Program Reviews

I had a great time at Pennbrook! I really felt like I grew as a person and I had blast at the same time!

When you first arrive you get an orientation packet that explains exactly how to wear a flannel shirt tied around your waist and how to get your hair to be the perfect combination of super huge (if you're a girl) and artistically falling in your eyes (if you're a guy).

I especially loved Mr. Feeny's class, although I could never really figure out what we were supposed to be studying... I think it might have been history, although what I really liked were his inspirational talks. He gives such great advice! The best thing he ever taught me was "Life’s tough, get a helmet.”

Well, first of all, Rivendell is absolutely gorgeous! I can't imagine a more beautiful place to study. Although I was left to work pretty much on my own, the immense library resources more than made up for the lack of academic support. Also, the elves I met there were some of the most hospitable people I've ever met. I'll always remember the nights we spent singing and telling stories.

I LOVED my semester at the Starfleet academy! Typically, Starfleet cadets have to go through a competitive application process (including exams in stress reaction, spatial orientation, and deductive reasoning and the terrifying psych test that can happen at ANY TIME!). Study abroad applicants don't have to do any of that, although I did have to complete prereqs in astrophysics, differential equations and pass a swim test.

The campus is gorgeous, and right next to Starfleet Headquarters on the SF Presidio.

The Starfleet community is super welcoming and I met friends that I will definitely stay in touch with for years! I was even invited to a typical Klingon meal (You have to try the Gagh-- but be warned, it wiggles on the way down!).

The classes were REALLY hard. If you're looking for party semester, this isn't the program for you. However, there was a lot of support from the instructors and even the staff! Once, after a really difficult exam in xenolinguistics, I was sitting on the grounds when an older gardener named Boothsby came up and started giving me advice on how to get through the academy! He was amazing, and I don't know what I would've done without him.

All in all, I can't say enough good things about the program. Where else can you fly shuttles and study astronomy on study abroad? What are you waiting for!! Go to Starfleet!!

My semester at Rydell High was way too much fun. Academics weren't very challenging, which was both good and bad, so I spent my time meeting people and learning outside of the classroom. The social scene is what really made my stay awesome. The school put together a whole bunch of events, like the fair on the last day of classes! Of course I loved the constant sunshine and general great vibes at Rydell.

First off, I've got to say that campus life at MU is great! I rushed a sorority my first semester there (Go HSS!), and my sisters were there for me every step of the way. Moreover, it was such a thrill to be studying at a legendary institution like MU. They had a bunch of scaring techniques that we don't use at my school, so it was great to get an international perspective on the scaring industry. I only wish I could've stayed longer.

Frankly I was initially quite skeptical of going through the wardrobe. But then I realized that I don't fully understand the physics behind space travel and would jump at the chance to be an astronaut anyway, so I went for it! I followed Lucy full speed ahead behind the coats and hoped for the best. Worst case I'd end up with a nasty bump on the head, right? You only live once and whatnot.

I can't say enough great things about my semester in Narnia and have a ton of fun stories, but I suppose it'd be more useful if I shared some tips. First off, pack for warmer weather if you're studying there during the second half of the year. I had heard of the snow-covered landscape there, so I packed wool socks, mittens, scarfs and a coat that made me look like a deformed marshmallow. But given the absence of the White Witch, the weather was actually quite pleasant. Fortunately Cair Paravel now has a lovely store filled with all sorts of apparel. I am now the proud owner of numerous branded clothing items including a 'Nobody Told Me It Would Be This Warm in Narnia' tanktop (featuring Mr. and Mrs. Beaver in beach attire under a hot sun, holding little umbrella-topped drinks); an 'I Met Aslan and You Didn't' hat; a pair of shorts that reads 'Turkish Delight' across the bum; a 'Tumnus umbrella' (oh yeah it rains!); and a 'Sometimes I Miss the White Witch' tshirt with a smartphone screen showing 88 degrees and 110% humidity as the current weather (though I wouldn't recommend wearing it while in Narnia).

Let's see. What else? Oh yes, although most of the time you won't actually be sitting on a throne, you will have to endure some extremely long ceremonies, and the thrones are quite hard. The first time I sat for hours on the throne had no idea, and I'm pretty sure I bruised my coccyx. So be sure to bring a seat cushion. You can also buy one there, but for some reason the batch they had ordered when I was there was defective and kept making a farting sound every time I shifted. My classmate used a rented one, and that one was okay, but who wants to use a cushion other people's bums were on? Better to bring your own.

This one sounds weird but trust me: don't become Facebook friends with Aslan or let him follow you on Instagram. He will visit Cair Paravel during the party at the end of your semester there and he will be really cool, with his awesome mane and regal swagger. And he is cool. Nothing against Aslan. The dude's alright. But he basically never sleeps and has boundless energy for everything from fighting in battle to tracking activity on social media, so it will start to feel like he's stalking you. He's totally not stalking you in particular, but if you want to avoid that feeling it's better just not to engage on social media. Even on Twitter, he started following me and literally retweeted every one of my tweets for like 12 days before I blocked him. I saw him at a reunion barbecue after that and we're still friends, but save yourself the awkwardness and just steer clear of Aslan on the social media front.

