GoAbroad's reviews come straight from past participants and alumni, giving you honest insights on everything from housing to local life to program support. Each review is verified and vetted so you can find out what any program is really like—and find the one that fits you best!
Showing 1 - 20 of 100,079 reviews
Provider: WorldStrides
Being stationed in Italy, I had the chance to go on a solo trip to Lublin, Poland, where my great great grandfather had immigrated from in 1909. It was a great chance to connect with my Polish heritage first hand in a town that very few study abroad students get to visit.
Provider: Santa Barbara City College
Program: Study Abroad Program in Tokyo, Japan
My experience in Japan was excellent and I feel as if I still got the same quality education I would've in my home state. All of our activities were well curated and managed, leaving me with a rather immersed and culturally informed memory to reflect back on.
Provider: WorldStrides
Program: Study Abroad in Gold Coast, Australia with WorldStrides
My experience on the Gold Coast truly changed my life and led me to the best months of my life and the best people. I loved getting to meet people from all walks of life but finding things we had in common, for example our love of the beautiful beaches we had access to on the Gold Coast. Bond University was truly an amazing school with super interesting classes and the coolest professors. I loved how many activities the school itself put on for its students and found that a great way to meet locals, and other students studying abroad from other programs. From Cairns, to Stradbroke Island, to our home base on the Gold Coast, WorldStrides provided so many opportunities for us to get to know each other and the culture of our host country. I truly don't think I could ask for a better few months or a better program. I am so grateful for this program and the opportunity to be a student blogger for the company to allow myself to share some of my favorite memories and moments from Australia.
Provider: WorldStrides
I studied abroad last semester in January in Barcelona, Spain with WolrldStrides. Great cultural immersion opportunities and overall support. Everything went smoothly with coordination at the airport and all other supplemental excursions. Would recommend WorldStrides to anyone, regardless of the program.
Provider: WorldStrides
Studying abroad in Barcelona was an unforgettable experience. I made some of my closest friends, tried new things, and stepped outside my comfort zone. Beyond exploring a new city and practicing Spanish, I had time to slow down and think about who I am and what matters to me. I returned with wonderful memories, meaningful friendships, and a better understanding of myself.
Provider: Cerca Abroad
Program: Physical Therapy Shadowing in Greece
Hi, my name is Jackob, I am from California and I go to school at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. I came to Athens to do an internship at Metropolitan General Hospital and I got to view a patient clinic for PT and also view surgeries. In Athens, I did a lot of traveling around the city and it was really easy to get around thanks to the help of the program, by showing us the basics of travel and also giving us a place to stay.
Provider: Cerca Abroad
Program: Medical Shadowing in Greece
Hi, my name is Kateline, I am from California and I attend San Diego State University. I wanted to do this internship because I want to pursue my career in the health field and I would recommend this internship. I learned so much from talking to the health professionals and I learned so much just by observing here day to day. I would highly recommend this internship with Cerca Abroad because they’re very good and very fast and efficient in communication. Athens is also a beautiful place to explore and has such a beautiful history.
Provider: WorldStrides
Studying abroad in Korea was one of the most unforgettable and rewarding experiences of my life. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, explore beautiful places, and experience everyday life in a completely different environment. From eating authentic Korean food and visiting historical landmarks to exploring the streets of Seoul and meeting new people, every day brought something exciting. I especially loved learning more about Korean traditions, language, and culture while creating memories that I will cherish. Studying abroad also helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded. It was an amazing opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, make meaningful connections, and see the world from a different perspective. I would highly recommend studying abroad in Korea to anyone looking for a fulfilling experience filled with adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable memories. It was truly an experience I will never forget.
Provider: WorldStrides
When I first applied to Sevilla I was skeptical. Coming from a big school the normal was to study abroad in larger cities such as Barcelona, Florence, and London. What scared me the most was applying somewhere I would know practically no one, which turned out to be the best part. I quickly found my group within a few days thanks to Worldstrides cultural immersion experiences such as visiting the cathedral or going to a flamenco show. I became best friends with the girls in my program I was lucky enough to live with in the center of Sevilla, housing that you can only dream of. I spent my weekends feeling the true experience of being a sevillan, getting tapas with friends, volunteering to teach english at a local elementary school, and dressing up in our trajes for the feria de sevilla. to anyone hesitating picking a smaller city, i would absolutely recommend Sevilla 100 times over, the sense of community and support you get from not only the Worldstrides administration but the university is unmatched.
