USAC Reviews

Honestly, the semester that I spent in Alicante with USAC was more than I ever could have imagined. From the moment that I arrived in Alicante, to the moment I left, I felt at home. The on-site staff will go out of their way to do anything for you and they truly care about each individual student. They also provide so many opportunities for students to take advantage of and make the most out of their study abroad experience. I met several people studying in Alicante through other programs and their experience was not nearly as positive as mine and fellow students studying with USAC. The classes were taught by professors from the University of Alicante and they were GREAT! I also did an internship while I was in Alicante and the experience was incredible. The program directors continuously checked to make sure that everything was going well with classes, internships, my host family, and my experience overall. I chose to study with USAC at the last moment and I am so glad I switched and went through their program!

I have never in my life come across such amazing and helpful people. Since the moment I arrived in Spain, USAC directors have been there for me through each and every step. I managed to have the best experience of my life because of these people. I have always heard horrible stories from past students who have studied abroad through different programs but I am one of the luckiest ones who does not have a single complaint. Each and everyday has been the best days of my life in Alicante. I would do it all over again if I could. I miss Alicante and most of all the people who made it the most incredible experience of my life.

I had a fabulous time abroad meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, learning a different language, transforming myself, finding out who I was, and much much more. It was a great program. USAC does the best job at making the students feel as though they are at safe and comfortable in their foreign environment. I know my program was not the only one that received glowing reviews! It was the best experience of my life while I was abroad and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

I absolutely loved studying in Alicante with the USAC program. I was so sad to leave. I felt like I was the luckiest person to have such wonderful program directors. They always were helpful and caring and kept us active and doing things we wanted to do. I don't think my experience abroad would have been better if I studied in any other city with a different program.

The teachers in the USAC program are unbeatable, I'd been taking Spanish classes for about 7 years and I learned more in one semester than I had learned in the last 2 years of Spanish classes. So grateful for how caring and enthusiastic the teachers were.
Living with a family is the best way to learn the language- there were quite a few people that lived in apartments and went back to the States without being able to speak very much Spanish.
Take days to explore Alicante, because it is a great town with a lot to offer.
The intercambio (exchange) program is a great opportunity, if you get an intercambio that isn't what you want, change people until you find a person as committed as you are because it can really enhance your experience.
Take advantage of the after school programs like futbol games with other USACers and the weekend trips and excoursions!
It was a wonderful place to live for 5 months! A great home away from home!

This has honestly been the greatest experience of my life, thanks to USAC. Everything about the program was amazing and exceeded my expectations. The staff was absolutely phenomenal and very approachable. They were able to help me with anything I needed. Whether it was figuring out travel plans for the weekend, giving suggestions on places to stay and visit, giving us opportunities to meet with Spanish students, tutoring opportunities, field trips, and lots more. They would drop what they were doing in a heartbeat just to make sure the students needs are met. When a group of students expressed interest in visiting the city of Guadalest, USAC decided to add another fieldtrip to the program so we could visit the city. I really got to know the staff well and appreciated all they did for me. They also take housing very seriously and whether you choose an apartment or host family, they make sure students are placed in great locations and with the best families possible. I loved my host family very much and enjoyed my stay with them. I can honestly say I never felt home sick during my semester abroad due to the hard efforts of USAC to present its students with great opportunities and activities to keep them busy and get the most out of their study abroad experience. Being placed with such a great host family also made me feel at home right away.

I could not leave a better review for this program and location. I had the best year of my life and it was my most valuable experience to date. The program directors were all very professional, helpful, and just incredible people. USAC is a great program and I am blessed to have been able to study abroad with their help. The housing arrangements were spectacular and the classes were challenging, yet extremely fun and useful.

USAC is an AMAZING program that I would recommend to anyone. The staff in Alicante is truly one of a kind. They will literally drop whatever they are doing to help you with even the smallest of question. I learned a ton of Spanish while there. For my level, it was very helpful because we didn't just drill grammar. We were taught survival conversations that I used all of the time. Some of the other, more advanced, levels didn't even learn what we did, and I found myself teaching some of my friends what I was learning. Alicante is a BEAUTIFUL town situated right on the beach. The night life is great. The town is so safe. I obviously do not recommend it, but I walked home by myself several times after a night out and never once felt uncomfortable or unsafe while doing it. The one thing that I didn't like about my experience was my host mother. She never cooked for us, and the food that she heated up for us was not good (at best). I ended up pretty much living on french bread (my waist is not happy right now because of it). However, I think that I just got a bad egg. One of my friends lived in the apartment right below me, and her host family was absolutely incredible. I met some of my best friends through USAC Alicante, and I tell everyone considering to study abroad to do so through USAC.

It was an amazing experience for my first travel outside the United States. The overall experience was amazing, and the lifestyle was unique. I studied for a semester in Bilbao Spring 2013.
-Stayed in a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom (small) apartment with 2 other USAC students.
-Metro system is main form of transportation. VERY safe
-TABC, it is a teaching program to make extra money easily. 15$ an hour job. I had 5 hours a week. Some people worked more! Nice income.
-VERY helpful staff. Very friendly and easy to talk to.
-Cultural excursions are relevant and interesting. I learned about the history and understanding the differences.
-3 week spring break and cheap flights! I spent 5 days in Rome, 5 days in Athens, and 3 days in London. Flights between European cities as low as 30$ round trip.
-the professors were excellent and my Spanish improved twice as fast as if I were home.
-The beaches are great, 3 of them and one is perfect for surfing!

Studying in Ghana was one of the most challenging, enlightening, and worthwhile experiences of my life. On most days, we walked to the university building (about 20 mins) for morning classes, then ate lunch. We spent the afternoon shopping, visiting different places, or completing homework assignments. Most evenings, we went to clubs or bars to hang out as a group. There isn't a lot close to the university, so we took cabs everywhere. During the summer, Accra is humid but not extremely sunny. The greatest challenges were the new lifestyle, adjusting to the lack of food variety, and living without running water for several days (which only happened twice in 6 weeks). The challenges, however, were what made my trip worthwhile. I learned so much about myself and my capabilities as a result. I also became very close to several of the people on my trip, and had a blast getting to know individuals from universities all over the country/world. We found some favorite spots and events, such as a British pub and reggae night at the beach. Our weekend trips were worth every penny, especially the one to the Lake Volta region. Experiencing the rainforest, waterfalls, mountains, and wildlife, while in Ghana, was unforgettable. I had an amazing journey, despite the many highs and lows, and am so appreciative of the opportunity.