USAC
Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best 4 months of my life!

Studying abroad in San Sebastian, Spain gave me the most incredible memories, lifelong friends, and has changed me for the better.

The small cohort of students in the program makes for a very tight-knit group who get to experience all this city has to offer together, and the housing accommodations were gorgeous and perfectly located. The city is bursting with culture, and the food is to die for. Public transport made it super easy to get around, but the city is equally walkable. The beaches are absolutely stunning, and it was so easy to travel to other places from there.

This program is definitely best suited for lower-key individuals who enjoy more relaxing outings at night and are excited to interact with the culture. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to study abroad!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would say yes more! You only get to study abroad once and it is so important to take full advantage of all the opportunities
Esther
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wouldn't change a thing!!!

This program was life-changing for me! The USAC staff was very helpful during the preparation/application process so I could complete my application and course registration without stress.
Korea University was the right choice for me. The campus is beautiful, spacious, and clean. There is a vibrant student culture, many fun traditions, and tons of school spirit!
There were also many opportunities to make friends and connections. At KU, you are automatically enrolled in an international student club where you can meet people from all different countries and backgrounds (including Korean students). You are assigned a group in which your Korean student leaders will teach you KU traditions and Korean culture. You will have many opportunities to experience life as a Korean student.
For those who wish to improve their Korean ability, there is a Language Exchange program where you can be paired with a Korean student to meet with throughout the semester for language and cultural exchange. I had an incredible experience with this and made lots of progress with my Korean proficiency.
I mainly took Korean language courses. The professors were all very kind, engaging, and helpful. Classes were challenging, but not overwhelming. I was able to balance school and personal life and manage my coursework while still having time to travel and meet with friends.
There are also many cute cafes and delicious restaurants around campus. It's a lot of fun to discover new study spots and places to hang out with friends. It didn't take long before I felt right at home at Korea University, and I will always think of it as a second home.
I have grown so much and made many lasting friendships through this program, and I wouldn't change a thing.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take advantage of the Korea University Buddy Assistants (KUBA). You will automatically be enrolled in this program. It is an amazing way to make friends and to experience Korean culture. There are so many events and opportunities that you can participate in, and it's by far the easiest way to make connections and start to feel at home in during your time in Korea.
Pros
  • Rich Culture
  • Beautiful Campus
  • Delicious Food
What other participants should know
  • Cultural Differences
  • Lots of Walking
  • Strict Class Attendance
Max
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time in Spain!

Studying abroad in Spain for a year allowed me to grow as a person so much. Being in a new country experiencing new cultures such as soccer clubs, different cuisines, taking cooking classes are all different experiences I’ll never forget. USAC also offered many fun excursions that allowed you to build new relationships with your program. One of my favorite parts about studying abroad was how easy and convenient it was to travel all around Europe. If your debating studying abroad, I heavily recommend studying through USAC as they have an amazing group of teachers and staff and are very helpful and supportive.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Stay in hostels as much as possible as it’s a great way to meet new friends and people at a very affordable rate.
Pros
  • Experience new cultures
  • Travel is very convenient
  • Try new food
What other participants should know
  • Miss family and friends
  • Could get homesick
  • Language barriers
Trenton
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

perfect study abroad experience

Madrid was my first semester of two studying abroad and it was a great introduction to Spanish life. Everyone from Madrid is not from Madrid there is a great mix of different lifestyles and people. You can find English speakers there, but if learning Spanish it is worth connecting with people from the university. Like participating in the Buddy Program. I spend most of my time with my buddies and learned so much Spanish. The city has it all and so much more. It is also very easy to travel out from. The teachers and staff could have not been better.

What was your funniest moment?
I think when I was at a family dinner with my Spanish friends family his dad did not know I knew Spanish and he was making fun of me and then I turned it back on him. His dad spit his food out of his mouth at a nice dinner and told me I need to marry his daughter. It is a funny moment hard to explain in this context.
Pros
  • just walk
  • do into malasana and meet people
  • best days are Sundays to meet people and play pick up games in any park
What other participants should know
  • big city feel
  • A lot of English
  • International city, so hard to learn Spanish if you do not apply yourself
Mya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad - No Second Guessing

My only regret about studying abroad is not doing it for longer!! Doing summer study abroad was the perfect opportunity for me. I cannot express how much fun I had while in Lyon. I have never felt so safe and so much community all at once. There are so many opportunities to be social within the city. Music festivals, rallies, art exhibitions, and more. My classes were sheer bliss because of the professors and beginner-French friendliness. I recommend the French Cuisine class!! Even with the extra class fee, it is so worth it. Set meals once every week and a community! Another thing I love was the weather & greenery. Made it very comfortable to go to the park or on a run. If you are thinking about studying abroad in Lyon, do it!! The advisors completely have your back and are very detail-oriented.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The hot dogs here in France are much much much different than at home haha! The are more sweet than savory which was a surprise.
Pros
  • Exposure to new culture
  • History
  • Foodie
What other participants should know
  • Transportation convenience
Owen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Would recommend!

