Program Reviews

When I first heard about UWP I fell in love with the idea of the program. As I kept going in my application process, the admission counselors were always very nice and tried to help me in every way they could so that I could travel by the semester I applied for. Being on the road with that many people, working towards the same goal (social and show wise) was inspiring. The staff is always willing to support you as a participant and hear all the ideas and thoughts that you may have.
I loved my Up with People experience because it made me grow as a person and has made me more aware of what's going on around me.

I don't have one story in particular, I just want to write about the Up with Poeple program in general. The general organization is very well handled, especially on travel days. There were very few things that I disliked about my semester. Everything we do is simply great. We get to travel, make new friends, perform a wonderful show, help people through community services, stay with host families. It's a perfect combination. While in the program, we are not always aware of the chance we have to be a participant, as many people don't get in when they apply. Up with people is a unique organization and I think everyone should have the opportunity to participate in such a program once in a lifetime.

It was a year of growth for me, an 18 year old, taking a gap year between high school and college. I have amazing friends from all over the world, host families who welcomed me into their homes, and say that they would love to have me back, and I have the opportunity to go to those "hidden gem" cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. If I could've gone back and done a second semester, I would, but Up with People gave me the courage to go spend my first year of college in Europe.
Up with People gives you experience in traveling, service, and the social skills needed to talk in front of large groups, to make friends with people you have just met, and to be the best version of yourself.
UPDATE: I am now am 19, studying in the beautiful Florence, Italy, and through the network of alumni that Up with People has, I have been able to travel to Belgium and have very expenses. Everyone is supportive, even those alumni that I have never met in person.
Up with People is well worth the money because of all the memories and connections that you have afterward.

In Brig, Switzerland one of my best friends and I went for a hike in the Alps. It was on a Sunday, so it was one of our free days.
This hike was amazing! The views were incredible, we got to talk, laugh, enjoy nature, and do something not many people can say they did.
Little, incredible memories happen like that in Up with People every single week. I would not trade it for the world.