World Class Programs

This is my second trip with this program I did the Japan last year and Italy this year also intend to go again next year and I loved the different classes there were I took cuisines and art history we made many different kinds of Italian food and went to different places almost every day there were also many different day trips on the weekends that were amazing to go on and ending in Rome and seeing the colosseum and learning about it was a great way to end the trip and the staff was really amazing and accommodating with the need of the students

My experience with world class programs can never be replicated. The program is so good that my only complaint is the heat outside, which isn’t even really a problem because the staff even think of that giving everyone fans. From the begging to the end I learned about Italian history and cuisine in an extremely interesting and enjoyable way. Everyone was kind and fun to be around, everywhere we went was presented in an incredible way and everything down to the food and rooms was extremely good

Italy was such a great trip. I got such a well rounded trip. I learned a lot of cool stuff some stuff I liked to learn about some I didn't care for as much but yet I am still glad I got to learn it all. I also got plenty of time to do my own thing explore shop hangout relax. I also got to see so many cool places, 8 different Cities. My favorite part of the trip is that the instructors are more like friends than teachers. This is my second trip with this program and I love the instructors. They Genuinely make the trip as good as it is. They are the perfect amount of strict for safety and learning but also laid back for fun and stress free. I love these trips so much. Highly recommend.

I learned so much on this trip through the art history course and photography course. I wasn’t that interested in many of the art made in periods such as renaissance, but I learned so much about them and got quite good at identifying them. I similarly wasn’t that knowledgeable about Christianity and especially Catholicism (at least more than the average American) but I learned so much about it as well and really came to respect the ideas related to it. Finally I also knew literally nothing about photography but through this I learned a lot about different styles and the essentials of photography to the point that I think I’ll be taking better pictures for the rest of my life. This is all without saying the fun and incredible sights and art I got to see, yes we went to churches and art museums to learn about it but we also went to appreciate it and through that I got to see some beautiful art that might be some of my highlight pictures from the trip. Also the day trips to other prominent cities are so much fun and so different Florence is a great base to operate out of and through that base different cities especially Venice and Siena contrast very well, Venice being very tight and of course featuring water, and Siena being very hilly.

World class program is great because it’s more than just a summer program it is an absolute immersion into Ancient Rome; the renaissance in Florence, and amazing medieval art were extravagant and eye popping. Going into the different museums and churches was, like dunking yourself into a beautiful shining spring in Ancient Rome taking you back in time to the minds of Roman’s and what they were thinking while walking into grandiose church. The different day trips were amazing in total there were four day trips one to Lucca where we rode bikes around the city walls, and explored the city, one to cinque terre where we hiked across a mountain with a view of the Mediterranean and ended on the beach. One to siena where we explored the city on the mountain and saw the amazing views. My favorite day trip was the one to Venice where we saw Murano the glass making city and we took boats around to different locations. The pros of the program was the amount of stuff that we had easy access to because of the great connections and the staff. Another pro is the community all the people were easy to connect with and make good friends without any problems. The amount of free time to explore and shop in Florence was great you were able to get what ever lunch you wanted or go to what ever shop in all of old Florence. The cons weren’t many. The program was genuinely so amazing. The only one I can think of is the heat in Italy, but it wasn’t the programs fault it is Italy’s faults for not having good american a/c. The only other con I can think of is not being able to go longer.

It was a very fun program where they taught us a lot about Itlay and I also enjoyed it so much that I did it twice. They gave us 3 to 4 hours of free time almost everyday was definitely one of the biggest highlight of the trip.They gave us enough time to do what we wanted. The staff was always supportive and you weren't forced into doing all of the activities if we didn't feel well or didn't want to. They tried to make the trip the most enjoyable as possible and we're very flexible with what we wanted to do. We also weren't in just one city we went all over the Italy visiting at least 9 cities.

My study abroad experience was truly unforgettable, largely because of the amazing and easy-going staff who made every day enjoyable. Their friendly nature and sense of humor created a welcoming atmosphere that helped me feel at home even when I was far away. I often found myself laughing with them, which made the whole experience not just educational but genuinely fun. Their support and kindness made a big difference, turning challenges into opportunities to grow. One of the most meaningful parts of my time abroad was the relationships I built. I connected with people from all over the world, and these friendships became an important part of my journey. Sharing experiences, learning about different cultures, and supporting each other made these bonds truly special. These relationships taught me the value of understanding and empathy, and I know they will continue to be important in my life long after the program ends. Beyond the social side, I learned so much academically and personally. The new environment pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and adapt in ways I hadn’t before. I gained knowledge in my field of study, but I also learned life skills like independence and problem-solving. This experience has not only enriched my education but also helped me grow into a more confident and open-minded person.

My study abroad experience with World Class Programs was absolutely incredible! From start to finish, the staff was truly exceptional – so supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely made the trip unforgettable. I honestly wish I could have stayed longer! I learned an immense amount, particularly in subjects like color theory and various painting periods, which has been invaluable. This program provided such a rich and immersive learning environment. Highly recommend!

The course itself was a wonderful mix of cultural immersion and learning about the history, art, historical figures who lived in Florence centuries ago. My one and only complaint can be summed up as, if you go on this trip, don’t expect everyone to be as into as you. I was deeply passionate about the history of Italy, and made a friend or two on the trip who was equally as passionate, but as a consumer of this tour, be aware that some are here to passively take in the sights, rather than eagerly devouring everything they can see.

I had a amazing time in Japan! I learned a lot about the history of the country, saw many amazing sites, made awesome memories, and tried new things. I made some really good friends on this trip and always felt safe so I would recommend it for teenagers who are looking for life experience. The housing situation is great in Osaka and Tokyo and most of the time we were well fed. Meals could run late at times, but they always made sure to feed us. I recommend the history major because in that one you will take the most advantage of the country your in, sometimes even getting to see more sites than the other majors. But all in all I had an amazing time and am super glad I did it!

In short, this program offers an adventure of a life time in the 3 biggest cities of Japan. From climbing a mountain in Tokyo, to visiting the Osaka Castle, everyday is filled with fun, learning, and support from the amazing staff on this trip. The staff here are what make the trip so enjoyable, in fact one of the staff, Derick, bought me and my friends Uno at a convenient store in Kyoto and we had loads of fun playing it along the trip. We also got to go to a traditional Tea Ceremony in Kyoto where we wore traditional ceremonial clothing and got to whisk our own matcha

This study abroad was genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The staff really takes time to connect with the students as well as teaching them in fun and effective ways. The program was so well planned and I really feel like I made the most of my three weeks in Japan. There was such a great balance of education and fun activities. The other students on the trip were incredible, and I made friendships I’ll never forget. I loved this study abroad so much and will cherish the time I spent in Japan with World Class Programs.

this trip was so fun everyone was so sweet and kind and they all felt like family. i’m totally gonna do it again next year. the classes were fun and so were all the activities. it was definitely a lot of walking but they were really supportive if you needed a break or stay back for a day. definitely went to A LOT of shrines and temples which was fun but also meant a lot of walking. had a lot of stuff to ship back so make sure to bring extra money for that. overall one of the best things i’ve ever done and im so happy i got to do

I had a great time, the staff were amazing and very helpful and supportive as well as accommodating the needs of students. The classes and activities we did we really fun and the amount of free time we had was great

This was a delightful expedition to the great and beautiful land of Japan. I was ecstatic to greet my professors and fellow peers on this adventure of a life time. In my time here I expanded my horizons greatly due to the guidance and intellect of my highly experienced and knowledgeable professional staff. I have obtained numerous memories during my travels and made many new palls along the way. It is a great tragity that this journey is at it's end, I hope to make my return in the near future. I give my complete and full appreciation to Derek and his elite samurai and master of the blade.

Singlehandedly one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. I had been anticipating this for 8 months, and safe to say it did not disappoint at all. I am insanely grateful to have experienced everything that I did on this trip. Very friendly group and staff, and would 100% recommend to others!!

World class programs is one of the best programs there is and I highly recommend it. Going to Japan with them is my favorite thing I have ever done! On this program I got to see some incredible places and eat really yummy food! One of my favorite places I went wile on this trip was Nara! The deer were really cute and fun. If you are considering going on this trip you should! The staff are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet. They make sure everyone has an amazing time and you will see the most amazing places!

