USAC Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed my time studying at Christ University in Bangalore, USAC's South Indian partner institution. In particular, I appreciated the freedom for adventure outside of the classroom that the program afforded me. Each 3-unit class that I took was 3 hours long which was difficult at times but reduced the number of days during the week that I had class. Because of this, I was able to take 12 Religious Studies (my major) units in one semester, with all classes landing between Wednesday and Friday. With four-day weekends throughout the semester, I was able to embark on a number of journeys that otherwise I would not have been able to take part of. In addition, I found my professors to be open to me arriving a little bit late (as I was running to class from the bus stand) so long as all my work was done. I had about two or three assignments/tests for each class, which felt stressful at times. That being said, the small number of assignments allowed me to invest much of my time on the ground in India.

Bangalore is a sprawling metropolis, with a population of 10 million at the time of my travel in Spring '17. The apartment complex that the school provided for us was located in Koramangala, which was a nice district just 10 minutes by bus from Indiranagar (the main nightlife district in Bangalore). This location was key and made weekends much easier, considering that trying to get anywhere else in Bangalore would take 30+ minutes because of traffic consisting of cars, auto rickshaws, motorbikes, pedestrians, and roaming cows. The city has a thriving EDM scene so if you like dancing, you're in the right place. There's also a rich South Indian culture in Bangalore which is fascinating as well.

I studied in Lyon for the 2017-2018 academic year, and I wish I never had to leave. My experience was unique in that I was a year long student so I was able to make longer lasting connection to the city and people. It was a learning experience getting use to the different university environment, in that, most classes were two hours long and the learning curriculum was different. After the adjustment period, I loved learning the language with other international students in the CIEF program. By going with USAC, it provided a support system that you wouldn't have had otherwise. They were there from helping with classes to helps or just another person to talk to. Overall, this was one of the best experiences of my life, from the people I met to living in the city I call my second home. I am waiting for a way to get back to Lyon.

I had an absolutely incredible time studying abroad in Bilbao and am looking forward to the opportunity to return some day. I was able to take a Spanish class, which lead to the addition of a Spanish minor, an Operations Management class that meant I did not have to take that back at my home university and a surfing class. The professors for my classes were fantastic and the opportunity to leave class and go out on the street to cafes, restaurants and bars and interact directly with locals made my Spanish speaking skills grow immensely. Bilbao and Getxo(nearby suburb where I lived) are both gorgeous and not very touristy so it is easy to truly immerse yourself in the culture. I highly recommend exploring all parts of the city and surrounding areas as around every corner and over every mountain is something new and amazing. This program gives the best of both worlds as classes are located in the middle of a large city while housing is in a nearby beach town suburb. I was able to walk to two different beaches within 15 minutes of my apartment that I shared with two other American students. Studying in Bilbao was easily the greatest choice I made throughout my college career and I recommend everyone do the same.

As someone who has experienced the ups and downs and in bet-weens of study abroad, I am here to tell you to do it. Go abroad. Go overseas. See another part of the world and experience another culture.Before I went abroad, I was really nervous. I had a lot of anxiety about everything from finances to finding all my classes. I knew that it was going to be a challenge but I also knew that I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t go abroad. So I talked with my advisers and applied for scholarships and read like 50 different blog posts on packing for going abroad; I was also terrified that I would forget something and be hopeless. But I said my goodbyes and boarded my plane and I can honestly say that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I felt like I was in a dream. A really cold dream because it was January in Spain but nevertheless a wonderful dream. Spain had so much to teach me about Spanish culture and the language but also about myself. I had deemed myself fairly independent going away to college in another state but being in a foreign country where they spoke another language was a different kind of independence all together. And I found my pace and got into a rhythm and before I knew it I was living in Spain, taking public transit to school, studying and exploring my beautiful host country and Spain as whole. Was I lonely sometimes, yes. This experience but a lot of things into perspective for me. I was able to experience and learn about multiple different cultures, each with their own similarities and differences on what the value the most and how they structure their lives.
While abroad, I traveled from city to city trying new foods and variations depending on the region. I learned different dialects and heard languages being spoken that I’d never heard before.I explored with new friends and even traveled by myself to different countries, safely and with situational awareness of course. Through study abroad and my specific program I was able to take Spanish and Latin dance classes as well as a sailing class where I learned to sail on the Mediterranean Sea. I was also able to travel to Morocco for a week with my study abroad program. There are so many unique and inspiring adventures that await abroad. I never knew there were so many things that I could do and get academic credit for while I was abroad. If you’re a prospective student reading this, I as you this. Where will your next adventure take you?

My semester abroad with USAC in the amazing city of Bilbao, Spain is one that I would recommend to any student. I loved living in the small, quaint town of Algorta with a wonderful host family and commuting to the beautiful and vivacious city of Bilbao. I attended school in UPV which is in the center of the city and the USAC staff made all of us feel so welcome and oriented to their home. The USAC course offering was perfect for continuing my degree while abroad; I was able to take a bunch of Spanish courses towards my minor within one track that chronologically made sense and improved my skills. I got to then immediately put the learned material to test on the streets and in my homestay. I also had a very engaging International Marketing class that contributed to my experience. Beyond the classroom, USAC helped to set up an internship opportunity for me as well as excursions and cultural field trips.
There is plenty to do and see in Bilbao with beaches, mountains, old and new city, and an abundance of nightlife, I never got bored. When I did want to get away for the weekend, the airport in Bilbao was very manageable and offered me great travel opportunities. Northern Spain, particularly the Basque region is extremely unique and now, very close to my heart.

