University Studies Abroad Consortium

Studying abroad can seem scary and intimidating, however the Costa Rican culture and USAC staff made my journey so welcoming, easy, and fun! The staff were truly so kind and genuinely cared about their students. Any question, concern, or recommendations were happily answered and they followed up with everything. They made my experience so enjoyable and allowed me to fully focus on my academics and experiences.

I wrote this while I was abroad, and it felt correct to share in this space for anyone considering Viterbo. What a blessing to be studying abroad in Viterbo. Recently, I have been reflecting on what dropping into a community longterm offers. In having the opportunity and capacity to build a rhythm in a medieval Etruscan town, I am connecting with locals and learning so much about how life moves here in Viterbo. Italy, like the US has a lot of different vibes and paces from town to town and city to city. Viterbo is no different. Study abroad offers a unique opportunity to drop into a region and to feel out what life is like in a space very different than your own. Speaking Italian has offered me an incredibly unique lens to conversations with locals and those who are considered locals from other regions. Overall, they echo the same sentiments about Viterbo, something I have yet been able to see, and will need to process when I am away. Daily, everything closes down in the early afternoon, which is the hottest part of the day. It’s been incredibly hot overall, with some days reaching 38 degrees celcius. I feel I have adapted overall, but today was especially hot and last night was hard to sleep. As an anthropologist and musician, there have been so many opportunities to drop into playing music and connecting with historical sites, stories, and more. It was a bumpy transition into Italy as the student loan changes arrived on July 1st and I have been connecting with students who are expressing how their financial aid packages will be changing this fall. It’s a major moment of change in the world, and I am thankful to be experiencing it from a new space where I am gently adapting and becoming used to how many people enjoy smoking overall. I'll never be the same!

The staff in charge of the program were very helpful in trying to assist students. However for my program, there were only 2 placement groups:beginner and advanced. For me, I didn’t fit into either the groups. The advance was too hard and the beginner group was super basic. For example it only covered basic concepts such as greetings.

I had a lot of fun and got to go on trips (apart from the program, mostly) to see a lot of awesome places during the weekends this summer. I learned a lot more Spanish and improved my speaking pace, while also being able to understand a lot more and at a much quicker listening pace as well. That is the thing I think I am most proud of is my improvements with the language. But I am glad I studied abroad because it also gave me a LOT of opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. I have grown a lot as a person even in just 2 and a half months here. The nature and wildlife here are incredible and worth seeing.

Going to Bengaluru was an amazing time. I truly enjoyed the classes, the campus, and all of the inclusive cultural immersion that was included in my program. My program director was a great help at all times, and I truly consider him a great friend now. I wish I could have done an entire semester instead of just the summer program. It was a wonderful trip but it really felt too short!

San Sebastián is a great place to study abroad if you live diverse cultures and languages, great food, great wine and cider, and many more factors. Right in the heart of the Basque Country, it has much to offer. You can go out for a nice night with your friends and have Pintxos and drinks, or visit the nearby towns that hold much cultural significance. No matter what you decide to do, you won’t be disappointed!

It was the best time of my life. I was able to learn so much not only from the amazing teachers but also from the welcoming community of Alicante. The field trips were also very fun, and ended with the most beautiful views of the ocean and the city. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and genuinely encourage everyone to study abroad at one point in their college career.

Best summer I have ever had the classes were so fun especially the sailing class ! The best part was all of the new friends I made and being able to travel ever weekend with them and explore Europe! I would do it again if I could !

My study abroad trip to Shanghai was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The city is full of energy, with an amazing mix of modern skyscrapers and rich cultural history. Every day felt like a new adventure, whether I was exploring local markets, trying authentic Chinese food, walking along the Bund, or visiting beautiful temples and gardens. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was experiencing a different culture firsthand and meeting people from around the world. It helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded. I also learned so much about China’s history, traditions, and daily life in a way that you simply can’t learn from a classroom.

My fondest memories of this study abroad experience took place away from the classroom and off of campus. There was a plethora of events and activities that I was able to take part in along with friends I made in the program. The university, however, seemed to cut several corners with providing social events and the cleanliness & functionality of our accomodations, which dampened the overall experience for me.

I had a wonderful experience abroad. Roehampton University is located right outside the city of London, allowing students to experience slower everyday life while providing the fun city life of London. Beyond this, the town of Putney and Wimbledon are located very close to Roehampton, at a 45 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride. After classes, I was able to choose between exploring local areas and the city of London. London has so much to offer, from food, culture, and more. While abroad, I was able to get cheap flights to other places such as Spain, and take a train ride to Scottland.

