Program Reviews

I spent 8 months living in Madrid Spain as an au pair for three young children. A typical day would involve eating lunch with my kids when they came home during the school day and helping them get back to school. After school I would help their mother get everyone organized, as almost every day a different child had an after school activity. I would help them with their English homework and play games with them in English to improve their speaking and vocabulary skills. I would help with the preparation and clean up of dinner, and then help get the children in bed. After that I was free to have my own time. I also was free to have my own time on the weekends and when the kids were at school. For the first three months I spent a majority of this free time taking Spanish classes.

Daily Schedule: My roommate and I would wake up to coffee provided by my host mother. Then 9am class until about 1:30 (that was about 4 classes in a row) then straight home to have lunch at 2pm with the host family. The city is relatively small so it was easy to get around. I walked everywhere. After lunch we would have a siesta (or break) and then at around 5pm go outside for some daytime exploring, coffee shops, hanging out with friends, homework--general daily life things. By 9pm we arrived home to dinner. Then there were always nighttime activities to be had with friends.

Salamanca is an absolutely beautiful city. It is a college city, and there are lots of people from all over the world. It was really easy for me to meet people and make friends, but be wary that if you don't put yourself out there, you'll spend your entire semester hanging out with Americans. The accent that is used in Salamanca is very easy to understand, and if you use it as often as you can, you will absolutely improve.
In my time there, I made the mistake of keeping to my American friends for the majority of my time there. Once I finally began hanging out with Spanish friends I picked up the language so quickly, and began having all sorts of Spanish adventures. I am still very very good friends with both my host family, and my international friends from my abroad trip almost 4 years ago.

Salamanca is a relatively safe city. There are very few cases that I heard of pickpocketing, mugging, or violence. I walked home alone very often, and I very rarely felt that I was in any real danger. It is a city; however, and I heard stories, although nothing ever happened to me directly.

I had a very wonderful host family experience. I chose to live with a roommate (also an American), and she and I became quick sisters. We had a very great relationship with our mother and her children (when they came home--they were moved out by then). My Spanish mother was exactly that--a mother. She was strict, but very loving. By the end of our time together, we had a very close relationship. My roommate and I are still dear friends, and we still send letters to her and the family, as well as visit as often as we can.

Lastly, the API program directors were absolutely amazing wonderful women. Every single staff person that I ever met or talked to in the program was so helpful and kind. The directors in Salamanca walked us through everything we could possibly need to know for the program and the city. They were willing and able to help us out of any problems that we encountered (class scheduling, sickness, homesickness, traveling, host families etc.). Likewise, they were so approachable and really cared about each student.

-API included many excursions within Spain and northern Africa. Don't skip any of them, for they are all worth the trips.

-Get of out of your comfort zone and explore when possible.

-Getting into the Spanish "siesta cycle" is easy. Try not to give in, but instead use that valuable time to explore and experience the city.

Aspire by API's Summer French Immersion Program was quite an experience. Upon reading the initial itinerary sent a few weeks before arriving in Paris, I was immediately filled with excitement for the opportunities sure to come.
The group flight is optional although most of us selected that option, and it was kind of a nice way to start getting to know some of the people in the group.
Speaking of the group- it was very small. I'm not really sure how I liked that. On one hand it was nice cause I suppose there was more individual attention, but on the other hand it wasn't that great because we didn't speak a lot of french since all of us were American and of very different skill levels. Towards the end even I saw a little bit of mob mentality going on, not always thinking about every single person in the group when plans were changed. The small group/Host family atmosphere kind of limited the amount of people you could meet. It almost felt like we were in a bit of a bubble. It was up to you to go out and try to meet other people from around the world.
We did have a lot of activities planned (which was great because ALL of that was included in our program fee) but it was frustrating because all of them were mandatory. We truly were exposed to a lot of Paris and we got to see nearly all of the big monuments and museums. Needless to say, we didn't have a lot of free time on this program. It was very structured- Always classes Monday through Friday from 9:00 until 12 plus 2 until 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a Language Workshop. Those two hours from 12 until 2 we always had for lunch but on monday wednesday and friday we usually had an activity or two right at 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Some of the activities were really interesting such as a tour of a true Parisian "Boulangerie" where we got to see how the baker makes Baguettes and Croissants. We also went to a ballet at the Opera Garnier. Some people really did not like going to all of those museums and found that portion to be kind of boring. When we did have free time, people enjoyed going shopping, having a coffee at a cafe, cooking for our host families, drawing the intricate statues in the museums of Paris, taking walks through Parisian gardens, or going for Ice cream.
Classes at the Institut Catholique de Paris were good,though a few people were placed into the incorrect level. French school was something to get used to but it seemed like mostly everyone really liked their professors. The classes were completely in French so involved a lot of speaking. We did presentations in French as well as listening exercises and written composition work.
All of us stayed in host families and it seemed like there were different experiences for everyone. Some people had strict rules to maintain and others were more relaxed. Some had very interactive families and others were more private. Some had communication issues with their hosts and others did just fine. Some host families even had young french people living in the house which added to the experience. I suppose it is just the luck of the draw.
This program did seem like it was very new and they had not worked out all of the issues yet. Itinerary plans kept changing and there was not always good communication between the group leader and others or between certain host families and the leaders. Some of the weekend trips were really cool but at times a bit rushed. I think those are things that they should probably work out before next summer.
I have to say though, the in-country staff (Delphine and Anne Marie) were very helpful in many ways. A really big positive about the program is that everything is included and you do get a lot for your money.

