Program Reviews

Studying abroad can sound very intimidating and a little bit scary, but if you're even considering it, DO IT!! I definitely had my doubts before choosing to study abroad; how would I afford it, where would I go, would I make friends, how would I navigate a whole new country alone?! But, I chose to do it and it was even better than I imagined! I lived in Reggio Emilia which is a smaller city in Italy and I think that was a great choice for me. It was a spot where not as many tourists went so it felt a little bit like home, as I am from a smaller town. But, I was still close to the bigger cities and I traveled there on the weekends. Studying abroad has changed how my outlook on life. I take time to enjoy life more and live a slower life. I am more focused on taking care of myself and spending time with the people I love rather than letting school and work consume me. Living in Italy was a big change for me because they were much more laid back and more focused on enjoying life and being your family and friends. I physically felt my stress levels decrease when I was there, even though I was still taking classes. I found the time to do schoolwork and go to class and still have plenty of time to hangout with my friends and travel. The experience has made me more confident, open-minded, and appreciative of the little things in life. So, like I said before, if you are thinking about studying abroad, just do it!! You won't regret it!

Khon Kaen, Thailand (Spring 2024 - USAC Program)

I studied abroad in Khon Kaen, Thailand, for a semester from February to June 2024 with the USAC program. I chose Khon Kaen because of my deep interest in the Thai language, culture, and food, and I was excited to immerse myself in an entirely new environment.

Academics:
The academic structure in Khon Kaen was a bit different from what I was used to. All my classes were three hours long, and held once a week, as opposed to the typical 50-minute classes I’m accustomed to back home. While I didn’t love the longer class duration, I adjusted to it over time. The courses were taught in English, which made it easier to follow along, although it was challenging at times to fully engage with the material, especially since I was balancing a completely new environment and culture.

Cultural Experience:
Living in Thailand gave me the chance to fully immerse myself in the local culture. I was able to practice some of the Thai language I had learned and enjoyed participating in local traditions and activities. One of the highlights was my USAC program pairing me with a Thai buddy, who helped guide me through the country and introduced me to local spots. I’m deeply grateful for this connection because, as a foreign student, making local friends can be challenging, and I sometimes struggle to connect with others.

Accommodation:
I stayed in a dorm shared with both Thai and international students. While it was convenient, I didn’t have as much interaction with others as I would have liked. I spent a lot of time in my dorm alone, but my Thai buddy helped alleviate some of the loneliness by inviting me out and showing me around.

Social Life & Travel:
Exploring Khon Kaen was an exciting experience. On weekends, I would visit the night markets, which offered an array of food, snacks, clothing, accessories, and more. I also frequented local gyms, malls, and restaurants. Thanks to the guidance of the friends I made along the way, navigating these places was relatively smooth. I was able to experience Thai cuisine firsthand and enjoyed tasting a wide variety of dishes.

Although I did make a few friends from my classes and other international students, it was tough to find people with similar interests and vibes. That being said, I was lucky to meet some great individuals who made my time in Khon Kaen much more enjoyable.

Challenges:
Homesickness was something I struggled with at times. When I felt lonely, I found comfort in video calls with my family, which helped me stay connected with home. I also had moments when I felt out of place, especially since my dorm was often quiet and I was alone. However, my Thai buddy’s regular invitations to hang out made a significant difference, and I’m incredibly thankful for those moments of support.

Another challenge I encountered was the heat and humidity, particularly from March to June, as this is Thailand’s summer season. The weather was something to adjust to, and it definitely required a lot of hydration and energy to cope with the constant warmth. Also, for anyone with dietary restrictions, it’s important to note that pork is a staple in Thai cuisine, so it’s helpful to do some research on meal options ahead of time.

Advice for Future Students:
Learn Basic Local Phrases: Familiarizing yourself with basic Thai phrases can make daily interactions much easier and enrich your experience.
Embrace Travel: Take every opportunity to travel around Thailand and the surrounding region. It’s one of the best parts of studying abroad, and there’s so much to explore!

Be Prepared for the Heat: Thailand can be hot and humid year-round, especially during the summer months (March to June). Make sure to stay hydrated and pack accordingly.