Oh one last thing I would share as far as tips is that if you're one of those people who opens a bag of chips and can't stop until half the bag's gone (guilty) don't try the Turkish Delight. That stuff is like crack. Am I allowed to say that on a review site? Anyway, it's seriously addictive. I didn't realize how bad it was until I noticed that not just me but all of my classmates had gained 15-20 pounds over the course of the semester. I should have guessed when I noticed that my shorts, like all the other clothing 'bottoms' in the Cair Paravel store, had an elastic waistband. Fortunately, when you go back through the wardrobe, you look just like you did before. But all of your Narnia pictures will forever immortalize chubby you. One of my classmates is unable to put on a single pound in the 'real world,' so she was Thrilled to put on some weight. It's your call on the extra pounds - I'm just passing on the info.

The program's pretty selective, so if you're admitted, go for it! It's rare you get to go someplace that is Actually magical, so don't miss your chance. It will be one of the best semesters of your life and you'll create memories that will last a lifetime. Your friends back home won't believe you at first, but unlike Lucy after her first visit, you'll have the pictures to prove it.

Written by Andrew

I spent my formative years dreaming of becoming a Jedi Master. Luke, Obi-Wan, Yoda, they were all my idols, and yes I collected their action figures. I wanted to fight the Dark Side and bring balance back to the galaxy. You can then probably imagine my excitement when I was offered the chance to study abroad on Tatooine with the Jedi Council!!! Amazing!

Let me be the first to tell you that this training course is tough!! In the space of a montage you'll be expected to wield a lightsaber and lift an entire X-Wing out of a sand pit. But I can't argue that this tough training didn't produce results.

The highlight of the semester was definitely taking on a rancor!! Yeap, we chopped that bad boy up. Unfortunately my partner Frankie lost his arm, but the medical staff had a prosthetic installed in no time.

The locals were an interesting group... Not very friendly, but they warmed up after a few Corellian ales. FYI, if you have a droid don't bring it to the bars! We learned that the hard way.

This will go down as one of the best experiences of my life! I met the most amazing people and I'm now pursing a Master's degree in Jedi Studies. Can't recommend this program enough!

Written by Tucker

I spent a very memorable semester at Hogwarts. It's tough to quantify how much I learned in the four months I was there. As a muggle newbie who came in with zero knowledge of the magical world the staff at Hogwarts is responsible for allll of my magical ability (let's just say I was floating feathers by day 4.....).

The castle (as the students affectionally call the main Hogwarts buildings) is really something. Huge, well maintained, with tons of places to study (and get lost). I literally felt like I was living in a museum for four months.

Really the only thing I didn't like about my experience there was the social scene. All students are sorted into houses. Those houses define your friendships (and enemies). I was placed in hufflepuff and immediately knew I wasn't going to be happy. I shared a room with four other guys my year, none of whom I was crazy about. I found it very difficult to make friends outside my house.

My semester at Rydell was one of the most memorable ever. Of course it wasn't without some bumps along the way and I do have a few tips for anyone considering studying abroad here.

First - and this one is pretty obvious in retrospect - don't let Frenchy do your hair. I had spent quite a bit on airfare and a new wardrobe (including the cutest poodle skirt you ever saw), so I was excited to save money on getting my hair done. Plus have you seen the amazing hairdos all the cool kids at Rydell sport? I definitely needed a new look. Well, I got a new look alright. I got lots of looks - and comments - as I walked down the high school's halls. Luckily my host mom has a friend who's a good stylist and fixed it right away. I did have the nickname "Poodle Girl" for a while, which could have referred to my poodle-caught-in-a rainstorm-of-pink-hair-dye look. But I preferred to think it referred to my awesome poodle skirt.

Second - if you're heading to Rydell get yourself two things right away: a can of industrial strength hairspray and dancing lessons if you don't know how to dance. Actually, get yourself dancing lessons anyway. Even if you're considered a good dancer at your current school, you're probably nothing compared to these kids. My mom was a dance instructor, so I knew the basics and am a fast learner, so I did okay. I'm pretty sure some of the moves I learned I can't do back home, but even so I'm still going back a way better dancer than I arrived.

Lastly, don't be too quick to judge people. Rizzo seems as approachable as an upset badger, but deep down she's not so bad. I caught her telling off some out-of-towners who made fun of Jan for being fat once, though she made it clear I'd pay dearly if I told anyone about it. And Principal McGee is actually really laid back when she's not on duty. I saw her at my host sister's wedding and I swear she winked at me when I grabbed a glass of champagne. Sandy, who was also there, said it was because what I grabbed was sparkling cider, but I choose to believe Principal McGee has a wild side.

I'm happy I did this program. Being a Padawan Learner was awesome and Luke is the coolest. I loved the Jedi trials and building my lightsaber was awesome. But you'd be surprised how rude Yoda can be off camera. He was so mean to us, and for no good reason. He reminded me of an ornery grandpa taking out his bad day on the neighborhood kids. He'd always make us clean his room, but he'd say it in a way that really confused us. Something like, "Room cleaning you should do. Mine, now, yes." What the heck is that supposed to mean?! Sometimes he'd even trip some of us with his cane. I know he's really powerful and everything, but he didn't beat either Dooku or Sidious, so maybe he's not as amazing as everyone thinks.

Overall, I'd really recommend this program. Try and make sure that you're placed in the Cloud City cohort instead of the Tatooine cohort. It's a really big difference and they have ton-ton meat in Cloud City. Good luck!

PS- Yes, Wookie fur is just as soft as it looks.