I've had an incredible time studying abroad in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Every day I find myself in a new adventure, meeting new people, and immersing myself in the culture here. USAC has done an incredible job at making me feel safe, supported, and comfortable. Academically, I feel scaffolded to learn new information about the community and the Reggio Emilia approach, combining the perfect mix of theoretical and practical study. Socially, this community has been an amazing place, filled with weekly events, concerts, and just a welcoming town feeling in general. This has definitely been an experience of a lifetime.
I had the most amazing time in Lyon! It seriously changed my life and perspective so much. The intensive language program pushed me and my french became so much better! The people in the program were so nice, and it was a close knit group. The support the USAC staff offers is amazing, they are there for you any time and for any question you have, no matter how small. Lyon itself is a beautiful city with a lot to do, but it is not overwhelmingly big. It's super easy to get around with public transport, walking, or biking. It's also pretty easy to travel from there!
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would push myself further out of my comfort zone, especially at the start. During the transition to living there I could have gone out more and tried to make friends with people not just in my program.
The best part about Reggio Emilia is it is not super crowded with tourists. It’s a small city full of life where you can meet Italian locals and truly immerse yourself in the culture. I loved being able walk and get gelato whenever I wanted, then explored using easy access to bus transportation to the mall and movie theater and then to the train station too. The local cuisine is also phenomenal, erbazzone is devine and each Wednesday during the summer the piazza’s are full of energy with dancing, concerts and so much more. The only downfall was no air conditioning in my apartment during a heatwave. The planned field trips were amazing from trying balsamic vinegar to even exploring a castle there is something for everyone. The support from the program directors is excellent, they were always there for all my questions and made the program feel like home.
Living in Costa Rica has been the perfect opportunity to learn Spanish and immerse myself in Latin American culture. The people here are so kind and patient I have felt very comfortable practicing and learning. It has been incredible to see firsthand what I have learned in Latin American cultures classes back at my home university, and a bonus is the amazingly diverse nature and wildlife that surround you wherever you go! I would definitely recommend this program if you are trying ot learn Spanish but also want a rich cultural experience!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers is to spend as much time as you can traveling; Costa Rica is incredibly diverse. Everywhere you travel, there is a different climate, culture, and vibe; it is truly a unique experience.
If you are looking to grow your French language skills, meeting international and French students, and live in a lovely French town outside of the Pyrenees, then Pau is the place for you! Intensive language courses in the Institut d’Études Françaises pour les Étrangers mix you into other international students where your only shared language is French. I grew so much because of this and gained a lot of confidence, both as a person and a French speaker. On top of that, you’re a quick train ride from the beach in Biarritz or exploring small mountains time like Bedous. The program directors are incredibly helpful and love to give recommendation for travel, restaurants, and cultural festivals/events happening. However, if you are looking to country hop, it is a little more complicated due to class schedules and not having a large airport nearby.
Pros
Cultural Immersion
Support system
Homestay
Cons
Classwork can be challenging if you don’t prioritize it
I participated in session 2 of USAC’s summer program last year and had the best time. I would highly recommend San Sebastián to anyone looking to go abroad. Not only is it on the beach, it has the feel of a smaller place with the resources of a big city. I personally took the positive psychology class during my time there and did not particularly enjoy my professor but I would recommend every other aspect of this program. I made life long friends, got to see a new side of Spain, and was able to travel to new places on the weekends.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Pintxos! I have had traditional spanish tapas before but in the Basque Country they serve pintxos at local restaurants and bars. I found it very fun to try all of the different offerings!
I enjoyed my study abroad program! I felt my time there allowed me to integrate into the culture to the point that I truly saw the local culture rather than what people see as a tourist. It showed me that I can adapt quickly to assimilate the customs of the community while also still retaining my independence and sense of self.
Coming back to the U.S., I came back with a better understanding of my personal identity and how different practices around the world are similar and different to where I live. This program helped me see ways I can incorporate different cultural perspectives in my career advancement and knowledge. I highly recommend this program to people that want to challenge themselves!
The dorm rooms were perfect, clean and spacious. It was a nice walk to campus everyday, and I learned a lot from my professor. It was also right on the beach, less than a 5 minute walk! The students and administrators of our group were great people as well. They had group meals and traveling, which helped make it feel like family. They also encouraged us to grow in every aspect. We traveled to amazing places on the weekends, which was super simple to do, truly an incredible experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
I spent 10 weeks in Chengdu and I wouldn't change it at all. I was able to improve my level of speaking proficiency a lot. The classes were the perfect amount of difficulty and I still had time to travel to Chongqing, Zhangjiajie, Beijing, and Xi'an on the weekends. My first session had 5 people and we didn't hang out much, but my second session did everything together and it was great. We all travelled to Chongqing and Xi'an together. My recommendation would be to take advantage of your time and be as outgoing as you can because your program will go quickly.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate multiple things on sushi, including pig brain and the uterus of a pregnant sea urchin.
I absolutely loved my time abroad. I would do it over and over again if I could. Our program leaders were amazing and always had a local excursion for us to do. The city was amazing, the classes were good, the professors were great, and again(!) the program leaders were so so amazing. The longer weekend trips were definitely worth it and the spring break was the perfect amount of time. The only downside is that we don't have a ton of immersion or interactions with other students. The school isn't physically part of another university so we don't have the opportunity to interact with non-USAC students automatically. There are opportunities to connect with the community and other students if you seek them out yourself, but it's not built into the program. Otherwise, I have zero complaints! I love the housing (it's in great parts of the city and super accessible and good), everyone is very helpful and welcoming, and it's a great experience.
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would spend more time in the city! Prague is such a central, affordable place to travel from, so I spent my weekends traveling elsewhere with my friends. I loved the trips we took and made great memories, but Prague just so cool. There's so much to do in Prague and the Czech Republic, I wish I would have stayed more weekends to experience it!