Dietary Considerations: If you have dietary restrictions, do some research about the availability of food options and be mindful of the prevalence of pork in Thai cuisine.

Conclusion:
Overall, my study abroad experience in Khon Kaen was a memorable one. I had the opportunity to travel internationally for the first time, which was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. The excitement and positive mindset I maintained helped me navigate the challenges that came my way, and I’m grateful for the ups and downs of the journey. I met incredible friends who supported me throughout my experience, and I look back on my time in Thailand with gratitude. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to immerse themselves in Thai culture and explore Southeast Asia.
P.S. A lot of Thai food is spicy.

When I embarked on my study abroad program in San Ramon Costa Rica, little did I know that it would be one of the most meaningful and significant experiences in my life. The plane landed and I had entered my journey of studying abroad! I spent four months immersed in Costa Rica's rich culture and breathtaking natural wonders. Learning Spanish was a goal that I was eager to work towards while abroad. My language skills improved tremendously and I learned to speak more of the language each day. I built irreplaceable connections with my host family, and professors, and met some of my best friends. I felt at ease knowing I had the support of my program while abroad. When faced with unfamiliar situations, I embraced new experiences and found ways to adapt. I think about my time in Costa Rica every day and I feel so grateful to have experienced a completely different way of life. I have gained a powerful new perspective, and I have more faith in myself and my abilities. I highly recommend studying abroad with USAC to anyone who might be curious about the opportunity. - Sienna Gordon

Studying abroad in Torino Italy was truly the best experience ever! The program staff and professors were all very kind, supportive, and welcoming, helping to make the experience so amazing. The city of Torino was such a great place to live. The locals, the food, public transport, rich culture, scenery, and safety are all so wonderful! I loved my classes and the program trips, as well as the freedom to travel in free time. I made such good friends with my roommates and fellow study abroad students and I cherish the memories I made during my summer in Torino. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could!!!

Studying Spanish abroad in Alicante was an incredible experience. My host family was incredibly welcoming and the program staff were very helpful. The program incorporates some trips and activities including a historic trip around Alicante and a trip to Valencia. As for the classes, I felt like they actually helped me learn a lot of Spanish, even though I was only there for a month. You take the tram to class every day, which is easy once you do it the first couple of times. I was in 2 classes because I was trying to fulfill requirements for my Spanish minor at my home college, and my classes went from 9:30am-1:45pm. A lot of people were only in 1 class, though (that would be more conducive for exploring). I do want to note that some people in the area speak Valencian, and there are also some street signs, etc. in Valencian. I didn't do my research on that, so I was confused. However, if you know some Spanish, you can usually understand.

As for Alicante itself, I enjoyed the beaches (specifically La Playa de San Juan), Castillo e Santa Barbara, Mercado Central (tons of fresh food), the shopping center (Zara, Mango, Bershka), Passeig Esplanada d'Espanya (lots of shopping from local vendors), and El Barrio Santa Cruz (aka Casco-Antiguo Santa-Cruz). If you go in the summer, you also get the chance to attend Festival de Hogueras, which is very cool. I was there for the tail-end of it and I highly recommend trying to go during that time. I can't comment on the nightlife in Alicante, because I didn't really participate. I traveled to Calpe with some friends to go to Los Baños de la Reina. This was the most beautiful part of my trip! You can get to Calpe and other nearby towns on the tram. I found the cuisine in the area to be okay -- my host family's meals were the best thing I had while in Alicante! There's not as much to do in Alicante as there may be in other cities. I was only there for a month and it was great, but I could see myself growing tired of the area after some time.

Many people in my program, including myself, chose to travel during our study abroad program in Alicante. Flights from Alicante to several places in Europe are quite cheap. I traveled to Italy and Mallorca, España and my plane tickets for both were less than $100. Others in my group went to Ibiza, Paris, and London. A lot of people travel to Morocco because it's such a short trip from Alicante. There's also a train in central Alicante that goes at least as far as Valencia. But just a heads up, you only really have time to do a weekend trip due to classes (this is true for the 1 month summer program at least).