As an adventurous and curious teenager who loves everything to do with the Renaissance, Florence Italy with World Class Programs was a dream. Florence itself feels like you're going back to the time of the Renaissance. There are masterpieces everywhere, and it's such a small and welcoming city that you can get familiar with easily. For me, it felt like home. The program itself, first of all, is not a boring and formulaic program that will remind you of school. I know I was worried about papers and homework, because honestly after a long school year, everyone needs a break from that. Yet, without being assigned a single paper through the entire program, I learned more than an entire years' worth of a school course. The program is extremely immersive, and if you're learning anything at all, it's very likely you'll be standing right in front of whatever your topic is. Whether it be looking up at the David, or admiring a Medici's palace, you're learning simply by seeing and experiencing the culture of Italy, not counting the staff's instruction as well. I've also learned so much about the Italian culture, cuisine, and lifestyle, simply because I was given a taste of it for 3 weeks. And you're constantly around local Italians as well, it's not all just tourists. The experience is so new and so enlightening, and after it, I feel everyone needs to go to Italy at least once in their lifetime. It doesn't matter if you're not interested in history or the old masters of Italian art, or even in their delicious coffee and pasta, you'll still be blown away. There's something for everyone there. World Class Programs is also extremely lenient, and balances the schedule for students to have time to explore Florence with at least one other student/staff. (And trust me, you'll make friends if you want to. I made friends with groups of people who were a lot different than me, and I'm so glad to have met every single one of them) Exploring Florence without the direction of a staff member allows for a freedom that separates this program from others. You can be independent, shop, eat gelato, or sift through souvenir shops. You'll never run out of things to do in Florence, and I barely crossed off half the things on my list. As for the staff members, they were all so sweet, and work for you to have an amazing time 24/7. All in all, this program was easily the highlight of not only my summer, but the past years as well. It is definitely adventurous, and entails a lot of walking and exploring, but at least you have a home base in Florence, and the food makes it all worth it.

This program was so full and I learned so much I would definitely recommend this program to people who love being busy just know it’s a lot of walking and thier is a certain amount of maturity need to make this program enjoyable

It is truly hard to describe just how much I loved this trip and just how much it meant to me. First of all, the staff turned the group international flight from something stressful to something easy and straight forward. As someone who finds flying quite difficult at times, I was so grateful. The first place we went to was Athens. We stayed in an air bnb a short walk away from the ruins of the Greek Agora and the Acropolis of Athens. From there we joined a cruise for a week, where we spent the days hopping between Thessaloniki, Ephesus, Heraklion, Santorini, Milos and Mykonos. We saw beautiful churches, ancient ruins, traditional rug making, and where the Venus statue was originally discovered. We even spent a whole day at the beach on Mykonos. We spent the last week in Naples and Rome seeing Herculaneum, Pompeii, the Vatican, and eating an immense amount of gelato to escape the heat. It truly was an incredible collection of adventures. The beautiful sights were wonderful, but at the end of the day the staff were what made this trip wonderful. The classes were interesting and genuinely got me more excited than any class ever has. I came away with a better understanding of ancient western architecture, art and culture as well as just plain history. It taught me that hands-on learning is what really works for me. I learned how to learn. Going to a foreign country with people you don't know beforehand is nerveracking. There is no way around it. Derek and the rest of the World Class Programs staff helped me and my family through every single step leading up to the trip. They got to know us, answered every question and soothed every worry we had. They laid out every step of the program beforehand and walked us through all the safety precautions. By the time the trip was around the corner, I was well prepared. The staff continued to be wonderful on the trip. They hit the perfect balance of keeping things fun and safe while also treating us like young adults. The gap between high school and college seems very big. I have to go from being entirely reliant on my family and community, to being mostly self sufficient. It's a big jump. What I love about World Class Programs is that they have helped college feel less daunting. Yes I got to take cool classes and see fun things, but I also learned what its like to live away from home. I learned how to live with roommates and how to manage my own time responsibly. I learned how and when to ask for help and that asking for help isn't always as scary as it once felt. On top of that, I learned basic skills like how to use a washer and dryer in a different country and how to manage language barriers. World Class Programs gave me an opportunity to work on important life skills and strengthen the ones I already have. Long story short, this has been the best summer of my life. It's been fun and exciting as well as educational and meaningful. I know this review is cheesy but I genuinely don’t know how else to describe how wonderful this program has been. If you are looking to see if a gap year program is for you, taking a step towards living on your own or simply want a fun summer adventure, this trip is really perfect. Thank you so much Derek and Ellen, and the rest of the World Class Program team.

We found World Class Program by chance at a high school fair and immediately liked their programs. Our daughter went on a trip last year with World Class and absolutely loved it. The director Derek and his staff are top notch. This summer she went back again, this time to Florence, and there was no question that it would be with Derek's team. They saw all the great art and history in Florence and learned so much about the local culture. And amazing!! food. My daughter hasn't stopped talking about the side trips, especially Venice. As a parent I loved the focus on health and safety without sacrificing anything in the experience.

This trip to Italy has truly been Amazing! We saw SO many cool landmarks and historical sights as well as incredible old art and statues including the David! The food there is incredible and so much better than in the states. The staff are also really helpful and supportive and genuinely care about each and every students safety and wellbeing and do their best to make sure everyone has a good time. If you choose to go on this trip you will have an AMAZING time!!! My favorite part of this trip is was when we got to ride bicycles on the old wall in Luca! It was an amazing view and just an incredible experience. I highly recommend this trip!

The Greece and Italy trip was unforgettable! This was my first time studying abroad and my experience was amazing. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable on each of the subjects we studied. If the price seems steep just know that you get what you pay for; all meals are included on the trip including a sweet treats after dinner. The cruise we took on the second week was amazing and felt like a little vacation in between classes. I have nothing but good things to say about this trip let alone World Class Programs as a whole. If you are on the edge of picking this trip, I say do it! I had sooo much fun and made memories that will last a lifetime.

The Greece and Italy trip was unforgettable! This was my first time studying abroad and my experience was amazing. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable on each of the subjects we studied. If the price seems steep just know that you get what you pay for; all meals are included on the trip including a sweet treats after dinner. The cruise we took on the second week was amazing and felt like a little vacation in between classes. I have nothing but good things to say about this trip let alone World Class Programs as a whole. If you are on the edge of picking this trip, I say do it! I had sooo much fun and made memories that will last a lifetime.

World Class programs is truly an amazing and once in a lifetime experience. The staff care so much about the students and do everything in there power to ensure the students safety and that they have an amazing time. There really is no other program like it. This trip to Greece and Italy has been awesome! We got to see so many amazing things and make great memories that will last the rest of are life. If you are considering joining the program I would highly recommend that you do! You will have a amazing summer!

This was such a wonderful experience! This was my second year coming back which I didn’t expect to happen. I was hesitant to go at first because of the cruise portion which ended up being one of my favorite weeks. The friends you make along with the time and effort the staff put into this trip is so memorable! I had such an amazing time visiting the Greek islands, Turkey, Italy and the Vatican. The amount of information I was able to learn was astonishing, this was a trip well spent.

This was the best experience I could have ask for. This summer before college I wanted to spend doing something meaningful knowing that I would not have tons of opportunities to travel in the near future. This program is perfect for high schoolers or those who have just graduated that want a summer adventure in europe!! visiting 4 countries in 3 weeks is a deal whirlwind but in the best way possible. The best part for me was the week long cruise through the Greek islands especially because it was a great way to see history but also have some downtime to vacation and relax aboard the cruise. The cities we stayed in (Athens, Naples, and Rome) outside of the cruise gave so much history and knowledge of great ancient civilizations in europe. Overall this was the best way to spend my summer and it’s a trip I’ll remember forever !!

This is my 3rd trip with World Class Programs!! I did Florence and Japan last year and I loved them so much I had to come back for another one!! All three programs have been incredible and the perfect experience for a teenager wanting the study abroad. The staff is absolutely wonderful and are not just staff but also friends. Each day has a planned out itinerary and you get to see something new each and everyday! This year I did the Greece and Western Civilization trip and it was by far my favorite!! We went to Greece including Athens and multiple Greek islands, Turkey, and ended in Italy. The cruise through the Greek islands was definitely my favorite part of the trip and definitely worth every penny. Unlike most study abroad programs World Class Programs gives you the student a more personal experience rather than just another name on a sheet. You get to know the area you are in and you make so many new friends. Many of which I still keep in contact with and I grew so close with them!! I have felt safe on all trips and there are good boundaries of where you can and cannot go. I would recommend this program to anyone looking for a study abroad program that is not totally throwing you on your own but the student will definitely get a more sense of self but still feel protected. I recommend this for the travel type that wants a summer adventure, the trips duration is the perfect amount in my opinion and really lets you see the country without being too much or too overbearing. The food is amazing and the staff does a great job at making sure your pallet is satisfied. Trust me and sign up because you will have an amazing experience and it is definitely worth every penny!!

