Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Costa Rica. The staff were consistently supportive, available and responsive. They were always at hand, ready to help and addressed and solved any issues I had quickly and effectively. The internship workshops and Spanish lessons were very interesting, helpful, well taught and delivered and I learned a lot. Chris (my spanish teacher) and Dakota (my workshop faciliator) are both very kknowledgeable about their subjects and helped me learn a lot. My work placement was well chosen and an invaluable experience from which I gained a lot. Costa Rica is an incredibly beautiful country and I am forever grateful to have experienced it with the support and help of the team at Maximo Nivel.

I spent 4 weeks in Beijing and I had an amazing time. LTL staff is very professional and helpful, great people to talk to, especially if you want to practice your Chinese. Ms. Alice was my teacher and her lessons were pure pleasure. She always made sure that everyone in the classroom understood everything and had a chance to speak. She was also very encouraging and patient. The other students were also very friendly so the whole school vibe was really good. Overall, great place if you want to learn Chinese and have a good time both at once!

I came to Mexico at 62 years old with absolutely no Spanish and really no idea what to expect either. It was my first time ever visiting Mexico and spending 15 weeks with Iguana Abroad turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. Starting from total zero was definitely pretty intimidating at first, especially as I have never even practiced Spanish before but the combination of the daily group and private Spanish lessons, really amazing activities, and complete everyday immersion made so much of a difference. Even just week by week I was noticing that my level was getting better and by the end of the program I was having conversations in Spanish that I seriously never thought would be possible. One thing I would definitely want to say to anybody reading this is that one of the highlights of my whole time with Iguana Abroad and the guys here was staying with my local host family. I also spent some time in private accommodation, but if you're deciding between the two, I'd strongly recommend the homestay. I was welcomed into the family from day one and totally overwhelmed by their kindness to me. The relationships I built there have lasted well beyond the course, and I'll be returning to Cuernavaca next year for the wedding of one of my host family's relatives, and it's amazing to think that I'll be able to chat with everyone in Spanish when I get back. Harry and the entire Iguana Abroad team were excellent, and worked so hard to make this trip not just possible, but to become an important time for me. I can't recommend these guys highly enough.

I cannot recommend this program enough. Everything from the housing, friends, social life, excursions, cost, and academics exceeded my expectations. I met so many incredible people I can't imagine my life without now. My perspective of the world broadened so much and I learned so much about the social and political climate of Latin America, though my classes and real world experiences. Do the study abroad you will not regret!!

The teachers were fabulous! Using games mixed with instruction made learning interesting. I especially enjoyed our assignment of going to the high market across from our hotel. We learned how to order what we wanted, and interviewed the proprietor. Ours was a bull fighter before buying his stall in the market! The cultural activities were fun and the hotel where we stayed was very comfortable.

The pre-administration was a little unclear, but everything else once we got to Costa Rica was amazing, the location was convenient, the activities on offer were numerous, the people were very friendly and the work was valuable, would Pura Vida again

I did a one month full immersion program with Lingoinn. My homestay experience was really good. I felt very comfortable and very safe. Both teachers were very professional and very experienced with teaching at the HSK5 level, so I felt like I was in good hands to be better prepared for the HSK5 exam that I'm taking this coming fall. Lingoinn's organization and support was very, very good. They kept checking up on me during the entire homestay and they would always answer our questions very quickly. And also, it was super fun. I was a little bit out of my comfort zone in the beginning, but I adjusted and I was able to have a really fun experience. So, thank you.

I joined Iguana Abroad because I wanted to improve my Spanish before travelling more in Latin America, like a few other people I met during my time as well. I had only studied a little before coming to Mexico, maybe just for a year, so I was quite nervous that I would not understand anything, especially Mexican Spanish. It was also my first time travelling alone outside Europe, or anywhere actually. It took only a few days and I already felt much more confident with every day. The teachers were very patient and so fun, and I never felt embarrassed when I made mistakes which is one of my biggest worries before joining and because I have learnt languages before. The classes were serious and sometimes hard but also really fun, and every day I could use what I learned outside the classroom which is what I hoped for when I applied. One thing I really liked and I hoped for as well, was that it was not only about learning Spanish in a classroom. We visited many interesting places, learned about Mexican culture, tried local food, and spent a lot of time speaking with local people, and with new friends I have now. I met so many amazing people which I am so thankful for. Also before coming to Mexico, I was kind of worried because lots of people told me it was pretty dangerous especially as a woman. After spending my time in Cuernavaca, I realised that, like everywhere, you just need to use common sense. It is no different than just using common sense in any place that you go. I always felt well looked after and safe, and having the Iguana Abroad team there as well if I needed anything gave me a lot of confidence to just not ever worry. I am so grateful for that. I would definitely recommend Iguana Abroad to anyone who wants to learn Spanish and experience the real Mexico, not only the tourist places.

The staff were very supportive, available, and at hand to respond to inquiries and helped and addressed any issues I had quickly and proactively. The placement was interesting, informative and valuable. The spanish lessons were excellent and well delivered. The internship workshops equally so. Costa Rica is an exceptionally beautiful country and I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing and exploring it.