Provider: API Intern Group
This internship was the best experience i’ve ever had. i’ve never been outside the country before and the intern group made me feel welcomed and safe for being so far away from home. they were amazing at connecting with other students and made everyone feel included.
Provider: WorldStrides
From the moment I got off the plane in Valencia I knew I was going to have a great experience. I greatly enjoyed daily life in Valencia, and was able to experienced public transportation daily. Taking Spanish courses definitely assisted in my cultural experience, especially because the teachers were amazing. I had an amazing host family and would definitely do it again. The staff are wonderful and teach you a lot about Spain!
Provider: WorldStrides
When people tell you that studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it can be hard to understand just how true that is until you experience it for yourself. Studying abroad genuinely changed who I am as a person, and looking back, I can say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My mom was born in Spain, and growing up, I always dreamed of experiencing even a small part of what her life was like there. Hearing all of her stories made me even more excited about the opportunity. Living in Spain allowed me to experience everything I had imagined and so much more. From the incredible food and rich culture to the late-night social life, historic sites, and overall lifestyle, I fell in love with everything about it. I was able to immerse myself in the culture both inside and outside the classroom, even taking a class entirely in Spanish. One of the most rewarding parts was the friendships I made, not only with local students in Seville, who I now have a reason to visit, but with people from Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and all across the United States. I came away with friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Seville's location also gave me the opportunity to travel and experience so much more of the world. I visited six countries during my time abroad, including Italy, England, and Morocco, just to name a few. Each destination offered a new culture, perspective, and experience that made my time abroad even more special. More than anything, studying abroad made me feel even more connected to a country that has always been such a meaningful part of my family's heritage. Being able to experience the culture my mom grew up in while creating my own memories and connections there is something I will forever be grateful for. If you are considering studying abroad, DO IT! It is completely normal to be nervous, but the people you meet, places you see, and person you become along the way make it all worth it. You truly will never get another opportunity quite like this one, and it is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Provider: WorldStrides
Studying abroad in Madrid changed my life forever- while this statement seems to leave every study abroad student's mouth, it really is the truth. I explored many different countries during my stay in Spain which opened my eyes to what the world has to offer other than the United States, but surely the most impactful part of my abroad experience was making Madrid my temporary home. I never thought a city could feel like home when I don't speak the native language, but Madrid is a place that speaks to you without words. The city itself is a beautiful place- well kept, rich in its culture, sights, and amazing eats but the city itself is alive. It is the most full of life place I have traveled to- everywhere you go everyone is present with the people around them, playing games, talking, laughing, sharing meals, dancing, singing, all of the above. It's a place that I will hold in my heart forever, a place that I wouldn't have been able to experience without a program like WorldStrides that made everything seamless. They made it comfortable to move to a foreign country and made our program feel like a family. Thank you WorldStrides and thank you Madrid for changing my life!
Provider: CES Maastricht
Program: Psychology & Neuroscience in Europe
I studied abroad at UM Maastricht in spring 2026, and I wish I never had to leave. Maastricht Netherlands is a municipality within the Netherlands and I originally chose this location based on the country of the Netherlands itself as it was my number one option from the day, I knew I wanted to study abroad. The country of the Netherlands seemed very beautiful, it seemed to have nature included in daily aspects, and the Netherlands seemed like a place where people could be themselves and be weird. When I arrived, that is exactly what I experienced. I was immersed within the university and country from the first day that I arrived. The university itself is spread out through this small but beautiful city, and is integrated with history, art, and nature across the whole campus. Which means that the city itself was also immersed and full of art, history, nature, culture, and a lively lifestyle. I learned a lot about Dutch culture, but studying abroad here also allowed me to continuously learn about at least 13 other cultures. It allowed me to be immersed within different language, and it allowed me to professionally and personally develop on every corner that I turned. UM was designed in the Dutch Way, and as accommodating for all cultures. The university had a message to understand and educate all and for me that applies to my day-to-day as I am a fourth year student about to graduate and become a teacher. As a teacher, it is important to understand all of my students, individualities and characteristics that set them apart or together within the students around them. A part of this requires to have minimal biases, which is how you create a positive