Program Reviews

Going to Nagasaki through USAC was seriously the best thing I could have done in college. The experience was life changing: I met some of my now best friends there, and made relationships that will last a lifetime. The experience has now driven many of my career and life goals, like learning Japanese in my free time and a desire to teach English. The classes are fantastic, your support system is impeccable, and everyone's desire to help you learn is at the forefront of everything. I recommend this experience from the bottom of my heart.

I’m so happy I got this opportunity from USAC! It was honestly one of my best first out of country experience and study abroad overall. I was able to learn about many different things, like chinese medicine and schooling for younger kids in China. I loved the freedom I had to go and travel by myself or with my other program friends and because of that I was able to go to 4 different beautiful cities in China! My most favorite thing I did there was going to all the big malls they had. Also, trying new foods everyday! I miss China so much, I’m planning to back next year with family!

I studied abroad this past summer through USAC in Heredia, Costa Rica. I can absolutely say that it is the best program possible for anyone seeking adventure in their study abroad experience with great academics, immersion into another culture, and excellent support from staff. I was nervous at first to study abroad, but I learned so much through this program about myself and the world around me. This program was specifically great for students learning Spanish or studying biodiversity! There were many opportunities in these particular areas, in addition to more.

My experience was really fun and one of the best summers I had. It was really the definition of a fun summer, surfing and having lots of ice cream. The Spanish classes were also very good and I had the best teacher you could ask for :)

I also had a lot of time to travel, I traveled to Paris and Barcelona. I made a lot of friends too and traveled with them. It was nice sharing housing even though I'm not too fond of it, but it was easier to make friends that way and I came closer to the ones I lived with.

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Verona, Italy for ten unforgettable weeks. Studying abroad was something I had always dreamed of, but I never truly believed I could accomplish it—until I did. My time in Italy was nothing short of magical. Despite the inevitable ups and downs, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Living and learning in Europe opened my eyes to so many cultures, traditions, and cuisines. One of the most rewarding parts of my experience was practicing my Italian with locals and being met with such warmth and hospitality in return. Verona itself was the perfect setting—a city that offers the best of both worlds. It’s rich with authentic Italian culture while constantly surprising you with something new and unique every day.

One of the most special parts of my journey was the connections I built along the way. Studying abroad allowed me to meet incredible new friends from around the world, people who shared in my adventures and made every moment more meaningful. Even more unexpectedly, it gave me the chance to reconnect with family. While in Europe, I reunited with my cousin Dina after not seeing each other for ten years. I never imagined our paths would cross in Italy, but that reunion made my experience all the more memorable and deeply special.

Throughout my time abroad, I held onto a quote that became my personal mantra:

“Be scared and do it anyway.”

Stepping so far outside my comfort zone wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. Change is the only constant in life and this experience taught me how healthy and empowering it can be. I faced challenges and unexpected obstacles, but in the end I emerged stronger, more confident, and more resilient.

Studying abroad challenged me in the best possible way. It showed me that if I could navigate a new country, adapt to a different culture, learn another language, and thrive in unfamiliar environments, then I can take on anything.

Verona taught me more than lessons about the world. It taught me to lead with strength, to navigate the unknown with confidence, and to embrace the beauty of discovering new places. In the end, the best souvenirs are your lived experiences that you carry and share with the people you love.

So if you ever have the chance: go study abroad and travel! Life is far too short not to see the world.

This program challenged me academically, socially, and personally. I grew so much as a person learning that I can adapt in an unfamiliar/foreign environment. The classes were difficult but doable. Yes, you have to put in the work, but the instructors really enjoy watching students learn and grow. The location of the Bilbao program was perfect. Anything you might need is walkable. The support staff is great and ready to help all students, no matter what or no matter the time of day. Everyone in my group really enjoyed themselves!

Overall, I loved my time in Costa Rica. If I had the chance to do it over again, I would have probably picked a direct exchange program where I was more fully immersed in the culture/language, but there were many qualities of the USAC Heredia program that make it valuable especially for those who haven't traveled much or don't speak Spanish.

Pros:
- The home stay!!! I loved my familia tica. The food was great, the house was always perfectly clean, and I got to go on trips with my host family. It was sad to leave and I'm still in touch with them!
- Opportunities to meet other local university students at UNA
- Gustavo, the Spanish track IV professor, was INCREDIBLE
- the bus system in Costa Rica is awesome and I got to travel almost every weekend

Cons:
- surrounded by other English speakers
- classes are not very rigorous or challenging
- not great for students who already speak Spanish conversationally
- sometimes the program directors are a little disorganized

Best decision I made freshman year of college! Could not have had a better or smoother experience. Directors were fantastic and so was my host mom. Met amazing people, enjoyed Montevideo which is such an underrated city overall. Cannot recommend enough.

Took a roadtrip around the country, did pole fitness to meet friends, enjoyed the ferias, took buses, enjoyed nightlife, walked to the beach, made friends, grilled in my host moms backyard, added a trip to buenos aires, visited punto del este, and just had the best time.

Studying abroad in Lyon with USAC during the spring semester was truly transformative. The city’s rich culture, welcoming people, and amazing well-known food culture made every day exciting and meaningful. I attended classes at UCLY, where I took intensive language classes that successfully helped me with my goal of improving my French. Through this experience, I gained independence, confidence, and a global perspective that shaped how I see the world. I met incredible friends from all over, picked up new recipes, and grew personally and academically. I highly recommend the USAC Lyon program to anyone seeking growth and adventure!

Studying abroad in Brighton with USAC was one of the best experiences of my life and one of the best decisions I have ever made. I met some of the most amazing people in my program that I am still friends with and the USAC and university staff made our experience so wonderful! I talk about studying abroad almost everyday because it was such a positive experience. I am so excited to be back in the UK for grad school and so excited to go to Brighton again!!! I would recommend Brighton and USAC and studying abroad to anyone who asked!