Program Reviews

Studying in Grenoble, France was the best decision I could have made. I wanted to improve my French abroad, but I decided Paris wasn't the city for me as I knew it was possible to get around speaking English there.

Grenoble was perfect because the locals were so welcoming and were quite patient with our developing French. They were also interested in why we were in Grenoble and how we liked it. We easily made friends with French college students by accidentally becoming language buddies. Many of our conversations were bilingual and it was an amazing experience.

Going to a university in France was an interesting experience. It was the complete opposite of my home university and took some getting used to. However, it was a learning experience and taught me a lot about myself and my learning styles.

As for API, I could not have chosen a better program. My program manager in the US was incredibly helpful during the entire application and pre-departure process. She answered my numerous emails and was quick to get me any documents that I might have been missing. My resident directors in Grenoble were the sweetest women and took good care of us. They were a phenomenal resource adjusting to France and provided invaluable advice on getting along with our host families.

In all honesty, I would not have changed anything about my study abroad location. While a challenging experience, it ended up being incredibly positive. The combination of API and Grenoble was perfect for me and I wished I spent an entire year there.

It is important to know the living arrangements that are best for you. If you need people around you, you don't want to live in an apartment alone. I was in an apartment and very lonely. I would have braved the public showers to live in the dorm if I had known how lonely it could be.

The only thing I didn't like in my program was that we were separated from the French students. API has different versions in Paris, so you want to verify ahead of time which program will be best for you. At my level, I wanted to be integrated in with other native french students, but it was mostly other foreigners who were advancing in their language skills. I also would have liked some conversation classes. I know that some programs did offer that, but I didn't find out until too late that mine did not.

The lectures were great and the grammar courses and phonetics were challenging and extremely useful. Overall, the program was amazing. The people who run the API office in Paris are fantastic and always their for you if you need them or just want to talk. The excursions were beyond words fantastic. I wish I could go back knowing now what I didn't know then.

I think I can speak on behalf of my entire program when I say that API provided us with nothing but excellent service throughout the duration of our program. During the pre-departure phase, we received prompt follow-ups as well as information about our program that made the weeks leading up to the trip extremely smooth, allowing us to spend our last days at home comfortably.

Once the program began, their on-site advisors Christine and Audra were nothing but great. They had a genuine interest in our well-being and made us feel very comfortable and at ease in our new environment. API definitely picked some good on-site advisors for this Rome program! Also, during the time abroad, our scheduled excursions allowed us to better connect with the group that we traveled abroad with and get some sightseeing done, without having to worry about making any of the arrangements. There were no hidden fees while abroad, nor were there any problems when it came time to housing.

The trip as a whole was amazing and I can honestly say that API, paved the road for one unforgettable summer abroad. It is for that reason that I am writing this review today, to say 'gratzie' for the irreplaceable friends and great memories that I made abroad. It would not have been possible without the organization and care that you all put into setting up your study abroad programs. Bottom line, study abroad with API, they're amazing!

Despite only having studied abroad during one summer, I had a really enjoyable time! My host was very nice, and even cooked food to fit my vegetarian diet. I was the only student staying there, and had originally requested a roommate; however, I ended up enjoying having some time more to myself, while still being able to visit friends at their apartments/at the beach/etc.

I liked the structure of the classes, and how everyone in the program was placed in a class at the appropriate language level, giving us the chance to meet people outside our API program, some of whom were from other countries.

I also liked that API had cultural excursions planned on the weekends, and occasionally on weekdays--it was a nice chance to learn more about the culture and explore more than I might have on my own. That's not to say you don't have time to do your own thing too--one weekend, I even took a train to Montserrat with some friends!

One thing I thought was challenging was the exam at the end of the four-week classes--unlike exams I was used to, it was not created by our language professors, so tested us on grammar we may or may not have focused on in class. Other than that, I would definitely recommend this program!

I participated in the API Summmer 2 French Language Program in Paris from July to August 2010. I was incredibly skeptical at first, because my French skills were severely lacking and I'd never lived or studied abroad before, but I decided to go for it and I'm so glad I did, because it ended up being the best experience of my entire 4 (& change) years in college.

The staff support that API provides is above and beyond, giving you directions, tips, maps, reviews/opinions on things to do and see in the city, weekend travel opportunities that are included in your program fees, and an awesome office that is conveniently situated in the center of Paris (which also serves as a great reference point and place to study)!

