Program Reviews

Coming from the Midwest, I was surprised that a lot of people started to go outside starting at 5pm. The streets were bustling until 2-4am. It made me feel safe when I had to throw out trash at midnight. I also love how people were more in the present moment, and took their time to enjoy dinners and talk to their families and friends. All the Spanish people I met were also really warm. Spain is a country I want to go back, I recommend all my friends to visit when they’re traveling and they tell me it’s the funniest one to explore.

I LOVED my stay in San Sebastián so much. Amaya and Borja were perfect hosts; the food scene was vast and delicious. There were so many places to go within a short distance from San Sebastián, and I hope to return in the next couple of years. Barcelona was an hour plane ride away, and you could walk anywhere in San Sebastián easily. I loved the city and beach mix. I felt that I had the cultural experience and immersion I was looking for in college while still having the most fun I’ve had in my whole life!

I have no regrets about any of the experiences I've had in Korea. The people were nice, the food was amazing, and I had so many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities! I would just say that I felt that I needed to figure out a lot of the deadlines and technical tasks by myself or with other USAC students, especially when it came to flying out there and not knowing where exactly to go. We had very extensive guides given to us before our trip, but I would've appreciated more check-ins and support from the USAC staff while I was abroad.

Studying abroad was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. Living and learning in a new country challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, adapt to different cultures, and gain a new perspective on the world. I not only grew academically, but also personally-building confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships along the way.

One of the best parts of the program was the opportunity to immerse myself in daily life abroad, from attending classes with local professors to exploring new cities and traditions. Every experience, big or small, helped me see the value of global connections and reminded me how important it is to be open-minded and adaptable.

I highly encourage anyone considering study abroad to take the leap. It’s an investment in yourself and your future that goes far beyond academics. The lessons I learned and the memories I made will stay with me long after graduation.

Studying abroad in Verona was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Living in northern Italy gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone, embrace a new culture, travel, and grow both personally and academically. From daily cappuccinos in the piazza to exploring the Arena and nearby cities, every moment felt meaningful. I became more adaptable, independent, and globally aware, while building friendships and memories that turned Verona into a second home I’ll always carry with me.

I had a lot of fun in Santiago, Chile. It has a robust public transport system, so I was able to see a lot of the city. For the most part, I was engaged in my classes. I liked all of my professors and the actual area around campus and my home were a lot of fun to be in. There was plenty to do in Santiago. I felt safe most of the time. There is a bit of a problem with pick pockets, especially on the subways. One of the students in our program had her phone stolen, and a couple of others dealt with attempts. However, we were properly briefed about it and I felt more or less safe and prepared as long as I maintained minimum vigilance. My Santiago semester was my favorite semester in my college career.

Sara and Gabriela (the program instructors) were incredible and made my experience exponentially more safe and fulfilling. The professors were great and my Spanish improved significantly! I felt challenged by my coursework without missing out on experiencing the city. I made friends in the program and enjoyed the day trips with the group. I really liked my shared apartment and got very lucky with its location. I'm so glad I chose USAc because their on the ground support felt very secure while I was abroad.

I had a great time during my experience. My classes were hands on and I got to learn a lot from professors who were truly passionate about the job. I got to travel every weekend and see new places which was great. My host family made me feel so comfortable and we created a great bond. I was able to learn a lot of Spanish too. My host family helped with that a lot as well as my professors. I got very close with the people in my program as well and we became good friends. I would chose Costa Rica every time if I got the chance.

My experience with USAC was nothing but amazing. The staff was very friendly and helpful throughout everything, and were very easy-going. Their events and help with integration into UPV were amazing, and this experience has changed my life. I went in a different person than I left! It was overall an amazing experience that I would recommend to everyone who has the opportunity. My personal favorite was the Spanish classes, which were the best I've taken in my life. The professors cared so much for every class, and I came out with so much new knowledge.

Amazing experience! Overall I felt safe very safe even as a black women! I would walk places sometimes by myself at night and wouldn’t be bothered by anyone and would still feel super safe. The City was super walkable and had many fun places to go nearby college dorms. The Downside is I never got my deposit back from school housing abroad and they stopped answering my emails to receive it, it was $300 USD. That was super frustrating. Besides that, I had an amazing time. My sister and I would hike ever weekend!