Study Abroad Programs

This semester has been far and away the greatest three months of my life and I am thrilled to still have six weeks left. The professors are where it all starts, accommodating every single student and their needs. They seek feedback and make a clear effort to teach in a style that appeals to all of their students. Furthermore, I love how all of the topics and case studies in class relate to what is actually going on in the world. This makes class engaging and something I look forward to rather than a bland, scripted lecture from a textbook. The most important reason I recommend UAB as the best choice for study abroad is how much mutual respect their is between teachers and students. Teachers consistently inquire about what weekend trips we went on, recommend activities and cuisine in Barcelona, and genuinely want the best for us while all students arrive on time, participate, and come to class ready to learn and grow.

Great school! Just wrapped up a month of learning. Vivian and Anqi were my teachers. They in particular are patient, understanding, and will guide you along in your Chinese journey with grace! I really like the environment of LTL as well. I did the group class which was a lot of fun and they have group lunches and activities throughout the week. (Shout out Sunny who organizes them!)

There are a lot of reasons people choose to go abroad. Beyond broadening your own horizons, travel offers the opportunity to encounter people and ways of life that are fundamentally different from what you are accustomed to. Travel is perhaps one of the only things you can spend money on that will actually make you richer. It brings a wealth that extends beyond materialism and can be genuinely life-changing. But how is this possible? The reason is deceptively simple: knowledge is power. In fact, it is the only kind of power that can never be taken away from someone. The converse of this is equally true: ignorance is a vulnerability that can and will be exploited by those with their own designs. Anyone claiming to have a monopoly on the truth is either delusional or attempting to deceive you for their own gain. Knowledge of reality is your greatest defense against manipulation. The belief that there is only one correct way of being human and relating to the world, and that you alone are correct, is an incredibly isolating mindset. This arrogance and tacit belief in your own superiority make it nearly impossible to genuinely connect with other people, particularly with those different from you. When that happens, you become trapped in an echochamber of your own prejudice, and are doomed to a life of bitterness spent out of touch with reality. This existence is necessarily unsatisfying because it is exactly contrary to our nature as social creatures. What led our species to prominence in the first place was the exchange of ideas, shared knowledge, and our capacity to cooperate. Life is better for everyone when we take care of each other, and humanity has seen the greatest leaps in progress when we’ve acted accordingly. On your own, life can be incredibly difficult. The knowledge and power of a single individual do not amount to the concerted efforts and support of a group. Regardless of the narratives being championed in the West, success does not happen without support in one form or another. Even if the help goes unacknowledged, it remains integral nonetheless. An exceptionally challenging part of adulthood is making peace with the fact that the things you don’t understand far exceed the things you do. This is difficult because few people like being confronted with the insignificance of their existence in the grand scheme of things. It makes them feel powerless. However, recognizing the limits of your own understanding and what you still have to learn are an essential part of continued growth and development in adulthood. You must come to terms with reality before you can hope to make a difference in it. In some ways, this knowledge is liberating. It is only after freeing yourself from these delusions of grandeur that you can start to find meaning in the everyday. Being human is about making meaningful connections because it is these connections that teach us about ourselves and our world. Oftentimes, you won’t know what you don’t know until someone else shows you a different way. Sometimes that way is better, and sometimes it’s not, but either way, you gain a deeper understanding of how you want to live your life. In other words, you get to make an informed decision about the existence you want to lead instead of passively accepting the life someone else has prepared for you. This is what I mean when I say that travel can enrich you. However, as with all things, the experience of going abroad will ultimately be what you make of it. If you choose to seek out reasons to be miserable, you will find them. Obstacles are a part of life, and you will encounter them regardless of where you are. But if you can make peace with that, and are willing to open yourself to new experiences anyway, there is a world of endless wonders waiting for you to discover it. I have had a really great experience with XploreAsia, and I would recommend their Thailand program to anyone hoping to set themselves up abroad. They support you every step of the way, and are exceptionally competent and reliable. It can be very intimidating to start a new life in a foreign country, especially one where you don’t speak the language, but I’ve been really impressed by how seamless they have made the transition. It is very clear that everyone there knows what they’re doing, and they have truly set me up with everything I need to succeed. I have gotten to meet so many wonderful people and experience a life here I never would have dreamed possible for myself back in the States. This decision is easily one of the best I’ve ever made. I hope that anyone who has always wanted to travel but been held back by fear will have the good fortune to come across XploreAsia’s variety of programs. Wonders beyond your imagination are just a plane ride away. Happy travels! : )