environment within the classroom. I believe that the courses I took here enabled me to learn more about the psychology of learning and being around others. I took social psychology. Esther Slits was hands-down the best professor I had within the university, this course connected to previous courses I had taken within child development. Her course stuck with me the most and I have been able to apply what I learned in her class to my current classrooms. So far I have been in the four different classrooms and since coming home, I have been in one. So I am able to see the different mechanisms of application from before I learned more in her class compared to after I gained a full understanding of connections within social psychology. I had many ah ha moments within this class that have led me to encourage the education department within my university to encourage our studying educators to study abroad to gain a wider knowledge, and understanding of our classroom mechanisms, as well as as the students themselves. I found that studying in a university that required English within all courses was infatuating as almost every student and each tutorial or lecture spoke a different language. Which led me to gain a water understanding about how students feel within the classroom in elementary, middle, or high school, who don’t speak the same language as everyone else, and I learned how my students feel when they don’t understand what is being said because of a language barrier, and how to incorporate those student students into the classroom environment. All of my professors made it apparent that everyone could understand any language being spoken during instruction, however, when we had downtime or group work, everyone around me would speak in their own language. Or in Dutch. Which I definitely loved and would never prevent, I learned Dutch for a few months before attending, but in reality I still could not speak full sentences. My professors would always chime me in and ask the students around us in free time to speak in English, because even if a student is not involved in a conversation with a language, they don’t speak. It is still important that that student is not left out or feels unseen, or unheard. And that is my largest Takeaway within my study abroad, and I’m so thankful that I was able to continue and travel throughout my experience as the Netherlands country is in the middle of the European continent itself. I believe that I will encourage more educators to travel abroad and that I would always recommend them to go to Maastricht Netherlands to visit, because living there is not for everybody. But it was for me, I miss it every single day, and I cannot stop thinking about it. The nature, the people, the jokes, and the environment of the country has a whole. It’s stuck to me and I wish I could say that a part of me is Netherlandish but I can’t. One day I plan on coming back, as it truly was an impeccable lifetime experience, that you can’t only experience once.
Provider: WorldStrides
I had the best semester ever in Dublin, Ireland, thanks to the WorldStrides team. The experience was everything I dreamed of from meeting the best roommates turned forever friends, to studying at Trinity College, and exploring the vast countryside that Ireland has. The team set us up for success in every aspect, we had amazing housing only 10 minutes from the city center, and Amazing trips planned. We went to Galway and the cliffs of mother, and the mountains of wicklow to hold baby sheep. I miss my experience every day.
Provider: College Year in Athens
My summer in Greece through the CYA (College Year in Athens) program was an unforgettable experience that combined cultural exploration with hands-on environmental research. Through CYA, I was able to learn both in the classroom and outside learning about how plastic affects the mediterranean Sea. I had the opportunity to visit a wastewater treatment facility and landfill to better understand waste management and the ways human waste affects the marine environment. Then partnered with the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation and the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, where I learned how plastic pollution impacts marine wildlife and ecosystems. Participated in water sampling, marine wildlife monitoring, microplastic research, and underwater soundscape observations using hydrophones. Outside of research, I explored the islands of Samos and Lipsi, experienced Greek culture, and met people from different backgrounds. The experience allowed me to connect what I have learned in the classroom to real-world environmental challenges and strengthened my passion for marine conservation and environmental policy.
Provider: Isla Internships Abroad
I was connected to Isla through my Graduate program to fulfill a requirement for my program and I’m so glad I chose Isa. From the in-country support to the scheduled activities everything was taken care of. You do pay a fee, but that fee covers housing, in-country support, and scheduled activities. I didn’t have to worry about finding a place to stay, navigating the city, or what to do in an emergency because Isla helps you with all of that. As someone who had never traveled alone before it gave me peace of mind knowing there was someone I could call. The internship I got exposed me to a new field I didn’t even know existed, and I completely changed my career path because of Isla. I couldn’t have ever imagined traveling across the world on my own, and with Isla, I didn’t have to.
Provider: Absolute Internship
This program opened my world to the possibilities of my future. Both professionally and socially. The program and my internship grew my personal confidence and provided the highlight of my life. I would recommend it to anyone considering.
