USAC Reviews

I studied abroad in Costa Rica the summer after my sophomore year of college for the first summer session of 2016. I was attracted to the location because it incorporated a lot of environmental science, which is my major. One of my favorite classes I took was called Food Forever, which was taught by a visiting professor. We took a trip to a coffee farm and I learned so much about tropical agriculture. By the end of the course I could spot coffee, cacao, sugar cane, and so much more. It was also really interesting to learn about Costa Rica's exports, like coffee, bananas, cacao, etc. I wish I would have stayed longer than six weeks, but I traveled on the weekends with other students to Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa, and Monte Verde, where I bungee jumped into a valley. After the session ended, I spent an extra week traveling the Caribbean side of the country starting in Tortuguero and ending in Puerto Viejo! I would suggest traveling as much as you can around the country and maybe even popping into some neighboring countries as well! There is a lot to see in Costa Rica, and a lot to eat too! I lived with a homestay family, and you will too if you study abroad through this program (which you should!!). My Tico family was just a woman and her son and there fluffy cat Hans. They spoke no English, so I had to learn quickly how to communicate (I was in no way fluent before I left!). While it was challenging, it was so worth it and my Spanish improved immensely during the trip. My favorite part of living with my Tico family was my Mama Tica's cooking. Wow! Gallo pinto with avocado and eggs at breakfast, freshly made tortillas for lunch and cheesy potato cakes at dinner... there was never a dull moment for my mouth (or at all really)! I loved my time in Costa Rica and I was so happy I chose USAC's program! I met great people both in San Ramon (including other USAC students that I still keep in contact with) and while traveling around the country! I would recommend going to Costa Rica even if you don't go there while studying abroad because the life style is so laid back and calm. While I was there I ate, I traveled, I learned Spanish, I basked in the sun, and I lived life to the fullest. Pura vida, baby!

I went to Bangalore through USAC the summer after my freshman year of college (2015), and it was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was the first time I had been out of the country alone, it was my first study abroad experience, it was the first time for many things for me, and I truly believe I will remember it and cherish my experiences there for the rest of my life. While I was only in Bangalore for the six-week program and I wish I would have stayed longer, I was able to experience a lot and travel around outside of Bangalore more than I had imagined. I took a sleeper bus to Hampi, and a sleeper train to Kerala, and those were just the places I went with other students, USAC took me places as well! The USAC staff was very accommodating and helpful. They are there if you need medical help, if you need travel advice or even if you need a friend. Bangalore is a unique city. While there I took a class on populations and poverty, which was incredibly interesting, especially since it was something that I could see all around me; I completed a service learning project where I watched young children while thier mothers were at work and helped middle school-aged children with homework; and I bought local goods including a sari, art work, and so many tantalizing spices. What I have come to learn about traveling abroad is that the experience is what you make of it. You can spend it tucked away in a room watching movies on your laptop, or you can go out and explore. While I was in Bangalore, it monsoon-ed regularly, but it never stopped me from getting out of my apartment and going around the city to experience different art festivals or markets (constantly look this kind of stuff up online because there are truly endless opportunities and experiences out there). I loved my time in Bangalore and I can say with absolute certainty that I will return to India at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later. I left India having a deeper understanding of the true social problems at play there and feeling a deeper sense of purpose to be a part of the change that can alleviate systemic poverty (not just in India, but everywhere). I left grateful for the opportunity to expand my mental capacities and for the relationships I had built with other USAC students, the USAC staff and random individuals along the way, all of which shaped my experience into the life changing event that it turned out to be. More than anything, though, I left feeling humbled-- humbled by the way people live, humbled by their attitudes in those situations, humbled by how small we truly are as individuals, and humbled by the purpose and sheer magnitude a single smile can hold.

It's hard to condense five months into a short review, but here it goes. For a semester I studied in Lyon, France and lived with a French family. I took an internship USAC offered, teaching high school students English, and spent my days learning in a genuine French classroom with a stereotypical baguette in my bag and a smile on my face - nearly 24/7.
Now I say nearly, because living in a foreign country and speaking a foreign language are not by any means, easy tasks. There are days my head would ache, I would want to hide from language embarrassment, and just want to be in my American bed back home. But that's where USAC came in.
USAC gave me the opportunity to do something entirely out of my comfort zone, with resources, guidance, and program directors who were there for me, every single time I needed them. Those difficulties were turned into moments of growth and I was able to take situations that may have completely shut me down, to opportunities of recognition for how far I had come, and how much I had accomplished. I spent my days challenging myself learning a language I loved, exploring the streets of a stunning city, and making friendships with incredible humans, of all ages and nationalities.
Studying abroad gave me a second family, on the other side of the world, who I still talk to on the daily. My French "Mom" and "Dad" were individuals who truly changed my life - and I would not have been so fortunate to make such a bond if it wasn't for USAC, once again. The person who stepped back onto American soil in May was not the same person who had left it 5 months earlier - the world that opened to me was one that gave me confidence, strength, and a love for challenge and cultural understanding - and I have USAC to thank for it.

