World Class Programs

Program Reviews

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Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best European summer

This was the best experience I could have ask for. This summer before college I wanted to spend doing something meaningful knowing that I would not have tons of opportunities to travel in the near future. This program is perfect for high schoolers or those who have just graduated that want a summer adventure in europe!! visiting 4 countries in 3 weeks is a deal whirlwind but in the best way possible. The best part for me was the week long cruise through the Greek islands especially because it was a great way to see history but also have some downtime to vacation and relax aboard the cruise. The cities we stayed in (Athens, Naples, and Rome) outside of the cruise gave so much history and knowledge of great ancient civilizations in europe. Overall this was the best way to spend my summer and it’s a trip I’ll remember forever !!

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Guinevere
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greece Trip! (+ Türkiye)

For me, this trip was a surprise offer, extended to me as an alumni who had expressed interest in the trip the previous year. As always, Derek and the rest of the staff members were incredibly kind, caring, and supportive throughout the whole of the trip.

While I didn’t experience the whole three week program, needing to return at the end of the second, and thus miss the Italy leg of the trip, it was still a delightful experience. From exploring the ancient sites of Athens to sailing on a cruise ship(!!!) to swimming in the clear blue Mediterranean waters on a relaxing beach day, it was truely a one-of-a-kind adventure.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack light! Even lighter than that!

While this program takes you to so many incredible locations, getting to all of them always involves a Lot of walking. Trips with luggage when we move locations are also a struggle with just a backpack and carry-on size suitcase, let alone anything more.

As someone who adores dressing cute, I understand the urges, but the bare essentials will suit you much better when in your sundress, sandles, jewelry, and new nails you find yourself having to lug your luggage all the way across Athens.
Pros
  • Incredible sightseeing with Derek always there with history facts about everything you’re seeing
  • Cruise!! Ship!!! You get to go on a Cruise!!
  • Wonderful supportive staff whose there for you no matter what!
Cons
  • Derek’s jokes :/ He lacks variety sometimes.
  • So much walking in so much sun and heat. If you don’t bring good shoes you’re cooked.
  • Some mattresses at the places we stay aren’t especially nice on your back :(
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Nadia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad to Italy with World Class Programs

This is still my favorite trip I’ve ever been on in my life. I was worried going there that the staff would run the trip like a school field trip and not let us really explore or enjoy the trip. World Class Programs run by Derek was so well put together. The staff did an excellent job at balancing planned activities and free exploring. I always felt safe and without any worries I got to see all the sites I wanted to see while still getting to explore with other students freely and enjoy the different cities. The food was great the whole trip and the housing space was better than expected. Overall really well planned out wish I could do again with Derek as the guide.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The second day we got to Italy the staff had a scavenger hunt planned us students to do. While doing it we were having fun but also without know we were learning the layout of Florence. So later when we were trying to find our way around it was way less overwhelming, all thanks to that scavenger hunt. World Class Programs managed to help us learn while making it fun. Really awesome memories.
Pros
  • Well paced and planned
  • Staff is friendly and helpful without being strict
  • Meeting new friends
Cons
  • Lots of walking
  • Gotta pack light
  • Too short a trip
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Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic experience to grow independence and self-confidence in healthy way

My 16 year old took their first trip abroad with World Class Programs and it was an incredible experience. Staff was so fun, kind, and thoughtful with the students and truly loved sharing their passion for Italy with the kids. They were great at keeping parents in the loop with weekly emails that detailed everything they had been up to during the week and lots of photos. It was wonderful to see how much my child gained in terms of confidence, as well as passion for a new culture. We can't wait to take another trip with World Class Programs!

