WorldStrides

My experience on the Gold Coast truly changed my life and led me to the best months of my life and the best people. I loved getting to meet people from all walks of life but finding things we had in common, for example our love of the beautiful beaches we had access to on the Gold Coast. Bond University was truly an amazing school with super interesting classes and the coolest professors. I loved how many activities the school itself put on for its students and found that a great way to meet locals, and other students studying abroad from other programs. From Cairns, to Stradbroke Island, to our home base on the Gold Coast, WorldStrides provided so many opportunities for us to get to know each other and the culture of our host country. I truly don't think I could ask for a better few months or a better program. I am so grateful for this program and the opportunity to be a student blogger for the company to allow myself to share some of my favorite memories and moments from Australia.

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Being stationed in Italy, I had the chance to go on a solo trip to Lublin, Poland, where my great great grandfather had immigrated from in 1909. It was a great chance to connect with my Polish heritage first hand in a town that very few study abroad students get to visit.

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Studying abroad in Barcelona was an unforgettable experience. I made some of my closest friends, tried new things, and stepped outside my comfort zone. Beyond exploring a new city and practicing Spanish, I had time to slow down and think about who I am and what matters to me. I returned with wonderful memories, meaningful friendships, and a better understanding of myself.

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I spent my semester abroad in Florence, and it was a great experience. The city is beautiful and easy to get around, and after a few weeks it started to feel like home. I had my go-to coffee spots, I knew my way around, and I spent a lot of time just walking around the city. Even the everyday stuff, like grabbing groceries at the market or getting dinner with friends, felt like part of the experience. My classes were fun and a nice change from a typical semester. One of my favorites was an outdoor painting class where we went to different spots around Florence and painted the landscape. Spending a few hours painting one spot made me notice so much more about Florence than I would have just passing through. Traveling was a big part of my time abroad. I ended up visiting 10 countries, mostly on weekend trips. Florence was a good home base for that, and every trip was different. I got to try new food, meet new people, and see a lot of places I’d always wanted to visit. Some of my favorites were Morocco, Chamonix, Lisbon, and Madrid. Each one had a completely different feel, from the markets in Morocco to the mountains in Chamonix to exploring the city streets in Lisbon and Madrid. Planning the trips and figuring things out along the way taught me a lot too. Overall, I came home more independent, more comfortable stepping outside my comfort zone, and with a lot of good memories. I’d recommend studying abroad in Florence to anyone thinking about it.

Studying abroad in Korea was one of the most unforgettable and rewarding experiences of my life. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, explore beautiful places, and experience everyday life in a completely different environment. From eating authentic Korean food and visiting historical landmarks to exploring the streets of Seoul and meeting new people, every day brought something exciting. I especially loved learning more about Korean traditions, language, and culture while creating memories that I will cherish. Studying abroad also helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded. It was an amazing opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, make meaningful connections, and see the world from a different perspective. I would highly recommend studying abroad in Korea to anyone looking for a fulfilling experience filled with adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable memories. It was truly an experience I will never forget.

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When I first applied to Sevilla I was skeptical. Coming from a big school the normal was to study abroad in larger cities such as Barcelona, Florence, and London. What scared me the most was applying somewhere I would know practically no one, which turned out to be the best part. I quickly found my group within a few days thanks to Worldstrides cultural immersion experiences such as visiting the cathedral or going to a flamenco show. I became best friends with the girls in my program I was lucky enough to live with in the center of Sevilla, housing that you can only dream of. I spent my weekends feeling the true experience of being a sevillan, getting tapas with friends, volunteering to teach english at a local elementary school, and dressing up in our trajes for the feria de sevilla. to anyone hesitating picking a smaller city, i would absolutely recommend Sevilla 100 times over, the sense of community and support you get from not only the Worldstrides administration but the university is unmatched.

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When people tell you that studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it can be hard to understand just how true that is until you experience it for yourself. Studying abroad genuinely changed who I am as a person, and looking back, I can say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My mom was born in Spain, and growing up, I always dreamed of experiencing even a small part of what her life was like there. Hearing all of her stories made me even more excited about the opportunity. Living in Spain allowed me to experience everything I had imagined and so much more. From the incredible food and rich culture to the late-night social life, historic sites, and overall lifestyle, I fell in love with everything about it. I was able to immerse myself in the culture both inside and outside the classroom, even taking a class entirely in Spanish. One of the most rewarding parts was the friendships I made, not only with local students in Seville, who I now have a reason to visit, but with people from Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and all across the United States. I came away with friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Seville's location also gave me the opportunity to travel and experience so much more of the world. I visited six countries during my time abroad, including Italy, England, and Morocco, just to name a few. Each destination offered a new culture, perspective, and experience that made my time abroad even more special. More than anything, studying abroad made me feel even more connected to a country that has always been such a meaningful part of my family's heritage. Being able to experience the culture my mom grew up in while creating my own memories and connections there is something I will forever be grateful for. If you are considering studying abroad, DO IT! It is completely normal to be nervous, but the people you meet, places you see, and person you become along the way make it all worth it. You truly will never get another opportunity quite like this one, and it is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.