Bangalore was a lot of fun and had a lively and young crowd. I experienced everything from temples, clubs, bars, restaurants, and local markets. The campus is very beautiful with lots of nature and cultural events. You live with American students and go to class with American students, so you really need to put yourself out there in order to be immersed in Indian culture. The apartments are in a nice location near many restaurants and bars; there is always something to do if you just walk around the block! Traveling is fairly cheap and easy to do, but the school didn't provide many days off to travel.

I enjoyed Maastricht because it was a small enough city where I felt safe and could easily bike or walk where I needed to go. Even though I felt bad for not knowing more Dutch, everyone was pretty nice about speaking English to me. I was able to take weekend trips to different places (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg, etc) but I still had a comfortable home base in Maastricht. I have a very limited diet so my study abroad experience wasn't as dependent on food as that of some people, but I ate so many frites (French fries) it was kind of crazy. If you can eat food though, Maastricht is home to many Michelin-Star rated restaurants. It is also big for fashion and shopping. I enjoyed the city and my time abroad. I think the living facilities could be renovated but they were still decent. My classes were very interesting and I enjoyed having an international layer to my coursework due to everyone being from different countries.

Jan and the rest of the USAC staff are incredible. The staff spent time leading us on hikes and mountain trips which were incredible and helped understand Czech culture. Prague is a beautiful historic and fun city. Without a doubt, the best time of my life. The Czech Republic is extremely central to the rest of Europe so its easy to get out for the weekend and go around and explore. Would also highly recommend the trip to Vienna and Budapest. Very well instructed.

Sorry about the pun, but that is just the first great thing about being in the Czech Republic. This program was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I'm sure it will be for you too. The city is absolutely beautiful, full of great food, parks, architecture, easy to use public transportation. The support staff are some of the most fantastic people, Jan and Dasa help make sure everything is going well. I was there for the summer sessions, which meant lots of hikes on the weekends, the Czech countryside is incredibly beautiful. My suggestion is go to the offered excursions they are really fun, informative, and worth your time. One of the best things was the roommates, i was assigned roommates by USAC and we got along super well. Meeting people from all over the U.S. while overseas was also pretty awesome. Prague is also a fairly cheap European city which is fantastic, because eating out doesn't break the bank leaving you more money for weekend travel. It is also easy to get to other countries (like Poland, Austria, Hungry, and Germany) via bus, some of my favorite experiences were these weekend trips.

My study abroad experience in Cork, Ireland was amazing! I made some of the best friends there and we all the loved the Irish culture. We traveled all around Ireland and Europe during our time abroad. I only went to school twice a week and the course work was not challenging at all. This gave us more time to explore cork and the rest of Europe! The night life in Cork is great! Go to Havanas, Voodoo, and An Brog for a great time!

USAC and the team in Lyon are great. Josephine is one of the best advisors, great in her ability to mix professionalism and friendliness to aid fellow students in feeling both safe and feeling like they have a confidante as well as a friend. All the staff make you feel very safe and provide the best activities--well thought out and easily available for everyone. I loved the weekend trips with all of the USAC students. It provided a sense of culture and I was able to bond with many other students; friends, I'm coming to find, for life. Many of the people I studied abroad with went on to do much more travel, some participating in the peace corps, Africa, Asia, South America, etc., and others going back to France through TAPIF or other job opportunities, like myself. I would've never felt so independent and capable if not for this program.

Spain was the most beautiful place to live for 6 months. Alicante is wonderful because it has everything you would ever want. If you want to party all night long, there are clubs for that. If you want to have a nice day at the beach and relax, you can do that. If you want to take a tour and see the culture they have that too! The program also plans a lot of trips to outside cities like Granada and trips to other beaches. It was like a have a whole new family with my peers from school, my advisers, and my host family that I lived with.