Program Reviews

I absolutely loved the time I spent in Florence, Italy. The excursions that API provided were amazing. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot during them. My apartment exceeded my expectations. I lived with 7 other girls and my apartment was designed for 10 people to live in. It was huge. I felt safe in the area I lived in and safe in general in Florence. I would go back in a heart beat!

I loved my experience with API Grenoble - I learned French, I made lifelong friends, and I experienced something I will never forget. I recommend studying abroad to just about everyone now, because it had such a positive impact on my college career. If I could, I would certainly do it all over again.

The residential staff was fantastic; for the week of orientation in Paris, I got to know the other people on my program because of the fantastic cultural activities we participated in, like visiting the top of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. We also had ample free time to get to know each other, so I didn't feel like I was in a summer camp, constantly supervised. Once we got to Grenoble, the residential staff helped us with everything like reimbursing us for taxi money, making doctor's appointments if we were sick, and counseling us if we had any personal problems. Their office really was a home away from home.

My host family was a fabulous experience - API somehow matched me with the perfect host family for my wants and needs. In my house, I was free to come and go as I wished, but at the same time, I had dinner with my family every night (fantastic home cooked traditional French dishes) and my host mother would ask me what I did everyday, just like my actual mother would. When I got sick, my host mom drove me to doctor's appointments and brought my dinner down to me in my room, which was very considerate, considering I wasn't her actual child.

The academics were the only thing lacking in this program. My grammar teacher was retiring the next year, and perhaps that's why it was somewhat lackluster, but whenever we were assigned homework, it wasn't a necessity that we have it done the next day, if at all. I learned French because of the constant exposure to it everyday, not because of what I learned in school (However, I'm sure that helped.). The electives were a bit more rigorous, but not by much. The point is, I got what I wanted: a carefree semester to travel around Europe, because I had enough academic freedom to do so.

The Grenoble night life was very lively and frankly, I loved it. Everything started Wednesday night and ended Friday night, which was fine by me. Everyone downtown was very nice and helpful, and I always had an interesting conversation with someone new every time I went out. It was a great experience! I felt safe because I had a group of people I went out with, as well as people that lived close to me that could walk me home if I felt like I needed it (which was rare). The transportation system (tram + bus) was very reliable, and I used it often- no complaints there. They closed at 2am (we could always take a taxi), but I was close enough that walking back didn't bother me if I needed to.

If given the chance, I would definitely study abroad again. In fact, I'm about to live in Paris for a year for my graduate studies and I couldn't be more excited to plunge myself into French culture again. And it all started with API!

Salamanca was an absolutely amazing city to spend three months living and learning. It is a vibrant, youth-driven college town with so much to offer a perspective student. It host one of the oldest universities in Europe as well as one most well-respected Spanish language programs in the world. Students come to the "Cursos Internationales" from diverse countries and backgrounds specifically to learn Spanish "at its roots" in Salamanca.

On top of offering and incomparable academic experience, Salamanca hosts a phenomenal social scene. Its clean and well lit streets invite its citizens, young and old, to enjoy the city's night life. The plaza mayor--one of the most well-known and beautiful plazas in all of Spain-- comes to life as the sun goes down and its face lights up in a golden glow. It really is quite breath-taking to behold.

If a student is looking for a truly story-book Spanish city, Salamanca is the place to go. The "golden city" of Spain... It speaks for itself.

The staff in the U.S. are absolutely amazing. They help prepare you and are there to assist you with absolutely anything. Seriously, 10+ calls and I was sure that I had driven them crazy. They are knowledgeable, most employees having studied abroad with the program.

Staff onsite provide assistance for specific course requirements (credits that transfer directly to your home university), as well as very informative and helpful orientations to the culture and university. Excursions were AMAZING! I also appreciated the fact that a meal card and metro pass were included in the program price (a HUGE reason why I chose the program).

Classes were offered to all languages levels, with electives taught in English. Perfect for a Political Science/International Affairs major to complete courses while taking French language abroad.

The API Cork program was absolutely incredible. The excursions were great, and the program director was the best. I couldn't have asked for a better experience in Ireland. One of the best things about studying at UCC was that you have a month off in April to study for finals, which we all used to travel. This opportunity to travel was incredible! I would highly recommend API Cork to anyone who is interested in studying abroad in Ireland.

Rome was nothing like I imagined it--it was a million times better. I spent my fall 2010-2011 semester abroad there and had what I call, a Roman Romance. I fell in love with the city.

API helped me make the most of my time in Italy. The program planned unforgettable trips. Just to name a few; we soaked in the thermal bathes of Orvieto, rode bikes around Tarquina, and climbed Mount Vesuvius. API also provided tips and information on how to plan our own trips, like the one my roommates and I went on to the Chocolate Festival in Perugia.

