Program Reviews

Studying abroad in Galway with API was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I had a really wonderful study abroad experience, which was definitely augmented by their help. One of the main reasons I chose to study abroad with API was because of the excursion opportunities and cultural activities that were provided in the program price, which was quite reasonable. The program organized events in Galway, trips around Ireland, and a weekend trip to Paris, which were all a complete blast.
API also provided hands-off support that gave me a great amount of autonomy, but also gave me the ability to get any advice or help when I needed it. It was definitely a nice balance of freedom and assistance.
The course load was not very rigorous or time intensive, which was beneficial because it allowed time to explore Galway and to travel to other places around Ireland and Europe. Most of my national or international travel was done on the weekends, but there are also large amounts of free time at the end of the program due to finals being spread out, which is very conducive to more extensive trips.
Galway itself is a really great town. There is plenty to do around town during the day, and there is also exciting nightlife scene as well. The town is large enough that anyone can find their niche, but small enough that students won’t be overwhelmed.
Overall, I can’t say enough about the fantastic time I had studying abroad. I absolutely recommend studying abroad in Galway with API.

Studying in London was absolutely incredible. Living there is different from just visiting, but through the programs outings, meet-ups and support we were able to still go out and see all the things we really wanted to. I had an internship during this time, so I was able to get real-world experience while taking classes. I wasn't just visiting, I was living it. The support that API gave prepared me and eased me into the process so that I felt confident doing things throughout my time there. It also was a great way to have pre-planned trips so I didn't miss out on anything.

API Paris is wonderful, regardless of which school you choose to attend. However, if you are a language major or very familiar with the language prior to arrival, I highly recommend a direct enrollment program. It's like you're a real French student, a native, going to class with everyone else. Classes ranged from easy to difficult, but the API RDs were always there to help when you needed it, whether writing a French paper or extra studying. At Diderot, I was able to take fun courses like gymnastics and judo, and still take challenging courses like literature and translation.
Staying for a whole year was an amazing experience, and unlike some other programs, API allows you to revisit excursions that you may have gone on in your first semester. During my stay I attended a high-profile concert, lazed in parks, enjoyed many museums, and ate lots of great food. Some of my favorite memories are the simple things: my apartment with a monument view, visiting with the wonderful API Paris staff, and spending time with new friends.
I had fellow students from my university abroad in France the same time that I was overseas, and none of them were as well prepared for their stay as I was with API. API helps you in so many ways: airport pickup, housing arrangements, city integration, class registration and more. The other people I knew had to find out how to get to their cities from the airport, arrange their housing, and sign up for their classes.
It was so easy being abroad with API, and it's an experience I plan on doing again and again!

During the school year I knew I wanted to study abroad, as many graduates I have talked to along the way said that was the one thing they regret never doing. I was too far into my major, meaning if I went during the school year I'd have to push back graduation by a semester. Luckily, I found out API offers a fantastic summer program that could fulfill my wish.
I chose Chile over Espana and Europe because of expenses. I've also always been more attracted to the Latin culture due to their inviting, homey nature. I knew I wanted to improve my understanding and speaking of the Spanish language, as well as gain a strong sense of an outside culture. API sent me to PUCV in Valparaiso, and I was able to accomplish just that. The host family was fantastic. They were so welcoming, kind and caring. The location was great, very close proximity to not only the university, but also the downtown city, the beach, the malls and shops, the local sports stadium, etc.

Public transportation was great. I was a 2 minute walk from the metro. Taxis, buses, and 'colectivos' (taxis with predetermined routes, meaning much lower cost) literally passed by the doorstep. The highlight, however, is the university. While difficult at times, the classes were a necessary challenge to improve my language skills. The school offers many sport programs that international students are able to join, as well as a gym, weight room, dance/yoga studio, and a computer lab. Off-season classes are taken with international students only. The classes, however, are instructed in Spanish only.

Weekends will be packed with traveling and activities thanks to great on-location API directors. Keep in mind that the work load will be big, and the readings lengthy, but if you really want to boost your language skills and explore a new corner of the world, I recommend this program.

The API Paris staff is awesome. Anne Marie was a caring and involved program director. The cultural activities they had planned for us in Paris were educational, interesting, and exciting, and the weekend trips were fantastic. My favorite trip was to Collioure, a small beach town on the southern coast of France. What an amazing place!

I lived with a host family outside of the city. I didn't really like living outside of the city because of the transportation time, but the town was safe and quiet, which was a nice escape from Paris suburbs. I would definitely recommend living with a host family if you are looking for the cultural experience rather than a party experience. It seemed like the students in the dorms got to know each other really well, but I got to know people from all over the world while they only met other students from their own country. My language skills improved so much because I spent a lot of time outside of class practicing with my host family. I also got to try a lot of different kinds of foods.

I did the intensive language program, so I was in class for three to six hours a day during the week. I learned more from the program in four weeks than I did in probably a year of college class. We did speaking, listening, writing, and reading exercises, as well as discussed some elements of French and Parisian culture. The campus is small and located in a cool area of Paris. It's not far from a metro and bus stop, so it's easily accessible.

As far as the city goes, it's Paris. Every American loves Paris. It's dirty, the waiters are rude, but there's so much history on every street corner. There were times when I would have done anything to go somewhere else, but now that I'm back in the US I dream about Paris every night. Every street is picturesque and the lifestyle is slow and calm (except in the metro or at a boulangerie at lunchtime). I spent five weeks in Paris and I never had the same day twice. However, the pickpockets are REAL! They are easy to avoid, though, if you stay alert in crowded areas.

