Program Reviews

It was the best experience of my life! I would go back and do it all over again. API was incredible and their excursions were spectacular! They were so friendly but never imposed too much. The housing was perfect and the city of Galway is the most fun ever!

From living with Máma Concha on Calle Pureza in Triana, to learning about my new city and other cities throughout Spain; from improving my language proficiency, to meeting numerous invaluable friends from around the world, I have to say that going to Sevilla with API was the best decision I ever made. Not only did I grow tremendously in an intellectual way, but I also had lived an incredibly social, fulfilling, and fun life day-to-day. Sevilla itself made that possible - although it is a big city, it is manageable and extremely safe (not to mention GORGEOUS). With so much history and culture embedded in its essence and so many people (especially young people), Sevilla always offered me an opportunity to learn more about myself from learning about my environment and those in it. Also, the program (API) with whom I traveled made me and my peers so comfortable - we became a family through our shared experiences and memories. Juan and Marta made everything exciting and interesting, and they were ALWAYS there for each and every student, regardless of what time of day/night it was or how busy they were with other tasks. The excursions that are included with the program further enhanced the quality of my abroad experience, for they enabled me to branch out more inter (and intra) culturally. I would recommend this program to ANYBODY and EVERYBODY. You will fall in love with the city, the program, and the people you meet. (My API "family" aka friends, had a reunion earlier this month after being apart for 6 months. It was honestly one of the greatest weekends - 45 of us (from ALL OVER THE USA) came together in South Carolina to celebrate our friendship and reconnect. If it wasn't for API/my abroad experience, I would have never been able to say that I am so blessed to have such an invaluable group of people in my life).

Studying abroad in Italy was incredible. The city of Florence was the best home I could have asked for. Everyone around me was so happy and there was a kind of spirit in Florence that I had never felt before. I study Art, and became amazingly overwhelmed with all the culture, I felt like I had nothing to lose, because everything surrounding me was already so beautiful. My teachers were great, and so helpful at looking at my Art from a different cultural viewpoint. My growth as artist skyrocketed. Classes were very relaxed and exciting to go to. I traveled although Italy, and Europe. I got to see the genuine Italian life where good food and family come first. And I fell in love with red wine, after traveling through country side vineyards. As for Europe, it offers so much more, culturally and artistically. My highlights include dancing on tables at Oktoberfest in Munich Germany and living my dream of Skiing in Switzerland. I found comfort in Italy. Some of my favorite moments include, drawing at major sites throughout the city, wandering the streets with my camera, doing my art homework on my apartment terrace watching the sunset over the orange and yellow buildings, and meeting new people that I still talk to. My studying abroad experience helped me finally open my eyes. As for API, they were unbelievable. More helpful than I would have ever imagined. Not only did they provide us with endless activities like soccer games, concerts, and excursions all over Italy, but they were always willing to help us in any way. They offered more language classes, and really wanted the best cultural experience for each and everyone of us. For me, I didn't come across any difficulties besides having to leave. Everything about my experience made me a happier and better person. It was a year ago that I was there now, and I often think about moments when I need a pick me up. Nothing I have done in this year, since I've been back, has come close to comparing to the happiness I experienced in Italy. It took a while to adjust back to the American way of life. I'm finally settled back in and have never wanted to get out so bad. I'm planning to graduate in May, and work my way back over to Europe, and begin a longer program there. This world is too big not to. And with the way I changed in 4 months I was studying abroad makes me want to spend years traveling in Europe and see what kind of person I can become. My advice to anyone considering it, is to do it. Why not?

All my life I've dreamed of seeing the world outside my New England city, so when I decided to study abroad, I dove in head first- the full academic year. I chose API Grenoble first and foremost for the price; a year in France was a little LESS than a year at my home university. Who can say no to that? I coulnd't! However, after looking further into the program I realized it was perfect. The location, the school, the excursions, it seemed flawless- and to my surprise, it basically was! I studied from Fall 2010 to Spring 2010, and I lived with a host family in a small suburb set higher up in the Alps just outside the city. It was absolutely beautiful and my family was so charming and welcoming, I felt as if I were at home (if home were a dream set in the French Alps of course..)My daily commute to class was easy- my house was about a two minute walk to the bus stop, which brought you directly to the tram, which then brought me right to campus. On warm mornings, it was even as easy as a walk through town to the nearest tram stop. My classes were engaging and intellectual, with fun and interesting teachers genuinely interested in your learning. After a day of class I returned home to some fresh home-cooked French cuisine prepared by my host mom (or sometimes slightly burnt, but equally French cuisine prepared by my host brother.. it's the thought that counts!) With its central location in regards to surrounding countries, weekends brought trips to Switzerland and Italy, and longer vacations and a hop on a plane brought Ireland or a train to Belgium or the Netherlands. Or for a weekend at home, a easy stroll or a grueling hike up the Alps was always appealing, with a trail leading right from my back yard. I'm not the first person you should ask about the social scene in town because I can't honestly say I participated in it too much, but the few times I did, I was never let down. The city has such a young population so there's always something exciting to do and new friends to make, whether it be at a local bar, restaurant or board-game café. Being a year student, I feel I had an advantage over semester students in getting a real hold of the language and the culture. After getting over the culture shock (if you experience any, it wasn't too bad for me) and the realization that "Yes, this is real. I live in France. I live in the Alps. This if my life" the semester goes by quick. It's like, just when you get settled you have to pack up and go home. But for me, all I had to do was move my belongings into a corner, frolic around Europe for a few weeks, then settle back into my French way of life. The second semester brought hardly any nerves with school, my family, and travelling, and on top of all that, it brought lasting friendships. I met people who I would consider some of my closest friends, who I would have never met had I not studied abroad. Thinking back over the year, I can't recall any major difficulties I encountered that would be of interest to potential students. I had a few personal health problems, but even that was taken care of by the program. The resident directors and the students were like a second family, besides my host fmaily. If anything went wrong at all, whether it was a flight cancellation, thus weekend plans uprooted, academic problems, problems back home, personal issues, anything at all and API was there. I never felt lost or alone, there was always someone to help. Choosing to study abroad with API Grenoble was definitely the best decision I have made to date and I would recommend it to (and I have!) anyone who is even remotely interested in going abroad!

