USAC
Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I loved studying abroad with USAC in Uruguay!

I absolutely loved my time studying abroad with USAC in Uruguay. I really enjoyed the variety of courses offered, I took a Spanish language course, which was super helpful as I learned the local dialect. I was shocked by how incredible the onsite staff was. I felt so supported by the program directors- they were clearly invested in ensuring we all had the best experience while also giving us the space to explore on our own. I also loved staying with a host family! I felt so connected with the community while I was there.

Pros
  • Safe
  • Culturally immersive
What other participants should know
  • Smaller city
Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing experience

USAC Reading was the best thing I've ever done. I made lifelong friends and saw places all over Europe while learning all about culture and English literature (my area of study). Everybody should do this once in their life, at least. Your comfort zone will grow three times over and you'll put down roots in a place you never thought you would. I always had support from the other England-based USAC programs and the USAC Resident Director based in London, and I was able to network not only with other Americans but with people from all over Europe and even Canada and Australia.

Pros
  • Welcoming, opportunistic Reading campus
  • Easy access to London
  • Affordable
What other participants should know
  • Smoking very common around campus
  • Not housed with other USAC students
Lauryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

never wanted to leave

I had a truly life changing experience on my study abroad trip. From the time I arrived in San Sebastian I felt immediately at home. I wouldn't really say I ever experienced culture shock because everything just felt right. I had arguably one of the best Spanish professors alive and I learned so much in such a short time (S/O Paco). The city and all there was to do there was impeccable and I can't wait to go back. If i could live in SS for the rest of my life I would. (: If you are a college student, do it!

Clarissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An invaluable experience

Studying in Lyon with USAC was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. I made a lot of new friends to practice French and go on adventures with, and I also was very immersed in the culture. There were also plenty of field trips to expose me to different aspects of French culture, and there was always support if needed. Staying in Lyon was incredible, as it is the culinary capital of France, so there was plenty of delicious food to try. Additionally, the classes I took focused on the culture of Lyon, so I was able to learn about the city that I was staying in and all the important landmarks that I passed by. Overall, I am very happy to have studied abroad with USAC.

Karryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience!

Verona was the perfect place for me to study abroad because I was exposed to the beautiful architecture of Italy while still being central to the rest of Europe. Verona is also a smaller city and provided amazing opportunities to meet locals and create a community. Whenever I would go out and about, I would run into someone I knew: yet, the city was big enough to have everything that I needed and more while having good options for transportation in and out of the city. lThe staff and our directors were friendly. Could not be more grateful for my experience.

Pros
  • Smaller City
  • Fun, engaging classes
  • Central Location
What other participants should know
  • Housing did not allow guests
  • Extra cost for really fun classes
  • first month of classes were before Italian Students started
Emilee
4/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Spain is amazing

Bilbao was cool! I wish I knew before hand how hard it would be to travel to other countries/destinations from Bilbao as there were no trains and flights were pricy but I still went somewhere every weekend! It was a great time. The spanish courses were much more intense though than the USAC language courses in Italy when I went in 2019 and other USAC Spain programs as we had friends studying in Valencia and they hardly had to study so that was rough as a ton of time was dedicated to that class. But I do miss Spain so much now.

Pros
  • Good food
  • wonderful staff
  • easy to get around the city
What other participants should know
  • didn't feel like I was very culturally emmersed as when I visited other paces
  • no trains, expensive flights
  • sourses were way too intense for study abroad
Tiana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Montevideo is a Hidden Gem

I absolutely loved my time in Uruguay. I feel like it was the perfect program for me. I got to practice my Spanish and learn about the local agriculture. My program advisors were super supportive, and I felt like I could go to them for just about anything. My host mom was incredible and made me feel like I was at home in another country. I loved learning about a different culture and adapting to a different way of living. I learned so much about the world and myself. I highly recommend traveling to Uruguay.

Pros
  • The beach
  • There's always something to do
  • Cheap/easy public transportation
What other participants should know
  • The food is bland
  • Cities are loud
  • Cars don't stop for pedestrians
Angelica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Do yourself a favor, study in Yeosu.

Yeosu campus is less known to most people but it’s such a hidden gem. I believe that the true beauty of a country lies with the smaller cities where there is such rich history and culture, Yeosu is one of these cities. The advisors here plan so many activities and field trips, they try so hard for the exchange students and truly want them to have fun there. The teachers are so kind and patient, they taught us so much Korean and by the end of the program I felt confident to explore all on my own. The Korean friends that I made there are so genuine and they loved showing us the best places in Korea. If you want to make nice friends and feel like you learned the most about this beautiful country this is such a great option. Do yourself a favor, study in Yeosu!!

Pros
  • Learning Korean in the intensive language program
  • So many planned excursions and activities
  • The people are so kind here compared to any city I traveled to.
What other participants should know
  • Dorms are a bit smaller and a little outdated
  • Farther south so you have to take buses to get to other cities
  • Less people know English here (easily fixed by the language program though)
Emily
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing City, wonderful host family

I had an absolutely fantastic time studying abroad in San Sebastián and if anyone is considering studying Spain, I would definitely recommend looking into San Sebastián. The city is beautiful and the beaches are wonderful; if anyone likes surfing they are great beaches to surf. The USAC program is very well developed and there are many different opportunities throughout the city to connect with locals and learn the language. I had a wonderful host family who were incredibly supportive and whom I learned so much Spanish from.

Pros
  • Beaches
  • Proximity to France
  • Class size
What other participants should know
  • Traveling to other cities
  • Public transportation
  • Small city
Kalina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I had an amazing experience

I loved studying abroad in Maastricht. The town is picturesque, the classes were engaging, and the travel opportunities were countless. The PBL education system fit the classes I was taking perfectly, and I loved discussing literature and economics with my peers (who were mostly international students). I also traveled to 8 countries, both through my own planning and also through the CES official trips that are part of the programs. I saw the Eiffel tower in Paris, ate paella in Barcelona, and "saw" Nessie in Scotland. Despite traveling around Europe, I loved the small-town feel of Maastricht, and it definitely felt like home by the end of my trip.

Pros
  • Student town
  • Travel opportunities
What other participants should know
  • Not much class time, lots of independent study
  • Stores/restaurants are often closed