If you are considering this program, you should stop thinking about it and do it!

Traveling abroad to Florence, Italy with API was the experience of a lifetime. I attended Lorenzo De' Medici where I took classes on Monday, Wednesdays, and Thursday. This gave me a lot of time to travel around the city and become very familiar with it. My apartment was in an amazing location. I was on Via San Gallo, about a 5 minute walk from the Duomo, and a block away from the vibrant San Lorenzo market, as well as a close walk to the other LDM buildings. I lived with five other API students, who have become some of my best friends. My apartment building also housed many other API students so I was able to meet so many friends that way. The size of the city is perfect, there is so much to do, yet you can walk everywhere. The city has so much to offerer and is unbelievably beautiful (especially as the weather warms up).
API also has so much to offer. Within the study abroad package there were four amazing excursions to Rome, Venice, Lucca and Tuscany. They were amazing trips and were a great time to meet other API students.
I would highly recommend API to anyone. Traveling to Florence with API was the best experience to date, and I think that everyone should go abroad.

My study abroad experience was hands down the most incredible experience of my life. API made the trip amazing with their continuous support and the excursions. When I began the journey I was terrified to be going alone, but they were with me every step of the way. I made amazing friendships with people who I am still close with today. When I tell people about the cost of my trip and what was included they are blown away. API definitely beat out the competition since I spent so much time researching. I will forever remember my trip and I can't wait to someday return to Spain and Portugal!

When making my decision to study abroad in Ireland, I had researched a few different companies and by far, API was the best choice for me. API provided a slightly longer summer program than my second choice and I am very happy it did. After 5 weeks in Galway, I had mixed emotions about going home. Although part of me missed home, the other part didn't want to leave the friends I had met and the experiences we had.

Before leaving for my trip, I was definitely very nervous since I had never gone on a trip by myself, let alone out of the country. My nerves were set at ease by the API Staff, Kevin and Finn. They were always available if we needed anything and treated us like family from day one.

Galway was an amazing city and I cannot wait to go back some day! There was always something going on. During my trip there was a two week long Arts festival, along with the Volvo Ocean Race festival. On any given day there were numerous musicians playing on Shop Street. Of course, the pubs are also a main attraction. Not to worry, there are plenty to choose from.

Life in Ireland seemed some much more peaceful than in the US. Be prepared for a lot of walking, though with such beautiful scenery, walking everywhere was very enjoyable. Even in the rain, I didn't mind walking. The strong, chilly wind was occasionally an issue though, as it made umbrellas useless.

During my trip, I lived in Gort na Coiribe with two other API girls in a two bedroom apartment. The apartments were roughly a 20 minute walk to campus and the city center. Overall, the place was a great home away from home. There were definitely quirks such as cold showers and occasionally low water pressure in our bathroom; however, the maintenance staff did their best to fix the issues. One thing I didn't prepare myself for was the cost of doing laundry and the cost of food. Although the kitchen was sufficient, it was often much easier to just eat out which definitely added up in costs.

The academics at NUI Galway was fairly easy. As part of the program, I took two courses, Irish Society and Archaeology. There were no homework assignments. Instead, each grade was based only on a paper and two exams, a midterm and a final. Some of the courses, such as Archaeology, offered excursions to really get out and experience hands on what you are learning which was great. The one issue I faced in terms of classes was staying concentrated when studying knowing there was a fun atmosphere around me waiting to be experienced.

Aside from individual course excursions, NUIG's summer school program organized program wide trips to the Dingle Peninsula, the Aran Islands, and a theater performance during the Arts Festival. They also provided optional Irish language classes and dancing and singing workshops which were fun to take part in. Another great part of NUIG was the receptions they put on for the students with free drink tickets at the college bar!

Overall, I absolutely recommend API, Ireland, and Galway! The memories and friendships I gained from my trip abroad through API will surely last a lifetime and I could not be more grateful.

I loved the experience best time of my life!! you really get to travel and see so many different types of places throughout Costa Rica! The city can get boring but you for sure live through the weekends and at night there is a lot to do you just have to be safe walking around the neighborhood! I love their lifestyle i seriously had no worries when I was down there it was beautiful and i miss every minute of it!

Studying abroad was one of the most valuable experiences of my life, and I owe so much to API for organizing and facilitating my trip. Before I left I decided I wanted to experience the authentic culture through Spanish cooking lessons, dance classes and more, and wouldn't you know, API had that all organized already. I really, really appreciated just how many trips and activities were organized by API that were all included in the price of the program!

I also loved that one of the housing options included Spanish dorms, where I met many local students my age who I still stay in touch with today. Though academics were very much you-get-what-you-give, I felt like I came out with much, much stronger language skills than I ever expected.

Finally, I couldn't have asked for better coordinators to be there for me the first time I traveled on my own. When my wallet was stolen they were there to make sure I had enough money and was able to get in touch with my parents and bank and get everything solved quickly. When I needed help planning a trip, advice on where to go or even just printing my plane tickets, they were there to help. I came out feeling so confident in travelling and I undoubtedly owe it all to API's support while I was abroad. I only wish that API would offer more programs for post-graduation travel :)