IFSA University of Leeds Partnership

I went with IFSA and spent Fall 2019 at the University of Leeds in Northern England. I also got to be apart of their work-to-study program writing student blogs. IFSA will think of it all before you do. As a type-A planner, the minute I hit the ground in London (for orientation) someone was waiting at the airport, they have pre-planned excursions (included with the price), they are always just a phone call away but most times you won't even need to call because they prepared you so well. The best, most unexpected thing that they did for me was they took the train with us and dropped us off at our accommodations. They would also call every few weeks to check in on us. I studied abroad as a senior in college and was so used to doing things on my own but having them there felt like I didn't have to. I honestly can't recommend them enough.

I studied abroad in the UK for an entire year, and while I had a bit of a difficult time getting used to my new life abroad, in the end, it was probably the most rewarding year of my life. I learned to become so much more independent and solve problems and handle myself so much better than I did before I went away. I also met so many great people and was able to travel and experience things that I know I would have never gotten the chance if I hadn't gone abroad. My experience has definitely shaped me to be the person I am today and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world. The IFSA staff were also really wonderful and helped me through every step of studying abroad; they helped me before I left with doing paperwork and visas, during my year out even calling to check on me when I was sick, and after when I came home by helping me reflect on my experience and share it with others. I would recommend this program to absolutely everyone.