World Class Programs was such an eye opening experience, and I 100% recommend it to people who are super adventurous, and like a nice mix of immersive and hands on learning and just fun and free time. I’ve learned so much not only about history and architecture, thanks to the interactive experience, but also a lot about culture. You’re able to see more history in one day than some people see in a lifetime. You’re going to be tired but it’s definitely worth it.

My 16 year old daughter attended the World Class Program trip to Italy in the Summer of 2024 and had a fantastic experience. The program staff were very communicative and provided plenty of details on the itinerary, activities and accommodations. My daughter got the chance to see another country with a group of American teens which allowed her to expand her worldview in a way that didn't feel too foreign. I would recommend the program to rising juniors or seniors in high school. My daughter is interested in attending a different trip next year with World Class Programs.

This is such a great progarm because you get a lot of free time and schedule things to do. I had a great time the people are good and the food is great. The staff care about you and want you to have a great time while keeping you safe. If you want to do something that they didn't plan for they are willing to adpat to things as long as they are reasonable. They also have group flights to and from the place you are visting or take your own flight. They reaaly try to get you to embacre the culture of the country by giving you cool experinces.

Best summer of my life. I met a ton of cool people, the staff were awesome and the food was amazing. In my opinion I think my favorite part of the trip was Kyoto because of the sheer amount of temples and shrines there. All of the courses were cool and teach a good amount of material and let you explore many new places related to the courses. The free time you get nearly everyday is great and super fun to walk around the city with friends. There are also multiple day trips in which you travel to nearby cities. 10/10 program, would recommend.

I went on the Italy program for 3 weeks about a week before the Japan trip was going to leave. I was heavily convinced to come on the Japan trip a week before and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I love this program with all my heart and have learned so much and I have so many memories that I will hold. I love the entire staff and they we genuine friends to us and were so dedicated to keeping us safe and having fun. They were not overruling and being unnecessary when it came to telling us to do something. They were very reasonable and considerate and genuinely our friends that we could have fun and laugh with. They program is so well organized and a wonderful opportunity for any high schooler wanting to travel and go explore a new country. You truly get your money’s worth and we did not have to worry about anything when it came to the itinerary. It was all super well planned out and I loved having something new every single day. Each day was a new adventure and had a new experience. Italy was such a good experience for me that I never wanted it to end so I had to do another trip and I also plan on attending a third trip next summer before I leave for college. These two trip has made me learn so much about Japan and meet new people and I am so he for this opportunity. The staff was so accommodating and so helpful. I would recommend this program to anyone it truly is worth every penny.

For me the program is one of the best things I’ve done in a long time. The staff are great and Derek is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. His planning for the trip was incredible and he was able to fit in so many destinations and attractions. We were able to have an experience of a lifetime thanks to him. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the week in Tokyo. We were able to see so many things and Derek gave us multiple chances to be free and independent. We were allowed to explore and go shopping frequently which was very nice. Overall, this trip was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone.

Going on this trip was more of a last minute miracle for me. I was incredibly nervous that I wouldn’t enjoy my time and I would feel home sick fast. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. The trip honestly felt like a little family and I enjoyed every moment. I myself am not an athletic person and I normally don’t enjoy long walks and sight seeing, however, this trip made it all worth it. The sleeping situations were good and I was always generally comfortable. It can become tiring but the staff is so supportive and always willing to give you time to rest.

The program was very cool. Made a lot of new friends and had many fun memories during my time in Japan. Himeji castle was definitely my favorite thing that we visited. Learned a lot of new things in the classes I took during the program and got to experience something completely different from my everyday life in the United States. Overall I had a really fun and enjoyable time on my trip with world class programs. I would recommend this program if you want to experience something new and make some new friends along the way.

World class programs is a really fun experience and I would definitely recommend it! There are alot of really cool things to see and with this program you’ll see a lot of them. You’ll also get to witness and participate in some cool traditions. If you like traveling and want to see some awesome things you should definitely consider world class programs! Derek who is in charge of the program is also somewhat good and willing to helping with taxes! He also cares a lot about the health of the students … sometimes way too much.

In 2023, I was a part of the Florence, Italy trip. I fell in love with traveling but most importantly, World Class Programs. Derek Tano sculpts every trip with clear intentions and I was eager to return for the trip to Japan this year. Our day trip to Hiroshima was on August 6th, the same day as the atomic bomb. We went to observe the Peace Festival and gain a new perspective of that day. While emotional, it was a unique and powerful experience that we were able to have. On a lighter note, every day was packed with exciting activities and unforgettable moments. On our second day, we all went bowling and laughed as if we knew each other our whole lives. While most of us couldn’t get a pin down, we enjoyed bonding together as a group. We sang our hearts out at karaoke, even losing our voices by the end of it. We did long walks to gorgeous shrines and temples, enjoying the scenery as we sweat in the hot sun. My major (Japanese History) took me to beautiful shrines and temples across Japan. I’ve learned so much about Shinto religion and Buddhism from my class. I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime on this trip. I’ve laughed harder than I ever had before, walked more than I could imagine, but most importantly, I learned so much about Japan and myself. I’ve gained a new perspective on the world and a love of traveling. World Class Programs is the only study abroad company I’d want to travel the world with. I can’t recommend this trip or any other WCP enough. Thank you for the best three weeks ever.

It was supper fun. I have always wanted to go to Japan and see the sites and I got to do that. I also learned about Japanese history wich was really fun. I got to see a lot of castles which was supper fun. I highly recommend this trip

Best decision I've made for my son! Having never traveled overseas alone, he braved the experience, knowing no one involved, and came home with eyes wide open and a whole new perspective on the world. Derek and the team at World Class Programs were organized and communicative at all times. Seeing pictures posted through the program as well as the weekly diary let me see what he was experiencing every day. Next up is the Japan experience and we are beyond excited for his next adventure.

Best. Three. Weeks. Ever. I absolutely loved this trip and it was worth every penny. The staff was amazing and cooperative and did not make us feel like they just had power over us they were super understanding of any problem we had. My sister went on this trip 2 years ago and has not shut up about it since so I was worried mine would not be as good as her’s, boy was I in for it. I took art history and photography and both of my teachers were great and made the subject fun and not like a regular high school class. The living situation was great and I have no complaints there, and our rooms had lots of space. The food situation was very good and we were not cheaper out when It came to eating and the staff made sure I never went hungry. Each day we had a literary that was very planned out. It was nice to not have to worry about planning and to just be told where to be at what time, it was worth the money. I will recommend this trip to anyone, it was a great experience and perfect for my age (17). The staff was amazing and I even felt like they were all our age and not just adults that didn’t want to have any fun. We had freedom and free time to also do activities we wanted to do. The program almost seems too good to be true but trust me it is exactly as good as I am telling you and a beautiful experience for teenagers. I actually enjoyed the program so much I am also going to be doing the Japan program this summer. We were well taken care of and I made friends that I know I will have for a lifetime. Before this trip I hadn’t been away from my family for even a week, not even camp. For the first 3 days I was nervous about the trip and how I was going to do but by day four I was so comfortable and was getting close with the girls in my room and I never wanted to leave. I have traveled a lot and been to many countries and different vacations but the is trip is by far my favorite trip I have ever been on. This trip has been amazing for me to grown as a person and meet new people from different states and to be submerged into a brand new culture.

This study abroad program was such a great experience! Not only did it immerse me in Italian culture and lifestyle, but it also gave me the opportunity to meet a ton of new people and form lifelong relationships.

This trip was so much fun! I really had an amazing time, I was very nervous when I first started and on the first day I had already made so many friends and memories. I would recommend this trip to other people:)

Just WOW! I took this trip to Japan during the end of July for three weeks through August and it was absolutely incredible! Not only are the staff very friendly and easy to get along with but they know when to get serious and how to handle groups of high school students. I also really enjoyed being around the friends I made on this trip, it was one of those rare experience bonding connections you don't get to see or know of very often. Looking back on it now some of the trip highlights had to be the time we visited Nara Park and fed the deer that bowed to you, funnily enough it started POURING and it was a great time running to the nearby 7/11 for umbrellas! If you are going into this thinking its a vacation then STOP its an experience through and through. Expect to have the best time of your life BUT you have to be willing and ABLE to do it, some days went up to 25k steps. All in all this program was by far one of the best decisions I made in my life, and from the Tokyo Tower, to the Osaka street vendors, to the many many beautiful castles and the ACTUAL location of the atomic bomb detonation you really PACK in as much of Japan in 3 weeks as you can get! I cant think of what else to say other than praise for this program so SIGN UPPP!!! (also the program director Derek Tano is the KINGGG!!)

