USAC Reviews

I spent an unforgettable spring semester at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, from February 22 to June 22—truly the best 120 days of my life! Yonsei offers a diverse array of unique courses not available at my home university. I enrolled in four classes: Contemporary Korean Culture & the Korean Wave, Intensive Korean Language, Understanding K-Pop, and Pre-Modern Korean History. Each class deepened my understanding and appreciation of Korean culture.

My language course, in particular, significantly enhanced my Korean skills. Before arriving in Korea, I knew the Korean alphabet (Hangul) and could speak a few basic words. By the end of my semester, I was able to hold simple conversations and read the signs throughout the city.

Located in Sinchon, Yonsei University is a stunning campus right in the heart of Seoul. The city's extensive 233.69 square miles offers endless adventures, from exploring new districts to discovering cozy cafes perfect for studying and sampling traditional Korean dishes at various restaurants.

The hardest part was saying goodbye—not only to the beautiful country of Korea but also to the incredible friends I made during my time abroad. Although I arrived alone, I left with countless friends from all over the world.

I studied abroad at Yonsei in Seoul, South Korea! I had an amazing time getting to immerse myself in the Korean academic culture with all of my classes. I was lucky enough to get a dorm on campus, which was an amazing experience and allowed me to be close to campus and really feel what student living was like! One of my favorite classes was my Korean Art History course where I not only got to learn about the cool artistic developments throughout Korean and East Asian history but also got to deep dive into the Korean history itself. Outside of my classes, I loved getting to explore the city from the street markets to historical landmarks right there in the city center. I also enjoyed trying the local food, meeting new people, and experiencing everything that Seoul had to offer. The whole experience was unforgettable both academically and personally.

Hello there! I did a summer session abroad in Prague, Czech Republic and it was the best 5 weeks of my life. From the courses offered, to the location of my apartment, to the friendliness of the staff, everything was amazing. I loved the two classes that I took. I took Czech cinema & film and Art & Architecture. There was never a boring day in Prague. There is endless things to do and the town is enriched with so much history. If I could change one thing I would have done both summer sessions (9 weeks) instead of just the one session I did. Prague is such an underrated place and you will fall in love with it just how my friends and I did! In my film class we got to go to local Czech cinemas and theaters and watch films directed by Czech directors. Every day in my art & architecture class was a field trip. We got to visit churches, castles, museums, and important town centers each day of class.

My study abroad experience in Ireland was one filled with lots of adventures, new friends, and learning experiences. While the country may be on the smaller side, there's always something to do or somewhere to go. USAC was incredible in helping students explore Cork's countryside with their built-in day trips and an excellent on-site advisor who knew the ins and outs of the city and surrounding area. My favorite day trip we took from Cork was to Cobh, a neighboring port city with colorful houses and a beautiful Cathedral. From Ireland, I was able to explore so many other countries in Europe, and those were some of the best memories of my life so far. While it may seem scary going to a new country, I found the experiences and lessons I learned were far worth the trials I faced. You'll get to learn about a new country, and while you're at it, you might even learn some things about yourself. Have fun!

This trip was the most life-changing experience of my life. On the day of my departure, all of my flights were cancelled/delayed. I was feeling SO helpless and wanted to back down, but my support system encouraged me to go. I am so glad they did because I had the change to visit Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast; I got to meet lifelong friends; and I had the chance to be fully immersed in Italian culture. If I had chose to back-out of the trip, the learning experiences and beautiful things that I saw would have never happened for me. Everyday I am so thankful I was able to make this trip happen, and I encourage everyone to MAKE. IT. HAPPEN. You can do it!

Staff was supportive, but let us do our own things. I wish I got the chance to talk more with domestic students, but I understand it’s hard in a short term summer program. Professor was nice, but expectations were sometimes confusing but he was willing to clarify. Overall had a good time, but be prepared to do a lot of recreational things solo and build in breaks in your schedule. Highly recommend! Adjustment was a lot, but totally worth it. Try to find a friend to navigate the tube and grocery shopping for a list the first time. Also, check your junk email! I ended up missing some things because I didn’t. You will be 30min.-1hr away from most tourist destinations.

I have always been a quiet student who focuses mainly on academics. I chose to study abroad to have a time where I focused less on academics and more on having a memorable experience. I lived with a host family who were incredible and helped me explore Valencia. I played beach volleyball and went swimming in Montanejos. Valencia is beautiful, and I found a community in Spain. My professors were so supportive. But more importantly, I gained experiences that I would have never done on my own. I was out of my comfort zone, but for the first time I felt capable and free.

Studying abroad in Pau, France was an unforgettable experience! Not only did my French language skills such as comprehension, pronunciation, articulation, and writing improve immensely, but my knowledge of the culture increased exceptionally. Pau is the perfect choice for anyone wanting to increase their language skills and also have an authentic French experience. You have the opportunity to learn in a classroom setting with amazing, dedicated professors, and also immerse yourself in the culture with program-led excursions and activities on campus and downtown. Pau is wonderfully located with some of the most popular French cities close by and the Pyrenees Mountains are only a bus ride away. This was not just an academic experience either as I discovered a lot about myself and grew my independence and problem-solving skills. I was able to travel all over with new people I met to see amazing sights and places and experience more than just one new culture. I met so many wonderful people, students, and locals, who helped create the best experience! I will always remember the memories I made and the people I met. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to study abroad to take it. You will gain a whole new perspective on life and a whole new confidence in yourself academically and personally.

I had an amazing time studying and living in Valencia, I would definitely recommend the trip to anyone who's considering it! Valencia was small enough to still have a safe, calm atmosphere while still giving you the Europe experience (not to mention how much cheaper the city is than the bigger destinations like Madrid or Barcelona). There's plenty to do in Valencia, especially if you take the USAC windsurfing or cooking classes, but it's also so close to so many more destinations (I went to Dragonstone from Game of Thrones on one of my weekends and Barcelona on another). I loved my time in Valencia and with USAC!

This program was truly unique in the way it immersed me as a student in a small town in the south of France. Not only did I get to study at a French university and live with a local family I had many opportunities to travel around France and learn more about Europe in general. The classes significantly improved my French proficiency and extra curricular classes made it possible to make friends. It would not be possible to achieve the same level of immersion without being a citizen of the country and I am truly thankful for the opportunity.