Reviews

Provider: Adelante Abroad

Program: Internships in Spain - Adelante Abroad

I went to do a Social Media Marketing internship in Barcelona back in summer 2023 for 3 months. I have never travelled abroad alone before so everything was very new to me. I got greeted by a very friendly driver who drove me to my apartment, and I was given resources as well on where my 2 week classes would be and where my job would be. The apartment building owner also showed me how to get a monthly transit pass which was quite useful. The internship itself was amazing. I worked with Freepackers and they were such an amazing company with a lot of great connections and outreach events. It was amazing being able to do social media posts for them and work on improving their outreach. My only downside was the accomodations. The first apartment building we were at was very unaccomodating to our schedules. If we wanted to have a night out, we would have to tell the owner of the building due to security measures and a security key he refused to give to us. So if we had an unexpected late night, we would have to wake him up. We did end up moving to another great apartment building but that owner told us we had to pay to have our rooms cleaned (ridiculous, and I definitely did not pay for that), and we could only wash our clothes once a week at a certain time. I just ended up using a laundromat because those timings were inconvenient for me. Then I ended up having to be moved to a new accomodation out of nowhere and it was in a smoker's house so I always smelt cigarettes. At that point I just gave up complaining about accomodations since I had 3 weeks left anyways. I did not make as many friends due to my job field having a lot more older people, and the language school didn't have many people my age unfortunately, so that was another minor downside. I managed though. Would I do this again though? Absolutely. Just wished I had a more better accomodation.

Provider: Molise Italian Studies

Program: Molise Italian Studies Summer Internship +

For my internship I was placed with Nazario Fania, a beekeeper and sole proprietor of his own business and tasked with assisting in social media strategy and other marketing analysis to add to his existing tactics. He had endless knowledge from his past in journalism and communications to teach me on top of enlightening me about beekeeping in the greater scheme of agriculture in the south of Italy—Molise, a region that even the Italians claim does not exist. Outside of that, my host family was super welcoming and introduced me to the entire town, took me on excursions to experience more local culture, and were my biggest supporters. I keep in touch with everyone to this day, and recently took my parents abroad for the first time to meet everyone.

Provider: Teach Explore Asia (XploreAsia)

Program: Xplore Thailand TEFL Program with Guaranteed Placement

My experience with Explore Asia in Thailand was nothing short of amazing! Looking back, I can honestly say that I enjoyed it even more than I had anticipated. I was placed in Thailand, and Explore Asia did a great job of matching my placement with the preferences I had shared in their initial enquiry form. However, my journey started with quite a bit of uncertainty. Initially, I was nervous about being scammed because I had been referred to Explore Asia by another travel agent I had contacted about teaching abroad. After several communications and an interview with the team, I began to feel more comfortable, although I still had some reservations. I even found myself worrying about things like human trafficking and being unknowingly drawn into illegal activities. Needless to say, I had quite a few fears before taking that leap! As my departure date approached, I started reading more reviews from other participants, which helped reassure me and build my excitement about exploring Thailand with Explore Asia. Eventually, I took the leap, and I am so glad I did. I have absolutely no regrets! One of the highlights of my experience was how smoothly everything was organised, especially as someone travelling to Thailand for the first time. From the airport pickup and accommodation to the orientation and eventual teaching placement, the logistics were well taken care of. It made settling into a new country much easier and allowed me to focus on enjoying the experience. What stood out to me most was that Explore Asia's support did not end once I was placed at my school. They continued supporting me throughout my stay in Thailand, which made a huge difference. Knowing that there was a team I could reach out to whenever I needed assistance gave me peace of mind. Beyond the teaching experience, one of my favourite parts was simply getting the opportunity to explore a new country, experience a different culture, meet new people, and create memories outside my comfort zone. Thailand gave me an experience I will always look back on fondly. Would I do it again? Absolutely! In fact, I am already considering another adventure, perhaps in Cambodia or Japan. This experience has awakened the explorer in me, and I have realised that there is so much more of the world I want to discover. If there is one thing I took away from this experience, it is that sometimes the best adventures begin when you overcome your fears and take a chance on something new. Thank you, Explore Asia, for making my Thailand adventure such a memorable one!

Provider: Gapforce

Program: Marine Scientist Training Costa Rica

Costa Rica was one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my life. It was my first solo trip, and what started as an opportunity to travel and earn my Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster certifications became so much more than that. I made lifelong friends, immersed myself in a new culture, and discovered the beauty of living simply through my homestay experience. I loved being surrounded by the warmth of the local people, learning about their way of life, and experiencing a culture so different from my own. Everywhere I turned there was something new to appreciate. The incredible wildlife, vibrant marine ecosystems, and natural beauty made even the simplest days feel special. I spent much of my time diving, exploring beaches, discovering nature, and learning more about marine biology. I especially loved being able to turn my passion for the ocean into something meaningful by participating in beach and underwater cleanups, collecting marine debris, contributing to coral restoration projects, and gathering data to support conservation efforts. What made Costa Rica truly unforgettable, though, was the people. The friendships I formed, the kindness I experienced, and the sense of community I found made me feel connected to a place thousands of miles from home. Costa Rica taught me independence, adaptability, appreciation for simplicity, and the importance of protecting the natural world. I left with more than certifications and memories; I left with a deeper appreciation for different cultures, a stronger connection to the ocean, and a desire to continue exploring, learning, and making a positive impact wherever I go.