Traveling abroad with World Class Programs was indeed an experience of a lifetime. I got to experience aspects of a country I would have struggled to find or reach if I had not been with the program. The program not only gave me opportunities to learn about topics in another country in a more academic setting with fun classes that kept me engaged but also through more experiential activities like class trips and program-wide day trips to cities outside of where we were mainly staying. I personally was able to have very big cultural revelations about myself due to the nature of the program and the way that they helped immerse us in the culture of Japan. The amount of opportunities that we had to explore some of the culture ourselves with our programmed free time was also incredibly valuable as it enabled me and others on my trip to really feel connected with Japan and the city we were staying in. Overall I think that anyone with the opportunity to go on a trip with WCP should take it as it provides a great opportunity to immerse yourself in another country’s culture and environment which will aid both your personal and professional life by providing you new ways of thinking about things. The experiences you’ll have in both program activities as well as just being a member of the program and interacting with your peers are some that you won’t ever forget because of just how impactful they are. You really will have so much fun that you might be making plans to get back to Japan as soon as you hop on the plane ride back home!

This trip was such a memorable experience. As students, we got to learn so much in the three weeks we spent in Japan while always having a great time. I started this trip with very limited knowledge on the country and it’s culture, but I left with what I feel is a much deeper understanding. During these weeks I met so many new and interesting people and enjoyed an array of different but very fun activities. The teachers leading the program felt like friends while putting our safety first and ensuring we have a good time. I could not imagine a better way to spend the end of my summer than traveling with World Class Programs.

This was the first time my son had gone on a group trip. I researched this company, the owner and every employee extensively. All I could find were amazing reviews across the board. I had the opportunity to talk to a mother whose son had taken the trip the year before. He had the best time. We felt good about this company and my son was really excited to see Japan. From the very beginning, everything ran seamlessly. We easily found the group in the airport, met the instructors and fellow classmates, then said our goodbyes. Our first text we received was what a great time he was having! He would send pictures daily featuring one amazing place, after another. My son loves History and was blown away by the course abroad. Actually being in Hiroshima and learning about that day, definitely beats a standard classroom lecture. The total immersion in the culture was an amazing opportunity as well. Going to the grocery store, off the beaten path restaurants, and a traditional tea ceremony, are some of the benefits this program offers beyond just traveling there as a tourist. Derek and his team are so familiar with the area and itinerary, that they are able to pack a lot in without it feeling rushed or exhausting. Every Sunday, Derek would send us a weekly summary with photos and details of what they were up to. We looked forward to it every week. My son came home with new friends, a thousand cool stories and stronger confidence in his decision to go out of state for college, next year. Thank you, Derek, Jaclyn and the team for providing such an amazing experience.

I had such an amazing time studying abroad with World Class Programs. Every day was full of multiple fun activities that were educational and engaging. Our classes took us all over Osaka on the subway and on foot, so we got a lot of time to enjoy where we were. There were so many opportunities for free time where we could explore the city and do things like trying street food, going to arcades and going to parks. Our teachers made sure we were safe while allowing us to have freedom and try things for ourselves! Overall such an amazing time and the three weeks went by way to fast. Definitely recommend!!

Personally I can say that I’m not a stranger to traveling, I’ve been to different countries and plenty of cruises. Even still, this is hands-down the best thing I’ve ever experienced. The excursions were beautiful and I had more fun than I can physically describe. I walked in with absolutely zero knowledge in the classes I chose and now feel comfortable on my own and teaching others. It makes sense though, the staff were beyond helpful. In and out of class felt like spending time with family.

This was out daughters first time traveling alone and being “on her own” apart from family for the first time. I think we were all a little nervous. But, Derek and the staff were such amazing communicators leading up to the trip that we felt more confident when the time came to send her off. And from day one until the last day we heard nothing but rave reviews from our daughter during the entire three week trip. They did SO much, learned so much and had SO MUCH FUN! I don’t think it could have been any better.

This trip is full of fun experiences. Wherever we walked---whether it was exploring a castle or temple, eating amazing food, wandering through a garden, chilling with deer, or shopping at big malls---we always did something fun. If you don't like any of that stuff though, you're given free time everyday to do what you want to do. But really, the only time you'll ever get bored is at night back in the hotel getting ready for bed and trying to fall asleep. It sounds cheasy, but genuinely, I could not wait for the next day to arrive because I was so excited to get back out in the city and do awesome stuff. I credit part of that excitement to the staff, who were extremely friendly and easy to talk to to, as well as the other students on the trip, who were super fun to be around. If there was a 4 week option, I would've stayed 4 weeks. If you end up coming to Japan with World Class Programs, they give you tons of opportunities to be adventurous. When doing something feels scary, do it.

This program has got to be one of the best experiences of my life. And that’s not just because it’s in Japan, though that is definitely a big part of it (there’s nothing quite like walking through the streets of Japan and hearing a song by one of your favorite Japanese artists, which you would never hear in public in the US, playing in a store you’re walking by). The staff at World Class Programs manages to squeeze as much Japan experience juice as they can out of the few weeks you’ve there, and it doesn’t feel overwhelming. The classes are super fun and you get to use what you learn right after you learn it, which helped me remember the information SO much better than any other teaching method for me. With all the day trips, class trips, group activities, and free time you’re given, there’s so many cool places and things you’re going to find. I remember wanting to go back to Japan before I had even left the country to return home. And all that is great, but one of the best parts of my time on this trip was the people I was with. The students who get selected to go all seemed so happy to be there, the staff were super friendly and their enthusiasm was infectious, and I could not have asked for better roommates. They were so much fun to be around and hang out with. I wouldn’t have had as much fun on this trip as I did if they weren’t there. This trip was an incredibly fun and valuable experience for me, and I guarantee it will be for you if you decide to go with this program.

World Class Programs more than lives up to its name. I cannot recommend them highly enough. My daughter participated in the 2023 Florence program. She not only discovered a passion for art history, but also benefited from the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that Derek Tano and his amazing staff built into the program design. World Class also perfectly calibrated the balance between independence and supervision, giving the students a taste of what college life might feel like. My daughter returned with more confidence and with her love of travel and openness to new experiences enhanced. The memories and the friendships she made will last a lifetime.

As I think about my time with World Class Programs, the words that come to my head are professional, one of a kind, and all around exceptional.   Derek and Vieri, the program directors, carefully curated our whole program. Vieri being a local Florence native allowed us (the students) to better understand the city by showing us around in a way that only a local could. His fluency in Italian, plus local connections made it possible for us to do things that other companies couldn’t imagine. Derek’s background in art and art history made the whole city even more captivating. From learning about how to identity a roman building, to teaching us about the meaning behind the colors used in church paintings, Derek captured it all. When you combine these two masterminds you get WCP. Vieri and Derek allowed us to be independent - including housing, specific meals, and going around the city. Being held responsible for yourself is a big task, especially in a different country. But truthfully it was a task we could all handle.    The program itself is education based, which should be the case for any of these programs. This trip is not a vacation but an adventure. I’ve created memories that I’ll be able to tell my grandchildren about. I’ve created life long friendships that will forever bond me to the beautiful city of Florence.   Thank you to WCP for giving me the privilege to fly to the amazing country of Italia, speak the language, be a local, eat delicious foods, cook delicious meals, analyze art, draw beautiful sculptures, shop like a tourist, create life long friendships, and so much more. 

