Program Reviews

I had such a great time in Scotland. I was able to meet so many different types of people. I got to learn more about them and what they want to do. But I also had my fair share of solo adventures. It was great exploring the beautiful landscape. I explored the Wallace Monument and the hill it’s in as well as the city and the other places we visited. There was plenty of program opportunities and there is plenty of time to plan separate trip either by yourself or with a group. Scotland has a rich history, everywhere we visited, there was a chance to learn more about the country. The faculty were helpful and great! I loved meeting them and I am trying to keep in contact with them. They were all so informative. One thing to keep in mind though is that for my program, there was no dining hall which can either be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective. There were plenty of trips to go shopping, and they have a convenience store on campus. Housing was great and provides a shared kitchen. If you aren’t great with cooking, there’s are soooo many options for premade sandwiches and other foods. To this day, I miss those sandwiches. Overall, it was a great experience, and it really made me want to visit other parts of Europe. One thing to keep in mind is to sleep!!! I overslept my second day there because I overestimated myself the first day when I arrived and spent too much time exploring. Since I went in the summer, it was almost always bright out except the 2 hours it was dark in the early morning. It messed with my sense of time, since I tells myself that I should sleep soon once it gets dark.

Studying abroad in Verona, Italy, was a life-changing experience. From the moment I arrived, Verona became my new home, filled with unforgettable moments and opportunities for growth. Although the living conditions weren't ideal (our apartment was less than impressive, with brown water and noisy neighbors), my study abroad director was incredibly supportive. She listened to our concerns and worked hard to ensure better accommodations for future students. Despite these challenges, I learned so much from the experience.

Academically, Verona and the surrounding areas offered an incredibly hands-on approach to learning. Instead of sitting in a classroom all day, we often traveled to historical sites, museums, and cultural landmarks. It felt like the world itself was our classroom, and I learned more about art, history, and culture than I ever could have from textbooks.

One of the most enriching parts of the semester was traveling across Europe. I visited 13 countries and over 30 cities—from the romantic canals of Venice to the ancient ruins of Rome, from the beaches of Sicily to the beautiful landscapes of Lake Garda. Each trip broadened my perspective and made me realize how diverse and unique each culture is. I also met incredible people from around the world who became lifelong friends. These are friendships I know will last far beyond our time abroad. I’ve already made plans to reunite with some of them in the future, which is something I never imagined when I first arrived in Italy.

The travel opportunities were endless, and every weekend was a new adventure. From bustling cities like London, Brussels, and Munich to quieter, scenic places like Mallorca and Lake Garda, I gained a deep appreciation for the beauty and variety Europe offers. I’ll never forget the time I spent hiking in Palermo or my solo trip to Lake Garda—two of the most picturesque places I’ve ever seen.

Living abroad also opened my eyes to different ways of life. I’ve become more confident, outgoing, and open-minded. It’s amazing how much I grew as a person during this semester. I’ve learned to navigate unfamiliar places, communicate in new ways, and appreciate different cultures and traditions. It has inspired me to think about my future differently and explore the possibility of living abroad after graduation.

Reflecting on my experience, I’m so glad I took the leap. Initially, I was nervous and unsure, but looking back, I realize how much this journey has shaped me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me realize that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. I came back with a renewed sense of self-confidence and a clearer sense of what I want to do after college.

If you're considering studying abroad, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go. It’s an experience that will change your life in ways you can’t even predict. Even though I’m back home now, I miss Italy every day. I’ve learned that the world is bigger than I ever thought, and there’s so much more to explore. Studying abroad isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about discovering new parts of yourself. You won’t regret it.

My time in Heredia, Costa Rica is one I will NEVER forget, and I am walking away with a whole new family thousands of miles away. The USAC staff were reliable, caring, and attentive. I never at any point felt that I didn’t have the adequate support to be safe and have an amazing. My host family went above and beyond to make me feel safe, welcome, and loved. My professors were knowledgeable and fantastic. I felt like I experienced all of the best things Costa Rica has to offer—whether that’s city life, fútbol, the ocean, or the rainforest. I was able to experience these on my own time, in course field studies, and trips hosted by USAC! I am eternally grateful for this experience and everyone that made it possible!