Provider: Isla Internships Abroad

Program: Global Development Internships in Kosovo

I had a fantastic time in Kosovo with Isla this past summer. Not only was I able to find an internship perfectly curated to my field and my interests, but I made connections with people that I still talk to today. The Isla team provided any information that I could ever need about the country, culture, travel to and in the country, and helped me take care of any concerns that arose while there. The communication was excellent and Isla really helps to build a community amongst the interns and offers many events and activities to take part in. This was my first experience going abroad alone for an extended period of time and I felt so safe and confident doing so with the help of Isla. I met so many people from all over the world and got to network with some incredible people in my field. The people in Kosovo are also extremely welcoming and it’s so easy to fall in love with the region. One of the best experiences I’ve had.

Provider: Spanish Express

Program: Live & Study Spanish at Your Teacher's Home

An Excellent Experience with Spanish Express I have had a wonderful experience with Spanish Express, and I would highly recommend the program, particularly to people in a similar situation to mine. I am 58 years old, recently partially retired, and an English speaker. Before joining the program, I had spent about a year studying Spanish by myself, mainly through self-study, but had virtually no experience speaking the language with other people. When I first arrived in Barcelona, I could barely speak any Spanish at all. It was literally my first experience having real conversations in Spanish. After four weeks with Spanish Express, however, I was genuinely surprised by how much progress I had made. I was able to have simple conversations with my Spanish hosts and, more importantly, with ordinary Spanish people in everyday situations. In Barcelona, I had formal lessons with Monica and Laura, both of whom were excellent. Laura helped me enormously with my pronunciation, correcting some of the habits I had developed from speaking English, while also strengthening my understanding of the basics. Monica introduced me to Barcelona’s culture through various excursions and visits, including a wonderful flamenco experience. These activities made learning Spanish much more enjoyable and gave me a deeper appreciation of Spanish culture. I then continued my experience in Valencia, where I stayed with my teacher, Pilar. She was absolutely amazing. Not only did we have plenty of formal lessons, but we also went on numerous excursions and spent a lot of time talking together in Spanish. This was particularly valuable because I was able to learn so many practical, everyday words and expressions that you simply don’t get from textbooks. Pilar was incredibly kind, patient and accommodating throughout my stay. She went out of her way to make sure all my needs were taken care of, and I always felt very welcome in her home. Her children were also lovely and a pleasure to spend time with. The whole homestay experience was genuinely special. Looking back, I feel that the combination of formal lessons, everyday conversations, cultural activities and living with Spanish-speaking teachers has made a tremendous difference. My grammar has improved considerably, and I have gone from being almost unable to speak to being able to hold simple conversations in Spanish. For someone starting from a very basic level later in life, this has been an extremely rewarding experience. It has given me both practical skills and, importantly, the confidence to continue learning and speaking Spanish. A big thank you to Monica, Laura and especially Pilar for making this such a memorable experience. I am very glad I chose Spanish Express!

Provider: Amigos de las Américas

Program: DR: Sports, Culture & Community Transformation

My summer in the Dominican Republic was unlike anything I've ever done. It was a true immersion, and even though it is marketed that way, words cannot really relay to what extent it truly is. I lived with locals, like a local, and it was the most difficult thing I've ever done. AMIGOS gives volunteers ample training and briefing, and has very rigid safety guidelines that made me feel safe throughout. However, what made this experience so unique to me was how little my hand was held when it came to figuring out how to be a leader and create a meaningful experience for myself. It is up to you, the volunteer, to do this, and create your own motives and take your own initiative. AMIGOS set me up so well to do this. I've never felt like I've actually "grown" so much from an experience. I sincerely feel my outlook on life has changed—I appreciate smaller moments, and feel more perceptive to my surroundings. I feel humble and happy. But keep in mind the Immerse program model is not for the weak. To have a meaningful experience, you must be able to self-motivate, or at least be willing to learn how to self-motivate, when days can be long and difficult. The ultimate reward for me on this program were the smallest breakthroughs: understanding a conversation well, meeting a new person in the community, picking mangos from trees, or being toured around by children. I'd strongly recommend this program to anyone who wants to be changed.

Provider: studyTEFL

Program: Accredited 120-Hour TEFL/TESOL Course $29 with certificate

I am experienced as an English teacher for about 14 years but my next school told me to get certification. I chose this because it had a nice reputation and the price is very cheap. The units are well made with engaging text that you're able to open and close parts. Questions were many so I trusted the course.

Provider: International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

Program: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

I had a wonderful time volunteering with IVHQ in South Korea. I volunteered in a soup kitchen. I met amazing people from around the world and I learned about the amazing country of South Korea and its wonderful people.

Provider: AFS-USA

Program: AFS Intercultural Programs: High School Abroad in Germany

In 1965 we in the US had a negative view of Germans. Immersing myself in their language and world helped me see them as wonderful people, full of strength and resilience. I also learned a perspective from outside our own limited experience. AFS takes you to another level of humanity.