Reviews

I am a lifelong learner with a background in systems engineering, information systems, student support, web operations, and project coordination. My professional path has given me the opportunity to work with students, academic teams, technology systems, and cross-functional business groups. My motivation for obtaining my TEFL certification was both personal and professional. I have a strong interest in China, Chinese culture, and Mandarin language learning, and I believe that living and working in China is the best way to gain a deeper, more respectful understanding of the country and its people. As some who has been trying to learn Mandarin with the use of apps and books, I can relate to the challenge of learning your non-native language. After completing this course, I am now qualified and confident that I will be able to use the skills I've gain and my professional background to obtain a meaningful one-year or more ESL teaching commitment where I can contribute, learn, and grow.

first off i wanted to thank everyone that has acompanied me during my time on the malaga expanish camp. ive met dozents of new friends from all over the world and i couldnt have imagined my summer without them however there were some things that could be improved to a higher standard to make my and other future goers experience even better. the most crutial of these and the one im gonna start my critique with has to be the food. OMG the food was horendous(with some exaptions i must admit) that i barely ever ate it. IN FACT, although it could be argued that it is inaproriete to speak of I engaged in a ritual of release every 3 DAYSSS. The only other annoyance i have been aware of during my stay was the "suite" i was inhibiting. although it wasnt a complete dissaster it didnt live up to my expectations i expected more but maybe thats my fault. however i dont want anyone to think porly of this experience because of this review the bottom line is that i think very highly of this camp and everyone involved in it and i have to say that i remember every moment of it with joy in my heart.

My experience with IVHQ was overall amazing, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in volunteering abroad. The accommodation was lovely, the local team was incredibly kind and helpful, and I felt safe and supported throughout my stay. The volunteering itself was a really cool and meaningful experience, and I loved getting to experience a new country and culture. My favorite part was getting to play local games with the kids that are commonly played in Zambia but that I had never seen or played in my own country. It was such a fun way to connect with them and allowed me to get to know the kids on a deeper level. Being able to spend time with them, make them laugh, and hopefully help them feel loved and cared for was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. I think two weeks was a great amount of time for the program I chose in Livingstone. After about two weeks, I felt like I had experienced most of what the area had to offer, so I think a longer stay could be difficult unless you enjoy a slower pace. I also wish the local team had given us a little more information about things to do during our downtime, such as local coffee shops, nail salons, affordable transportation options, and other things to do around town. I ended up figuring a lot of that out on my own, although I definitely could have asked more questions! Overall, I had a great experience and am very grateful I chose to volunteer with IVHQ. I left feeling like I had learned a lot, met some wonderful people, and had an experience I’ll remember for a long time.

Hours of classes and mandatory communication every day, which was very helpful. The city itself is very peaceful and cute and has very beautiful nature. The facility is clean and you can even go get coffee and tea whenever you want. It was also very safe and I would recommend this for people of any age!

Beyond Travels allowed me to feel comfortable and confident while taking part in a fun, exciting, and powerful cultural immersion experience. I spent my days in the Amazon living and working with farmers tending to their sustainable agroforestry systems. I learned about the ecology of the region, their successful regenerative practices, and also their struggles. I made lasting connections with my host family, as well as other community members and interns I met during my time in Ecuador. Beyond Travels connected me with other communities working on similar projects in regenerative agriculture and tourism, giving me a broader view of what it's like to be a farmer in the Amazon. I also got to take part in unforgettable activities like rafting, hiking, and swimming in my free time, while also exploring the local shops and restaurants along the way. Beyond Travels allowed me to have an unforgettable experience while keeping me in constant connection with multiple guides and mentors so I always felt safe and comfortable. Thanks to them I made so many great connections with the community and I feel like I have a second home in the Amazon!

I was originally very nervous about studying abroad. I almost backed out multiple times. However, immediately upon meeting the staff of USAC, I felt instantly better. The staff made me feel so safe and cared for. Any questions I had were answered promptly. Beyond that, the travel experience was amazing. I feel like I learned so much on this trip, not just about the world, but about myself too. I met some of my best friends on this trip, and we still keep in contact today. If you're considering traveling with USAC, go for it. Take the jump. Make it count.

I had so much fun studying abroad in Costa Rica through Arcos. My program director Angie was super caring! The university professors and the rest of Arcos staff were super friendly as well. I learned a lot of Spanish, ate really good food, made some new friends and explored really beautiful places.The study abroad had excursions and activities planned throughout the weeks. There was enough structure to have something to look forward to, but also enough flexibility to do something on your own!

My study abroad experience to Italy was incredible. I had met so many new amazing people and new connections. Our tour guide, Andrea, was very helpful, patient, and kind throughout the whole trip. I am very grateful to be chosen to attend this trip.

LTL school has been an amazing organization. We have sent both of our kids to this program, 3 years apart, and their experience was exceptional. Riona Chen was great to work with, and this year our youngest daughter’s teacher Juju, was a delight. The homestay experience was also incredible. They stayed with Liz Hu and family and had an equally memorable and fun time. I was very impressed that all of the teachers and everyone involved with the program remembered us 3 years later! Thank you for being such a great program!