While I was in Greece, I visited a few Islands and a Tonne of nice restaurants. The people were wonderful and so welcoming It became a second home to me. I wish desperately that I could go back but unfortunately I'm in my senior year and can't travel abroad again but I definitely will be going back soon.

Spending my fall semester in UAB’s Business and Management program in Barcelona has been one of the best decisions of my studies. Classes take place at the Sant Pau campus, a stunning modernist complex, and walking into class there never gets old. What impressed me most was how practical the courses are. In Advanced Digital Marketing, my group analyzed the luxury brand Loewe, and I focused on its capabilities and brand identity, which felt like real consulting work. Using AI for Business gave me hands-on tools I already use in my part-time job back home, and Developing Creativity pushed me to think in ways my regular studies rarely do. Intercultural Communication was especially valuable because the class itself was so international: we learned the theory and lived it at the same time. The lecturers are approachable, groups are small, and the schedule leaves time to explore the city, from the beaches to the neighborhoods to weekend trips across Catalonia. My tip for future students: say yes to every group project and social event. That’s where you learn the most. I’d recommend this program to anyone who wants an academically solid semester in an inspiring city.

Spending my fall semester in UAB’s Business and Management program in Barcelona has been one of the best decisions of my studies. Classes take place at the Sant Pau campus, a stunning modernist complex, and walking into class there never gets old. What impressed me most was how practical the courses are. In Advanced Digital Marketing, my group analyzed the luxury brand Loewe, and I focused on its capabilities and brand identity, which felt like real consulting work. Using AI for Business gave me hands-on tools I already use in my part-time job back home, and Developing Creativity pushed me to think in ways my regular studies rarely do. Intercultural Communication was especially valuable because the class itself was so international: we learned the theory and lived it at the same time. The lecturers are approachable, groups are small, and the schedule leaves time to explore the city, from the beaches to the neighborhoods to weekend trips across Catalonia. My tip for future students: say yes to every group project and social event. That’s where you learn the most. I’d recommend this program to anyone who wants an academically solid semester in an inspiring city.

Spending my fall semester in UAB’s Business and Management program in Barcelona has been one of the best decisions of my studies. Classes take place at the Sant Pau campus, a stunning modernist complex, and walking into class there never gets old. What impressed me most was how practical the courses are. In Advanced Digital Marketing, my group analyzed the luxury brand Loewe, and I focused on its capabilities and brand identity, which felt like real consulting work. Using AI for Business gave me hands-on tools I already use in my part-time job back home, and Developing Creativity pushed me to think in ways my regular studies rarely do. Intercultural Communication was especially valuable because the class itself was so international: we learned the theory and lived it at the same time. The lecturers are approachable, groups are small, and the schedule leaves time to explore the city, from the beaches to the neighborhoods to weekend trips across Catalonia. My tip for future students: say yes to every group project and social event. That’s where you learn the most. I’d recommend this program to anyone who wants an academically solid semester in an inspiring city.

Spending my fall semester in UAB’s Business and Management program in Barcelona has been one of the best decisions of my studies. Classes take place at the Sant Pau campus, a stunning modernist complex, and walking into class there never gets old. What impressed me most was how practical the courses are. In Advanced Digital Marketing, my group analyzed the luxury brand Loewe, and I focused on its capabilities and brand identity, which felt like real consulting work. Using AI for Business gave me hands-on tools I already use in my part-time job back home, and Developing Creativity pushed me to think in ways my regular studies rarely do. Intercultural Communication was especially valuable because the class itself was so international: we learned the theory and lived it at the same time. The lecturers are approachable, groups are small, and the schedule leaves time to explore the city, from the beaches to the neighborhoods to weekend trips across Catalonia. My tip for future students: say yes to every group project and social event. That’s where you learn the most. I’d recommend this program to anyone who wants an academically solid semester in an inspiring city.

