USAC Reviews

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!

I absolutely loved my experience in Cork Ireland. USAC did a lovely job of creating group outings that were a reasonable frequency, with a reasonable time commitment that were meant to help us explore different parts of Ireland! I think that Ireland as a whole is also a great jumping off point for exploring all of the rest of Europe, since tickets to and from Dublin to other countries are generally pretty inexpensive and affordable, so it's a great place to begin Europe adventures. The public transportation is also incredible in all of ireland, making it super easy to go throughout all of the country on any off days!

The study abroad program provided such an immersive, fun, and educating experience!! I had the best semester in Italy and learned so much about the culture and will carry this time for the rest of my life. Forever grateful!! I would recommend to anyone that wants a change of pace and wants to travel. Italy provides great food, and the best sites. There is so much to see and explore in Italy and every night provides something to be cherished. I cannot recommend going to Viterbo enough. You will get to know the language and the country in important ways and it is life changing.

My experience with the USAC 2024 Study Abroad program in Verona, Italy, was truly unforgettable. Studying in Verona gave me the perfect balance of academic learning, cultural exploration, and personal growth. The city itself is Amazing; there are fresh markets and delicious ristorantes all over the city. Beyond Verona, I had the opportunity to travel throughout Italy, discovering the beauty of places like Rome, Florence, and Venice. Each destination offered its own unique flavor, and of course, the food everywhere was nothing short of amazing. You can also go to Austria by train, which I highly recommend.

I would highly recommend the USAC Verona, Italy program to anyone considering a study abroad experience. It’s not just about studying in a new place; it’s about immersing yourself in Italian culture, experiencing unforgettable adventures, and creating lasting memories with friends who feel like family.