USAC Reviews

I studied in Viterbo for a semester in college, and wish I had stayed for the whole year. The USAC program director Stefano was incredible and ran a very strong program. The courses were interesting and relevant, and there were special arrangements made to take additional courses at a neighboring university, if you were motivated to do so. When I first started the semester, I was living in a dorm but really wanted to live with Italian students. I made some Italian friends who needed a roommate, and Stefano and the USAC team were very supportive in helping me change my accommodations. In my opinion, they went above and beyond (could have very easily told me no) to make sure I was happy with my living situation. This ended up defining my study abroad experience in an extremely positive way. My roomies welcomed me into their lives, introduced me to their friends, and included me in nightly family dinners -- which were to die for! My Italian improved quickly and I learned so much about Italian culture from that immersion. The town itself was very safe and charming. Each evening the town would do a passeggiata, where everyone would walk the central street in their best clothes “to see and been seen” on the town. The locals were very friendly, and since it was a smaller town they didn’t speak English- forcing study abroad students to implement their language skills out of the classroom. The friends that I made (both the Italians and Americans) are still very much a part of my life today, and I am forever grateful for the time spent in Viterbo and the role Stefano + the team played in inspiring that experience!

Grazie mille ragazzi :)

Honestly, there is no better place to study. The most intensely social, cultural, conservative, academic place I've ever been. I've traveled most of Europe, some of Asia, most of the Austral-Pacific region but Afrika - you're something else.
I could not emphasize enough how much you should undertake study here. I met the most amazing people; being an Australian, I met many from the US and Europe, but every local I met was warmly welcoming and integrated me into their lifestyle.
And don't even gt me started on the social life! 45 minutes from Long Street in Cape Town and the local scene in Stellies is enough to keep even the hardened clubber entertained. Trust me!
Festival scene is also amaing - the wineries around Stellenbosch are some of the best in the world and the sights! You will feel as though you are waking up every day in a blessed land, surrounded by peaking mountaintops which are smothered in snow in winter, and you can lose yourself in travels around this amazing country.

The concerns? Security can be dicey at times but if you're aware of your surroundings, you're fine. Compared to the rest of South Africa, it is a very, very safe place. Very Afrikaner and very traditional. The only other problem? You won't want to leave. South Africa and the entire continent are just something .... else. It's a special place, and you will not regret studying there! Get into the digs jols as well, and don't shy away from Bohemia or DeLapa; these places are student hives of activity. Accomodation is excellent and safety is great in Academia and Concordia; your residences should you go.

Going to study at Stellenbosch University through USAC was the single greatest decision of my entire life.

The USAC India program is probably one of the most rigorous, exhaustive and meticulous program, but with the right dedication, drive, and focus, you'll be successful no matter what. I planned to go to India for quite a while, so I wasn't blindly going into the country with no prior knowledge or experience with religion, culture, etc... If you live on the west coast of the U.S., the visa process is a little bit easier, those that live in the midwest/eastern US, I heard many stories about the exhaustive visa process. Flying there is very long, one of my flights was a 17 hour flight (again depending on where you live in the US). Arriving in India, it hits you all at once, the noise, pollution, people, geography, culture, religion, societal norms, certain restrictions, and much more. Jacob, the resident director, will be like your dad. Jacob actively makes sure that you integrate well into the program and make sure you understand your living arrangements, classes, trips, etc... Personally I stayed in the apartments off campus (guys have no option, but girls can stay on campus in the dorms), and the apartments were absolutely fun! There is no curfew (dorms on campus have a curfew of 9:00PM), and living in the apartments allows you to have more freedom and control during your stay (can go to nightclubs, easy day trips, get food whenever you want, and you can immerse yourself with the locals better). Security is present at the apartment 24/7, and they do not allow other people to enter for your safety. The downside of the apartment vs the dorms is the wireless internet. The apartments are restricted to a certain amount of internet and it can be very frustrating if you like Netflix, movies etc... The apartments are about a mile from campus, so if you want to walk, that is your exercise but if you're lazy like me, you'll take a rickshaw to campus for a cheap fare (usually less than $1 USD one way). Classes seem a little unorganized, but that is just India. In India, things are very nonchalant, laid back, and be prepared for many holidays. I was out of class more than I was in. It is very similar in structure to classes in the US (midterm, final, and one or two essays). The food in India is probably one of the main reasons people like the country. So much flavors, types, cuisines, regional dishes and more. They don't use the harsh ingredients in foods which is one of the reasons why I lost a solid 20/25 lbs during my study abroad there. I recommend you also take trips in and around India. India is centrally located so it's easy to go to the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and more. Domestic flights are cheap in India so you can visit the various regions. The USD currency is really good in India, Rupees are easy to use, but there are problems associated. When at an ATM or bank, try and withdraw less than 2,000 rupees at a time. If you withdraw larger than 2,000 rupees, it will give you a 2,000 rupee bill which is hard to break (if you do find yourself in that situation, go to a fast food place like McDonalds or Taco Bell). Monitor your health while In India too, I winded up getting bronchitis the first two weeks I was there because of the pollution. Take as much medication with you that you think you will need while there! Lastly, be respectful of Indian culture and religion. Do not go to India if you have a sense of entitlement or privilege. A girl in my program had both of these complexities and more and it was not fun at all. Place yourself into a vulnerable position and be susceptible to learn this new environment and life, try and not compare to your life in the US. Don't come with expectations or it'll ruin your experience. This program will change your life as it did mine. You will see things that you though only existed in movies and documentaries, you'll be challenged in many aspects of your life, but if you're able to take on challenges, this program is for you!

