USAC Uruguay: Montevideo - Spanish Language & Culture

My semester in Montevideo, Uruguay, with USAC will go down as one of my favorites from undergrad. There was so much cultural immersion, ample opportunities for language acquisition, and traveling within the program and on our own time. The city was quite easy to navigate on foot, and its expansive busing system made traveling to different parts of the country just as effortless. I adored my classes and my professors even more. Notably, Pau, Trilce, and Hecsil were always eager to listen to my many questions and gave the best advice. I’d would one thousand percent recommend a semester in Montevideo if you were interested in sightseeing, practicing Spanish, and trying the best oranges. They were my most purchased grocery item for the entire semester!

This program was amazing, I stayed for a full year, so I experienced two different cohorts of students and each group was fun and had unique experiences. The program helps place you with a family that they work and they make sure the families are open and receptive to students, my host mom was amazing and I still talk to her a year later:) the classes give you hands on opportunities such as going to marches for activism class and interviewing local activists for a research study. It also can be hard to get close with locals your age and other students from Uruguay because the classes are all USAC students. There are different avenues that you can use to make friends you just have to make more of an effort to push yourself out there.

I had a great semester. The admin and teacher in the program were the best people we could have had. They were extremely caring, funny, nice, and helpful. I learned more than I could have imagined from the teachers I had. The program was very clearly set up and the pre planned trips were amazing. The trip to Buenos Aires and Patagonia was incredible and not stressful at all. I also was able to travel all over South America. I left Uruguay with a whole new group of friends from all over.

USAC holds a really special place in my heart! I can't recommend it enough. The program organizers are amazing and very willing to help. The university is great and so are the professors, and Uruguay is a great place to live and study abroad. 10/10 experience!!

I enjoyed my time in Uruguay so much! The program directors are great, always helpful. My host mom was a very kind woman and I am thankful she let me into her home. I felt safe most of the time and loved getting immersed into the culture. The professors were great and I learned a lot. I am so glad I was able to improve quite a bit with my spanish.

I had never spent more than a week away from my family, and then I spent my spring 2022 semester with USAC in Montevideo, Uruguay, and it far exceeded any of my expectations! The program directors (Sebastian & Orlando) and teachers were all very welcoming, friendly, and supportive. My home stay experience was lovely in an apartment that was less than a 10-minute walk from the university and a family that made me feel like one of their own. The city is very walkable, and the bus system was easy to use. I felt very safe and was able to access healthcare services when needed. As a history student, getting to study Latin American history while living in a Latin American country was truly an unbeatable and unforgettable experience. I took two field study courses that ensured the learning went outside the classroom and included field trips that were fun and culturally enriching. The viticulture field study trips particularly stand out for their high quality; those meals were some of the most elegant I have ever had. The friends I made that semester are still some of my closest friends, even though they live in different states, or even in some cases, other countries. It is safe to say that thanks to USAC, Uruguay will ALWAYS have a very special place in my heart!

I truly enjoyed this unique opportunity and will take this experience with me for the rest of my life. This trip greatly improved my Spanish skills through both in-class and out-of-class immersion. The staff made the paperwork easy and understandable with quick responses every time.

Studying abroad in Montevideo, Uruguay was an unexpected life-changing experience that allowed me to grow as a student, a person, and as a traveller. Prior to this experience, I had never gone out of the country. Never would I believe that I would end up in Uruguay of all places. I am so glad that I did. Truly a unique country with an intriguing and diverse culture. Uruguayo culture stands out in comparison to other South American cultures. With such a small population, I was able to form authentic and enlightening connections with communities within Montevideo. Whether it was the baker from my favorite panadería, the vendors at the weekly feria, or the other students at our host university. I was able to experience real Uruguayo culture through its people. This gave me a new perspective on my studies and my life, gave me a new passion for learning languages, and granted me experiences and friendships that will last a lifetime. I would recommend this experience to any student looking to have a truly transforming trip!

I loved living in Montevideo and my teachers were really excellent. I had fun playing soccer, swimming, and playing beach volleyball with my friends. The travel opportunities were awesome, I visited Patagonia, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Florinopolis, and so many places within Uruguay.

I've heard a lot about the experience of studying abroad. They say it introduces you to new people, new places, and new languages. It immerses you in another culture, allowing you to experience it firsthand rather than as a mere spectator. It gifts you with new friends, making it even harder to leave when the time comes to return home. In short, it changes your life. And it's all true. I left with some apprehension but a strong desire to see the world, and I returned home with a suitcase full of unforgettable experiences and memories. During the four months I spent in Uruguay, I had the opportunity to study at ORT University in Montevideo. I met accommodating and friendly professors who never made me feel out of place or inadequate, even though English is not my native language. During my stay in Montevideo, I was hosted by a very kind lady who welcomed me into her home and made me feel at home. She spoiled me by preparing a different dish for me every day, allowing me to try many Uruguayan recipes. I was able to travel and see wonderful new places, but the most beautiful thing I brought home were the bonds I formed during this experience. I met fellow travelers who became like family to me during these unforgettable months.

