USAC Reviews

Going to Torino was the best decision ever. The staff is amazing, the city is full of things to do and beautiful places to see. Torino became my second home and I would go back in an instant! I made some amazing friends while I was there and cannot wait to meet up with them all again, hopefully in Torino! Meet the locals, find your favorite Gelateria and try everything at least once!

Day to day: I went to class, went grocery shopping, running/hiking in the local park, volunteering at a local elementary school or just hanging out with my amazing roommates!

Weekends: We traveled a lot throughout Italy but I also went to several other EU countries. I rode buses, trains, planes and subways every week and loved every minute! If we remained in Torino for the weekend (HIGHLY suggested - don't travel every single weekend) we would visit local museums, hang out in the park and then go to the discotecas! Always a blast.

I had an incredible time in Heredia and there's not much I would change! The usac staff at UNA and the other sites in CR are so supportive and will help you with anything you need. Definitely take advantage of any travel opportunity you can get, especially week long trips at the beginning/end of program. My host family experience was great, I loved my house and neighborhood even though it required a short bus ride to school each day. You will make amazing, lifelong friendships and be prepared for extreme reverse culture shock/ homesickness when you return to the states. The pura vida lifestyle will change you for sure!

San Sebastian is such an amazing location to experience a different culture! The staff was very helpful and gave great suggestions about how to get involved in the town. I have amazing adventures every weekend hiking around the town and down the coast. On the weekdays I spent afternoons reading on the beach and eating dinner downtown. This is an amazing city and by far my favorite city in Europe!

When I first arrived in Shanghai at Shanghai University the first thing I remember was being greeted by You Sha. Shanghai is such an amazing city and it is so easy to explore the city by train, taxi, bus, how ever you want because of how close Shanghai University is. Zhabei (the district where the program is located) is such an amazing district. So much culture, food, and people. I didn't know that I would return for another semester in Shanghai then take part in USAC's Chengdu program.

It is so easy to meet other international students and local students at the university. When I immersed myself into the culture and life in Shanghai I was able to get the full experience that Shanghai and China has to offer. My Chinese speaking ability grew exponentially just by spending a year living in Shanghai.

I would suggest this program to anyone looking to study in China. I wish that I could express how much this program changed my life, but there aren't any words to describe it. You Sha & Jessica and the entire teaching staff made learning about the Chinese language and culture so enjoyable and fun. Go. Experience what China has to offer. Change your life.

Lüneburg was the perfect town for an American to sstudy abroad in. With the population just under 100k, it is small enough that you can see everything, yet large enough that you're not stuck in the same section for the whole time. It is also near enough to Hamburg, if one would like to get lost in a larger city.

The university staff is quite willing to help with anything you need. Contance, my German language teacher, was excellent, as were most of my other professors. I cannot say enough how perfect the program was as a whole.

I never thought I needed to study abroad, but I decided to study in Bilbao the summer going into my senior year. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The classes were challenging, but my class had three other students in it, so it was basically individualized instruction. Class ended at 1p.m. and the day was ours to spend as we pleased. There are so many great places to shop in Bilbao right by the school. I even got to see Grease performed in Spanish at the local theater. That was one of my favorite things.

My study abroad in Brazil was amazing and terrible. I had so many great experiences and just as many negative experiences. All in all if I would have known more of what to expect so I could have better prepared myself, my experience would have been more enjoyable. I plan to study abroad again because now I think I know how to prepare myself. Brazil was unearthly hot. (I also went during their hottest summer in 88 years.) Walking and bus were the way of transportation. The bus system was great once you figured it out. I would have liked to know what the proper clothing to bring would be. Brazilian woman take how they look to be very important. I also wished I would have learned some Portuguese before going it would have made a huge difference in my immersion!

I loved my time in London and am so thankful for the opportunity. I loved walking around the city. Going on walks made me really get to know the city and by the end of my time there I felt as if I was completely immersed.

It seriously felt as if life in London never stopped moving. There were concerts every night, pubs on every corner, free museums, fashion shows, markets, award shows and so many historical buildings. There were so many things to do that I couldn't accomplish them all in the four months I was there.

It was truly a life changing experience. The only problem I ever had was coming up with enough money to do all of the things I wanted to do. It's a very expensive city but in my opinion, well worth it.

Everyday riding the bus to school, to becoming a spanish college student, to being an independent women in this new city of Alicante. This experience USAC provided me with was a never ending learning and life changing experience. I not only grew as a person, but was a ble to fully embrace another culture with the means USAC thoughtfully provided me with. The was endless possibilities, opportunities, and experiences that were handed to me and was really able to take it all in mentally, physically, emotionally. I am still liberated off this life changing opportunity I am so grateful to have had. Being a college student with little means to be able to travel overseas, USAC made it happen. The Staff, the USAC Community, the entire organization made one my life long dreams come true. If it wasn't for their constant support, kind advise, and willingness to work with your financial situations, I wouldn't be on here to express my gratitude. So thank you USAC, I 100% support all that you do. Thank You.

I've always heard exciting stories of students studying abroad and have personally known two close friends who have went to Italy and France. Even then I just never thought that I could take the plunge myself. Both my friends were very outgoing and adventurous, an attribute I thought was necessary to participate in such a program. However, there was always a part of me that longed to live, learn, and experience the world beyond my comfortable bubble. At first, there was so many excuses I made in my head that made me doubt, but the advisers at USAC really helped me to see that studying abroad isn't as scary as I thought. They always replied efficiently to any of my questions, were at the office to ease my anxiety, and provided support from other study abroad students. I'm glad to say that this work ethic really continued on at London. They did a wonderful job of providing opportunities to meet up with other USAC students to tour some amazing places (Greenwich and Hampton Court) and see some amazing plays. In addition, they were always emailing us about different travel options and day trips that were within a student's budget which was great; and which I took full advantage of! Besides the care from the USAC staff, London itself was just as great as the stories.Despite my fears, it's so easy to meet new characters, make friends and just immerse yourself in the community. Having never used public transportation by myself before, I was amazed at how quickly I could navigate around on the tube, DLR, and buses. By the third week I was feeling like a native! I honestly believe that having the opportunity to live in another country - not just visit - is truly a life changing experience. While in some ways you realize that the world is so much bigger than you've imagined, it also teaches you that it is not as daunting. Past the pacific ocean there are so many interesting people and cultures that, once explored, will impact you for the better.