Program Reviews

I did so many things that I had never dreamed of doing before. Had windsurfing classes on the Mediterranean, tried new foods, learned Spanish dances, met people from around the world, and got opportunities to travel to so many countries. However, throughout all of these experiences, I never once felt unsafe. I also took many Erasmus trips and my organization helped me prepare for those as well. This organization helps you plan, gives you advice, and makes you feel prepared to take on anything you want!

When deciding to study abroad I was excited and nervous to see how I would grow as an individual and adapt to a new life oceans away from my home. I grew up in a rural town and even attend college in a rural town so the opportunity to study abroad in Valencia, Spain was unlike anything I had known before. Luckily when I arrived in Spain, I was quick to adjust to my new lifestyle thanks to the kindness of my host institution and the helpfulness of my program staff. Valencia is amazing and I would not trade my experience for the world! The breathtaking beaches, beautiful city, and delicious food are just three of the reasons why Valencia should be at the top of your list!

Studying abroad in the Basque Country of Spain was an enriching experience that surpassed all my expectations. Immersed in vibrant culture, I explored festivals, indulged in local cuisine, and engaged in academia that offered unique insights. The region's breathtaking landscapes provided the perfect backdrop for adventure, while interactions with locals and fellow students enriched my global perspective. Overall, it was a transformative journey that I'd highly recommend to anyone seeking an unforgettable study abroad experience.

The study abroad program in Alicante with USAC is the best program a student could ask for! The first thing you will notice is how amazing and supportive the staff are at this university! Our resident directors were there for anything we needed. They were extremely supportive, helpful, and kind. The professors are also top-tier at this university. They were understanding of our levels and were able to meet us where we were, while also pushing us academically so that we would improve in our skills. I also believe that the courses offered had a good variety and something to cater to every student! Life in Alicante is also amazing! You get to live right on the Mediterranean Sea right in the heart of the city. There are so many fun things to do for students, like museums, cultural sights, amazing restaurants, going to the beach, and so much more! You are surrounded by the culture and the language in this city. Not only will your language skills improve, but you will learn so much about this beautiful country. You could not get a better study abroad program than this!

Heredia, Costa Rica was the perfect studying abroad destination for me. It had the perfect blend of Spanish and ecology courses that provided real-world interactions outside the classroom. My housing accommodation was with a host family that provided me with the perfect environment to practice my Spanish, continuously try local food, and immerse myself in the culture. While Costa Rica’s diverse environment is great for the ecology courses, it also was an amazing way to spend my free time. I learned how to take advantage of the public transportation to take me all over the country and experience hiking in mountains to swimming at the most beautiful beaches. Along the journey, I had memorable interactions with locals that grew my appreciation for local culture. Costa Rica has left me feeling more independent, resourceful, and appreciative to learn about other cultures than my own.

Studying at Massey University-Wellington was excellent! The fine arts program is wonderful, with excellent facilities and staff. I learned a lot in a program structured differently than my home university. These months at Massey helped me to become a better artist. Wellington is a beautiful city with great accessibility, close to the beach, overwhelmingly safe, and top-tier public transport. There is always something to do in Wellington, the city is full of life. The people of Wellington are nice and inviting. It was easy to make friends fast!

This experience was one of the best experiences I have had in my life and being months removed from the program, I still find myself reflecting on the memories. I went in without knowing one person and came out with very good friends from my roommates to the others on the trip. The faculty at the University it self were great and everyone involved with USAC and the process here at home and there, physically in Alicante were friendly and informative. It has inspired me to travel more in the future and learning how to live on my own, experiencing the beach, playing soccer with the locals, and going from historical sight to historical sight and shop to shop/restaurant to restaurant was one to never forget!

My semester in Montevideo was everything I could’ve hoped for and more! Most importantly, the program and staff are incredible. The teachers and program leaders are helpful, friendly and fun and make a great support system as students navigate living in a different country. More so, Montevideo has a small city feel, a laid back and friendly culture, but plenty of opportunities for fun activities, new hobbies and meeting new people. Lastly, Montevideo provides plenty of opportunities to explore surrounding areas, with Brazil, Argentina and Chile all in reach. I wouldn't change a thing if I could do it over again, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an amazing program.

I had the most incredible time studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland for a semester! If you are on the fence about applying for this program, I would 100% encourage you to go for it! I grew so much, learned a ton, and had so many amazing experiences! The town of St. Andrews is everything you want in a college town; it is very walkable, has lots going on, and is located right on the coast. I loved living there and getting to explore Scotland and its rich culture! The university itself has top-tier academics, and my classes and professors were fascinating. There are also tons of societies and events that I was able to participate in, and everyone was very welcoming! I made wonderful friends and had a blast. I also had the opportunity to travel to other European countries while I was abroad, allowing my love of travel to blossom and my confidence to grow. USAC was a huge help with application and predeparture logistics, and it was nice to be in the USAC program with other aboard students, as we quickly became friends and a support system to each other. I am so grateful for my experience at St. Andrews; I just wish I could do it all over again!

Studying abroad will not only be unforgettable, but it has shaped a change in my life that I will never not be grateful for. Within my experience, I was completely immersed in the culture as I had chosen to stay with a host family. Aside from my family, I attended a campus that was historic to the area of Bilbao where my program studied, so everyday I was able to experience the townspeople and even mingle with them on my own terms, creating life-long friendships. This was my first time going anywhere outside of the United States, expanding my view in the world and assuring that the fears I once had before leaving, were only there because of the vast changes that have been made in my life since. These changes were only for the better though. I have had dreams of traveling since I was young, and as a surfer it meant the world to me to get to surf outside of the USA. Since studying in Bilbao I have made that dream come true. I feel like I have conquered what I thought was impossible way before I expected to be able to, which taught me to never stop striving for my goals because you never know how things will work out for you, but you can trust that everything will. I lived in Gexto, a beach town outside of the city Bilbao. Here in the north of Spain, it was challenging because of the Basque language being so popular aside from Spanish that people speak due to the region they’re from and born in. This taught me to be open minded to learning the differences of peoples culture and not just basing them off of which continent they came from. I learned the appreciation to see everyone in a more unique light, and that there can also be similarities found in people no matter where we come from. It also taught me a lot about my home country and how the rest of the world views us. Most importantly I learned a deeper sense of gratitude for where I come from and the place I belong to. I will always cherish that Spain was once a home but now apart of my life forever.