Program Reviews

Madrid was my first semester of two studying abroad and it was a great introduction to Spanish life. Everyone from Madrid is not from Madrid there is a great mix of different lifestyles and people. You can find English speakers there, but if learning Spanish it is worth connecting with people from the university. Like participating in the Buddy Program. I spend most of my time with my buddies and learned so much Spanish. The city has it all and so much more. It is also very easy to travel out from. The teachers and staff could have not been better.

My only regret about studying abroad is not doing it for longer!! Doing summer study abroad was the perfect opportunity for me. I cannot express how much fun I had while in Lyon. I have never felt so safe and so much community all at once. There are so many opportunities to be social within the city. Music festivals, rallies, art exhibitions, and more. My classes were sheer bliss because of the professors and beginner-French friendliness. I recommend the French Cuisine class!! Even with the extra class fee, it is so worth it. Set meals once every week and a community! Another thing I love was the weather & greenery. Made it very comfortable to go to the park or on a run. If you are thinking about studying abroad in Lyon, do it!! The advisors completely have your back and are very detail-oriented.

Studying abroad at Yonsei University was an overall very positive experience! The living situation with SK Global was great, Seoul is a very safe and easily navigable city, and it was overall very foreigner friendly. There were some drawbacks in terms of class offerings (though the classes were taught in English, many still made the learning experience very difficult for foreigners), working with HireVise and NHIS (having you pay unexpected medium amounts of money throughout the semester), etc. But generally, it was a great experience and I would recommend it.

I have so many fond memories from this program. From the small interactions with locals to going on multiple day-long trips, there is was so much to love. I gained a much greater understanding about just how different cultures can be and how to adjust to unknown situations. My favorite thing I would do often was just going on day trips on my own or with friends to the countryside or just anywhere that is less touristy. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else, and I couldn't recommend it more.

Studying abroad in Korea has truly changed my life for the better, and it has opened so many new doors for what and where I want to achieve things in life. Sometimes, I feel like it was all a whimsical fever dream because studying abroad in Korea was like a twinkling fairytale where I got to enjoy my youth to the fullest. Unlike a typical abroad trip to Korea, where you're in full-on tourist mode, studying abroad gives you a whole new perspective because you meet people from all over the world who share similar interests and liven up your life with their different personalities. Together with these like-minded people, this program allows you to explore the wonders of Korea and make memories that are etched in your mind forever. Everyone I met, whether it was local or exchange students like me, gave me courage and happiness to live my best life here in Korea.

Studying abroad in Korea gives you a chance to make memories you'll never want to forget and make you want to continue this magical journey. From the cozy neighboring cities you get to explore to the mouth-watering foods you get to eat, every day studying abroad is an adventure you can't get enough of! South Korea is such a boisterous and wonderful place to visit, filled with convenience, an enchanting culture, and, seriously, the most delicious food ever. During my time abroad, I got to go cafe hopping with friends, fly to Japan, and go to the k-pop concert of my dreams! As a k-pop fan, it was truly a dream come true where I can go to exclusive pop-up events and music shows for comebacks! So, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone and anyone who is even considering studying abroad in South Korea to do it because I guarantee it is the single choice you'll never regret.

Studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea with Yonsei University has been one of the most transformative experiences. In the heart of the city, I was immersed in unparalleled cultural experience with weekends in the iconic Myeongdong district shopping with friends, in Seongsu at the newest pop-up store, at the beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace trying on traditional hanbok, in Gangnam at the greatly televised Lotte World amusement park. Not to mention, I greatly splurged on trying the local cuisine, from beautiful dishes and spreads to rows and rows of vibrant street food to the most adorable themed cafes and animal cafes. South Korea has anything and everything you could ever imagine. And if the city becomes too overwhelming, Korea’s excellent and easy to use public transportation can take you to the gorgeous Bukhansan mountains to overlook the cityscape or to the beaches of Busan. This region provides an endless amount and range of adventures to experience with the locals and fellow exchange students you meet through the endless foreigner friendly Yonsei clubs, insightful classes, and Yonsei events. There is never a dull moment when studying abroad, and I would highly recommend it to anyone hoping for an unforgettable and enriching academic and personal growth experience.

Getting to live in a city with a variety of different cultures was an incredibly enriching experience. I will remember this study abroad experience for the rest of my life and I will be forever grateful for getting to experience it. I'm an individual who loves history and London was the perfect spot for this as there were a multitude of museums and sites to pick from. Housing was located right by the tube station which was extremely convenient in navigating the city. USAC staff made it very clear the kind of support they offered and I never felt like I was hopeless in a situation or any future situations. I highly recommend studying abroad with USAC and especially to London!

Studying abroad in Scotland was a wonderful experience! While it took me a while to adjust to the academic environment, since it was quite different from the one I was used to in the U.S., I thoroughly enjoyed the classes I took and enjoyed learning about a new range of topics I necessarily would not have had the opportunity to at my home university. But, I loved exploring all over Scotland, from the hikes and zip lining trips I took in the Highlands, to the trips to the major cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, where I tried new foods and drinks, went to many museums and art galleries, and overall got to see what these cities had to offer. Overall, it was a wonderful experience!

I'm so happy I picked Madrid, it's such an easily accessible city and there is always something to do! The city tour and the campus community tour at the beginning of the program made me feel at home in the first week. The advisors, Gabriela and Sara, are what made this program special! They are willing to do anything to help, and I always felt safe during my program. When I had an allergic reaction to something I thrifted, I was able to get in to see an English-speaking doctor that same day. The excursions on the weekends gave us extra glimpses into Spanish culture, and the advisors would send lists of things going on in the city during the weekends we didn't have anything planned. Even though I was there during the summer, there were opportunities to interact with the other Spanish students at the university and practice Spanish. Very small class sizes means you get personalized instruction and you get to grow close with your classmates! I made friends and memories for life and can't wait to go back!

Costa Rica is a lush tropical paradise full of all sorts of life. I personally saw several sloths, monkeys, toucans, frogs, and coatis (my favorite) on several different occasions! Some of these encounters were even on school campus. Classes were taught by amazing professors that were passionate about Costa Rica's biodiversity and had an interest in our education as students. The town I was in, San Ramon, was lovely in itself as everything was extremely walkable and there were several charming cafe's and restaurants to go to for snacking, homework, or to meet up with friends. My host family was very supportive during my stay and encouraged seeing as much as I could during the four months I was there. The weekends were reserved for going out and seeing someplace new in the country since almost every destination had a convenient bus route from our city. These trips were usually done with friends that I met within the program which was interesting since almost everyone is from a different state or region in the US. I got to experience beautiful beaches, forests, cultures, and people during my semester abroad and I wouldn't change any of it!