Studying abroad in Rome at John Cabot was amazing. API could not have done any better. There was always somebody to help me, both at home and abroad. The Orientation materials were great and very informational. Rome is a beautiful city filled with a variety of venues. You could never be bored there. I tried to see as much as I could, but you'd have to be Roman to see it all! The Vatican is breathtaking. You can just stare at it for hours. Make sure to see Rome from the top of St. Peters; there isn't a better view of Rome. Check out all that Rome has to offer and stuff yourself with Gelato!

The API Program at UPO was absolutely fantastic and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

If you decided to study abroad in Seville, make sure you're prepared for a very hot semester. Seville is known as the "frying pan of Spain!"

UPO is a great school with some really awesome teachers. Be sure to challenge yourself and at least take one class in Spanish. It's great to do if you really want to become fluent and learn the Spanish language better.

I've heard nothing but great things about host families through API. My host family was awesome and went above and beyond taking great care of me. They actually became a second family to me and I still keep in touch with them.

Overall, this is a fantastic program and I would highly recommend it.

A.P.I. helped me adapt to the life and culture in Spain. They placed with a fantastic host family in Sevilla, who had a daughter around my age. I met friends there who are just as close to me as my friends at home and one came to visit me in the U.S. Thanks to A.P.I. I feel like my home is truly in 2 parts of the world, while more travel adventures await me in the future. ¡Gracias API!

Overall, I loved my time in France. API facilitated exciting trips to cities around Grenoble like Annecy and Geneva, and we visited famous sites within Grenoble as well.

The classes themselves were a lot easier than I expected, for there was little to no homework in each section. We would do about 4 hours of class a day, then take the tram into the city to get lunch and hang out. It didn't matter that the classes weren't hard; trying to get around using my limited French was lesson enough. I have never been so tired and challenged (in a good way).

The city of Grenoble itself was interesting. At the time, rioters were clashing with police, so there was an air of unrest around town. As a woman, I did not feel safe going out at night: ESPECIALLY ALONE. Don't do it.

By far, the best part of my trip was my host family. I was placed with a family of two parents and four boys, and they were incredible. They took me on hikes, rock climbing excursions and trips to the gorgeous mountains surrounding the city. They made this trip with their patience and excitement for me.

I spent four months in Paris at Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne with API, and I wholly enjoyed myself the entire time. I lived in an apartment in the 10th arrondissement with three other girls, all strangers. We got along sometimes, and didn't some other times, but that's expected. The location of the apartment was both advantageous and inconvenient for different reasons: it was helpful in that it was located squarely between two of the largest, busiest metro stations in the city that could take us almost anywhere. It was a little far from our classes, however. We had a 30 minute commute by metro, but this was manageable compared to some of the homestays that were located outside of Paris proper. We were also located in a neighborhood that I would not recommend to many female students as I occasionally felt unsafe.

Otherwise, the API staff were friendly and effective in solving most problems. The office was small but located in the very heart of the city, and featured computers for student use. This was helpful (and unfortunately necessary) for times when we could not use the public hotspots we relied on in our apartment.
The actual schoolwork was exactly at my level because the Sorbonne was effective in testing then assigning me an appropriate course level. Homework was always very light; I hardly had to spend more than an hour a day on it. Despite stereotypes, my teachers were all friendly and obliging.

The lack of outside school work provided ample opportunity to explore a very busy and fascinating city. Within the first week, API had toured many famous landmarks with us, so that left me to explore the sites more popular with the locals. I frequented every museum I could possibly get into, and enjoyed many of Paris' well-kept parks like native students. A note to students considering studying here: with a student long-stay visa, a student under 25 years of age can get into most museums for free, and many landmarks for a discounted price. This significantly cut down on my living expenses and provided entertainment after school every day.

Overall, this was an incredible experience considerably facilitated by a helpful program that I would recommend to anyone.

Host family was great. API has high standards for host families. Mine was awesome. Food was great. Learned lots of things through my family.

The university is a little far from center of the city but in general very nice. Courses aren't hard. Professors are nice. Should take advantage of the intercambio language partner activity to meet some spanish friends.

Traveling with API was awesome. Staff and directors are very attentive and responsible. Great people.

I gave it 9/10 overall.