The chose to live in the FEU (Fondation des Etats Unis) with most of the other students on the program, although some chose homestays and one or two chose to live in their own apartments. I fully recommend staying at the FEU because it's more cost efficient than apartment living, yet allows you more freedom to do as you please and come & go during later hours than a homestay would. Most of the students on the program chose the FEU, which also made it convenient to get together to go out to museums, clubs, and catch the Metro to class together in the mornings. My closest relationships and bonds were made with others who were staying at the FEU.

The food is phenomenal in Paris, I definitely recommend saving and bringing MORE than you'd expect to spend. I ran out pretty quickly and wasn't too happy about having to live off of banana Nutella crepes for a week (although those are delicious).

Museums are FREE to students of the EU system, which you will be considered as during your study abroad experience, so GET OUT and see them! The Louvre is amazing, you could spend a full week there - for free! It's really an incredible opportunity.

Some of my favorite moments were: view of the Eiffel Tower lighting up at night from Trocadero Park, Oscar Wilde's grave at Pere Lachaise, gelato at the gardens of Versailles on an insanely hot day mid-July.

Studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain with API is more than you will ever imagine. Within the first few days of landing in Spain you will meet 50-80 amazing friends and soon will be taken in by a loving Spanish family. It's extremely possible to balance academics and traveling. Sevilla's social scene and nightlife is one of the best!

I can confidently say that my semester in Cadiz, Spain was THE highlight of my college career - and overall was an incredibly life changing experience.

API is one of the few well-recognized program providers to offer an intensive language study program in Cadiz. The support, guidance and overwhelming kindness of the API staff is unparalleled. API was there for me every step of the way through my experience and I can't imagine having studied abroad with any other provider.

Cadiz - or Cai-Cai as it is affectionately known - is one of the most historic and beautiful cities in all of Spain. It is located in Andalusia province which is known for its amazing food and culture, beautiful beaches and warm, friendly people. There is no shortage of things to do in the city - even though I spent most of my days relaxing on La Caleta. Be sure to visit all of the plazas - especially Plaza Mina (get some gelato!). Catch a show at Gran Teatro Falla or the Balluarte. Climb the tower at La Catedral. Stop by 100 Montaditos on Wednesday for 1 euro menus. Check out the new exhibits at Santa Cantalina - go around sunset for a great view.

The rest of Spain is easily accessible by train or bus, but I promise there is always something to do and see in Cadiz.

If you want a program that challenges you to be fully immersed in a new culture, study a language and enroll directly with Spaniards, this is the program for you!

I had the best 4 months of my life with API Cadiz and I definitely left my heart in Spain!

I traveled with API to Granada in Spring of 2008 and absolutely love it. The staff took care of everything the moment I landed in Madrid and really made themselves available to students. Housing was exactly as it was described and all of the classes I needed to get credit for were offered in the program. The excursions were excellent as well. I have traveled all over Spain and studied in Madrid and Salamanca, but Granada is definitely the place to be. Great night life, great people, and you can easily travel all over from the city. I would repeat my trip in a heartbeat!

Choosing API as opposed to another program was the best decision I made when I decided to study abroad. The program has academic options for students of all levels, the staff on site as well as back home were always extremely supportive and accommodating, and the best part was we got to go on so many excursions and cultural activities throughout the city, country, and even internationally! AND the total program fee costs less than other programs that offered fewer excursions and amenities. The city of Seville is a beautiful place that is not too large but definitely not too small--you will never get bored but you will feel like you know the city like it is your home by the end of your stay, if not sooner. Across the board at the University of Seville, academics are very manageable and allow for a lot of free time that you will want so you can take advantage of all aspects of the city, traveling, and being abroad in general. Definitely a great program all around.

I studied abroad in Florence in 2005 and still talk about my experience constantly. Being immersed the magnificent culture of Italy was life-changing, and one that I encourage everyone to take part in should they have the chance. I found API to be extremely helpful, both in the states and in Italy. The API staff was incredibly friendly and helpful in getting me situated in my apartment, and they offered free and convenient computer/internet usage at their office.

I was incredibly grateful when one of the staff members took me to the hospital in Florence when I badly sprained my ankle. Having her at my side was priceless...she translated for the Doctor and made me feel so much better about being injured in another country. She even went and bought me crutches that I had to use for the next six weeks.

The staff and faculty at LDM were wonderful, also. All of my professors were incredible and so passionate about teaching and highlighting their beloved city. I took several trips with LDM in addition to those offered through API, and they were spectacular.

API and LDM gave me some of the most incredible experiences of my life, and I would have never met some of my best friends had I not been placed with them as roommates in Florence. I was blessed to find API and LDM.