Program Reviews

I originally began my journey with LeadAbroad as an intern during the summer of 2021, helping lead the DIRECT and LEAD Cape Town programs! I am originally from Newnan, Ga and I graduated from Georgia College and State University in May 2022. I was fortunate enough to have served the Fellowship Role this past summer and fall with a great group of others! I served as the Program Director for PRO Costa Rica and then hopped over to our GO Rome program to be an assistant director. During the summers, I was abroad for a little under 3 months time which was an incredible experience. During the fall season, the Fellows became Student Relation Managers where we traveled across different states to speak to students one on one at many different Universities. It was our goal to focus on how we could sell our programs and share the great adventures and opportunities with as many new students as possible. I chose to take this role because I, too, had a life changing experience abroad and saw how impactful it is for younger students to learn from other places and go outside of their comfort zone. I also have always loved LeadAbroad's vision to change the trajectory of student's lives by creating transformative experiences for them. This company always stays true to their values as well, and it is shown through each one of their staff members both abroad and throughout the year domestically. The company culture is unlike no other. LeadAbroad is unique and focuses on how to make each team member grow in the best way possible. Doing the Fellowship with 4 other women who became my best friends by the end of it, truly changed my life. We traveled together, lived together, and understood each other completely. I would relive this past year of my life 1000 times over again just to have the same impactful experiences as I did. In this role, you meet tons of new people, you impact their lives, and you find your people as well who impact your own life. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that LeadAbroad gave me to work for them and to have set up such a great environment for all of us to be our true selves and have a happy blend of friendships and work.

I went on the 5-week LEAD program in Cape Town this summer and there are literally not words to describe how special the experience was. I am 10 times the person I was when I left for that trip because of how it shaped me. The academics are so interesting and beneficial, the leadership lessons changed my life perspective, the people I met will be my friends forever, and the experiences I had there are stories I will tell my grandchildren. I went skydiving, bungee jumping, swam with seals, went on a safari, cage dived with sharks, walked with elephants, and way more. You also get to the opportunity to do service in the townships which completely shifted the way I think and I am forever heart-warmed by that experience. I can't recommend this trip enough - it changed my life.

I had to fortunate opportunity to go on the LEAD Greece program this past summer. I must say in all honesty, it was the most incredible summer of my college career. Greece was such a beautiful place with amazing culture, food, and ummm… wine haha. However, the real reason I had the experience I did was because of the people. The other students on the program, as well as the LEAD staff (hi guys!!! miss you all!!) were everything. I know for a fact the reason Greece was so hard to leave was because of these people. It was an unfortgettable experience and if you are reading this right now and thinking of going…. GOOOO!!! YOU WILL NEVER FOR A SECOND REGRET IT!! Seriously, prepared for your life to be changed, along with the best sunset and tan you will ever have :)

I spent 5 weeks in Cape Town with LeadAbroad, making some of the best friends, getting to know the greatest city, and going on all kinds of cool adventures that helped me to grow and learn more about myself. Before leaving, I was excited to go to Cape Town, but had no idea just how incredible the trip would be. I learned about the culture of Cape Town, which gave me a greater appreciation for not only Cape Town, but also for all cultures and has shaped the way I travel. I did things I could have never imagined doing and that friends and family at home could not believe, but bungee jumping or sky diving isn't as scary as it seems when you're surrounded by the best friends and staff who will encourage you. I didn't know anyone when I went to Cape Town, but my roommate was a mutual friend and we got along right away. We signed up to go sky diving, but I was pretty nervous about it. When it was our day to go, we went in groups of 2 so my roommate and I decided to go together. We ended up being the last group and waited for about 4 hours until it was finally our time to go up in the plane and jump out! This time made me both more excited and more anxious. When were next up, someone who worked at the Sky Diving place told us that "good things come to those who wait" and that we would get to watch the sun set as we jumped. My roommate continued to encourage me and helped me to get over my fear, and we went up in the plane. I watched her stand on the edge of the door and disappear into the sky, knowing I was up next. Next thing I knew, I was free falling through the sky until the guy with me pulled the parachute. At that point, I was able to look down and see my roommate heading towards the ground and felt pretty accomplished for getting over my fear, with the help and encouragement of my roommate and friends. I looked around and saw Table Mountain and the beautiful city of Cape Town and the sun setting. This was just one of many experiences where I faced fears, learned more about myself, grew in friendships, and saw the beauty of Cape Town.