I spent six weeks in Ecuador this summer through Beyond Travels, including four weeks living with the Yumbo family near Tena in the Amazon. I still talk about this experience all the time. It continues to shape how I think about food, medicine, land, and community, but what stays with me most is the relationships I developed. Clemente and Elena welcomed me with open arms into their family. I developed relationships with their children and grandchildren, and over time, I felt increasingly part of the family’s everyday life. Being included and cared for in that way meant so much to me. When I think back on Ecuador, I think about the people I miss just as much as everything I learned. My time at Pakarina was also an important part of those six weeks and something I would love to share more about. I arrived with an interest in medicinal plants, agriculture, and community health, and living with the family gave those interests a much deeper meaning. Walking through the chacra with Clemente, I would ask about the fruits, roots, and plants around us, and he would explain what they were, how they were used, and where they grew. Harvesting hearts of palm together made me appreciate the knowledge and work behind a food I had previously encountered without understanding its origins. Some of the conversations that stayed with me most were about Kichwa and the knowledge held within the language. Hearing concerns about younger generations speaking less Kichwa made me think about how plant knowledge is passed down through words, stories, and shared practices. These are questions I’ve continued exploring since returning home. The experience also required patience, flexibility, and a willingness to be uncomfortable sometimes. I had to slow down, listen, and recognize how much I still had to learn. Four weeks offers only a small glimpse into a family’s life, but the relationships we built during that time were meaningful to me. I’m deeply grateful to Clemente, Elena, and their family for welcoming me so fully and sharing their time and knowledge. I returned home with people I hope to stay connected with and experiences that continue to influence my studies and my interest in medicinal plants and healing spaces. For someone willing to participate in everyday life, ask thoughtful questions, and remain open to unfamiliar ways of learning, this experience has so much to offer.

My experience with Atlantis in Athens, Greece was amazing and gave me an experience I couldn't replace. I was able to observe healthcare professionals in a different country and get a better understanding of how healthcare can be different in other countries. I would recommend Atlantis to students interested in healthcare who want to study abroad but also get this experience.

I had the privilege of completing the 10-hour TEFL Practicum course with Michelle Benson and it was truly incredible. Michelle is an outstanding, knowledgeable and passionate teacher. Over the 2 days, she made every session engaging, interactive and very practical. She has a wonderful way of breaking things down into simple and understandable concepts. I learned so much, both theoretically and practically, about how to plan and deliver engaging and effective English lessons online. I now feel fully confident and open-minded to start my journey as an online English teacher. Thank you Michelle for such an inspiring and impactful course. I highly recommend her to anyone taking the TEFL course.

Seamester programs are so unique because they a completely different way of living and learning. You get so close to other students and staff on the boat that it is a life-changing experience. There is so much choas, laughter, and goofiness on the boat that going back to regular life is boring.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect before going. I'd never been to Asia, and the idea of working in a Chinese company felt intimidating. But from the moment I landed, the GAC team was there — airport pickup, apartment sorted, everything. My placement was with a consulting firm in Shanghai, and within the first week I was already sitting in on client meetings and helping with research. My manager didn't treat me like "the intern" — she actually trusted me with real work. The office culture took some getting used to (meetings can be long!), but my colleagues were patient and always willing to explain things. I also took Mandarin classes twice a week, which helped more than I expected — by month two I could order lunch on my own. Three months flew by. I came home with actual experience on my CV and a lot more confidence.

This study abroad experience was truly life changing. I had never been camping before and was a little intimidated, but the instructors and staff were so kind and helpful. I also got the experience of a lifetime on the safaris! I got to see lots of elephants, lions, giraffes, and zebras. Would highly highly recommend!

Hello, my name is Allison. I am from Scottsdale, Arizona, I am twenty years old, and I am in my third year of undergraduate studies in California. I chose a medical internship because I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine in the future. I really wanted to get a taste of medicine and be involved in that environment. I was offered this opportunity through my school, and it seemed like a great way to go abroad and see a part of the world I had never seen before. Some of the most exciting things I’ve seen specifically in the hospital include patient interaction, which was super cool, as well as some incredible surgeries. My favorite experience was seeing an open-heart surgery, which was one of the craziest things I’ve ever witnessed. The doctors were amazing—they really explained everything. Coordination was smooth. I think, as much as it is well-coordinated, you also have to take initiative to see what you want to see. Athens is beautiful. The people are super nice and helpful if you need anything. The food was amazing—I had so much gyros! I also got to visit some of the islands and learn about the history of the region, which was very enriching.

I have had such an amazing journey with beyond academy. The staff were wonderful and accommodating, my placement program could not have gone better, and overall I had the best two months of my life. If I had to complain it would be about some aspects of my accomodations, which were not through beyond academy. They helped me find a place and booked it for me, but were not the owners of the building and thus were also confused by some of the occurrences that happened there. Beyond academy helped me to resolve those issues and even brought bedding when the accomodations forgot to provide any. This team is very good at what they do.

I had an amazing time learning about the culture in Thailand while participating in therapeutic activities with amazing children. it was a life-changing experience and I’m so thankful that therapy abroad made it so special!

Hi, my name is Harika, I am twenty years old and I go to the University of Middlesex in London. So, the reason I chose this internship is because I am looking to become a cardiologist and I just wanted to get some insight and some internal experience of how it would be like to get a taste of the future. The coordination with Intern Abroad/Cerca Abroad was ten out of ten. Everything has worked perfectly for me from my apartment, communication, and assistance, I couldn’t have had any other way.

I appreciate professors who explain the reasoning behind what we are learning, especially when it connects to practical medicine. Those are usually the classes I remember most. Practical relevance is important to me when I study.