I joined the Florence 2023 world class study abroad program trip. I took art history as my major class, and I’ve never been so engaged in a class and so excited to wake up each morning and go to class. My class consisted of about 7 people which was perfect for walking around the city, famous museums and churches. We never had a dull moment in class as we were always challenged to learn. Each individual in my class participated with the help of our teacher, who always supported us in and out of class. His positive attitude towards learning about art history rubbed off the students, so we’re excited to learn in a healthy and supportive environment. We learned to read churches, paintings and statues in a completely new artistic outlook. The staff are absolutely the kindest and most helpful people. They would drop anything to help you out, they genuinely care for your safety and your wellbeing. We grew to know each other so well; I am positive every student on the trip had an amazing relationship with the staff. I developed unbreakable bonds around the world during this trip with my now friends that will hopefully last me a lifetime. Sharing an apartment with 9 other girls taught me to be patient and was a great experience to do before college. I was intimidated about sharing a living space with so many people and it being crowded, but it was the opposite of that. The activities we did together brought us closer and taught us even more after classes. I would recommend studying abroad with world class programs for anyone, it’s an absolutely incredible experience.The worst part of the trip is the fact that you must say goodbye to the people have made bonds with. When I said goodbye at the gate, I remember crying for an hour straight after saying hugging goodbye. I love these people with all my heart and I would do anything for them. I recommend world class programs for any student who wants to be apart of another loving family.

My two daughters went on the program to Italy. From start to finish, it was an incredible experience. Not only did they see and experience so so much, but they really benefited from the outstanding leadership from Derek, and the community he cultivates among the students and his staff. He really knows how to connect with this age group. To be honest, my kids were sadder to leave their group that to leave Italy itself. That, to me, is the sign of excellent staff. While their days were packed with one amazing experience after the next, Derek was also always available to the parents. One example--my daughter's asthma acted up while she had a cold, and she didn't have her inhalers. So, even through the group was returning from a packed trip from Venice to Florence, Derek coordinated to get my daughter's prescription inhaler from a pharmacy...despite it being a Sunday and not actually having her prescription! He plied her with chicken soup, orange juice, etc--basically a parent's dream come true when so far away from your kids. Thank you Derek and the whole staff at World Class Programs!

I can’t say enough about world class programs. All the staff were so supportive and I didn’t have a vacation in Italy, I went on an adventure in Italy, I lived there. My apartment in Florence was so nice and I enjoyed all my roommates. My classes were interactive, different everyday, and very enjoyable. No matter what the class no one was upset with their time. But bring good shoes there are some long walks but it is part of the trip! Its part of living in Italy not just being a tourist. The day trips were the best part of the adventure, going to Luca and biking around the city, in Sienna walking around the horse tracks and so much more. One of the most valuable thing I gained from this trip was my own independence, you have no choice but to find yourself while you’re here and as a 16 year old that is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’ll miss Italia so much and I had the time of my life.

I loved being a part of this program so so much. I took art history and was able to learn so much as well as also having an incredible time in Florence. We were able to go around the city both as a larger group and in smaller ones and experience the city. In addition to Florence, we took several amazing day trips to places such as Cinque Terre and Lucca that were just as unforgettable as the time we spent in Florence. I am truly so appreciative of all the staff members and all my fellow students for making this trip so wonderful!

I really enjoyed this trip. I made fantastic connections with the students and staff combined. I loved swimming in Cinque Terre, and bike riding in Luca. I found it fun learning my way around Florence, and I am so excited to come back!! I liked going out to dinner and learning how to order in Italian in language class. This trip made me become super active and I’ve gotten used to walking every where now. Loved this trip and would highly recommend to anyone looking to have a taste of what it’s like living abroad!

This trip has given me lifetime friends, supportive staff, and so much meaningful experience that will continue to help me in college and beyond. From living in apartments with 13 girls, I have learned the importance of communication, cleaning, and going with the flow. I majored in art history and went to every church in Florence and learned the most interesting stories and facts. Derek is amazing and led the class wonderfully. Along with art history, I minored in Italian Language with my amazing teacher Michaela. This was the most entertaining language class I have taken, Michaela is so relatable and made the class super exciting to be a part of. We learned how to order coffee in Italian, how to shop in Italian, how to write an Italian postcard, and went out to lunch as a class. She made it very clear to us that we could text her whenever we wanted to ask any questions we have. All the staff is so available and ready to help in any situation. I was a little under the weather for a few days and the staff let me rest and provided me with a lifetime supply of water. They have become a second family to me. We went on amazing excursions including Cinque Terre where we went on the most sweaty hike ever, Lucca where we rode bikes around the city boarder, Venice where we took a peaceful gondola ride along the canals, and ended off the trip in Rome seeing the Trevi Fountain and all the other amazing historical landmarks. I’m so glad I took part on this adventure and I’m grateful for the lifelong connections I now have.

World class Programs, specifically the Florence program was an amazing adventure for my high school-aged daughter. She loved her art history class and the instructor made learning about the rich history of Florence a wonderful experience. The program staff was focused on safety and took precautions that assured parents that the students would be supervised. The open communication of the staff and willingness to answer any questions was much appreciated. This program is set up so well and the classes and side trips were an overall wonderful experience. Visiting Florence and Tuscany was an. absolute experience of a life time that my daughter will remember always. My daughter has recommended this program to her younger sister who will be of high school age soon which assures me that she had a fantastic experience.

I absolutely loved this trip! It was so much fun and I learned so much about art history and cuisine. Every staff member was so kind and supportive and every instructor was engaging and interesting. I loved going on day trips, doing activities, and having free time to explore the city. This is such an amazing program!

My experience during World Class Program’s Florence, Italy trip was unlike any other! I was able to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world, all while making new friendships that will undoubtedly continue beyond the trip itself. During my Art History class, we explored churches and museums in Florence, and learned fascinating information that integrated into everyday life in Florence. Among the many fun classes and activities, we also enjoyed weekend excursions, such as swimming with the group in Cinque Terre and riding bikes around Lucca, which were unforgettable highlights of the trip. I could not have asked for a better experience!

This program allowed me to make amazing bonds with the staff and students alike whilst fostering cultural knowledge about the amazing city of Florence. The staff is incredibly welcoming and are very accommodating to each students’ needs. Furthermore, in this program I was able to explore the social life of Florence and learn about subjects that I was passionate about. I would recomendable this to any student who wants to have fun and learn about their creative subjects of choice. Amazing program and city !

Wow! What an amazing summer! My husband & I honestly tried to talk our son out of going on a study abroad trip. We are what you might call "the helicopter parents" that were afraid of sending him so far away in a foreign country. Well let me tell you, we hit the absolute JACKPOT with World Class Programs! The Managing Director Derek Tano is amazing I don’t have words to adequately tell all parents. He is always available to take my call no matter where they were in the world & he is so relatable to the students & earns their respect immediately! He is very down to Earth & safety & education are clearly number one for all of the World Class Programs staff. I am so blessed that I found World Class Programs and this summer program was the time of my sons life!

World Class Programs is hands down the best study abroad company out there! My wife and I shopped around & contacted all the companies out there looking for the perfect fit for our “wild child” daughter & we reached out via email & phone calls with so many questions to them all. We got crickets from them all …but World Class Programs answered the phone the first time I called & Jaclyn was so informative & helpful & detailed. The application process was seamless & honestly fun. We had zero hiccups & any questions I had I simply dialed World Class Programs phone number & it was answered every time! The program itself was life changing and Derek and his staff are truly "World Class" educators. I could not be happier with this company and with the experience my daughter had while abroad. I will be sending all of my kids on one of World Class Programs study abroad trips again & again! I only wish I could go on one too!

I never write reviews but as a parent of a reserved & shy high school daughter I felt the need to let every parent trying to chose an amazing trustworthy educational program for their child to ABSOLUTLY go with World Class Programs. The staff is worth their weight in gold & so approachable & answered their phone 24/7 while my daughter was in their care. I can’t say enough about this program my daughter came back home changed in the most confident & worldly way & she is so sad she didn’t go sooner because she wants to travel with them each summer!

I was on World Class Program’s Osaka, Japan trip and have nothing but knowledge, and incredible memories to bring back with me! Derek was so knowledgeable about everywhere we went, and I could tell he really has a passion for teaching. He made my fears disappear by how comfortable he was in his surroundings. I was worried that not knowing Japanese would be something that would make the trip difficult, but it was never a problem because I felt so supported by the World Class Programs’ staff! We got to pet the most adorable deer in Nara Park! They bowed to you so that you could feed them right from your hand! They were so gentle and cute, that it was definitely a highlight for me! I also loved taking the Japanese history course while out in the city, so that I got to learn history where it actually happened! I am so glad I went on the 3 week trip because I got to see both Osaka and Tokyo, as well as the other day trip cities. This was my first time in Japan, and World Class Programs has sparked my ;love of travel, so I cannot wait to go back there someday!