Things I would recommend to future applicants:
Have a little bit of a handle on your french skills before going
Try to see as much as you can- if its all included, get the most out of your money... And on Free Time?? GO EXPLORE. Use your NaviGo metro pass and GO.
Buy your toiletries in France to save room in your suitcase
Don't let your creative side suffer in the pessimistic tendencies of some walks of Parisian life
Have fun, but be yourself.
Eat Pim's cookies, Pistachio Eclairs, Chocolate Crepes, haribo gummies, KinderSurprise chocolate, lots of baguettes with cheese and don't forget some healthy food too!

When asked if I would recommend this program to a friend, I am not sure. I don't think it worked for everyone in the group. Most people liked it, but there were some people that had issues with the structure or host families. I think that is a chance you have to take though, because how do you really know what an experience will be like until you get there? I do not think it would work for every friend. But I can definitely think of a few personally who would like it a lot..

I absolutely loved my time in Barcelona. I ended up living with a great host family that made me feel like I was more than just a stranger living with them. They did things like taking me out to dinner and finding me Spanish books I could read at my level.
Barcelona itself is an amazing city, so you'll have fun no matter what you're into. It's known for being a party city, but that's by no means the only thing to do there. The other API students were all very nice, but they were mostly there to go clubbing, which isn't my thing. I ended up making an amazing group of friends by taking free English-language improv classes. I also tried swing dance and martial arts classes in Spanish, which were great because I didn't need to understand everything that was said. (By the way, many people in Barcelona speak English. It can be a big relief to be able to talk to someone in English if you're stuck, but if you want to challenge yourself, consider a place like Seville. Most people there speak little to no English.) I guess the bottom line is that API provides a great program (the excursions are great fun, I especially liked the one to Rome), but for a really fulfilling time abroad, you should explore on your own. That's probably true for any program.
Also, I will say that the academics left something to be desired, but the fault lies with the university, not API. API students at the University of Barcelona are enrolled in a program called Estudios Hispanicos, or Spanish Studies, which consists of a Spanish class and a few Spanish electives. The classes were not very challenging and often quite disorganized (there were days when nobody knew what room my Spanish class was in until half an hour after it was supposed to start. The people in the office would tell me to get a coffee while they figured it out. Spain in general is pretty laid-back and often disorganized). I don't think there's much API can do, though, because students with other programs and at other universities in Barcelona have told me they had the exact same complaints.
Since I went for my gap year and my future college wouldn't accept the credits I earned anyway, I didn't mind that much, and I learned a lot of Spanish just by immersing myself in the culture. If you're looking for rigorous academics, keep looking, but if you want a unique experience in a beautiful city full of excitement and friendly people, I highly recommend API's program at UB.

During my month long volunteer abroad experience I had the opportunity to live with a host family and take Spanish classes. The first week of one-on-one Spanish classes were included in my program fee (20 hours). I would definitely recommend paying the nominal fee for Spanish classes every week, I learned so much. The Spanish school, CE's partner is super welcoming with the perfect balance between professional and fun. Going to school every morning 8-12 was one of my favorite experiences. I had the opportunity to learn the language, meet people from all over the world and learn about the culture while at school.
My host family had wifi and I was able to communicate with my family and friends in the US which was very convenient.

I had excellent support from Cultural Embrace. I had a skype interview, a few phone calls and numerous emails were exchanged prior to my departure. My program coordinator was always able to answer my questions and she helped me feel comfortable traveling alone.

