Abbey Road Programs

Program Reviews

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Hania
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review from Guardian

My younger sister joined the Florence Summer Program in 2024. She enjoyed the trip, and as a guardian, my perspective is that the program is a great way to expose young teens to new experiences, challenge them, and have them discover more about the world and themselves. The chaperones of the program are responsive, helpful, and proactive. They went above and beyond to accommodate special requests and understand each child's unique situation. If you have a shy kid, this is a great way to bring them out of their comfort zone, both the kids and chaperones are very kind and friendly. Thank you Abbey Road for providing a really important and meaningful life experience to my younger sister!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-wracking part of the process was waiting for a Schengen visit visa (Needed if you're not American or European) and making sure it came in time before the departure date. The staff was extremely accommodating as we organized our plans on a later timeline than the rest, due to having to wait for the visa!
Pros
  • Beautiful City
  • Kind People
  • Fostering Independence
Cons
  • Lots of walking (not a con, but can be challenging if the kid is not used to it or has mobility issues)
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Remedios
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing summer Progra

Abbey Road is a fantastic study abroad program for teens to practice their spanish and take an elective class. Cadiz is a great city to spend time in the summer. Victor, Noelia and Sandro were amazing leaders in this very fun and adventurous programs. The kids learned and practice lots of spanish. They took amazing fotos in their photography class. They soaked in the culture and history of Cadiz and Spain. Mostly, they grew as humans and met amazing friends. My daughter could not have loved it more!

What was your funniest moment?
Surfing at the beach and exploring the city with my friends.
Pros
  • Safe
  • Fun
  • Great learning
Cons
  • Too short
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Fiona
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Abbey Road is a unique program

Abbey road was an incredible experience and one I don’t think you can find with a lot of programs. From the incredibly funny and supportive staff to the beautiful day trips, there is not a day where you don’t have fun and learn a lot of French. Time moves by faster when you are having a good time and sadly time moves really quickly here because there is always something fun and new to try. I have had a lot of new experiences here and for that I am so grateful to Abbey Road. We have had opportunities to try amazing new food while practicing our French and conversing with the servers, eaten a lot of croissant, and seen some of the most beautiful places on earth. Highly recommend.

What was your funniest moment?
When our teachers saw drawings we did of them for fun in French conversation elective and loved them
Pros
  • Food
  • Trips
  • Staff
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Ari
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Abbey Road Programs: Florence (3 Weeks)

This experience really gives high schoolers and incoming college students to get a taste of what college study abroad is like. All of the staff are fluent in Italian and are very passionate about what they teach and make the subject material relevant. In past years, the staff has said there have been around forty people who attend; however, this year was only fifteen people. The apartment style living and weekend day trips have been amazing. If you are looking for a smaller-ish program that will allow you to grow, I would definitely recommend checking out Abbey Road.

What was your funniest moment?
I think the funniest moments were just having conversations over lunch and hearing about everyone’s personal experiences.
Pros
  • Attracts a Wide Variety of People
  • Lots of Independence/Flexibility
  • Live Authentically Italian
Cons
  • Small Program
  • Can Be Cliquey
  • Culture Shock May Be Hard for Some Participants
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Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST TRIP EVER

This trip to Cádiz was so much fun! It was the perfect balance of spanish learning and immersion into the culture. The instructors were helpful, fun, knowledgeable, and made the experience unforgettable. Living in the city made the immersion effortless and exciting—- you feel like you’re living there as a local! Everything about the city was gorgeous, from the pristine beaches to the architecture and beautiful cathedrals. I loved it so much and would recommend it to anyone who loves Spanish and embracing new cultures!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried shark for the first time! It was really good and i don’t think i would have had that experience in the US.
Pros
  • Living in the city
  • variety of activities as well as free time
  • interesting history
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Bianca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time in Barcelona

I had an amazing time in the Barcelona program!! We spent our mornings in lessons and had free time in the afternoon!! We got to learn Spanish while exploring the city. And we went to all different neighborhoods and cities. I am a picky eater and I appreciated that we went out for dinner nearly every night. We were given lots of options of what to eat, we also were given a grocery budget to buy our own food!! I had a wonderful time on this trip and honestly think everyone should do this!! Sign up!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
This program is so much fun!! I do recommend that you bring your adapters and everything, it was a whole thing to get them. Make sure to be open to new experiences and if you go without a friend like I did it's honestly no big deal. I met such great people and was able to have more fun that way.
Pros
  • Food flexibility for picky eaters
  • Lots of day trips
  • Easy to comprehend lessons
Cons
  • Lots of responsibility
  • Getting up a little early
  • Lessons in summer
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Kate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cádiz

Last summer I spent the summer with abbey road in Cadiz. Not only did I grow in Spanish but I also made great friends. I loved how we were not in a classroom all day but instead exploring the city and using our Spanish and real life situations. My host family was so nice and generous. All of the activities were fun, such as a salsa dancing, surfing, and exploring the cathedral. Our day trips were also a fun change of scenery. I loved every minute with my time in Spain and I have so many new friends to share it with.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Stay longer
Pros
  • Great staff
  • New friends
  • Cool activities
Cons
  • Na
  • Na
  • Na
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Leah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Foundational Abroad Experience for Future Growth

I attended this Abbey Road Program during the Summer of 2019, prior to the pandemic. While in Barcelona, I took photography classes to submit work for a high school exhibit I was curating back home. I made amazing friends on the trip, loved my time in Barcelona, and took photographs that have helped my academic and professional portfolio. The food and culture through Barcelona is vast and this program introduced me to the importance of intercultural competence and awareness. I would recommend this trip to so many high school students as it sets you up for a bright future in other abroad experiences and throughout college.

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Madalyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incomparable experience

My decision to go to Italy was the most exciting one yet! From the moment the plane landed every moment instantly became a core memory! My roommates were absolutely incredible and the program did such a good job matching everyone up! Life long friends with memories I will never forget. The program directors did so good at planning things for us to do to keep us busy and immerse us in the Italian culture, as well as listening to us so we enjoyed it just as much. Overall an incredible unforgettable month

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve racking moment was meeting in the airport with everyone. It was immediately relieved by one of the councilors coming over to meet me and make sure I was ready to go. We were also stuck in the airport so the group immediately started clicking and we all quickly became best friends, it was easy when all of us were new to this together. And that one of the first things we did was get gelato
Pros
  • Meeting people from all over
  • Incredible staff, loved them all
  • Exciting and immersive activities
Cons
  • Incredibly hot weather
  • Covid
  • Constantly needing a nap
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Melissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

cannot recommend this program enough!

My 16-year-old daughter spent a month in Nice and loved every moment of her experience. She had nothing but great things to say about all the planned activities, her French classes, the other kids in the program, and her accommodations. She didn't know a soul before she embarked on this journey, but she made friends quickly. The staff were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and made us feel confident that our child was in the best of hands. She's returned home a more grateful, cultured, happier version of herself! I have only positive things to say about Abbey Road! It was a life-changing time in our daughter's life and we're so grateful!

Pros
  • accommodations
  • activities
  • staff