South Korea is one of the best cities you could travel to they have so many activities and events that my home country does not have. Yonsei University has an amazing student environment with lots of school spirit and sports games that’s nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. As a Mexican-American I was even able to feel at home because of the amount of Taco places all over Seoul. There is even a Latin American restaurant that incorporates food my mom would cook for me at home. Coming here is a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll remember forever so if you’re even thinking about coming to Seoul, just do it! USAC is here to help you with the process.

Seoul has many many things to offer, so no matter who you are, you will find something!

Here at Yonsei University- the classes are super laid back. With that being said, your final exams will weigh a lot more than what they do in the US ( most being 50%). Along with that, attendance is almost mandatory here.

I would say Seoul is very affordable- as you can get a great meal for less than 11 dollars! Convenient stores are also a good choice! As well as food, a subway trip will cost around 99¢. Have fun in Seoul!

This is a trip I’ll never regret taking.

I highly recommend a course called Roman Art and Architecture. The teacher, Silvia, is an expert in Roman art history. The course includes at least four field trips to historical relics and museums in Verona. Silvia shared many fascinating facts about this historical and romantic city. For instance, Juliet’s balcony is actually a modern addition to an old building from the 1930s—a brilliant idea for promoting tourism.

The program also offers an excellent opportunity for economical travel around Italy by train. Besides visiting major cities like Milan, Venice, and Rome, there are smaller yet charming towns near Verona worth exploring, such as Mantua, Vicenza, and Padua.

I can't say enough good things about the USAC Galway program. Galway quickly became my favorite city I had ever visited. You get the perfect mix of a busy city, yet you're still surrounded by nature. There is so much to do between downtown, Salthill, campus, and surrounding areas. And Irish culture truly is everywhere in Galway, with the music on the streets, the Irish speaking areas nearby, and the summer festivals. University of Galway is a great campus and a great location. We stayed in Goldcrest Village, and I was blown away at how nice our dorms were!

I took the Gaelic class and the Irish Music class and loved both of them. The course load is on the heavier side, but the material is really interesting and my teachers were great. There was a nice mix of learning inside the classroom paired with field trips and workshops. It was so special getting to learn about the culture while being immersed in it at the same time.

The group flight that USAC offered was a big draw for me and it made the travel days so much easier. I loved that the program began in Dublin, not only for the sightseeing, but also for the chance to get to know the group before we even moved into Galway. It was a tiring 3 days with the time change, but very worth it. The field trips to Connemara and the Aran Islands were some of the biggest highlights of the trip for me and I have such wonderful memories from them. Overall, I was really impressed at how well the program was planned out and I felt like everything went really smoothly.

I can't recommend this program more. I was pretty nervous going into it, but I knew as soon as I got on the plane that that was where I was meant to be. Everyone there was so nice and I felt like our whole program was one big group of friends. The personal growth, memories, and connections you get from studying abroad are priceless.

The idea of being sent to a country across the other side of the world scared me. However, after arriving in Japan, last March, I had one of the most memorable semesters ever. Through USAC, I was able to not only immerse myself into the culture and language, but I also met some of my best friends too. My school, being abroad, was very active in terms of extracurricular events! The area surrounding the dorms were filled with all types of mini-restaurants, hole in the walls, and unique shops too. My experience has not only shaped my view of the world but along with my career path too!

Seoul, South Korea was a blast! I highly recommend traveling there (on study abroad or otherwise) because of exciting places, the general safety, and the noteworthy food. Walking around new parts of the city, either alone or with friends, was my favorite part. Stopping to go to a random cute cafe was a daily occurrence. As an introvert, South Korea is also very introvert-friendly, and I loved people-watching and all the street performers. I experienced so much in so little time, and I am planning on traveling to South Korea again because I still didn't see all I wanted to see!

I had the best time, I wouldn't change a thing. I would say the best thing that I could have done was spend as much time as possible doing activities with the people that I met while on the program. We really made it a priority to go adventuring every day and see something new. Doing this with the people you meet is also important because it's always fun to share experiences with others. Our professors were also extremely passionate. Being able to learn from them and their experiences was such a wonderful opportunity and I could not have asked for a better course experience. Lastly, USAC did a really great job at making sure that we were experiencing the country and setting up very fun and informative small trips for us.