Studying abroad in Ghana was beyond life changing. I have always wanted to visit Africa and this was the most affordable option I could find, while continuing my academics AND serving African communities. For the sake of this review I will try to be brief but thorough of the pros and cons of this study abroad experience, while remaining as honest as possible. Some myths are also debunked for the skeptics out there.

Pros:
USAC "buddies": these are students that from the moment you arrive are like your brothers. They help you feel at home answering any question, and tagging along to any activity you feel uncomfortable with venturing on your own! These guys became life long friends, and I can't thank them enough for teaching me the Ghanaian culture.
Inexpensive: everything in Ghana is affordable; clothes, fresh foods/fruits, clean water, transportation.. You don't need to spend months saving for this trip, you can survive with very little.
Service that matters: volunteering at an elementary school where students are already english speakers makes it more comfortable to visit Africa (in my opinion). By having the ability to easily communicate with students you can better find ways to serve them; whether it is helping with assignments, providing class materials, or simply teaching them silly American recess games. YOU will learn more from these kids than you would ever expect.

Cons:
Classes: as a summer student classes seemed to be a little "too easy" for some. If you are looking to really learn a subject these courses my not be the best option in a short 5 weeks. However, if you are looking to fulfill electives while learning more about nonprofit organizations in Ghana Social Service Delivery Systems was an outstanding course.
Food: you will eat the same few meals on campus every day. The food itself is delicious (fruits, rice, chicken, plantains) but it will be repetitive.

Are you ready for the time of your life? If so, go to Bilbao! I studied abroad there Spring semester (January-May) of 2015. I lived in Algorta, Getxo, and studied at Universidad Del Pais Vasco in Bilbao. The schooling was definitely challenging because I took 5 classes, 3 business, 1 GE, and 1 Spanish. One of my biggest suggestions is to take the "Unique Basque Language and Culture" class. It was by far the best decision I made. We were exposed to so much culture, learned the language of the locals, tried amazing cuisine, and took 7 field trips in the Basque Country. The teachers were great and the USAC staff were very welcoming and helpful.

The other students in my program became some of my closest friends and I still see them at least once a year. I got to travel a lot while abroad, but I didn't start my traveling until a few weeks in. I suggest doing this so that you give yourself a chance to adjust to life there and make it feel like home before venturing out to new countries.

There are tons of activities to do around the city, the Guggenheim Museum, Casco Viejo, and Athletic Bilbao (the soccer team). Tickets aren't too expensive, and it's a great experience, I highly suggest going. I lived in an apartment with two Americans in my program and I loved it. I knew a lot of people who stayed with host families and had great experiences as well. I lived only a few blocks from the beach and all apartments are walking distance from at least one grocery store. Everything else was easily accessible by the Metro, which is cheap, efficient, and easy to use.

I could go on and on about my experiences and how much I loved it, but I'll let you experience it for yourself! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me!

Before coming to Verona, Italy I had no idea what to expect. I had never traveled outside of the United States and I had no idea what kind of life changing experience I was in for. Verona opened my eyes to so much of the world and has encouraged me to pursue new opportunities and experiences. What I really enjoyed about Verona is that you really feel immersed in the Italian culture, which is different from more of the larger touristy cities in Italy. I was able to meet Italian locals, enjoy the beauty of Verona every day on my walk to class, go to aperitivo in the piazzas, and so much more! This city completely made me feel like I had a home away from home. I was also able to travel quite extensively during my time In Verona to many places in Italy and other countries as well. Verona is a great hub for transportation, but every time I left to go to a new place, I was eager to get back home to Verona. Being in Italy changed me so much as a person and I would recommend it to anyone - no matter where you are at in life! After my departure, I find myself missing Verona every day, and I cannot wait to come back!

In Lyon, the French culture was prominent with little to no English. This is the place to study the French language. At the Universite Lyon 2, language courses are taught in French and are extensive- up to 20 hours a week! However, these courses prepare you for real life situations using the French language. There are also clubs, like intramural sports, offered here that give students the opportunity to integrate into the culture. Overall an amazing experience for someone who wanted to improve their language skills.

i signed up for this not knowing any chinese but wanting to learn. i signed up for beginner level chinese, but my classmates had all already studied for 2 years or more. they wanted an easy class load and grade (their words, not mine). unfortunately for me and the one other student that were the only low level students failed since the first BOOK was covered in the first week. since everyone else already knew the material. needless to say this failing grade derailed my financial aid and then prevented me from finishing my degree. only sign up for the beginner level if you have studied for two years or more or you will lose your financial aid and not graduate.

I had an absolute blast from the second that I landed in France. We began our program with an unforgettable field study in Marseille. The organization, helpfulness, and care shown by the staff while at the field study was exceptional and was only a precursor for how my two semesters in Lyon that followed our time in Marseille would go. I loved the time I spent in Lyon with USAC and would recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic French experience.

Before my semester in Alicante I had never been to Europe. Never really traveled that much. Now I can't get enough of it and want to move to Europe after graduation. Alicante is a very safe city to walk in at all hours of the day or night, has a good metro and bus system and an excellent, bustling nightlife. City is very cheap to live in, beautiful beaches and weather, and the best mediterranean food has to offer. The on site program director and assistants helped us with everything we needed, including booking activities that we suggested or wanted to do. They actively suggested things for us to do and suggested places to eat, sometimes took us places to eat. The university has a beautiful campus that reminds you of those at home. The program sets you up with language partners that help you practice your spanish and you help them with english. This helps you meet locals. Excellent program that I would definitely do again.