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Aiden
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

great summer

This is such a great progarm because you get a lot of free time and schedule things to do. I had a great time the people are good and the food is great. The staff care about you and want you to have a great time while keeping you safe. If you want to do something that they didn't plan for they are willing to adpat to things as long as they are reasonable. They also have group flights to and from the place you are visting or take your own flight. They reaaly try to get you to embacre the culture of the country by giving you cool experinces.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
always have cash on you because lot of the smaller place to buy things only take cash.
Pros
  • lots of free time
  • classes are fun
  • lots of things to do
Cons
  • lots of waiting when going on trains
  • having to wait for everybody to catch up even if far behind
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Mark
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

peak trip

Best summer of my life. I met a ton of cool people, the staff were awesome and the food was amazing. In my opinion I think my favorite part of the trip was Kyoto because of the sheer amount of temples and shrines there. All of the courses were cool and teach a good amount of material and let you explore many new places related to the courses. The free time you get nearly everyday is great and super fun to walk around the city with friends. There are also multiple day trips in which you travel to nearby cities. 10/10 program, would recommend.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be careful and watch your money because you’ll spend so much during the program on stuff like souvenirs.
Pros
  • Got to see amazing sights (huge cities and shrines)
  • Had a ton of fun with friends
  • Bought a ton of cool stuff
Cons
  • none
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Claudette
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Japan trip 2024

I went on the Italy program for 3 weeks about a week before the Japan trip was going to leave. I was heavily convinced to come on the Japan trip a week before and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I love this program with all my heart and have learned so much and I have so many memories that I will hold. I love the entire staff and they we genuine friends to us and were so dedicated to keeping us safe and having fun. They were not overruling and being unnecessary when it came to telling us to do something. They were very reasonable and considerate and genuinely our friends that we could have fun and laugh with. They program is so well organized and a wonderful opportunity for any high schooler wanting to travel and go explore a new country. You truly get your money’s worth and we did not have to worry about anything when it came to the itinerary. It was all super well planned out and I loved having something new every single day. Each day was a new adventure and had a new experience. Italy was such a good experience for me that I never wanted it to end so I had to do another trip and I also plan on attending a third trip next summer before I leave for college. These two trip has made me learn so much about Japan and meet new people and I am so he for this opportunity. The staff was so accommodating and so helpful. I would recommend this program to anyone it truly is worth every penny.

What was your funniest moment?
My friend eating 40 plates of sushi at the all you cna eat sushi converter belt
Pros
  • Everything
Cons
  • None
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Laila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

World Class Programs Osaka 3 Week Trip

Going on this trip was more of a last minute miracle for me. I was incredibly nervous that I wouldn’t enjoy my time and I would feel home sick fast. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. The trip honestly felt like a little family and I enjoyed every moment. I myself am not an athletic person and I normally don’t enjoy long walks and sight seeing, however, this trip made it all worth it. The sleeping situations were good and I was always generally comfortable. It can become tiring but the staff is so supportive and always willing to give you time to rest.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most amazing thing that I saw this whole trip was the shrines and temples at Nara park. It was genuinely a really amazing moment of realization for me when I read the prayers of other people. It helped me become grateful for being able to have this opportunity and really take in the fact that I was creating new memories to last a lifetime.
Pros
  • Amazing community
  • Beautiful sights
  • The best food
Cons
  • Classes weren’t the best planned
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David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

10/10 Experience

For me the program is one of the best things I’ve done in a long time. The staff are great and Derek is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. His planning for the trip was incredible and he was able to fit in so many destinations and attractions. We were able to have an experience of a lifetime thanks to him. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the week in Tokyo. We were able to see so many things and Derek gave us multiple chances to be free and independent. We were allowed to explore and go shopping frequently which was very nice. Overall, this trip was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
The only thing I would change is the time we spent in Shibuya and Shinjuku. We were able to visit those location for a long time but I feel like we left some things out in those places so maybe next time we could stay even longer.
Pros
  • Great staff
  • Incredible food
  • Great amount of free time
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Jack
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Totally tubular traveling time

The program was very cool. Made a lot of new friends and had many fun memories during my time in Japan. Himeji castle was definitely my favorite thing that we visited. Learned a lot of new things in the classes I took during the program and got to experience something completely different from my everyday life in the United States. Overall I had a really fun and enjoyable time on my trip with world class programs. I would recommend this program if you want to experience something new and make some new friends along the way.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Bring an extra suitcase or bring a big suitcase so you have room to put the things you buy.
Pros
  • Made new friends
  • Had a lot of fun
  • Saw many cool things
Cons
  • It was really hot and humid