World Class Programs is a company filled with fun and educated staff who want nothing more than to create incredible experiences that last a lifetime for their students! I am proud to say that I am one of those students! I was lucky enough to be part of the Paris, France program, and it CHANGED MY LIFE for the better. Through all of the museum visits, classes, activities, and weekend trips, I became more confident in myself to navigate any situation that I am put in for the future! I had never traveled out of the country before, so I was a little nervous, and was glad it was only going to be two weeks. However, after the first few days, I couldn’t believe how fast the time was going! I wished it was longer! The staff created memorable experiences for us to get to know each other, and I felt like we became a family by the end! My favorite part of the trip is hard to pick, but I would probably have to say climbing the Eiffel Tower because of the incredible view from the top! We also got to walk through the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, visit the Chateau de Monte Cristo! (the home of Alexander Dumas! I would recommend this trip to anyone, because you learn so much about the world, and the staff are so caring, hilarious, and make learning fun!

I have always been interested in Italian culture because of my heritage, and my Catholic faith. That is why I chose the Florence, Italy program. I don’t regret my decision for anything! It was the best experience ever, and I owe it all to World Class Programs for getting me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible! What I didn’t expect, is to experience SO many other things while I was there in addition to learning more about my faith! We visited a leather school and got to shop there afterwards with the World Class Programs discounted prices! They are so connected in the community, that we were even able to get us an exclusive pass to climb the Duomo that tourists aren’t usually able to do! My classes were so helpful in helping me learn more about Italian culture through the language, and history! Learning about Italy while you are there walking through its history was the best way! If you are looking for adventure, learning, fun, and feeling safe enough to step outside of your comfort zone, sign up for this program!

I went on the Florence, Italy trip, and had the best time! I couldn’t believe the amazing things that were included in this trip to Florence! I only had to pay for any souvenirs I wanted to buy for myself, but everything else was included while we were there! The program director and all of the staff mentioned how inclusive the program was, but I didn’t realize we would be doing all of the things we did! Just to name a few, we took day trips to Cinque Terre, Lucca, Venice, and spent time in Rome! We saw historic churches, museums, and my favorite, the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria della Accademia where the David statue is located! The food was amazing, and I made so many friends and connections that will last a lifetime! I MORE THAN got my money’s worth for this trip! It was an extremely memorable trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to study abroad to have an experience that will prepare them for college. Because of the amazing World Class Programs staff and organization, I felt constantly safe and taken care of the whole time.

If you are thinking about traveling abroad, don’t look anywhere else. World Class Programs has got you every step of the way for anything you will ever need before, during, and after you travel! This trip has not only been the highlight of my summer, it has been the highlight of my entire life! I have made some lasting memories that will continue to shape the way I view the world. I have never been out of the country before, so I was nervous, but the World Class Programs staff made sure that we all became a family away from home. I really enjoyed the trips to Cinque Terre to sit on the Mediterranean coast, the trip to Lucca where we rode bikes on the city wall, and Venice! The canals were even prettier than pictures! It was like I was living in a postcard! We did so many things when we were there and experienced so many different things, that I can’t even begin to name them all!

I enjoyed this program! Derek and his team were always willing to help and keep everyone engaged during our 3 weeks. I definitely recommend this program for anyone that enjoys traveling and making new friends.

Our son turned 17 the day before he left for his 3 week trip to Florence, Italy, with World Class Programs. He travelled on his own from Australia and met the group in Florence. Every question, concern and care we had was addressed by Derek and his exemplary team. We were so impressed with the level of organisation on every level from academic, social, security, accommodation and cultural immersion aspects. Our communication prior to, throughout and after the program has been exceptional. Our family cannot thank Derek, Vieri, Abby, Elizabeth and the World Class Program team enough. We were so thoroughly impressed that we will be sending our younger child on the program too! Thank you World Class Programs from us all!

World Class Programs greatly exceeded our expectations. Derek and his Team are extremely professional, organized and demonstrate they truly care. We greatly appreciated the weekly updates and photos when our daughter was in Italy. Our daughter loved the experience, it was a great “test run” for her upcoming college experience. We couldn’t be happier or asked for more and would highly recommend to anyone considering for their child!

Last winter my child came to me proposing that instead of a traditional post graduation senior week at the beach she would like do do an educational tour abroad. She and a friend did their own research and felt that World Class Programs offered an option that seemed to be the perfect balance of education and tourism, free time and structure. We read reviews online like this one and since the organization is relatively new, we called and spoke with the director as well before applying. From the beginning of our interactions with the staff of the program we got the sense that their passion is planning the perfect travel experiences for students (rather than making a profit), and they have been top notch in terms of responsiveness and communication. As a parent I especially liked that we had a parent/child Zoom planning meeting before the trip, and during the trip the Director sent us detailed updates as to what the group was up to. My daughter checked in frequently and was just loving everything about the trip every time she called or texted. I wanted to take the time to write a review so that future parents researching programs can hear about our experience and have confidence in this newer organization.

This is my second trip with this company. The staff are super helpful if you need accommodations or help with anything. There are a variety of classes and the teachers know the subjects. There were a lot of activities outside of class and we got to go to different places. The staff are always concerned about safety but still having fun. It is a great way to experience dorm life before college.

World Class Program’s Paris trip was wonderful. There is ample opportunity to explore as much of Paris as you wish, while still learning a lot. They supply ample support to make sure you don’t experience any issues. Emersion and language education takes a hit due to the tourist nature of Paris, however there are excursions that allow you to find yourself in more rural areas. However, if you wish, the staff is open to suggestions of locations to go. As an example, they were very happy to bring the group to the house of my favorite author (Alexandre Dumas) just outside of Paris due to my request. The program covers nearly everything you could want during life abroad including hotel rooms, train and attraction tickets, and food. Additionally, the staff was very kind and helpful. Easily one of the best times of my life.

I had only a few things on my bucket list for this trip (watch the 1am sparkle of the Eiffel tower, have crepes from a crepe stand, see the works in the Louvre, do some shopping, and walk along the seine like mamma mia) and as I look back on it I can say that I truly accomplished everything on it and much more. I came into this program thinking it would be like other programs, overly chaperoned, too structured, and little to no free time. I was very pleasantly surprised when I arrived and I got much more free time than anticipated and when I was in class or with the group I was always learning something while also very much enjoying my time here. The trip was well timed and I never felt like we were too busy or had to little to do. The classes that we took were relaxed while also helping us learn about culture in paris. The program staff were flexible when we wanted free time or if we wanted to learn something different in our classes! I would definitely recommend this program to someone who is looking to get into studying abroad before college and it would be good for anyone no matter how comfortable they are with traveling. I came with a friend which helped me get to know people but there were others who came not knowing anyone and we all became friends quickly and will remain friends even after the trip!

After taking a few years of French in high school, I was excited to visit Paris for the first time. World Class Programs gave us a trip that had everything we wanted to do and more. There was a perfect balance between structured activities (exploring downtown, walking to Notre Dame, visiting Versailles, going up the Eiffel Tower) and down time to explore the city on our own. I was able to practice and grow my French skills while learning life skills of living in a shared apartment and navigating a new city. I highly recommend this program as a great way to meet new friends and travel!

Our daughter had lofty expectations for her first trip abroad, and World Class Programs exceeded them in every way. She came home with cultural, social, and real-world experiences that will stay with her for a lifetime. As parents, we had all of the typical concerns that come with sending a teen across the world for 3 weeks. However, the instructors in this program leave no doubt regarding the safety, health and well-being of their students. This was especially impressive against the backdrop of COVID. Regarding the curriculum--it is packed! So much education and experience packed into 3 weeks. Don't hesitate--highly recommend.

My daughter participated in the 2021 Florence program and I can't say enough about the program and the instructors. She had the best time of her life and truly experienced the Italian culture. The program is packed with art classes, cooking classes, museum visits and excursions to Lucca, Sienna, Cinque Terra, Venice and Rome. Initially, she was signed up for the two week program and last minute we added the third week and so happy with that decision. My daughter made lasting friendships and has not stopped talking about the trip and her new friends for over a week now. I also want to say that safety is their number one priority but they manage to balance safety with the right amount of freedom. Consequences of not following the rules were strongly communicated which I was happy to hear. My daughter is already talking about taking the Japan trip next year! Thank you to Derek, Katherine, Abbey and Vieri for making this trip a life changing experience for Amelia!

My daughter went to Italy with World Class Programs and we could not be more pleased with everything about this trip. The educational opportunities and the leisure activities were absolutely amazing, and even though she was halfway across the world I never questioned her safety or security which was such a relief. We are very happy and will be sending two kids abroad with WCP next year!