This tour was such a wonderful way to discover a different side of Ecuador. One of my favorite experiences was visiting the Barroquema Art Gallery in Tumbaco, where we watched a pottery demonstration and had the chance to make our own clay bowl, it was truly enjoyable, but above all, meeting local artists and seeing their work up close made the most of the experience. I also really enjoyed our time in Otavalo and Zuleta, we watched traditional weaving techniques, which gave me a much greater appreciation for the skill behind Ecuadorian handicrafts, especially the Zuleta embroidery, handmade by local women artisans, we learned about their traditional and intricate embroidery techniques, which we saw beautifully displayed on their clothing and fabric handkerchiefs. We also visit the Equator Line, it was fun, but the evening tour through Quito’s historic center and the craft beer tasting at the San Francisco Church made it very special. Spending those days learning more deeply about the work of artisans and artists (like Guayasamín) and learning about Ecuadorian traditions, left me with a emotional perspective when thinking about the country’s art and history. It is beautifu to experienced Ecuador through the people who keep its artistic traditions alive.

I made lots of great friends, the accommodation was really nice. Food was very good and we did a good variety of activities. All the staff were lovely and supportive. Spanish teachers were very good.

I had an unforgettable time in Italy with Molise Italian Studies. It was my first time visiting a country outside of the United States, so I was a little worried at first. However, the program was so well run and smooth that I soon had no worries whatsoever. Our guide, Andrea, was excellent and our trip would not have been what it was without him. I would highly recommend Molise Italian Studies to any one who is interested in Italian culture, history, or exploring another country.

My internship experience in South Korea was really really great to the point that I was just enjoying every moment of my working hours together with my colleagues. KoreaGapYear has been really dedicated, consistent and gave their best to support me from the beginning until the end of my internship placement. Most especially Bella & Olivia nim. My experience was really memorable for me and I will really treasure everything what I’ve learned with them. I enjoyed my stay so much and with the help of KGY it is really one of the best journey of my life. If I will be given a chance to make another experience I would definitely go ask help from KGY. Pros Becoming a quick learner, maturity & independent Experiencing the things I’ve never tried Being brave and open minded Cons No cons super great experience!

I am thankful that KGY for being so reliable and for always offering to help me. I felt very safe while talking to KGY. I am super grateful that I could rely on the help of KGY, as there wasn’t much time left until the internship started, I was excited and collected a lot new memories and experiences during my internship abroad.Thank you for accompanying me on my first day, I am really happy that i am able to have such a great start into the internship thanks to KGY. Thank you so much for finding me such a nice internship:)

My time in Italy was one of the most amazing, life-changing, and enjoyable experiences I have ever had. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to visit Italy for the first time, especially since it was also my first time flying on an airplane. I loved how affordable the program was for everything that was included. We traveled throughout Central Italy, enjoyed amazing food and accommodations, and were guided by caring faculty and tour guides who truly wanted us to have the best experience possible. This trip gave me unforgettable memories, new friendships, and experiences that I will always be grateful for.

Hi, my name is Reece, I am from the University of Newcastle, Australia. I am in my second year of studying Psychology and I chose to study abroad because I really wanted to see what it was like studying in a different culture and also for some personal and professional experience. I really enjoyed studying here with Cerca Abroad in the Iasis Centre, because it has given me such a good example of group therapy and it’s given me motivation to work in group therapy one day.

After taking demo classes at several schools, I chose the intensive Mandarin program at Silk Mandarin, and it has been a fantastic decision. Everything from the materials to the teachers is exceptionally professional. They do an excellent job helping you understand the core logic of the Chinese language. Additionally, their unique Learning Management System provides video lectures for previewing and reviewing material, making it easy to re-watch and solidify new concepts. I am delighted with my progress and look forward to continuing my Mandarin journey with them..

Hi, my name is Sophie, I am from Washington, U.S., and I go to Washington State University. I chose to do this internship because I wanted to have a hands-on experience in the area of medicine and I just wanted to see how it works in another country. I got to see some really cool surgeries and I also saw some interesting work with stray animals. I am very happy with the coordination of this internship by Cerca Abroad, they would always answer questions, there was always someone to answer them, there was a lot of support. I really enjoyed my stay in Thessaloniki, it was really fun to see some very cool restaurants and also go to the beaches and there were things to see outside.

I really enjoyed completing the Level 5 TEFL course. The course was well-structured, informative, and easy to follow. I gained valuable knowledge and practical teaching skills that I can confidently use in the classroom. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in teaching English as a foreign language.

Everyone from The Intern Group was super helpful and easy to contact! Easy to meet other interns due to events and a welcome meet-up at the start. Really nice accommodation and good location with easy public transport to the city centre. Clear check-in / check-out process. The internship was a great learning experience, everyone from the company was really welcoming and willing to help me out. I always had something to do and was given clear instructions for tasks. Would recommend to anyone looking for more experience!