USAC Reviews

From the fresh made pizza to the locals in my neighborhood spouting off Italian at me, everything about my trip to Torino Italy is such a found memory for me. There will be things that will surprise and shock you as well as bring you out of your comfort zone. The staff in the USAC Torino program were so helpful at helping you feel at home, and I really felt like they could answer any question I had. I made amazing friends from around the U.S. and form friendships with the locals in Torino. Torino has provides a great community for young people with a large university and great night life. I loved that Torino was not a tourist destination- I believe I learned Italian so much quicker because of this. The six months I spent in Europe were invaluable and I cherish all of the memories.

There is a local market where you can buy fresh groceries and the sellers are so kind and happy to help teach spanish. I lived a 5 minute walk from the beach and in the center of downtown. Everything is centrally located and I could easily see the entire city in a day. You can take the metro to school with a pass. Living here is really cheap compared to many parts of Europe. In USAC, the staff is great and will help at anytime with anything. They set me up with housing, roommates, and a job. When my boyfriend hurt himself riding his bike they took him to the ER with no questions asked. Everyone was so welcoming and I don't regret a single day.

USAC was both hands on and safe while giving students tons of freedom to travel and explore. I was able to make close friendships with locals and travel to other parts of the country each weekend. I learned Spanish fluently and learned a ton about the culture in my other classes. My teachers were committed and engaging and it was easy to get involved in extracurricular activities or just do my own thing.

This was an amazing study abroad experience balancing scholarly education with a cultural education of Thailand exploring the food, arts, Hill tribe cultures, and history of this rich landscape. Chiang Mai was the perfect setting for an exploration of Thai culture providing a safe atmosphere to venture into an unknown culture.

I don't even know where to begin. Ever since I started college, I was determined to study abroad in Italy. As the days neared my departure, the nerves began to settle in. I wish I could have told myself when I felt unsteady about this upcoming experience, that it was about to be the best six months of my life.
Torino was absolutely amazing and USAC could not have made me feel more at home. I lived in an apartment in midtown with three American girls who to do this day are still some of my best friends. Our apartment was quaint, beautiful, and the best part- quite affordable. We even had the cutest landlord, an elderly Italian man, who barely spoke any English. On Easter, he bought us a cake and delivered it up to our apartment to ensure we had a great day.
The Italians were the most unique, interesting, lively people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. They have this wonderful quality about themselves, where they truly live. They indulge in all things to make a "docle vita": great vino, great food, great conversations, great work schedules.. great everything.
One of my favorite things about where I lived in Torino, was Parco Valentino. Parco Valentino was about a five minute walk from my apartment and it is the largest park in Torino. It is full of people reading, playing soccer, sunbathing, drinking wine, and just enjoying each others company. It is also where many clubs are located as the weather warms up.
Among the many great things in Torino is the weather. You are right in the mountains, so walking to class you can see the infamous Alps. In the winter you get some snow and some rain. And in the summer, you get a purely perfect heat. Regardless of the weather, you never need an excuse to eat gelato!
The school you attend for USAC is called SAA. It has great classes with even better teachers. Each of my teachers were personable and fascinating. You also attend a school full of other Italian students so you have many opportunities to become friends with the locals. The staff are also some of the best people I have ever met and will do anything to make sure you get the experience of a lifetime.
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to travel and see the world. You can hope on a Ryanair flight for a cheap price and be anywhere in Europe. I spent about half of my semester traveling through Europe and the other half hanging out and experiencing Torino. It was a perfect balance.
You may be thinking that this life I described sounds too good to be true, but I promise you it is not. Take the chance. Hop on a plane and you will realize the second you get there, that this will be the best six months of your life. The cultures you'll experience, the relationships you will make, the food you will indulge in- nothing can compare to a blissful life in Italia. It is completely worth every penny. And trust me, the moment it comes to be taking your steps on a plane back home, you will want to run the other way. It is my second home, and it could be your, too!

"Location, location, location." Well in that case, San Sebastian should be on the top of your list. For me it was the easy, 15 min. bike rides to class along the beach, the convince of being able to walk to any bar, restaurant, shop, friend's location, beach, museum, amazing hike, etc. etc., that made this experience so special. During your time abroad, you want to be able to wake up every morning with endless possibilities and explorations, and in San Sebastian all of these things are a bike ride, a quick walk, or an easy bus trip away.
What were some of my favorite places to jump out of bed for? The beach and the food, of course. Pinxtos (small plates) galore! Get ready to indulge in some of the best tasting dishes you have EVER tried, or laid eyes on. All of which are in the heart of old town, where you can walk through quaint alleyways, looking down at cobble stone and up at towering, archaic apartments and the occasional breathtaking cathedral. And all of THIS, within another quick stroll from the most beautiful beach along the Bay of Biscay. Surfing, tanning, swimming, beach volley ball...I promise you that here, the possibilities for an amazing day are not only endless, but they are all easily accessible.

I would considering myself very independent, which is why walking through the city and feeling comfortable turning town any street that caught my eye was very special. But the USAC team was always there just incase I needed an extra opinion, special insight, or information on where to rent the cheapest bike or find the best route to France! Whether or not you think you'll need them, chances are you will, and the staff is ALWAYS there.

Bring clothes for all sorts of weather (I could have packed a few extra light coats). Luckily, you are right on the water, an ocean view from many of the apartments, but that calls for some coastal weather. Get ready to learn about an amazing culture, city, country, and also a ton about yourself, and what you are capable, if you chose to be a part of this one of a kind city.

I took 2 classes abroad. Spanish composition and Spanish Dance. My Spanish Composition teacher was amazing! She worked through our language barrier and for my birthday she surprised me with a homemade cake. We had movie nights sometimes and the excusrsions were well planned and executed.

Overall I did not enjoy this program. I feel I should have went with another program. The application process for the University of Haifa was confusing. The application did not have a summer term or the classes USAC had listed on their website. I didn't get accepted to the program until 2 DAYS before the program started. The University of Haifa is very disorganized. I had no idea where to go. I was not taking language intensive classes. However, they put me with an Israeli roommate who did not speak English. I only took a class on terrorism, which was great! USAC says they offer tours which the University of Haifa sets up, no tours were offered. That upset me the most.

My session was short; classes were small and teachers did not follow the syllabi but instead changed lesson plans to focus on our weaknesses. I learned more in 5 weeks there than in any of my classes back in the US.

The host family I was placed with absorbed me into their family right away. I felt extremely welcomed, included, and loved. I was terrified to move to another country and live with strangers but my house mom was more accepting and helpful than I could have dreamt of.

The program offered multiple weekend field trips to nearby cities in a very short time frame. This program was well rounded; I feel like they were able to share every aspect of Spanish life with us in every way imaginable (through trips, food, class structure, housing, etc).

My experience in Alicante changed something in me; I have realized how much I do not know about other cultures and how much more I want to learn. Because of this program, I have returned to Spain and am working as a language assistant in Palma de Mallorca. I had to find a way to come back and I am not sure I ever want to go home!

Studying abroad in Luneburg, Germany was honestly the best experience of my life. I'm sure you hear people saying that about studying abroad all the time. But this city and the people were amazing. From the culture, to the food, to the people and the location. It was so fun and I learned so much. I learned a second language and a different way of life. I definitely would suggest it to anyone who is thinking of going abroad!