As a parent of a recent Florence Program participant at World Class, I would highly recommend this program to any parent from the standpoint of both safety and education. Our daughter returned a week ago and has been going through "Florence withdrawal" ever since. The experiences she has described and the photos she has shared will be part of her for the rest of her life. Do not hesitate....send your high school teen abroad with this program, you will be glad you did!

After completing the Florence 2021 trip, I strongly urge those interested to attend. Whether experiencing the rich culture, amazing museums, or delicious foods, we got to experience life as a Florence native. Alongside classes and group activities, we had the opportunity to explore the city or relax during the generous amount of hours of free time. My favorite aspect of this trip has to be the various day trips visiting other cities. Although focused in Florence, we were able to familiarize ourselves with many other key Italian cities. Lastly, I want to thank Katherine, Derek, and all the teachers, for their commitment to keeping this program both fun and formative. I am so excited to attend another World Class Programs Trip!

I originally signed up for the two-week program but halfway through I switched to the three-week program because I was having so much fun. I had so much fun getting to know the other people on the program, and the classes were a blast. My favorite class was art history because I learned so many random facts that I cant wait to flex on my family. My second favorite class was photography because it was a great way to see the city and get some great pictures, it was also the most fun class because I got to get to know my classmates, It didn't really feel like the class but I now know way more about my camera than I ever thought that class would teach me. My third favorite class was Tuscan Cusine, it was a very chaotic class but the payoff was worth it! we got to make some of the best food I've ever made. The weekend trips were so fun, riding bikes on the city walls of Luca truly fulfilled the sound of music dreams I didn't know I had. The staff is some of my favorite people ever, everyone made me feel safe, valued, and engaged. I would definitely recommend this program to all my friends because it was the best 3 weeks of my summer for so many reasons.

I would definitely consider myself an adventurous person. I love venturing outside of my comfort zone and meeting new people. Being completely candid, the weeks leading up to the program were nerve racking. Good nerves, obviously, but this was the first time I was really genuinely nervous to do something I enjoyed so much; adventuring. Within the first 24 hours, I realized that these nerves were most certainly unwarranted. I was welcomed with open arms not just by staff, but by the students as well. We all instantaneously connected, and I was so excited to start this new journey with all of them. I came on the trip with my main intention being to improve my Italian skills. Not only do I feel 10 times more confident in my Italian, but I've walked away having learned so many lessons. In addition to basically becoming a pro at walking a minimum of 5 miles a day, I've eaten some of the best meals of my life, seen the most breathtaking churches and museums (and I'm not a museum or church person!) and created long lasting friendships with people all across the country. Alluding to the title of my review, I can indeed confirm that I did have the adventure of a lifetime. I was able to not only explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but live there for 3 weeks. Whenever my roommates and I were out, we would constantly say, "I want to go home." Not home as in our actual homes back across the ocean, but our "home" in Florence. Some of my best memories were spent in that city, and as I am currently writing this in Rome, I really truly can say that I am "homesick." One of the main takeaways from this trip is also the feeling of having a second family. For 3 weeks, I went from living with 10 strangers, to living with a crazy, caring, energetic, and amazing family. Throughout all the ups and downs, we all had one another's backs, every step of the way. I couldn't be anymore thankful to Derek, Catherine, and World Class Programs for giving me an experience I truly will never forget. As Derek said at the very beginning of the program, "I hope this will be the trip that you tell your kids, and grandkids about," and I truly can't wait for the day I get to do so.

It was fun and safe. Mr. Vieri was an absolute character. Miss Katherine was super helpful. Mr. Tano was historically chill. Miss Abby was super chill. Florence was absolutely wonderful. I never felt homesick. This was awesome.

This program was great! The staff was amazing and answered any and every question I had. They had many connections which made the experience even greater. We got to see many of the tourist spots throughout Italy and more. The classes were very engaging. I took art history, and we got to go to many churches and museums. When we weren't in classes we got to have free time in Florence to roam the city, as long as we stayed within our boundaries. Florence felt very safe and there was a lot to see and do. This program was excellent and was a great experience, I highly recommend it to everyone. I had a time of my life!

From the moment I read about this program, I knew it was going to be something special. Right away, the staff/program organizers were incredibly welcoming, helpful and kind. The application process was a breeze and super low stress even until the day I left. The experience was so amazing, something way better than you would get on any family or solo trip. As a history buff it was incredible to learn about the thousand year history that Italy has to offer, and the program director and art history teacher Derek Tano teaches with such passion it makes the experience ten times better. Every staff member has an incredible love and passion for not only the country and the classes they teach but the students as well. You know that they are all in it for the experience and teaching rather than money. You truly hit every incredible spot there is to see! Overall, it is easily the best thing I have done in my high school life so far and I would truly recommend it to anyone.

Iv always wanted to go to Italy and this program finally gave me the chance. I got to see Rome and for a history and a mythology nerd like me it was amazing to finally get to see it. plus Derek was my teacher for a few years before the program and him and all the staff made my travel anxiety so east to deal with. I recommend this program to anyone thinking about going abroad for the first time.

From the moment I was accepted to the Florence/Italy program, I had a great feeling about my upcoming adventure. The memories and friendships I’ve made wall traveling are something I hold close to my heart! The staff are so incredibly kind, I dislike calling them staff because they more felt like friends during this trip than a authoritarian figure. I truly believe about this program changed my life especially after attending philosophy class with Derek. We took ideas, beliefs, ideologies, and what we believe or considered the good was in the world and compared it, to say the least the conversation never stops in that class!!!! Another life changing experience was attending churches and museums with the fine art and drawing teacher Katherine, we spent much of our time exploring the city to do live figure drawing and architectural landscape drawing. One of my favorite classes we did was at Santa Croce, it is famously known for the vibrant and decadent stain-glass windows; after a brief history lesson in a little studying of the stain-glass windows we successfully produced beautiful watercolor Stainglass window paintings! If you are interested in art and enjoy challenging your skills to improve them I recommend this class 100%. Safety was never in question, I never felt unsafe once in the city (Florence) because of the local guide/tuscan cuisine teacher Vieri. I can wholeheartedly say I have never met such a kind person in my life, going above and beyond every cooking class to make sure we enjoy and learn wall creating every single meal. Unfortunately I couldn’t take every single class offered by the world class team, so I was not able to take photography taught by Abby. From the moment I met her she has been so kind and fun every moment I spent with her, we mostly just screaming about all the cute dogs we saw well venturing through train station, city’s and in stores! It got to a point where if we saw a dog outside of the apartment we would send photos of it to each other!!!!! Honestly you would think 10 girls in a apartment by themselves would get in to drama or cat fights, there was never a single moment when we weren’t laughing uncontrollably about thing that crossed are way. There was never a moment I felt homesick or sad while traveling, because of the family I made here with the staff and new lifelong friends around me. In complete honesty sitting here writing my review I still can’t believe it’s been three weeks, and I did not just get of the plain yesterday. After having such a wonderful experience with World Class Program I hope to attend another one of their programs next summer!!!

As the first time away from family World Class Programs made it amazing. I was able to learn so much and the teachers are great at what they do and are fun to be with. It felt like we were actually living in Italy and not just tourists. We got to go, do and eat many different things from different places. It is super safe and you stay in small groups and learn you learn the city very well. It is the best for learning and growing as a person; it is so worth it and makes me want to go back to Italy.

I was able to learn so much through this program, and was able to totally expand my horizons. I was really worried about what college would be like with dorm living before this trip, but I was able to learn so much about what that would be like through this experience. If you are looking for a true dorm living and study abroad experience, this is the program for you! The memories that you will make will last a life time, and is truly the most rewarding part of the whole experience. The staff are so kind, and make this experience so enjoyable. This program is life changing, and very unique. I would recommend it to anyone in high school, as it truly expands the standard school style. Loved this program so much, do it if you can!