I felt quite safe as a woman when I was in Alicante. I often walked around solo, even at night. I was catcalled on one occasion, but I truly never felt threatened in the city -- and that's coming from a very cautious person. I felt much more unsafe during my weekend trip to Italy.

My favorite part of the entire experience was my host family. Several people in my program chose to live in apartments instead of with a family. Although it has it's pros (e.g., you're roommates with other students in the program), living with a host family taught me about the culture, improved my Spanish, and made me feel at home. My host mom packed me snacks for school every day and took me to family events. One con to it was that I felt a little bit isolated from the majority of students living in apartments. Also, my host family's home was not right in the center of the city, as other accommodations were. That meant I had to walk a little further, but it was only a 10-15 minute walk from the center. However, I would make the same decision if I did it all over again.

I highly recommend USAC's Alicante program!! I have been dying to go back ever since I left!

I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to improve their German skills, stay in a small quaint town, and have the ability to travel across Germany. The program provides frequent travel and socializing opportunities, and the town is a great place to practice your German! I really enjoyed getting to know my classmates and travel with them to different cities on the weekends. Interacting with local students was also an interesting opportunity. The town is small, but beautiful and provides a great place to explore and shop.

My study abroad was an experience I have thought about every single day since I left. I was in the Gold Coast of Australia and it was amazing. Everything about it fit my lifestyle so well; outdoors, activity, beach, fitness, city, and much more! I was able to travel more than I could have ever imagined and experience cultures and lifestyles that have opened my eyes to really appreciate the little things. I was able to grow as an independent individual while also making life long friends. If you are scared to go alone, just do it! I went alone and can easily say it was the best decision I could’ve made for myself!!

Studying in Galway with USAC was incredible. I met amazing people and professors, and made the best memories of my life. I learned a lot, especially through the field trips which were seriously incredible. There was also tons of free time for solo or group adventures. I went with new friends to an old castle, to Northern Ireland one day, and explored downtown Galway almost daily. I felt safer there than I do in my college town. Not only because of the atmosphere of the city but also because I had resources from USAC and professors I could contact if I needed. The USAC staff is extremely helpful and I would recommend the experience to anybody.

Leaving for my study abroad experience was my first time leaving the United States in general. Understandably I was excited, but also a bit scared. When I first arrived I was tired, homesick, and just overall nervous. However, once I met up with our program directors these feelings were instantly relieved. Instead I was now beside myself with excitement for what each day had to offer. This program supported me and helped me feel safe in my new home, while also allowing me to go out and explore not just Italy, but the world. As someone who is more reserved I was worried I wouldn't live life to the fullest while studying abroad, but it was thanks to the support of the staff and friends I made along the way that I was able to branch out and learn more about who I am. The professors I had were exceptional. The amount I learned in that one semester surpassed any other semester before it. The first hand knowledge of my professors and the first hand experiences they granted me gave me a new passion for my degree. Along with the academics, I found confidence to not only travel to new countries, but to do it on my own, which led me to visit 4 other countries, some with friends and some without. Additionally, because of Viterbo's proximity to Rome, Rome became like a second home to me. The day trips we took to explore less traveled streets gave me a more in depth experience of urban livng in Italy. Study abroad is something I miss every day, and I am already planning a return trip to visit the places I came to love.

Spending a year abroad in Italy was one of the best experiences of my life. Experiencing a different culture, exploring a beautiful country, and making lifelong friends are just a few of the reasons why I fell in love with studying abroad. I highly recommend studying abroad for a year to anyone who is even slightly interested, provided you have the funds and means to do so. As a Child Development major, I was extremely grateful to witness firsthand how children learn using the Reggio Emilia Approach to Learning. The program also required us to take an Italian language class, which allowed us to immerse ourselves even more deeply into the culture. With the freedom to travel on weekends, I was able to visit 25 different cities, 8 different countries, and cross 5 items off my personal bucket list. I wouldn’t change anything about my experience living in Reggio Emilia, Italy, for a year-long program. If I had one piece of advice for anyone planning to study abroad, it would be this: Make every adventure, memory, and experience count.