WorldStrides Reviews

For my 2025 spring semester I finally got to fulfill a years-long goal of studying abroad. My journey towards completing this experience was very intentional and I prioritized a lot more than just having fun.

Before entering college, I set the goal to take a semester abroad and do everything I can to make it work financially and academically. I knew I wanted to travel in the future and always thought I'd find fulfillment in doing so.

I spent my sophomore year researching study abroad programs until I landed on ISA in Seville for spring of my junior year. I could complete my Spanish minor immersed in Spanish culture and take classes that counted as credits towards my global business undergraduate certificate and my B.S in finance. Being able to stay on track academically and getting a scholarship and other aid from my home university seemed to make this a worthy opportunity for me. However, I wouldn't truly know how worthy it would be until actually doing it.

When I touched down in Seville on my 1,000+ mile solo-journey, ISA helped me get to my host family and made my traveling feel stress-free. ISA consistently offered this type of support throughout my semester, for both my academics and safety.

I was worried about meeting my host family and making friends i the program. I had not gone abroad with anyone that I knew and would be living with a random roommate in the house of a family that did not speak English. These things were well beyond my usually comfort zone, but I knew they would make for a valuable experience that would be fun to look back on. I ended up having a great roommate and a fantastic host family that I was able to practice my language skills on. Ultimately, everyone going into this experience, whether with friends or not, is probably out of their comfort zone in some way. The first week reminded me of my first week at college freshman year where everyone is willing to socialize and make new friends more than they may usually be. It was funny having that experience again a few years later with other students who have already been through that as well.

Overall, I had an amazing time in Seville, and I want to go back in the future. I bonded over soccer with classmates, and we spent a lot of time watching games at bars, going to games in Seville (Soy con Betis), and even taking trips together in Porto and Mallorca, outside of the trips that came with my ISA program. Soccer was a big reason I chose Seville as I knew it was the heart of serious passion in Spain. I get goosebumps thinking about the roar of Betis fans in the Benito Villamarín as they sang before and throughout games and beeped their motorcycles to the tune of...bad words towards their rivals. My soccer experiences peeked seeing an American score for Betis against Madrid from the front row and that same player scoring in the derby against Sevilla (as I stood in a crowd outside a bar nearby the stadium, where about 10% of people could actually see the game on the bar TV and the rest screamed for Betis blindly). I got to experience the love of soccer in Seville many times a week in different ways, meeting people from Spain and around the world as my friends and I went to different bars, games, and events.

Seville was rich with culture and events like "Semana Santa" and "Día de Andalucia" were extraordinary to experience. I meant so many local people in Seville, on solo trips to other cities, and with my friends and program. I learned so much from these people and will cherish every conversation.

I will cherish all of the conversation. All of the food, kebab especially. All of the soccer. All of the trips. All of the nights out. I have countless stories to tell and experiences I won't forget. Seville was a perfect city for its location, weather, medium-size, food, culture, and so much more. My host family was super supportive as well and I made a friendship with my host brother and sister that has lasted beyond my programs finish.

Ultimately, you can make study abroad what you want it to be. I meant other students in countless different situations and found that success abroad came down to just how willing you are. Willing to embrace a new culture, start conversations with strangers, try to communicate in a new language, and adjust to countless other things. I was willing to do these things and left Seville with so many great memories, new American and Spanish friends with them.

My classes were anchored to local events and offered activities throughout the city. I had plenty of support from the people at ISA Seville's office and rarely felt unsafe. Overall, I had a lot of fun and studying abroad and it was well worth the hype I gave it beforehand.

I would encourage anyone who wants to take courses in business or Spanish, experience soccer culture, eat good food, meet nice people, and live in a nice city to choose Seville. These are things I can speak to directly and I hope anyone reading this with overlapping interests would consider Seville for their study abroad city.

Living on the Gold Coast was an incredible experience. It’s such an amazing place with stunning beaches and warm weather. On the Gold Coast there’s a really relaxed yet active lifestyle that makes it easy to enjoy every day.

I lived off campus in Broadbeach, just a short 5-minute walk from Kurrawa Beach. I spent a lot of time at the beach going for walks, swimming, catching a tan, or watching the surfers!

I stayed at Meriton Suites in Broadbeach, and it had everything I needed. The apartment was modern and comfortable, and the building had great amenities like a pool, hot tub, gym, sauna, and even a place to grill. Broadbeach was a balanced place to live. It was quiet enough to focus and unwind, but still had restaurants, cafes, and shops nearby.

There’s so much to do in the Goldcoast.
There were nearby mountains you could hike, several beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, amusement parks, restaurants, etc. It always felt like there was something new to see or try. At the same time, the area felt really livable, not just a tourist destination.

Surfers Paradise was just a 6-minute tram ride or a 1.5 mile walk along the coast. This area was a lot more lively, with a busy social scene. I really felt like I had the best of both worlds living wise.

The weather was a major highlight. Almost every day was sunny and warm, which made it easy to spend time outdoors and really enjoy the environment. By the end of my stay, I felt healthier, more connected to nature, and just overall refreshed.

I studied at Griffith University on the Gold Coast campus, and it was honestly a great experience. The academics were good, and all my courses transferred smoothly back to my home university. The professors were super helpful and approachable, which made a big difference. The campus itself had a lot to offer, however there wasn't a huge social scene on campus like there is at my home university. I only had to go to campus three days a week, so I had a nice balance of study and free time to explore the area.

If you’re thinking about studying abroad, I’d really recommend the Gold Coast. It offers a great mix of natural beauty, things to do, and a comfortable lifestyle that’s easy to settle into. This experience felt like a 4 month vacation while also getting an education!!

This past summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy through a three-week program with ISA and WorldStrides. I took a course called Wine Windows and Wine Business Walks, which explored the history, culture, and marketing of wine in Florence. We walked through the city learning about Florence’s unique wine windows, visited local wine shops, and studied how storytelling, tradition, and modern business strategies intersect in the Italian wine industry. It was such a creative and immersive way to learn — definitely not your typical classroom experience.

One of the highlights of the program was the incredible day trips organized by ISA and WorldStrides. We got to visit Pisa and take the iconic photo with the Leaning Tower, explore the charming hilltop town of San Gimignano, and experience the beauty and history of Siena. These trips gave us a deeper look into Tuscany’s culture and made it easy to bond with other students in the program.

Florence itself was magical — from the daily gelato runs and sunset views at Piazzale Michelangelo to the art, food, and history around every corner. It truly felt like I was living inside a postcard.

This program helped me grow both academically and personally. I left Italy with a broader perspective, new friends, and unforgettable memories. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, I can’t recommend this program enough.

This was a wonderful program in a not-so-traveled part of Australia. When Americans think of Australia they usually imagine up Sydney or Melbourne. But Perth is quite the city gem. It's a very culturally rich city with fun activities, festivals, and museums. The area has plenty of nature, with Yanchep National Park nearby as well. There are plenty of fun places to go, and it is a large city to explore. The University is world renoun and the campus is beautiful. Everyone I met was so kind, and we were offered many opportunities to go out and explore the city and the surrounding area.

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.