and sights. It was the perfect balance of academics and exploration. Highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a memorable study abroad experience!

My favorite place on earth! Granada is very special and has so much to offer. While being a smaller city, it does not lack excitement and activities for a younger generation. It's safe and the people there are kind and generous. I lived in Granada for almost 9 months, and my experience with the onsite directors, schooling, and fellow students was amazing. I would recommend Granada to someone looking for a smaller city with lots of culture and a slower-paced and affordable lifestyle. I cannot wait to come back and visit my directors and teachers.

I studied abroad in Cusco, Peru, during the summer term for two months. It was my first time being away from home, but my host family and advisors made me feel safe and welcomed. The culture in Peru is vibrant, and the community is eager to share the rich history of Cusco. During my time there, I attended dance classes, hiked Rainbow Mountain, explored local areas like San Pedro and San Blas, and even worked in the Inka Museum alongside my professor and classmates. Our WorldStrides advisors also took us to Machu Picchu, which is a memory I’ll always cherish. Although the sightseeing was incredible, the best part of my experience was building friendships and making connections both within and outside of the program. I loved my time in Peru, and Cusco will always feel like a home away from home.

Traveling to Barcelona without any prior travel abroad experience, I was extremely nervous and excited. This was my first time traveling a long distance without family or friends I was well-acquainted with. ISA made my comfort level great as soon as I arrived in the country. They made sure that I knew where I was going and were given ample time to make friends with the other study abroad students.

Barcelona is such a beautiful city! The excursions included visits to: La Sagrada Familia, a staple tourist attraction; A weekend trip to Valencia; and a trip to Girona and the Dalí Museum. Of course, we were given time to do our travel, where I traveled more inside the country (Madrid, Tossa de Mar, and a short trip south to Morocco). Having these opportunities allowed me to explore the city and get to know the locals, traditional foods, and more!

During my time there, I opted to do a homestay. ISA did a fantastic job in matching me with a family that cared for me and made sure I was well taken care of. I know that if I did have any problems (which I didn't), they would be able to support me to solve the issue I could have had.

I attended UPF while I was there. The classes took some time to get used to as they were quite different from what I am used to in the States. But I enjoyed the class options and was able to get the credits transferred back with ease.

Overall, this study abroad experience in Barcelona is something I will never regret. I was able to have a more global perspective on things. I really recommend this program, even if it is not in Barcelona, to study abroad as it helped me grow both personally and professionally!

My time studying in Athens was unparalleled. At first, the environment seemed hostile and unwelcoming, but that all comes with the sole purpose of studying across the world; these things that are foreign to you soon start to feel like home. The small, uneven sidewalks, the fact that pedestrians don't have the right of way, and the hospitality culture are all different from what I experienced in America, but I got used to them as time went on. One thing I loved was the liveliness of downtown Athens, which was only a 20-minute metro ride from my campus building. I was lucky enough to experience parts of the bustling city as well as the peace of Agia Paraskevi, where my school was located. I loved that my program offered things that both abroad and local students could participate in, like pottery classes or intramural sports. My program also allowed us to immerse ourselves in the history of Athens through tours of the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and overnight trips to Meteora with fellow abroad students. One minor thing I wasn't expecting was the amount of money I would spend on laundry. I ended up spending almost 8 euros on one load of laundry, and even sometimes had to hang dry my clothes (this was expected, going to Europe, but I didn't know it would cost so much). A pro of my living situation was how the buildings were somewhat newly renovated and came fully stocked with most kitchen utensils and things we needed. The rooms and living spaces were fairly spacious; however, you will most likely be sleeping in a bunk bed, whether you have a shared room or a single. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and many other essential local amenities are all within a 5-minute walk from student housing. I visited my favorite coffee shop, Dimellos, every morning on my walk to class and quickly became friends with the store owner. Everyone is so friendly, and I always saw a familiar face, whether it was walking to class or out at night, and it fostered a sense of community. Travelling was made easy and became second nature the more you did it. These are some things that made my time abroad so memorable, and if you are unsure where to study, you should consider Athens, Greece, as it was not originally an option for me, but now I see it as my second home.

Cusco is the perfect study abroad destination. As someone who has spent a significant amount of time in Europe if you prefer nature and outdoors over the city and more upbeat life style. This should be an easy decision. The views in the entire country of Peru, but specifically Cusco are incredible. I highly recommend. The ISA support team is both incredibly transparent and responsive. They included incredible excursions like Machu Pichu as well. One thing that truly surprised me was the quality of teaching. Both of my professors were incredible teachers and also very understanding. Thank you Alberto and Professor Ortega