Spending my fall semester in UAB’s Business and Management program in Barcelona has been one of the best decisions of my studies. Classes take place at the Sant Pau campus, a stunning modernist complex, and walking into class there never gets old. What impressed me most was how practical the courses are. In Advanced Digital Marketing, my group analyzed the luxury brand Loewe, and I focused on its capabilities and brand identity, which felt like real consulting work. Using AI for Business gave me hands-on tools I already use in my part-time job back home, and Developing Creativity pushed me to think in ways my regular studies rarely do. Intercultural Communication was especially valuable because the class itself was so international: we learned the theory and lived it at the same time. The lecturers are approachable, groups are small, and the schedule leaves time to explore the city, from the beaches to the neighborhoods to weekend trips across Catalonia. My tip for future students: say yes to every group project and social event. That’s where you learn the most. I’d recommend this program to anyone who wants an academically solid semester in an inspiring city.

Going abroad to study is one of the best choices I've ever made in my life! I knew when I went to college I wanted to go abroad and had ideas about how fun and amazing it would be but being abroad and experiencing it for real is one of the best things I've done in my life. While I've been abroad I've been able to complete some incredible personal life bucket list goals. Without this abroad experience I can genuinely tell you that If I didn't go abroad I would've never experienced these things. Just as an example for you, I got to see Cristiano Ronaldo play at home in Portugal in the Nations league. In the coming weeks he announced his retirement. Being here, I've met so many amazing people and done so many amazing things I can't even list them all. From doing personal travels to playing with my new college friends in the SAI soccer team, this has been such a great experience and I never want it to end! GO ABROAD! It will change your life and you wont regret it!

Xplore Asia have gone above and beyond expectations from the beginning. The team were constantly on hand pre-departure; in fact, all questions were handled in such a timely manner that I do not recall ever wait more than 24 hours for a response. Questions were always answered thoroughly, and if you need extra support they always offered this. I left the UK over 3 months before my arrival in Hua Hin with Xplore, and they were nothing but helpful. Thailand guidance was changed shortly before arriving and they gave out the information on this. Further, when I needed to renew my tourist exemption, they gave guidance on where to go and what I needed to do. The orientation week was exceptional- from Thai lessons, what it will be like at school, and life in Thailand. The accommodation is in a perfect spot in Hua Hin- close to plenty of amenities and a tasty night market. The guidance from where the nearest laundry was, to levels of the mall made shopping for extra teaching clothes an ease. I never felt overwhelmed with the information given in welcome week, but reassured. Particularly on the visa process- given when researched yourself you come across a minefield of information. Would highly recommend Xplore, and I do not have any improvements that I would give. They even drop emails and messages now doe checking in- exceptional. My favourite part of the week was definitely going to the school and having the hands on experience, especially given i was starting work on the Monday, so this made me feel a lot more confident for the following week in the school. Thank you XPlore!

new anglia university is amazing, i am in pre med now, and enjoying it a lot. professors are great and all departments answer all my questions on time. basic sciences i lacked on because i had many questions from school, but here i had the chance to learn all about them before proceeding with my md and getting the chance to become a doctor

Studying in Salamanca, Spain, was one of the coolest things I have ever done. I fell in love with the food, the culture, and especially the coffee. Life felt so much slower while I was there. I was eating 4-5 times a day: breakfast, coffee break, big lunch, midday snack, and then dinner. I learned so much there, and the classes at the University of Salamanca were some of the best I've ever had in my life. If I had the chance, I'd go back, and I genuinely believe that if you have the chance, you should go.