If you don't mind the chill of an Irish spring, then Cork is a wonderful experience. It is a small city, easily navigable on foot and very safe. The university is world renowned and offers a multitude of course options open to the international students almost without restrictions. These courses are some of the most exciting of my college career. Additionally, the Irish people are very kind and easy to get to know. Cork is small enough that you will run into old friends and new throughout your semester there. It's not the most exciting place, but the people make up for it in large part.

The only caveat to my wonderful experience was my housing. The apartment complex was large, unwelcoming, and without consistent heating, hot water, or wifi. Additionally there was not an option to live with Irish students which I would have preferred. If this is your first time abroad though, living with Americans can be lovely!

One of my favourite memories is taking a trip to Kinsale with a friend I made in my Celtic Lore class. She was an Irish Masters student who rescued me from failing a course that required a pretty good command of Irish Language (which we often call Gaelic in the USA). My inability to understand led to us working together, and becoming friends. We travelled to Kinsale on one of my last days in Cork, braving the wind and the rain to see the forts and soak our shoes overlooking the sheep and the sea. It was a lovely trip and epitomizes my experience. The weather was always terrible and cold, but the people provided the warmth.

Participating in the USAC Chiang Mai program was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Despite departing from Thailand four months ago I still think about my semester on a daily basis.

Thailand is known as the land of the smiles, and for good reason. Every person I met abroad, both Thai and 'farang', came equipped with an infectious smile and a welcoming heart. I always felt welcome as a foreigner, and I have never grown to love a location more than Chiang Mai.

The city has an ancient feel with old stone walls and magnificent temples on every corner. Scooters and motorbikes zip through the roads in orchestrated chaos. Delicious aromas from hundreds of food stalls waft through alleyways and fill the streets. Monks in orange robes inhabit local temples in search of enlightenment. Wild dogs saunter around picking up food scraps and lounging in the sun. CMU students walk leisurely to class in black skirts and pink ties. Happiness is thick in the air and permeates the heart and soul of all within Chiang Mai.

As far as the USAC program goes, I could not have asked for a more helpful staff and well put together program. On site staff members are available almost around the clock to answer any questions you may have, give useful advice, and welcome you to their country. They will pick you up at the airport, show you around the city, inform you of local customs, even remind you of important deadlines regarding your visa and academic paperwork. USAC also plans multiple excursions to amazing locations throughout the semester and promotes camaraderie between Thai & US students. One of my favorite aspects of the program was making friends with local Thai students. Without the support and direction of the USAC program, these friendships would have been difficult to create.

If you even the slightest bit interested in going to Thailand as part of this USAC program. DO IT. I promise you it will change your life and you will thank yourself for the leap of faith down the road.

Studying at Yonsei University through USAC was one of the best and most affordable options for me! Not only was the school beautiful, the campus life was amazing and I learned a lot about the culture and about myself during my time at Yonsei! I was there for a year and got to experience four seasons, two school festivals, form deep relationships, and vastly improve my korean language ability at Yonsei University! I can't wait to go back to South Korea. If you are considering studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, there really is no better option than studying abroad at Yonsei through USAC!

My time in Prague with USAC was amazing. The food was delicious and affordable, the culture was rich and inviting, and I met so many inspiring people while studying in Prague. USAC had loads of activities to do on the weekends and the program leaders and professors would often come with us, making the program feel like one big happy family. The USAC class sizes were small, which made the courses engaging and conversational.
My time in Prague changed the course of my life. After studying abroad in the spring semester of my freshman year, I switched my major. Living in Prague helped me figure out what I really wanted to do in the future. I highly recommend this beautiful Gothic city to everyone. I miss watching the sunset from a rooftop restaurant or picnics in Petrin Gardens with all of my friends from abroad and I hope anyone who ends up going abroad with USAC to Prague has even more amazing experience.

I spent a semester in St. Andrews wandering the adorable streets and studying in the cutest coffee shops. The classes were interactive and challenging in a way that made me grow my academic knowledge and made me a better student. I got to travel around Scotland via train and car, exploring all of the amazing landmarks and historical sites that have shaped the life of the Scots. I had the most amazing time on the field trips put on by USAC, and I was able to make lifelong friends with others in this program also at St. Andrews. The leaders of the trips hired by USAC were charming and engaging, letting us play our own music in the vans and giving us insider tips about how best to travel around Scotland. My accommodation was in university housing; I was in the dorm St. Salvator's which just so happens to be the same dorm that Prince William and Princess Kate stayed in while they were at St. Andrews, so that was pretty amazing. Not to mention all of the outstanding events the hall put on including a Harry Potter themed dinner, a ball, and hall sports! I had the time of my life in St. Andrews and am already planning my trip back to Scotland! I 10/10 recommend studying in this unbelievably gorgeous and inviting country!!