Program Reviews

This program transformed my life. Personally, professionally, and academically I am a completely different person than I was two years ago and I could not be more grateful for the amazing friends I made and professors who guided us during our summer abroad. Studying abroad opened my mind to new perspectives about the world, and since then I have continued to fulfill my passion of traveling and immersing myself in other cultures. I have even gotten a job that allows me to do so because of this experience. I cannot rave about this program enough!

My experience with this program through USAC was amazing! I stayed in the dorms on campus with another USAC member. She and I as well as other participants in the program are all friends to this day! This was a great opportunity to explore Korean culture and experience a new lifestyle. We had Korean students that were our buddies in case we needed any help and that would give us recommendations for good restaurants or places to visit. We met with our buddies and other exchange students weekly at different restaurants to make friends and try traditional Korean dishes. This experience was once in a lifetime and I am so glad I got to embark on this journey! Thank you USAC!!

Madrid is such a beautiful city, and Gabriela & Sara (on site administrators) help you get to know the city and get involved in local activities! We had most Fridays free, so I got to travel on the weekends which was great! I love Spain and the spanish people and cant wait to go back. One thing I wish I would've known is that the classes are only with other USAC students, so you don't get much interaction with university students. I hope in the future they provide the opportunity to take actual university classes so that future USAC students can become friends with the local students

I loved staying in Seoul at one of South Korea’s sky universities. I had a lot of fun, and I want to keep going back. I am excited to see where my future will take me, now that I have had a unique experience abroad and have learned a new language. Seoul has so many cafes, noraebangs, craft workshops, and tours you can book. Additionally, traveling outside the city, I loved Busan the most. It had a rich culture distinct from Seoul, and the people were so welcoming, despite having less of a foreigner population than Seoul. The beautiful temples, palaces, and rich cultural and historical preservation will forever be ingrained in my memories.

I had previously done a foreign exchange to Spain in high school and knew that I wanted to study abroad in Madrid in college. I had the absolute best time with the friends I made and the experiences we had together! I loved all of my classes and enjoyed learning about the Spanish culture. The professors and program directors were awesome and super helpful. I only wish there were some STEM related classes to count towards my degree, but it was also nice to learn about topics outside of my major. If I got to do this all over, I would definitely choose the USAC Madrid program again!

I felt like I was living in a movie during my time in Viterbo!! I got to draw and paint around the city in my art class, I learned how to make delicious Italian staple dishes, and I explored the town and practiced my Italian with locals and language partners. The professors in this program were wonderful, I learned so much from them. I got to explore all over Italy and even made it to Mykonos, Barcelona, and Porto! I had an adorable Italian apartment with a terrace and adorable shutters on my window. I remember greeting my neighbor Rita, whose window faced mine every morning. I would go on walks almost daily to the Terrazza del Plebescito to watch the sunset, sketch, and share with friends.

Studying abroad in Seoul was one of the most rewarding and unforgettable experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I was embraced by the vibrant culture, accessible transporation, and an exciting blend of traditional and modern life.

The city has so much to offer—whether it’s exploring ancient palaces like Gyeongbokgung, taking the train to Busan, or even eating all the dlicious Korean street food. Seoul is a city that never sleeps, so there is always something new to discover or a new place to explore.

What made my experience truly special was the opportunity to connect with people I otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to meet. Whether through classes, student groups, or just striking up conversations in cafes, I formed friendships that I know will last a lifetime. The support system, both from my peers and the program/university staff, made transitioning to a new culture much easier. Academically, the experience was both challenging and enriching. I got to study topics I wouldn’t have explored back home, all while gaining a global perspective. The professors were knowledgeable, and I loved how engaging and interactive the classes were.

If I had to sum it up in one sentence, studying in Seoul was a beautiful balance of personal growth, cultural immersion, and non-stop adventure. It was an experience that helped me grow not just academically but also as a person. I can’t recommend it enough to anyone considering studying abroad in South Korea!

I spent an unforgettable spring semester at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, from February 22 to June 22—truly the best 120 days of my life! Yonsei offers a diverse array of unique courses not available at my home university. I enrolled in four classes: Contemporary Korean Culture & the Korean Wave, Intensive Korean Language, Understanding K-Pop, and Pre-Modern Korean History. Each class deepened my understanding and appreciation of Korean culture.

My language course, in particular, significantly enhanced my Korean skills. Before arriving in Korea, I knew the Korean alphabet (Hangul) and could speak a few basic words. By the end of my semester, I was able to hold simple conversations and read the signs throughout the city.

Located in Sinchon, Yonsei University is a stunning campus right in the heart of Seoul. The city's extensive 233.69 square miles offers endless adventures, from exploring new districts to discovering cozy cafes perfect for studying and sampling traditional Korean dishes at various restaurants.

The hardest part was saying goodbye—not only to the beautiful country of Korea but also to the incredible friends I made during my time abroad. Although I arrived alone, I left with countless friends from all over the world.

I studied abroad at Yonsei in Seoul, South Korea! I had an amazing time getting to immerse myself in the Korean academic culture with all of my classes. I was lucky enough to get a dorm on campus, which was an amazing experience and allowed me to be close to campus and really feel what student living was like! One of my favorite classes was my Korean Art History course where I not only got to learn about the cool artistic developments throughout Korean and East Asian history but also got to deep dive into the Korean history itself. Outside of my classes, I loved getting to explore the city from the street markets to historical landmarks right there in the city center. I also enjoyed trying the local food, meeting new people, and experiencing everything that Seoul had to offer. The whole experience was unforgettable both academically and personally.

Hello there! I did a summer session abroad in Prague, Czech Republic and it was the best 5 weeks of my life. From the courses offered, to the location of my apartment, to the friendliness of the staff, everything was amazing. I loved the two classes that I took. I took Czech cinema & film and Art & Architecture. There was never a boring day in Prague. There is endless things to do and the town is enriched with so much history. If I could change one thing I would have done both summer sessions (9 weeks) instead of just the one session I did. Prague is such an underrated place and you will fall in love with it just how my friends and I did! In my film class we got to go to local Czech cinemas and theaters and watch films directed by Czech directors. Every day in my art & architecture class was a field trip. We got to visit churches, castles, museums, and important town centers each day of class.