Provider: Teach Explore Asia (XploreAsia)
Program: Xplore Costa Rica TEFL Program with Guaranteed Placement
My experience with XploreAsia has been incredibly rewarding, and I'm so glad I chose them to help me begin my journey teaching abroad in Costa Rica! I completed my TESOL certification in August in San Ramón, Costa Rica, and really enjoyed the opportunity to develop practical teaching skills while meeting other people who were also preparing to teach abroad. The first week of the program was dedicated to orientation, where our cohort explored San Ramón and learned about Costa Rican culture. We did so many fun activities, including a coffee farm tour, a visit to an animal rescue center, a waterfall hike, a sugarcane tour, and even a trip to Manuel Antonio. That first week was all about building a community, which I found incredibly valuable. The friendships I made during my time in San Ramón helped make the transition to living abroad so much easier! After the first week, we jumped right into the TESOL course, which was another highlight. Our instructor was incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and fun, and the training gave me the skills and confidence to step into the classroom and a better understanding of what to expect as a new English teacher. One of the things I appreciated most about XploreAsia was their support beyond the certification itself. Having guidance from before I even arrived in Costa Rica to well after the program ended made my transition much easier. They helped me secure a teaching placement in Santa Ana, where I am now living and working as an English teacher with students in 8th through 10th grade. I also have the opportunity to live with a Costa Rican host family, which has been one of the best ways to experience everyday life in the country. Living with my host mom has allowed me to practice my Spanish, learn about local traditions, and experience Costa Rican culture firsthand. I've also had the opportunity to participate in my school's traditional Costa Rican dance, which has been such a fun and meaningful way to connect with my students and become part of the school community. Some of the most rewarding moments have been getting to know my students, seeing their confidence grow as they learn English, and building connections that go beyond the classroom. Living abroad has challenged me in the best ways and given me experiences I know I'll carry with me long after I leave Costa Rica. I would absolutely recommend XploreAsia to anyone considering teaching abroad, especially someone looking for support with both getting certified and finding a teaching position. It's been a wonderful way to gain international teaching experience, immerse myself in a new culture, and grow both personally and professionally. I'm so grateful I took the opportunity!
Provider: WorldStrides
I studied abroad in Barcelona in the Spring of 2026, and going into it, I was excited, nervous, and anxious, unsure what to expect. I didn't know how I would settle in, whether I would feel comfortable, or whether I would be homesick. All of these worries were completely answered, and the unsure semester turned into the greatest 4 months of my life. I attribute this experience to WorldStrides and am grateful to them for allowing me this opportunity. Barcelona is an amazing city with lots to explore, close to other countries to travel to, great culture and history, and I would not recommend a better place to study. I was housed in the Gothic Quarter, and I could not have picked a better place. I was close to the old Roman architecture, amazing restaurants, Las Ramblas, and just everything amazing about that side of the city. It was close to our university, and I cherished walking to school and back every day, or taking the metro. Either way, my commute was one of my favorite parts of my day. I loved the university; the classrooms were beautiful, the surrounding area was beautiful, and I would sit in the outdoor garden area and collect my thoughts or talk with friends almost every day before or after class. This opportunity obviously also gave me the ability to travel and see the world with people I love; I studied abroad with some friends from home, and we got to see the world together. I gained moments and experiences with them that I will have with them and cherish forever. Going to Dracula's cave with my boys in Budapest, seeing the Eiffel Tower light up with my friends during fashion week, or paragliding over Interlaken with all of my friends; I would not have been able to experience these things without WorldStrides, and this review, bringing up great memories, is making me emotional. As much as I was able to travel and such, it also opened up experiences for others. My family came and visited me, and before Spain, they had not been farther than Mexico or Canada. My parents are both over 55, and they haven't had the chance to see Europe until they met me during my semester abroad. I feel super passionate and happy about the fact that I was a big reason for my parents getting to see the world, getting to show them around my new home and all of the little places that I had become a regular at. Meeting my new friends, roommates, and walking around the city was such a great experience to have with my family, and it will be an all-time experience for the rest of my life. My dad jumped into the Mediterranean because he is a huge water guy, and he kept mentioning how he would regret saying that he didn't swim in the Mediterranean. He's 61, and if he didn't come and visit me, he probably would have never had the opportunity to fulfill a childhood wish and come and see the world. Barcelona, Spain, was a great hub and a great home base. I wouldn't have changed anything about my experience, and I have no regrets coming back home to the States. The culture, values, behavior, and all the things Spain has to offer changed my own mindset and my own values, and I came home to the States with a different outlook on life. I thank WorldStrides for giving me this opportunity, and I would recommend using them for any study abroad trips!
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Teach Explore Asia (XploreAsia)
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