Flying to Guate my flight was delayed, but my CE program coordinator called the school in Guatemala to let them know. And my driver was there waiting for me without any problems.

I originally met the folks at Cultural Embrace (CE) during a internship/study abroad fair at Texas State University. We started talking about what I was looking for in an internship, and it kind of sounded to good to be true. We had discussed doing an internship and I would just have to pay for a plane ticket. For CE, I would have to take pictures and keep a blog of what I was doing. I had recently bought a DSLR camera and really enjoyed writing. So that was the initial process.

I ended up choosing China, since I thought it would be a place I would never go to on my own. I'm not sure the set up now, but I went all over China and did the following: 2 weeks in an ancient village with the Yao minority, adventure treks in Yangshou (my favorite part because of rock climbing and a lot of hiking), life changing week at an orphanage in Changsha, amazing week a Panda reserve in the Sechuan province, and then taught English in Yantai.

It was all absolutely amazing!!! I kept in touch throughout my time over there, but I also had in country contacts that arranged transportation and lodging. You have to be okay with adventure, and if you are, this will be a trip of a lifetime. I encountered both men and woman of a wide variety of ages that all had a great time. I felt very safe the whole time and highly highly (that was on purpose) recommend this.

Interning in Australia was my first experience living abroad, and with the support of Cultural Embrace by API, transitioning to a new country was smooth and stress-free.

I lived with a lovely Australian family in North Sydney and my internship was at a nutrition clinic about a mile and half away, making for a convenient daily commute.

The landscape was beautiful and green with rich vegetation, and the neighborhood was fashioned with sidewalks lining every street, making it suitable for running. An avid fitness enthusiast, I also located a yoga studio only a short bike ride from my home-stay.

After several weeks of navigating the city and its many suburbs on my own, I eventually made my way towards the ocean, sand and social scene of Bondi Beach, where I stumbled on quaint coffee shops, health food stores, crystal waters, and hours of sunbathing. On the shores of Bondi, I made friends that are still some of my best mates to this day, including my Aussie boyfriend.

I went to Australia with an open mind and heart and a focus on personal growth and development. I made a conscious effort to stay fully present through every moment of my six months overseas. I turned challenges- such as experiencing bouts of homesickness or trouble with interpreting the Aussie accents and lingo- into opportunities for learning, viewing any difficulty as a chance to strengthen my fortitude.

My trip to South Africa was the first trip I've ever taken overseas. It was so easy! Buying the plane ticket was the most difficult and stressful part of the trip because I was unsure of flight times and plane changes, but once I figured that out, everything fell into place.
I was met at the airport by a wonderful man named Thobs, employed by Volunteer Africa, and he had all the others from our group with him. I felt like I was returning home, the welcome so warm.
After a couple days of orientation, we began our program with the schools. Each morning we walked to the office from the house we stayed in, checked in with the program leader and caught our ride to our school.
We worked with the children 3 hours each day and returned to the house to work on course work. I was able to participate in some community activities such as sports and adult education. People from the community were friendly, but careful, and allowed me small glimpses into their lives.
Chintsa does not have the same hustle and bustle as East London or Johannesburg. I felt we were pretty insulated from reality. I observed a community still segregated by economics and although I experienced some traditional lifestyles, I couldn't disspell the feeling of white privilege. Obviously, keeping the volunteers safe is a priority, but maybe if I had not been with a group from Texas State University, chance for cultural immersion may have been greater.
Returning to Chintsa is a priority. I want to be a part of the educational growth of the children and reverse the damage of apartheid.

Cultural Embrace did a wonderful job answering all of my questions before and during my stay in Spain. I knew what to expect and how to use my free time to really take advantage of living in another culture.

I really wanted to learn the language and as anyone being immersed for the first time will tell you, adjusting at the beginning is difficult but completely worth it. You must go out of your comfort zone to learn as much as you can about the other culture, making sure you approach every new experience with an open mind. Go join a local gym and take exercise classes or go to a festival advertised on a poster.

As a native english speaking au pair, my main objective was to teach the children English. I played games and encouraged them to speak each afternoon after school and on Saturdays. During my free time, I taught some private English lessons, went to the local gym, had an intercambio, or met another au pair friend for coffee.

This truly changed my life and vacationing somewhere will never replace actually living in an area for an extended period of time. You can form relationships with those around you and be immersed in not only the language but an entirely new culture.

I highly recommend traveling as an au pair because you can be a part of the family life of another culture while having the free time to see so much more.