Program Reviews

Nothing can properly describe my time studying abroad at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Mariah was an absolute joy to work with. The program provider helped me immensely with all of the documentation beforehand. I decided last minute to join (about two months before my departure) and they helped me every step of the way. I still, over a year later, think about Ireland often, and I am still in contact with my Irish roommates and fellow Americans. I even have visited two other API alumni since my return. I am figuring out how I will make my way back to Ireland again soon. I highly recommend anyone even considering going to Ireland to look into this program and have the best semester of their life!

API's study abroad program at LdM in Florence is truly remarkable. I went in the summer of 2015 for a month and studied Italian and it was hands down the most incredible month of my life. Florence is absolutely the most amazing city in Italy, and probably in all of Europe. On top of that, the social scene there is great for college students, you will always run into people from all over the country that you would have never had the opportunity to meet without API. API put me in an ideal apartment, just a block from the Duomo, and 15 steps from Edoardo (the best gelato in Florence). API allows you to live with people from different universities and different backgrounds, and these people will become your closest friends on this trip. The opportunity to travel with your roommates on the weekends and go out and have a good time with them is the best part.
This program allowed me to meet some amazing people, see some amazing things, and have memories that will last a lifetime. This is hands down the best program available, Florence is a beautiful, inspiring place, you will never regret the decision to go.

Studying abroad in Budapest with API was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made.

I did not know much about Hungary prior to my arrival, but the API program staff in Budapest helped me get acclimated and where there to help with any questions or concerns that I had. Budapest is a beautiful city with a lot to do. The API programs planned awesome excursions, and gave a lot of suggestions for things to do in the city without the group.

I highly suggest studying through API's Corvinus University program!

I was passionate to work in a developing country to help students learn English, the language that connects us all. The staff at API were equally passionate about helping me get to Vietnam and embark on the adventure that would change my life. I immediately fell in love with my students and the people in Vinh. The country has become my second home, and API made the connection between me and this wonderful place.

I studied abroad in London, and I decided to really create a life for myself when I was abroad. I wanted to take part in my experience, not just be a tourist. UAL offers a freshers fair for newcomers, and I attended and met the football club. I was hesitant to join, but one of my course mates was also on the team. She encouraged me to come to a training session and joined the team. It took them two weeks to break the habit of me calling it soccer, but by the time I did, they had become my family in London.
I spent my last night in London with this team. The entire night I knew I needed to get back to my flat to pack, but I just could not leave them. These girls became my best friends. I stayed so late that I actually overslept and missed my flight home. I eventually got back home safely but miss those people every day. Going to London with API, choosing that school and meeting that time is the best decision I ever made.

My API housing was in the center of the city, a 5 minute walk from campus, a 30 second walk to the tube, and was within walking distance of many landmarks. I lived in a better location then most of the University students, as well other study abroad students. The support given to me was outstanding before I left for the trip as well as upon my return to the United States. The staff on the ground in London was amazing (Rachel was like a mother to us), and made me truly feel like London was my home. They organized extremely cool trips around the city (and country), and were always present if we had questions or concerns. I would without reservation recommend this program for anyone interested in studying abroad in London.

I chose API based on the value and they did not disappoint! Everything from initial interactions with the staff in the US to my homestay to the unique excursions they offered was incredible.

From day one I felt as through my program manager wanted the best for me and I didn't feel like another number. The on-site staff in Sevilla were equally helpful and ensured we were getting the best cultural experience as possible. In fact, one of the resident directors spent an hour explaining the different neighbors, what to do and see and drew me a map of Barcelona before a weekend trip. They really go above and beyond.

My host family was great. I lived with my host mom, host brother, and another API student. My program included 3 meals a day at my house, laundry and my room was cleaned every other week. I loved living with a host family because I feel like I was able to say I truly lived in Spain. I completed small tasks with my host mom such as getting bread from our local bakery in the morning, grocery shopping, and visiting her grandkids. It definitely helped with my language skills.

The academics were more challenging than I anticipated, but still very manageable. The professors really challenge you to think in the perspective of a new culture and help to immerse you to the Spanish culture. Pablo de Olavide, the University, is outside the city so I needed to take the metro to class, but it was only a 15 minute commute. Classes are generally Monday through Thursday.

With the program I had two spring breaks, they feel on two cultural festivals: Semana Santa and Feria. I would highly recommend studying in Sevilla (in the spring) to experience these two weeks.

The city itself is safe and full of rich Spanish culture. I really enjoyed the size because it felt like a city, yet was small enough to walk almost everywhere. There is never a shortage of things to do from walking around and taking in the architecture to sitting by the river to enjoying a nice cafe con leche with friends!

Overall, my experience with API studying in Sevilla was phenomenal and I would recommend this program to all that want to experience a very rich Spanish culture.

This program is close to my heart since I was born in Colombia. I migrated with my family to Canada when I was nine and assimilated easily to life in Toronto. After graduating University, I decided to teach abroad for a year and Cultural Embrace by API's program to teach in Colombia seemed a prefect fit; an opportunity that would allow me to get reacquainted with my Colombian roots. My background, therefore, has influenced how I view this program quite a bit. Speaking just for the program, my day to day life consisted of two classes which were an hour and a half in length. We were told we would teach an instructor class, but it wasn't until the second semester that I acquired one. My schedule was very relaxed since there was so much free time, however I did spend a lot of time planning lessons since we were not given a curriculum and I had never taught before. Although we were given a week of training in Bogota, I felt what I truly learned about lesson planning was definitely based on my teaching experience in the classroom. At times this program was disorganized: we were not fully informed about how to grade students on a program called Sofia Plus, we sometimes had to search for classroom space because there was a problem with the one we were given, and instructor classes were always a bit ambiguous (even when I was given one attendance was very low because teachers have such a busy schedule).
However, despite these problems, the students were very friendly and humorous, and teachers were also very welcoming. The SENA centre itself is quite nice; it is a very illuminated building and the teacher's lounge on the fifth floor is a great space for working, relaxing, or having lunch with coworkers while not dictating class. Overall, my experience teaching English in Medellin was fantastic; I learned innumerable lessons and it was a great growth opportunity, both personally and professionally. Medellin is a beautiful place to live and I would recommend this program to someone who was considering teaching in South America.

Studying abroad in Bilbao was not only a great experience but I was able to experience another culture in depth, exponentially improve my Spanish, meet new friends from many different countries, and easily travel to other European countries. The program staff was helpful and contributed to the improvement of my Spanish. However, the language program was primarily American students which I was unaware of beforehand. There are testily opportunities to be more integrated with Spanish students such as taking other classes offered at the universities, participating in clubs (many people participate in the hiking club), or intercambia where you get paired with a Spanish student and speak each other's languages- I highly recommend it. The city itself is safe, has a great art culture, and offers many outdoor activities since it has the unique position of being situated near mountains and an ocean. My home stay was great however I did feel as though my family and my personalities did not match very well and wish that the matching process was more thorough.

My experience studying abroad with API was better then I could have ever imagined! I was set up in an apartment on the Arno River, looking over the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge. Not only was the view amazing, but my roommates and I had live music outside our window almost every night. The school is located near the Duomo and the Central Market, so you are always in the middle of the excitement of Florence. LDM and API also provide a variety of free activities for students every week, including wine tastings, tours in the city, and live shows. Most importantly, there are tons of travel groups for students that make it VERY easy and inexpensive to travel Europe on the weekends! Also, API provides free excursions to cities in Italy like Rome, Venice, Verona, and Cinque Terre!