Studying in Maastricht with CES truly could not have been a more humbling experience. Through miraculous highs and lows, the CES staff were kind, friendly, accessible, and made life in Maastricht a dream. They helped me navigate difficult yet rewarding coursework, mental health, cultural immersion and adjustment to Dutch university life as an international student, and most importantly, helped me navigate a significant injury I endured at the end of my semester. The staff members who were there for me during that challenging time are still my close friends and confidants to this day. There has truly not been anything in my life that left an impression the way CES did, and continues to have on my life. I am still connected with staff and alumni. Not only did I make American friends within the CES program, the UM Guesthouse introduced me to a vibrant international friend group that I get to travel the world (and back to the Netherlands) to spend time with. Ultimately, the most meaningful and significant chapter of my life occurred while studying at CES Maastricht, and I am grateful every day.

The exchange program at the Autonomous University of Barcelona perfectly fits the image I have repeatedly outlined in my maps and ideals. Walking in the green campus, filled with Mediterranean sunshine, every day is a new expansion of academic and cognitive boundaries. Especially in the classroom of Cross Cultural Management, colliding ideas with numerous classmates from Denmark and Germany became the most vivid memory of this journey. The Danish students' persistence in equal communication and team consensus, and the German students' ultimate pursuit of task structure, Gantt chart process, and straightforward feedback, have made cross-cultural theories such as Erin Meyer no longer just concepts in books, but have become real-life and vivid collaborative experiences every day. These subtle touches in academic exploration and daily interactions not only bring different backgrounds closer, but also invisibly shape the way I view the world. This experience broke the boundaries of conventional daily life and allowed me to hear my inner voice clearly in the collision of diverse cultures; this is exactly the breadth and thickness that a dream life should have.

I have learned a lot about myself, gotten new friends and learned to live in a new country by my own. I think Barcelona has been a wonderfull city to choose. Friendly people, very cozy cafés and life like Streets everywhere any day of the week. I would recommend anyone going who might be in doubt - do it!

Coming home a new person! The program was awesome from start to finish, I never felt homesick, and the art course was a highlight. Only the Paris hotel let it down. I’d recommend it to anyone and already tell friends to apply.

I studied cross cultural leadership in Maastricht at Maastricht University, and absolutely fell in love with the city, the school, the culture and built the best relationships with the staff and my peers. I got the opportunity to live and immerse in Dutch culture, which provides new learning experiences that you can't get from a textbook! This program opened my heart to travel and instilled a confidence in me to apply the following summer as a CES intern. I would not have changed a single thing about my program, I loved it so much!

My exchange semester in Barcelona is one of the most formative experiences of my life, and I would do it again any time. At the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona I found an international environment with students from all over the world, interesting courses and a campus that makes you want to study. The professors were all very friendly and approachable, which made settling into a new university much easier. It wasn’t all smooth, though: finding a flat was tough, prices are high, and I would have liked more support from the university along the way. The best part was sharing all of this with my twin brother. We both do a lot of sport, and Barcelona is perfect for that. There are running clubs along the beach, good gyms on every corner and a big Hyrox community, with sun, sea and mountains right on your doorstep. After training, the food makes up for every kilometre: from tapas and fresh seafood to the local markets, everything is incredibly delicious. For me, Barcelona is a city where you don’t just study, you really live.

My one‑semester exchange study at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has been an invaluable life experience. Nestled in natural surroundings, UAB boasts remarkable ecological diversity. Wild birds and animals can often be spotted around campus, offering fresh air and a peaceful environment ideal for study. The SAF gym is accessible for international exchange students. I took boxing and barbell fitness classes there, which helped me keep fit and relieve academic pressure. The university shows great care for international students. Classes may be suspended in heavy rain, and timely safety alerts will be released in case of social unrest, making us feel secure far away from home. I also gained a lot from distinctive teaching approaches. Professors are dedicated and organize mid‑term exams to reinforce knowledge. Numerous presentation assignments greatly improved my public‑speaking skills. Group‑work projects encouraged cross‑cultural communication with peers from different backgrounds and broadened my horizons. During spare time, I travelled across Spain and other European cities including Milan, Paris, Florence and Rome to experience multiculturalism. This exchange helped me break stereotypes and rediscover myself. I am grateful for all resources UAB provided for international students, which have shaped me into a more open‑minded and confident individual.