Studying abroad at Yonsei University was an overall very positive experience! The living situation with SK Global was great, Seoul is a very safe and easily navigable city, and it was overall very foreigner friendly. There were some drawbacks in terms of class offerings (though the classes were taught in English, many still made the learning experience very difficult for foreigners), working with HireVise and NHIS (having you pay unexpected medium amounts of money throughout the semester), etc. But generally, it was a great experience and I would recommend it.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Eating live octopus (sanalkjji) was scary, but I tried to have an open mind about all the new food and experiences.
Morgan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greatest adventure of my life

I have so many fond memories from this program. From the small interactions with locals to going on multiple day-long trips, there is was so much to love. I gained a much greater understanding about just how different cultures can be and how to adjust to unknown situations. My favorite thing I would do often was just going on day trips on my own or with friends to the countryside or just anywhere that is less touristy. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else, and I couldn't recommend it more.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would definitely practice my Japanese speaking before going on the trip. You realize you might not know as much as you thought you did after having your first interaction with a convenience store worker.
Pros
  • Transportation
  • Nature
  • Kindness of the people
What other participants should know
  • Super hot and humid Summer/fall
Hao
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad Allowed Me To Live My Youth To The Fullest

Studying abroad in Korea has truly changed my life for the better, and it has opened so many new doors for what and where I want to achieve things in life. Sometimes, I feel like it was all a whimsical fever dream because studying abroad in Korea was like a twinkling fairytale where I got to enjoy my youth to the fullest. Unlike a typical abroad trip to Korea, where you're in full-on tourist mode, studying abroad gives you a whole new perspective because you meet people from all over the world who share similar interests and liven up your life with their different personalities. Together with these like-minded people, this program allows you to explore the wonders of Korea and make memories that are etched in your mind forever. Everyone I met, whether it was local or exchange students like me, gave me courage and happiness to live my best life here in Korea.

Studying abroad in Korea gives you a chance to make memories you'll never want to forget and make you want to continue this magical journey. From the cozy neighboring cities you get to explore to the mouth-watering foods you get to eat, every day studying abroad is an adventure you can't get enough of! South Korea is such a boisterous and wonderful place to visit, filled with convenience, an enchanting culture, and, seriously, the most delicious food ever. During my time abroad, I got to go cafe hopping with friends, fly to Japan, and go to the k-pop concert of my dreams! As a k-pop fan, it was truly a dream come true where I can go to exclusive pop-up events and music shows for comebacks! So, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone and anyone who is even considering studying abroad in South Korea to do it because I guarantee it is the single choice you'll never regret.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Going to the local immigration office to get my required ARC card was daunting at first because, surprisingly, they don't speak much English there despite being an immigration center to help foreigners. But, as long as you have all your required documents and filled them our correctly, do not worry because the process is actually quite easy! Even without English, just the word ARC is enough to have people help you by pointing out where you should go. And once your number is called, just go to the booth and hand over the documents and the workers will help you with the rest. So don't fret too much about the ARC application! If you want to make it easier for yourself, of course, you can apply for the group application that Yonsei provides! But sometimes, the group application can take a while, and it's a gamble where you might not receive your card until 3 months in. And you will need your ARC if you want to travel to neighboring countries like Japan or Hong Kong. So, getting the ARC by yourself is doable and way faster so don't be afraid about this option too! That's what I did and I got my ARC way faster than some of my friends who opted for the group
Pros
  • You get to eat the most amazing, delicious, and mouth-watering foods without having to make a dent in your wallet.
  • Don't know Korean? It's okay because most likely, many people there actually know the most basic English! And if all else fails, there's papago and google translate to the rescue!
  • You get to meet lovely people from all over the world and share beautiful memories together!
What other participants should know
  • Depending on the season you go, there will come a period where it will either be super hot or super cold so just be prepared for that!
  • If you go in the fall semester, be prepared to battle some mosquitoes in the dorms because they get you when you sleep! (Buying some mosquito incenses at daiso should work well!)
Annika
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Most Unforgettable Experience of My Life

Studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea with Yonsei University has been one of the most transformative experiences. In the heart of the city, I was immersed in unparalleled cultural experience with weekends in the iconic Myeongdong district shopping with friends, in Seongsu at the newest pop-up store, at the beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace trying on traditional hanbok, in Gangnam at the greatly televised Lotte World amusement park. Not to mention, I greatly splurged on trying the local cuisine, from beautiful dishes and spreads to rows and rows of vibrant street food to the most adorable themed cafes and animal cafes. South Korea has anything and everything you could ever imagine. And if the city becomes too overwhelming, Korea’s excellent and easy to use public transportation can take you to the gorgeous Bukhansan mountains to overlook the cityscape or to the beaches of Busan. This region provides an endless amount and range of adventures to experience with the locals and fellow exchange students you meet through the endless foreigner friendly Yonsei clubs, insightful classes, and Yonsei events. There is never a dull moment when studying abroad, and I would highly recommend it to anyone hoping for an unforgettable and enriching academic and personal growth experience.

shiloh
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Experience!

Getting to live in a city with a variety of different cultures was an incredibly enriching experience. I will remember this study abroad experience for the rest of my life and I will be forever grateful for getting to experience it. I'm an individual who loves history and London was the perfect spot for this as there were a multitude of museums and sites to pick from. Housing was located right by the tube station which was extremely convenient in navigating the city. USAC staff made it very clear the kind of support they offered and I never felt like I was hopeless in a situation or any future situations. I highly recommend studying abroad with USAC and especially to London!