Santa Barbara City College

Upon going with a random group of people to a different country I had little to no expectations. However my experience far exceeded anything. Spending time in Tokyo was one of the most eye-opening and personally expanding experiences I’ve had. I was based around Daikanyama, Iidabashi, and Shinjuku, and I could feel how much care goes into everything, from tiny cafés to the way the trains run. Being that far from home pushed me to be independent. I figured out the transit system and Japanese-only appliance labels on my own, and I got more confident every week. One of the biggest lessons was in cultural communication. Japanese communication is often more indirect and context-driven than what I’m used to in California. A lot of meaning lives in tone, timing, and what isn’t said. I learned to pay attention to body language, to bow and say thank you the right way, and to be patient and polite even when we didn’t share a language. Even a few phrases like “sumimasen” and “arigatou gozaimasu” opened doors, and people were so generous when they saw I was trying. When words failed, translation apps, pointing, and a lot of smiling got us through. It taught me that real communication is about respect and effort, not just vocabulary. I came home a more attentive listener and a more adaptable communicator. As someone who’s always loved art history, I was also blown away by how much art and design are woven into daily life in Tokyo. You don’t have to go to a museum to find it. Daikanyama and Shinjuku are full of minimalist storefronts, clean concrete lines, and quiet architecture that makes you slow down and notice the space around you. Then you walk into Asakusa and the traditional side hits you. Senso-ji and the old wooden streets around it show centuries of craftsmanship, and the contrast with the glass-and-neon energy of Shibuya a few train stops away is wild. Seeing old and new sit side by side, and feeling how each one shapes the mood of a neighborhood, changed the way I think about design and creativity. I spent my free days wandering, finding galleries, boutiques, and little corners I’d never have found on a typical tourist route. Some of my best memories came from getting a little lost and stumbling onto something beautiful. If you’re thinking about going abroad, do it. You’ll learn more about yourself than you expect, and you’ll come home with a bigger sense of what’s possible. I left Japan in July already planning my return.

My experience in Japan was excellent and I feel as if I still got the same quality education I would've in my home state. All of our activities were well curated and managed, leaving me with a rather immersed and culturally informed memory to reflect back on.

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This past summer I was fortunate enough to participate in the Bali Global Studies and Surfing summer abroad program. This experience is something so special to me that it’s hard to now think back on that month and put it into words that fully depict what it meant to me. However if I had to choose just a small piece of the lasting impact it made I would have to write about the extent to which it taught me about myself. Learning how to navigate a place so far and different from home with people who were initially strangers (but quickly became friends), is something you can’t be taught in a regular classroom but must actually experience to fully understand. Not only this but seeing how you handle certain situations and how you choose to move forward from them is essential in all areas of your life. This deeper understanding of who you are and your character is something that can only be revealed when put in different environments than what you’re used to and this is exactly what Bali did to me. It showed me who I was and more importantly who I want to be. It showed me that I love to travel, I love to learn, and most importantly I love to try new things. This study abroad experience is something I will be forever grateful for having been apart of and only hope other students can be motivated and inspired to let themselves see, feel, and do new things whenever the opportunity presents itself.

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I was absolutely terrified getting on my plane to head to London for my London/Paris study abroad semester. Mostly everybody took the group flight except for me, so I already felt behind and like I wasn’t going to make friends. I was gravely mistaken, because when I landed and met my roomate, we instantly hit it off. My roomate, Savannah, has become one of my best friends and we still talk every single day. Together, we figured out the tube and big red busses, tried fish and chips, and learned new London slang from our host family (like "knackered", which we still use to this day). Our program provided tons of field trips, and we took advantage of every single one. We navigated foreign airports for weekend trips (shoutout having classes Monday-thursday so we could explore more of the world), and for the first time in my 20 years of life, I felt like an adult. It's important to note that my controlled environment helped me feel confident enough to book plane tickets, navigate foreign public transport, and be adventurous enough to try things out of my comfort zone. The staff on call 24/7 to help guide me and answer questions made me feel safe enough to do solo trips and try adventurous things I wouldn't have done otherwise. This single handedly has given me the confidence to be an independent and responsible person after I left study abroad. As we finished our time in London, we all took a train to our next location, Paris! Paris was everything I could've ever dreamed of, no matter how magical it looks in movies, it is even more magical in person. We took field trips to the top of the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triumph, wine and cheese tasting, the Mona Lisa, Monets water Lillies, and so much more. We took a cultural geography class in Paris taught my our professor Parmjeet, and to this day I still think about her class, it was by far the most impactful class I have taken as a college student. We talked about the history of Paris, took walking tours of the city, and even saw Jim Morrisons grave at the Père-Lachaise cemetery. I absorbed everything i saw, tasted, and learned, and tried to fully acclimate myself into the laid back culture, my host mom helped me improve my French, and she even made me love escargot! (snails). Not only did I find one of my best friends Savannah while studying abroad, but we formed an incredible friend group, and together the 5 of us traveled to Ireland and Barcelona together. We still have a group chat, and we frequently talk about our favorite memories studying abroad. I would not have done my study abroad experience any differently, and I would go back and do it a million times if I could.