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Studying abroad in Madrid changed my life forever- while this statement seems to leave every study abroad student's mouth, it really is the truth. I explored many different countries during my stay in Spain which opened my eyes to what the world has to offer other than the United States, but surely the most impactful part of my abroad experience was making Madrid my temporary home. I never thought a city could feel like home when I don't speak the native language, but Madrid is a place that speaks to you without words. The city itself is a beautiful place- well kept, rich in its culture, sights, and amazing eats but the city itself is alive. It is the most full of life place I have traveled to- everywhere you go everyone is present with the people around them, playing games, talking, laughing, sharing meals, dancing, singing, all of the above. It's a place that I will hold in my heart forever, a place that I wouldn't have been able to experience without a program like WorldStrides that made everything seamless. They made it comfortable to move to a foreign country and made our program feel like a family. Thank you WorldStrides and thank you Madrid for changing my life!

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I studied abroad in Barcelona in the Spring of 2026, and going into it, I was excited, nervous, and anxious, unsure what to expect. I didn't know how I would settle in, whether I would feel comfortable, or whether I would be homesick. All of these worries were completely answered, and the unsure semester turned into the greatest 4 months of my life. I attribute this experience to WorldStrides and am grateful to them for allowing me this opportunity. Barcelona is an amazing city with lots to explore, close to other countries to travel to, great culture and history, and I would not recommend a better place to study. I was housed in the Gothic Quarter, and I could not have picked a better place. I was close to the old Roman architecture, amazing restaurants, Las Ramblas, and just everything amazing about that side of the city. It was close to our university, and I cherished walking to school and back every day, or taking the metro. Either way, my commute was one of my favorite parts of my day. I loved the university; the classrooms were beautiful, the surrounding area was beautiful, and I would sit in the outdoor garden area and collect my thoughts or talk with friends almost every day before or after class. This opportunity obviously also gave me the ability to travel and see the world with people I love; I studied abroad with some friends from home, and we got to see the world together. I gained moments and experiences with them that I will have with them and cherish forever. Going to Dracula's cave with my boys in Budapest, seeing the Eiffel Tower light up with my friends during fashion week, or paragliding over Interlaken with all of my friends; I would not have been able to experience these things without WorldStrides, and this review, bringing up great memories, is making me emotional. As much as I was able to travel and such, it also opened up experiences for others. My family came and visited me, and before Spain, they had not been farther than Mexico or Canada. My parents are both over 55, and they haven't had the chance to see Europe until they met me during my semester abroad. I feel super passionate and happy about the fact that I was a big reason for my parents getting to see the world, getting to show them around my new home and all of the little places that I had become a regular at. Meeting my new friends, roommates, and walking around the city was such a great experience to have with my family, and it will be an all-time experience for the rest of my life. My dad jumped into the Mediterranean because he is a huge water guy, and he kept mentioning how he would regret saying that he didn't swim in the Mediterranean. He's 61, and if he didn't come and visit me, he probably would have never had the opportunity to fulfill a childhood wish and come and see the world. Barcelona, Spain, was a great hub and a great home base. I wouldn't have changed anything about my experience, and I have no regrets coming back home to the States. The culture, values, behavior, and all the things Spain has to offer changed my own mindset and my own values, and I came home to the States with a different outlook on life. I thank WorldStrides for giving me this opportunity, and I would recommend using them for any study abroad trips!

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I had the best semester ever in Dublin, Ireland, thanks to the WorldStrides team. The experience was everything I dreamed of from meeting the best roommates turned forever friends, to studying at Trinity College, and exploring the vast countryside that Ireland has. The team set us up for success in every aspect, we had amazing housing only 10 minutes from the city center, and Amazing trips planned. We went to Galway and the cliffs of mother, and the mountains of wicklow to hold baby sheep. I miss my experience every day.

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From the moment I got off the plane in Valencia I knew I was going to have a great experience. I greatly enjoyed daily life in Valencia, and was able to experienced public transportation daily. Taking Spanish courses definitely assisted in my cultural experience, especially because the teachers were amazing. I had an amazing host family and would definitely do it again. The staff are wonderful and teach you a lot about Spain!

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Studying abroad is one of the best decisions I have made! I was nervous to spend so much time away from home but as soon as we exited security at the Athens airport, the WorldStrides staff was there greeting us with smiles. They took us to our dorms and helped us acclimate to living in an unfamiliar place. The professors of all my classes were very understanding of our confusion and adjustment period. They supported me and made sure that the classrooms were a safe space, and I’ll always be grateful for them! Arguably the best parts of studying abroad were the people I met and the places I saw. One of my first days in the program I was adopted into a friend group, and they are still my closest friends today. They encouraged me to travel to many different places on my bucket list, accompanying me to many of them. As an avid fan of traveling, the support of my friends, professors, and WorldStrides staff to go explore new places was the best thing I could have asked for. I am no longer afraid of traveling by myself or of navigating a country in which I do not speak the language. I will look back fondly on my semester abroad in Athens for many years to come!