I didn't know a single person that was going on my trip, but from the minute I was on the ground in Rome I never felt alone. The staff and other students on my program were so welcoming and they were like my family by the end of the trip. Traveling Europe on the weekends was one of my favorite parts. I went to Interlaken, Switzerland one weekend and went canyoning in Chli Schliere. It was the coolest thing I had ever done. Another weekend I was in Prague hot air ballooning. The possibilities are really endless. Another favorite memory I have from my time abroad were the service projects I got to help lead as a community leader. It was so humbling and satisfying to be able to give back to the local community and really see I was making a difference in someone's life by giving them something as simple as a sandwich. LeadAbroad is unlike any other study abroad program. You will have the most amazing experiences, make lifelong friendships, and grow so much as an individual. I can't imagine not going abroad with them when I look back at all I accomplished. I could brag about this program all day, but the point of all of this is to tell you to step out of your comfort zone and go! Don't be afraid if you are alone because you won't be for long. It is easily one of the best decisions I have ever made. You won't regret it.

Go:Rome was absolutely incredible because I got to meet people from all different schools that I probably would have never met otherwise. Each week we were challenged to dive deeper into not only the culture of Rome but ourselves. I learned more about myself and the capabilities I have as both a leader and a traveller. I got to see some of the greatest pieces of art as well as miraculous views all in one trip. It also pushed me to expand out of my comfort zone with people who were there to support me along the way. There is nothing like this trip because it encompasses travel, education, AND service in which we get to help out the community that we are staying in. It really taught me a lot through lessons and experience that you honestly cannot find anywhere else.

Participating in GoRome was so much more than a study abroad experience. Not only did I have great professors who really cared about my academic success, but the interns, program staff, and other students were so encouraging of one another. LeadAbroad has a unique dynamic that really teaches self-awareness and personal development along with incorporating service projects that allow us to give back to others.

Attending a university where a majority of students go to Europe on the same program with all their friends, I wanted to do something different. LEAD Cape Town was the best decision I could've made. There's not a place in the world more unique or beautiful than Cape Town, South Africa. I miss the sights and experiences (and especially the tastes!) of Cape Town every day. It amazes me that I'm able to say I spent 5 weeks in the location ranked most beautiful in the world!
Lead Abroad brings a staff of bright, motivating, and amazing people to ensure that the students on the trip have the time of their life. After two weeks of planned activities to get our bearings in the amazing city and getting to know our peers, the third and fourth weeks of the trip take you in new directions, both physically and emotionally. Service week in Sir Lowry's Pass village was such a rewarding experience. It's amazing to see what an impact you can have in children's and families' lives in just a few short days. Adventure week on the "Garden Route" along the coast is an exhilarating week of adventures unlike any other in my life. Bungee jumping, shark diving, and riding elephants are the big highlights, but my favorite part about adventure week was getting to know my group during all our long van rides and at the hostel. The last week was bittersweet because we were sad to be leaving, but it's when I truly felt like Cape Town was home. Overall, LEAD Cape Town was the best trip of my life-- I hope others can love my second home as much as I do!

Going to Greece with LeadAbroad is by far one of the best decisions I have ever made. I made amazing memories, met some of my best friends, and learned so much about myself. Life has it's ups and downs, I'm sure you all know that, but I will say that Greece was one of life's highest ups I've yet to experience. Everyone genuinely cares about each other, and the program staff do more than just help with anything and everything, they become your friends. From bungee jumping to a day on a catamaran to laying out at the pool to hiking the Samaria Gorge to working with the Salvation Army, things couldn't have been more amazing. I recommend this program to anyone who wants to either study abroad or just travel for a summer. It's a once in a lifetime experience. I am constantly missing Greece and the amazing people I met. So take a leap of faith and join our LeadAbroad family <3

best experience of my life!! if you're into adventure and stepping out of your comfort zone, then this is the study abroad trip for you. while in Cape Town - I got to sky dive, great white shark cage dive, ride elephants, pet cheetahs, bungee jump off the worlds highest bungee, hike table mountain, repel of the side of table mountain, go on an African Safari and so much more!! Also, the staff is amazing and will help you with anything