It was really cool to see other cultures in Roma. From many soccer matches to traveling on the weekend and also getting to know how big cities operate with small streets. It was really cool finding a tennis place in Roma and playing with all of the locals and embarrassing myself into Roma

This London Study Abroad Program was everything I hoped it to be. I enjoyed the classes and the assignments. The instructors were knowledgeable, approachable and open to suggestions. There was just enough free time that I was able to visit surrounding areas and exhibits that were not included in the trip. One of these was the M.C. Escher exhibit at the Somerset House. Another activity was a visit to the Canal Museum that included a trip on a canal barge. Afterward I walked along the towpath and saw art for sale on boats moored there, talked with locals and took photos. We saw a David Hockney exhibit and a Christo exhibit. I was also able to take a Chunnel trip to Paris where I made a side trip to visit Monet's Garden in Giverney to see the water lilies in bloom. We visited the Tower of London, and Kew Gardens that also featured Henry Moore sculptures. Food was very good. Since we could shop in local grocery stores and prepare meals at the dorm, out of pocket expenses were not much more than at home. My fellow students were friendly, interesting and open to new experiences! Many watched FIFA matches at local pubs.

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I really loved studying abroad in London. I was able to be the student blogger so I had lots of time to reflect on my trip and I fell in love with London everyday. The housing was good and so was the location. The activities were all very enriching but the classes could use a little more structure. I would totally recommend this program to every student.

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In the summer of 2025 I traveled to Tokyo on a study abroad program through the same company. We studied communications in foreign environments and group communication. Although I know some Japanese already it is not enough to hold complex conversations so there were many situations we had to think on our feet and find tools to help us navigate Tokyo. It was an amazing learning experience and opportunity.

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Bali is one of those places that is simply, utterly, and undeniably special. From its breathtaking natural beauty and inviting culture to its delicious food and the warmth of its people, this destination is truly magical. I was beyond nervous to go on this adventure because although I had been to Bali before and knew how much I loved the island, I was going to be spending my days with people that I had never met before. Within the first 24 hours of my journey beginning all of those worries of potentially not fitting in with my fellow peers or feeling anxious about what was to come had vanished. Everyone immediately was beyond thrilled to walk across rice fields to get to yoga class, be greeted with warm encounters from locals, and be able to have such a blessed beautiful day. I knew this experience was going to be something special. We spent our days learning about one another and immersing ourselves in Balinese culture, moving our bodies, experiencing the indescribable excitement of surfing, and embracing every opportunity to connect, laugh, dance, and sing together. What made this program so extraordinary was that it became so much more than just a study abroad experience. I gained incredible friendships, meaningful connections, new perspectives, and knowledge that I will carry with me long after returning home. More unexpectedly, I learned so much about myself. I stepped outside of my comfort zone, grew in ways I never anticipated, and left with a greater appreciation for connection, culture, and the beauty of saying yes to new experiences. Every individual who took part in this program brought something unique and special to the experience. What began as a group of strangers quickly became a community, and by the end, we genuinely felt like a family. It is rare to find yourself surrounded by so many people who are equally excited to explore, learn, grow, and embrace life together. If there is one thing I could say to anyone considering the Bali Summer Program, it would be this: Just go. Say yes to the experience, the friendships, the unexpected moments, and the opportunity to discover more of the world and yourself. You will never regret it

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The program made studying abroad super easy and stress-free. I met so many amazing people on this program—including the professors. The professors were friendly and helpful! I had a memorable experience that will never be forgotten!

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At first I was very nervous about being in a country and culture that was completely different from my own. But the Rome AIFS team were amazing and the freedom I was given allowed me to grow so much as a person. I had never been by myself in another country before and now all I want to do is get back out there. I had to be accountable for myself in my school work and personal life. But the AIFS team were always there if I had any questions or concerns. The first week was an adjustment period but after that Rome felt like home and was quickly able to get navigate the city alone without any maps. I also got to travel to other countries and meet so many amazing people. I think this program was more then worth it and encourage others to take the leap into it.

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Before choosing to go back to school in the fall of 2025, I never would’ve thought in 1 million years I would have the opportunity to be able to study abroad in Japan! A country 4 year old me dreamed of visiting. I got to experience so many exciting things and was surrounded by amazing classmates. Both Dr. Kunz and Garard sensei were some of the most impactful educators I’ve ever had in my life. They brought out my curiosity and drive to wanna learn more about what they were teaching. As a first generation student this opportunity was very life-changing for me and gave me a perspective. I never thought I’d have. I would recommend anyone to take advantage and study abroad!

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First of all, I had a great time there as HOH. HOH mean "Hard of Hearing". So to share this, I know it was gonna be not so easy because I was new to the Language that I had practice 3 years ago, but was sure enough to go out with having skill with communication Verbally and Non verbally. And in between all that, I feel accomplished of balancing my academic and Social surrounding. I didn't do video, but you find my Instagram Highlight story of my time in the Study Abroad program on "sinMa15lay" IG.

This trip was nothing short of life changing. Tokyo is such a fascinating city and can give you so much knowledge not only about other cultures about also about your own. All class field trips were relevant to class material and gave a wonderful in person experience rather than just reading about it. Definitely study the language a bit more if you can and try to find a friend to go with!

Getting the opportunity to learn in Japan will be an experience that will never be forgotten. Learning about the course topics first-hand really helped my learning process and gave me unforgettable memories. I am super grateful for all the close friends and memories I made!

The excursions matched the course well, the professors were knowledgable with the material! Their insights brought the lessons to life, and seeing the material firsthand made the whole learning experience more meaningful.

The italian people were welcoming to foreigners, making the immersion nice! Locals were patient and kind even with the language barrier, and that warmth made it so much easier to feel comfortable and truly embrace the culture.

They provided a good space to study and responded very quickly about problems that we had. The environment was quiet and comfortable, making it easy to focus, and any issues we raised were handled promptly and professionally.

I got to see many new places and learn a lot! The trip really opened my eyes to new cultures and perspectives I hadn't experienced before. Every stop taught me something new, and I came home feeling inspired and grateful for the whole journey.

Informative and organized at meeting, class structured well and in an area students actually want to go learn in! Apartments are perfect and fully equipped! The whole setup made it easy to settle in and focus on learning right away