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This was truly one of the best experiences I've ever had. Regardless of what country you choose, I think studying abroad is an something that all students should have the opportunity to experience. I also think that going abroad through a program like WorldStrides made my time in South Korea even more enjoyable. The activities provided through the program were fun, enriching, and truly gave me the opportunity to explore in ways I may not have thought of through a regular exchange program. I especially enjoyed our trip to Busan. It was a little hard at first, I knew very little Korean and (as a commuter) it was my first time being away from my family. However, the on-site staff were tremendously helpful. The entire staff was so welcoming, caring, trustworthy. Sometime throughout the semester, I ended up getting pretty sick. One of the members of the on-site staff accompanied me to a clinic, helped translate, and stayed with me as I got my treatment. Thanks to them I was able to recover quickly. One piece of advice I do have is to have an idea of what phone plan you will use before you travel. I got a Korean SIM card on an unlocked phone since many things in Korea require a 010 Korean phone number. And I won't lie; you might get a bit homesick throughout your time abroad. I definitely started feeling like that towards the end, but there is so much to explore and learn from a different culture and country, that I would do it 10 times over.

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My time in Peru really changed my entire life. Lima was a delight from start to finish. The food alone is worth the trip: the ceviche is bright and perfectly fresh, the lomo saltado is deeply satisfying, and the restaurant scene, from casual cevicherías to world-class tasting menus, is among the best anywhere. Miraflores and Barranco are walkable, lively, and full of charm, with ocean cliffs, parks, art galleries, and colorful street murals. The historic center impresses with its colonial architecture, plazas, and the catacombs. Museums like Larco Museum add rich context on Peru’s ancient cultures, and sunsets over the Pacific from the coastal boardwalk are hard to beat. People were warm and welcoming, and the city has a creative, energetic spirit that makes it easy to fill several days.

I had a fantastic time studying abroad with WorldStrides. I learned so much about myself as a traveler and as a student. It was a truly life changing experience which I'll never forget. The experience that I had was tailored and customized to my needs. I had 24/7 customer support and access to the WorldStrides app.

I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Barcelona! I made tons of new friends and got to do all sorts of amazing activities like visit the Sagrada Familia, watch a game in Camp Nou, eat tapas and so much more! I highly recommend doing this program because you get so much out of it.

Studying abroad in general is life changing but studying in the Gold Coast was above that! It was an amazing experience that taught me so much about myself and the world. There is so much to do around the Gold Coast a sememster wasn’t enough!

I would study abroad 10000 more times if it was going to be like what I got to experience in Greece through World Strides. This program made studying abroad such an easy transition and really made sure we had every bit of support and cultural experience while we were there.

I think up until my semester at Korea University, South Korea felt like some far off fantasy. A place that I knew of but could never truly put my finger on. But, I can now say with full confidence that my time there was one of the best times of my life. I made the sweetest friends that I will keep for life, got to embrace Korean culture through excursions with WorldStrides and with friends that I made in Seoul, and got to grow as a person. I think the reassurance of having my WorldStrides program and onsite staff there to help me gave me the ability to have the fullest experience I could have had. I got to see some of the most beautiful sights, ask questions (even the silly ones), and always felt safe. If you are considering going abroad, especially to Seoul, you 100% should. The country and culture are wonderful and the onsite staff there will become an extension of your Korean family. :)

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My experience studying abroad in South Korea was so much more than I could have ever expected. Honestly, I went into it thinking I would just try a bunch of new foods and do some sightseeing. However, it ended up being so much more than that. I attended Hanyang University, where I met so many amazing people and formed friendships that I know will last a lifetime. One thing I quickly realized was that everyone around me was in a similar position. We all wanted to explore, try new things, and make the most of our time in Korea. Because of that, it was incredibly easy to connect with people and build meaningful friendships. Before I knew it, my schedule was completely filled. Every day brought something new, whether it was visiting a different city, trying a new restaurant, going on a hike, or simply meeting someone new. For me, this was far outside my comfort zone. I had never traveled internationally before, and I barely knew how to speak Korean. However, the people around me made the experience so much easier. I probably asked more questions than I could count, and I'm sure I annoyed a few people along the way, but everyone was always kind and willing to help. Overall, studying abroad in South Korea taught me that there is so much more to a country than what you see on the surface. Being able to experience Korean culture firsthand, explore new places, and share those moments with friends made the experience truly unforgettable. What I originally thought would just be a few months of traveling and studying turned into one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

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