Program Reviews

Studying abroad in Florence was the best host city I could have ever picked. I loved every moment living in such a lively and beautiful place. It was incredible to take classes in the heart of the city and learn about the culture by exploring and interacting with Italian people. SAI Programs was a wonderful program to study with. They were beyond helpful and kind in the class selection process and answering any questions I had while in Florence. They provided cooking classes, bookmaking workshops, day trips, weekend trips, soccer games, and more. They always had something fun to do and genuinely enjoyed working with the students. They were the perfect program for me and I could not have asked for a better study abroad experience.

My favorite thing to do in Florence was definitely visiting the markets. The San Lorenzo Market is very well known for the outdoor leather market as well as the indoor butchers, fishmongers, and fruit and vegetable vendors where you barter to get the best price on their goods. Upstairs, there is an amazing food court which has anything from pizza, to local Florentine foods like tripe and lampredotto, to fresh pasta. My apartment was very close to the Sant'Ambrogio Market and I would visit there frequently as well. This market was much smaller and many more locals visit this market over the more touristy San Lorenzo. This meant less of the vendors spoke English. I have found here that they’re much more apt to give you a better price if you make any effort to speak Italian. After bartering at either of these markets, the price of your groceries ends up to be much less expensive, as well as much more fresh than what you would pickup from your local Conad or Coop!

SAI made going abroad really wonderful. So much was included in the program cost such as health insurance, housing, tuition, and airport transportation. This alleviated a lot of stress and additional costs. My favorite thing about SAI programs, which sets them aside from other programs, was all of the included activities such as a weekend trip, cooking classes, futbal games, and so much more. SAI was wonderful answering any questions I had during the study abroad process and I would highly recommend!

There are not enough words to sum up my study abroad experience but I will try! It was the most life-changing, eye- opening, amazing experience of my life. To have the opportunity to live within a different culture for three and a half months was truly magnificent. I learned so much from all the people I met and the places I visited. Studying abroad has made me realize what exactly I want from life. Since returning from Florence, I have continued to travel and explore new places and upon graduating I plan to move back to Europe!

I had a really great semester studying abroad with SAI in Barcelona. I felt as though I could always contact all of SAI’s staff with any questions I had, and all of the excursions and events that were planned were well done. Barcelona in itself was an amazing city to study abroad in for the semester. There was always something new to see or do. Additionally, my classes at UAB were interesting and I enjoyed them. Overall, a great experience.

Love love love SAI in Paris. The program provided me with the most unbelievable semester in terms of experiences and personal growth! 10/10 would recommend! If you are in doubt on whether or not you should go abroad, just do it, especially with SAI in Paris. I personally went to the Paris School of Business, but the students in this program can be enrolled in art, fashion, or even general arts and sciences schools which enabled us all to have experiences outside of our comfort zone. This was possibly the most exciting and enriching time of my life.

absolutely loved studying abroad through SAI at UAB. I studied business and looked forward to class everyday. I took 2 very thorough and in-depth business classes as well as 3 cultural immersion classes featuring many field trips and guest speakers. SAI did an excellent job of keeping me informed on all events going on in Barcelona every week through a newsletter, answered any questions in a timely manner before I even got to Barcelona, and has provided an incredible amount of support constantly throughout the semester. I am proud to say that SAI was the best possible program. Many big programs are more expensive, do not offer as many excursions, and you build an actual relationship with the staff instead of being "just a number" with the big programs. I highly recommend studying at UAB with SAI!!!

I had an amazing experience with SAI. The program schedules very many trips and activities paid for with your tuition, and they are all so fun. Also, the SAI program leaders are SO awesome. Everyone is extremely helpful and nice. I had many friends in other programs around Barcelona, and I was by far the luckiest. SAI set me up with an awesome group of roommates in an awesome apartment. Study abroad with SAI Barcelona and you’ll have the best 4 months of your life.

My time in Barcelona would not have been half of the adventure it was without SAI. From the support back in the States to the two program supervisors abroad, every step of the way they ensured that this was the greatest time of my life. I got my credit card stolen the first day I was here and the Program supervisor here in Barcelona made it her goal to ensure that I received my new one from America and through customs as quickly as possible. The intimacy of a smaller group makes the experience so much more fun due to how quickly you make friends with people from all across the world. Included in SAI’s program is a weekend all expense paid trip to Sevilla, the most amazing and lit city in the south of Spain. Getting to take over a hotel for the weekend with so many new friends was an experience I’ll never forget. If you travel to Barcelona you have to do it through SAI. Not kidding.

Studying abroad through SAI was a wonderful experience from pre departure procedures to returning to the U.S and everything in between. There were always activities throughout the week in Florence that were free with SAI such as cooking classes, pizza making, and walking tours. I traveled to 12 countries during the semester and made great friends from all over the country. I gained so many life skills from my experience abroad.