My time in Montevideo is one that I'll treasure for years to come. I made close friends from all over the country, went to school just a few blocks from the beach, and said yes to almost everything there was to do! At my home university, I could have graduated early due to credits, but I chose to study abroad my last semester instead. I think it was the best decision I've made throughout my entire academic career. The Uruguayan culture is so laid-back and everyone here is the nicest person you'll ever meet. The street food is AMAZING and the water at the beach is almost always warm (even at night). The residence directors and the professors are so beyond helpful. Anything you need, you can just call or text and they'll respond within the hour. They organized tours, trips, and social events for us, which really helped us to get to know the city in the first few weeks. I cannot speak highly enough of this program. I would suggest it to everyone who's considering study abroad. I think I've discovered my new favorite city.

Fui a UY en el programa de verano, es decir, un mes y fue una de las mejores experiencias. La casa (y la casera) estaban genial, también lxs compañerxs del curso y los docentes. Además aprendí un montón de cosas interesantes y disfruté de Montevideo y sus gentes.

I absolutely fell in love with the city and the culture! It was probably one of the most unforgettable experiences I have ever and will ever have and I cannot recommend this program enough! The food is amazing, the people are super friendly, the instructors and counselors were super helpful and accommodating; Overall, it was such a positive experience and I learned a lot not only of the country and the people but also a lot about myself. I was brought out of my comfort zone every single day and I’ve grown so much as a person because of it and I will always cherish that.

Travel has always been my greatest passion, so when I had the chance to study abroad, I took it immediately. I am so grateful that I did! For monetary and cultural reasons, I decided to study in Montevideo, Uruguay; however, I had very little previous Spanish experience. If you’re in a similar situation, don’t let this stop you! The on-site staff, professors, and fellow students were so supportive and encouraging that my lack of proficiency in the language did not keep me from having the experience of a lifetime. While knowing more Spanish might have made it easier to navigate the city on my own, I believe not knowing much allowed more room for personal growth and an increase in confidence. Through independent travel, prepared activities through USAC, and getting to know the people that I was with there, I am so happy that I went. My semester abroad also allowed me to learn about different academic areas than what I had the option for at my home university. Personally, the only thing I regret was waiting until my final semester of senior year. I wish I could have spent my last semester at home with my friends before we all moved away after college, but other than that, there’s nothing I regret about my decision to study abroad.

I grew up in a family with two teachers as parents who prioritized traveling and education as an integral part of our learning journey. I am privileged in that sense, that for the longest time I knew studying abroad in college would be 100% worth my money and time - and it really was! When you live in an environment unlike your own where no institutions, family members, and previous roles define you, you experience a precious and free independence like no other. While in Montevideo, I could choose to be exactly who I wanted to be, and the program played a vital role in guiding such an adventure. This program focuses on cultural immersion in daily life over sitting in the classroom learning about realities that could be learned dancing salsa in the bars, watching local theatrical shows, and participating in Gaucho festivals in the country. With such an affordable price and terrifically planned trips (such as Patagonia in Argentina!)/suggestions for travel, the only other factor is you! You get what you put into your experience, and I can wholeheartedly say that this study abroad experience taught me invaluable lessons of how I want to live my life in the future.

I have had a desire to study abroad ever since I fell in love with studying the Spanish language in high school. When I got to college, the process of applying and the whole experience seemed overwhelming and I was unsure if I wanted to go through with it. Once I finally decided to move forward with studying in Montevideo, Uruguay, USAC and the Program Staff made everything run smoothly from the moment I applied until I arrived back home at the conclusion of my program. Throughout my semester abroad in Montevideo, my Spanish language skills and cultural awareness grew exponentially. My experience with my host family was amazing - I am so thankful for them! The onsite staff and professors were extremely supportive and always made me feel at home. If you have any desire to study abroad, DO IT! Furthermore, if you are planning to study abroad, I recommend choosing a location that is less popular or well-known. I am so thankful I chose to study in Uruguay because I got to get to know a corner of the world that not many people have. As cliche as it sounds, you will not regret your decision to study abroad!

If you are looking for a truly immersive. authentic and unique study abroad program, USAC Montevideo is the one. Not only was I able to improve my Spanish skills, but I was also able to really experience all of the culture of Montevideo and Uruguay. Montevideo is a perfectly sized city with plenty to explore and do. While it is not as flashy as other large cities, I felt completely comfortable walking around on my own and felt like I knew the city by the end of the program. I walked away from this experience feeling like I have now a greater appreciation for South American culture and a greater love for this tiny, relatively unknown, corner of the world.

I had a wonderful experience in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was a very relaxing time when I found inspiration at every corner. Most things were blissful; from walking on La Rambla to going to the Feria, as well as immersing myself in the Spanish language. My living accommodations were met for the most part, however, I did have some unfavorable encounters with my suitemate that left a bad taste in my mouth. Overall, I'd recommend a study abroad in Montevideo if you are someone who is looking for a time for reflection, laughter, and forming intimate bonds!

I absolutely loved my time studying abroad with USAC in Uruguay! Uruguay is a gorgeous country with beautiful scenery and plenty to do. The onsite USAC staff were incredible. They were responsive, knowledgeable, and eager to ensure we had the best experience possible. The classes offered were also great, I highly recommend taking a Spanish class so you can learn local Uruguayan expressions. There were many opportunities for cultural immersion in the classroom, in planned group activities, with your host family, and individually.

I was grateful to have had the opportunity to study abroad in Montevideo. the program is structured to go above-and-beyond our expectations and does just that. Submerging yourself in another culture not only gives you a different lens to view the world through, you also learn more about yourself as a person.