The five weeks that I spent in Alicante were some of the best weeks of my life. The friends I made, the experiences I had, and the things I saw are truly unimaginable. You cannot explain how life changing something like this is until you are there. I was really on the fence about going abroad and I am so incredibly grateful that I made the choice to go. This program is ran wonderfully. I loved my classes, I always felt so supported by our advisors, and we had the most wonderful landlord. If you are even considering going abroad, do it!! I will always have a special place in my heart for Alicante and my time abroad.

I've had an incredible time studying abroad in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Every day I find myself in a new adventure, meeting new people, and immersing myself in the culture here. USAC has done an incredible job at making me feel safe, supported, and comfortable. Academically, I feel scaffolded to learn new information about the community and the Reggio Emilia approach, combining the perfect mix of theoretical and practical study. Socially, this community has been an amazing place, filled with weekly events, concerts, and just a welcoming town feeling in general. This has definitely been an experience of a lifetime.

The best part about Reggio Emilia is it is not super crowded with tourists. It’s a small city full of life where you can meet Italian locals and truly immerse yourself in the culture. I loved being able walk and get gelato whenever I wanted, then explored using easy access to bus transportation to the mall and movie theater and then to the train station too. The local cuisine is also phenomenal, erbazzone is devine and each Wednesday during the summer the piazza’s are full of energy with dancing, concerts and so much more. The planned field trips were amazing from trying balsamic vinegar to even exploring a castle there is something for everyone. The support from the program directors is excellent, they were always there for all my questions and made the program feel like home.

It was a great experience and I made some good friends. Being in a new culture was very beneficial for me. I miss it already and wish I stayed for longer but I also got way to hot towards the end of the adventure.

This was the best summer and possibly expierience I have had in my life. I studied in San sebastian for 2 sessions over the summer and loved it. Met the best people who I can consider my friends for life now while learning so much. I got fully immursed in the culture here while attending so many cool events I never thought I would be able to like participating in the running of the bulls and being in spain to see the spain soccer team make it to the finals in the world cup. I learned how to surf and more importantly speak more fluent in another language. I highly recommend this program!!!

I loved my experience in Pau! I had no idea that spending 5 weeks there would alter my life forever. It opened my eyes to how different French culture is in comparison to American culture. When I was little, I idolized my mother because she was my version of the American dream. I wanted to be just as hardworking as her. Now as a college student majoring in biochemistry and minoring in French, I am expected to be ambitious. Whereas my performance looks great on resumes, I often get obsessed with the future. However, when I was in Pau I realized how the locals prioritized living instead of performing. Life is much slower there. People don't often hurry to their next location, adults enjoy parks on weekdays instead of just weekends, and folks seem to appreciate silence instead of distracting themselves with media all the time. Not only did I start adopting some of these habits, but learning a new language encouraged me to think about each word I said. I had to slow down and savor everything I was doing. It was the most present I have ever been and arguably the most I've truly lived in my life. The locals are extremely friendly and will help you learn French. The education at the University of Pau was phenomenal. I felt like being immersed in French and having professors that are willing to work with you was a game changer. I highly recommend this experience even if you don't intend on learning French. Exposing yourself to a new culture may encourage you to reflect on your own lifestyle choices.

Every person was SO helpful and supportive. Luis and Veronica were amazing and so were the professors. They did a fantastic job with the tours and trips, they were always so fun. There was also just enough time that me and my friends I made were able to explore on our own and experience the holidays and festivals Alicante had to offer.

I got to be apart of Session 1 of USAC’s summer program in Verona, Italy, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I would highly recommend Verona to anyone considering studying abroad. The city has the perfect mix of history, culture, and a welcoming atmosphere, with beautiful architecture, amazing food, and so much to explore. I became great friends with my roommate, experienced authentic Italian culture (Including the Opera!), and had the opportunity to travel to incredible places across Italy and Europe on the weekends. Verona truly felt like a home away from home, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget!!

I decided to study abroad to better my Spanish skills while also immersing myself in Latin American culture. Costa Rica has done just that! My Spanish has improved so much, and I have been able to immerse myself firsthand in what I have learned in my Latin American Cultures classes back at my home university. I would totally recommend this immersion program!