When we weren't traveling, my roommates and I were cooking Italian dinners like Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, visiting local markets, or people watching in Trastevere. Our apartment was beautiful with four large bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and two bathrooms. The neighborhood was quiet and full of true Italians, which gave us ample opportunity to converse (or at least try to converse) with the locals.

I kept a journal while abroad for my travel writing class (which I highly recommend)and I think my final entry best describes my day-to-day experiences and overall Roman Holiday. If you have some time, check it out! If not, here is the bottom line; go to Rome and do it with API!

"I am feeling quite sentimental today, not towards my roommates, but rather my feelings about Rome. I love this city. When I first got here, I remember thinking, “this just isn’t a place where I could see my self living later in life.” Now, it’s a different story. I love the cafés, the culture, the shopping, and the weather. Each day I fall more and more in love with the language, despite my difficulties speaking it. December is the perfect time to fall in love with Rome. There are elegant Christmas decorations on every major street that exude the “class” that is Rome. I love the smell of chestnuts as I pass the little man on my street corner. I love how my door man always says “ciao!" as step on to the cobblestone streets each day.
The very best part of my day is, without a doubt, my walk home. I have the best walk home from school that has ever existed. I walk down toward Barberini, down Via Sistina, I descend the Spanish Steps, cross through Piazza del Popolo, and across the Tiber River which it is lit up at night to give it a special glow. I walk down the bustling Cola de Rienzo and admire all of the window displays, and finally make my way down a little side street to my apartment.

My favorite part of the walk is right before I hit the top of the Spanish Steps, as I make my way down Via Sistina. There is a point where I can see a full view of the city as well as the Vatican lit up in the evening far in the distance. Just a little closer, is another large and well lit dome of some Roman monument I never learned.

Sometimes I stop there and look out at the city and think about how lucky I am. Today was one of those days. When will I ever live a life like this again? I know all good things must come to an end—and I really am happy to be going home—but man, I am going to miss Rome."

During my time abroad I had an amazing time. At first I was scared to go because I had never been to another country but when I got got there and saw my programs sign at the airport it was like none of that mattered anymore.API was great as soon as you got to Florence airport they were waiting for you (which was very comforting).

One of the things I loved about API's program was that they took you on four scheduled trips. We visited Rome, Venice, Purugia Seine, and Tuscany. Going with API wasn't stressful and you learned so much. I mean, who else can say they were in Cenice for carnival or Tuscany for their 21st birthday?! I met amazing friends that will never forget.

Some tips:
• Pack light (seriously)
• Take in everything and T mean everything. I was like, oh four months is a long time, but it will go by so fast
• Keep in touch with the friends you make abroad. It's a ton of fun talking with someone else that shared your experience
• Eat all the amazing food
• Get to know API leaders and teachers
• Have an amazing time. Remember this is a once and a life time opportunity to do things you can't do at home

Cultural Embrace has made my experience in China worthwhile and extremely memorable. Firstly, one of the things that attracted me to this program was its affordability: $500 plus plane ticket fare. I only paid for food and souvenirs; Cultural Embrace paid for our apartment, which was located conveniently in downtown Beijing and beside the Silk Market. As an added bonus, I received $250 back after I sent in 3 reflections after the trip. This was easily the cheapest trip I've been on. Also, the support staff was wonderful: Emlyn Lee, the founder of Cultural Embrace, is a very outgoing and dedicated woman. She even accompanied the China group for awhile to make sure everything was running in good order.

China is a very crazy place, I won't lie. However, I believe that this is what made the entire trip unforgettable. The social life is great,especially in Beijing, where I was placed. The students I worked with ranged from 13 to 18 years old; yet, all were eager to learn and were extremely friendly. Also, the +20 people I traveled with were exceptional, and I am still in contact with many of them today.

All in all, I really enjoyed my trip to China with Cultural Embrace, and I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who loves to experience new places and cultures. Good luck!

Volunteering as an English teacher was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I always knew that I wanted to give back to my native country of China, and because I'm still a university student with limited funds, I figured my greatest contribution would be in the form of teaching English.

Cultural Embrace made everything stress-free from the very beginning. My placement in a language academy in the province of Shandong was very successful and Emlyn, the president of Cultural Embrace, was very pleasant and did her best to provide for us the smoothest transition into our teaching roles.

The highlight of my trip was the graduation ceremony at our school near the end of my stay in Shandong. It really was a perfect ending to the month that I had spent, teaching the local children (and learning from them as well).

I've never done anything like this before with any organization, but this summer's experiences made me truly believe that Cultural Embrace was about as good as it gets when it comes to choosing a legitimate program to invest your time in.