The Florence trip with World Class Programs was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so many interesting facts and saw so many things in Florence that I never would have learned if I had not gone on this program. I think one of the best parts of the program is that we weren't just tourists in Florence- we actually lived there for two weeks. I knew my way around and knew so many little tidbits about the city that it started to feel like a home. The staff on the program were also absolutely amazing. This had been the first time that I had traveled alone so my mom and I were a little nervous, but the staff was extremely supportive and lovely. They were so kind and approachable and always there to help. We could joke around with them and they always valued our thoughts and opinions. I really really enjoyed all of the classes, excursions and activities that we did. Each helped show me aspects of Italian Culture and further my education on Italian art and history, and even a bit of language. I made amazing friends who I grew so close to in such a sort amount of time and I can't wait to keep seeing them even after the program ends. Even though this is very cliche, this program was everything that I hoped for and more. I would absolutely recommend this program to any teenager who is interested in learning and having a great time. World Class Programs made all my dreams come true :)

One of the instructors told me to write in my review that this program made my dreams come true, and though he was joking, I would be remiss if I did not admit it to be true. This was my second year of doing an academic summer program abroad, and this by far surpassed the last program. There were only two other students on the program with me, which was unusual for them, but this made the experience all the more enjoyable. The more intimate group was completed by three instructors, two of whom were full-time and all of whom were more fun than any teachers I've had so far. They did an excellent job of walking the line of both friend and instructor so that I felt both supervised and at ease around them. Though only there for two weeks, I found that I grew a lot as a person and conquered a lot of my fears, particularly socially. My one friend on the program even commented that I was much more confident than I had been previously that week. I tend to over anticipate things and come up with far too lofty ideals and this is one of the rare occasions in which all of my expectations were actually realised. This trip was transformative for me—and yes it did make my dreams come true.

I had an incredible time being with students my own age as well as staff who loved being around kids. Everything we did was based around what we (the students) wanted to do, making it so we were always having a good time. The staff was one of the main reasons the trip was as amazing as it was. They treated us like their peers and personalized every lesson. The experience in general was truly amazing and I definitely recommend it to anyone considering studying abroad while in high school!

During the three weeks I was in Japan I went to many places. From petting deer in Nara. To putting a lantern in the river in the Hiroshima Peace festival. The first few days I had hard time adjusting. I was terribly homesick. I talked to the staff and they felt the same way about their first trip away from their parents. They were very supportive of me. I got more comfortable in Japan thanks to them talking to me and being there for me. Personally my favorite activity to do was go to the arcade. For me playing games helps me get comfortable and bond with people. We played Mario kart I don’t know how many times. We made prayers at the shrines together. We had meals and talked about random stuff. When the two week ended we had to say good bye. It was really heartbreaking to see the staff tearing up to see someone they cared for go away. We did feel like a family in a weird way. So by the end of this three week trip I learned how to deal with roommates, how to not get embarrassed or nervous while talking to people, to learn the basics rules of photography and how to use the Manual setting, to speak the Japanese language, and to be confident in myself. This trip gave me a lot of confidence in who I am. I’m sad to leave the staff that taught me so much I will always remember them as teachers and as friends who were there for me. Thank you :) .

In short, world class programs was probably the greatest decision I ever made. I learned, I had so much fun, and experienced a country as a student the way I felt was most fitting. This trip was amazing, I reccomend it to everyone. In a longer format, if you are having second thoughts, please keep reading. As a high schooler who wouldn't normally just ship themselves off to a country to learn and experience the world, with parents who were concerned about my safety and overall happiness and experience, and with the abundance of choice when trying to find a program that covered all my wants and needs while staying in a reasonable price range I could afford, I felt lost and just overwhelmed by what I was filtering through to find the perfect summer trip. World Class Programs was everything I wanted, and more. The program staff were professional and genuinely cared for our wellbeing, our safety, and our experience. Not only did they make sure we had everything we needed, they also went out of their ways to make sure that we were able to do activities we were interested in or experience or learn things we were interested in. Through the trip their effort and dedication was obvious and helped to reassure us that if we needed anything (even a trip to the McDonald's to cure homesickness) they were ready and willing to do their best to get us what we were after. Even before the trip had even begun, they were attentive and were willing to talk with us face to face over video call, and chat back and forth, about any and every concern or question we had. The WCP staff truly created a safe and welcoming environment for its students. Parents - if you are unsure, trust me when I say that your children are safe in World Class Programs's hands, and they will have the time of their lives. Our living arrangements were excellent. We had a nice comfortable and simple set up that took the stress off. The space was clean and orderly and our air conditioner was a blessed piece of machinery. The classes were well organized and well executed. I learned so much about Japanese history and language from the staff. Not only were they well informed in our classes they were ready for any questions we had. The best part for me was that our classroom was not just a room, it was Japan. As a group we visited castles, both reconstructed and original, and explored the streets of what some would only read in a textbook. We explored and learned with very hands on techniques that helped reinforce what we were learning. When we learned Japanese language, it was never boring. We were out on the town using our language skills and learned phrases with real locals who were extraordinarily kind and helpful, in shops, and restaurants, and even just around the city. We even learned a few dialect differences between cities that were interesting and just information I would have not learned otherwise. While the trip was academic, it did a great job of feeling like it was all fun and games. The academic to entertainment ratio was perfect. The detail and effort put into our weekend activities and trips was plain as day. We visited so many cities and even a few not listed on the webpage. As a group we shopped in the buzz of Osaka's dountonburi, experienced authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine, traveled like a local using the trains, participated in Hiroshima's emotional and beautiful peace festival to commemorate the atomic bomb drop, enjoyed the quiet and serenity of traditional Japanese gardens, we visited Nara and shared the streets with deer, saw Himeji's feudal castle and explored the grounds, visited and participated at shrines all around Japan, stayed in ryokan in the beautiful Kyoto, experienced a tea ceremony while wearing traditional Kimono, and of course spent time exploring Tokyo's streets. I truly cannot say enough about this program. In the full three weeks I spent abroad I can honestly say that I wish that I could have stayed longer, I love japan even more now that I've experienced it through this program. The staff were amazing, and my roommates were sweet and I will miss them. By the end of the trip all of us, staff included, were one big family, without them it would not have been the same. My experience was truly, and I cannot say it enough, the best I have ever had. Literally the only bad thing about this trip, was that it eventually had to be over. You won't regret World Class Programs. Take it from an alumni.

My experience traveling with World Class Programs (WCP) was one of the best experiences of my life. I became so close with my roommates and the staff members especially, and they always kept our best interests at heart and cared about us and what we wanted to get out of the trip. At the end of the trip, I felt like I was leaving my family behind as I was only able to participate in 2 weeks out of the full 3. Originally, I had planned to study Spanish in Seville, Spain with my school exchange program, but at the very last minute things did not work out and I applied to WCP very last minute, and they were so accommodating and welcomed me to the program with open arms. While this was the first year of WCP's Osaka, Japan trip, it felt as though the program had been running for years. The staff knew the city like the back of their hand, and they showed us around the country like natives to give us the inside scoop of what it feels like to really be a citizen of that country, and not just be a tourist- something I had never experienced before. I came back from the program having matured so greatly: I felt more prepared for college as I learned how to cook, clean, maintain good relationships with roomates, do laundry, buy Japanese subway tickets, etc, and it not only grew my knowledge but made me a better person. WCP focuses on "experimental learning" as opposed to sitting in a classroom, so for my two courses: photography and cuisine, we went out and took pictures, made food, and tried different traditional Japanese foods as opposed to just learning about them. The program was centered in Osaka, but in our two weeks we visited everywhere from seeing deer in Nara to partaking in the Peace Festival in Hiroshima on the anniversary of the bombings in World War II. We did karaoke, saw a Pokemon movie entirely in Japanese, went bowling, and the list goes on and on. I strongly recommend this program because of the incredibly devoted and kind staff, the commitment to each student and their experience, and the once in a lifetime opportunity. Being 1/4 Japanese, it was so wonderful to experience more deeply a culture I already knew well, and I learned so much more about it than I ever thought was possible. I hope to come back next year to another trip with World Class Programs and hope everyone decides to get them a try.

After my friend went on a trip to Costa Rica two summers ago and told me about how amazing it was that she could speak Spanish with the locals and traveling was such an adventure! I found World Class Programs and signed up for their Seville trip cause I knew I wanted to see Europe but also use the skills I learned in my Spanish class. It was such a cool experience to be completely immersed in this culture that until then I had only read about in class.

I definitely had my preconceived ideas of what this trip would be like but I was blown away with how much it exceeded them! I did the 4 week option for the trip because I knew there was no way to see enough of Italy with the shorter options. My parents were a little worried because I'm an only child and they didn't know what to expect but my mom was emailing the program director constantly and that helped her feel better. Meanwhile I was having the time of my life! The classes were actually interesting and engaging so even when we were in class it was great! My favorite part was the weekend trips to other cities around Italy! Venice is my favorite city in the world now! I loved this trip and I'm working on going to another country with World Class Programs next year!