Summer Agriculture Study Abroad Programs

I had the best experience with our Guide Michael for our Political Science Study Abroad. Michael was very easy to speak to in regards to personal matters and not once was there any judgement whatsoever. For my first experience on a study abroad program I’m glad that it was with someone as a guide so caring like him.

This experience has been one of the best of my life. The people of Costa Rica have given so much patience and gratitude for our work and that makes the long days totally worth it. My confidence has grown so much over this trip and it has given me so much clarity. I am forever blessed to have met the Maximo staff and everyone along the road.

this experience was truly amazing. We were paired with the best team, and learned so much right off the bat. After leaving this trip I now feel so much more confident in myself, and the future. I am so thankful for this experience and suggest that if you are fortunate enough to do it, you should!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My experience with Maximum in Costa Rica was absolutely amazing and unforgettable. This was my very first time studying abroad, and I could not have asked for a more welcoming, loving, and meaningful experience. From the moment I arrived, everyone at Maximum made me feel like family. The energy, kindness, accommodations, and overall atmosphere were so warm and uplifting. Every experience and visit touched my heart in a special way. From visiting nursing homes, substance abuse facilities, and the HIV clinic, every encounter was memorable and meaningful. Every person I met made an impact on me. Everyone was so welcoming and willing to take me under their wing—teaching me their language, sharing their culture, and allowing me to experience life from a completely different perspective. This experience opened my eyes and gave me a new appreciation for life. It allowed me to see the beauty in people, culture, and community in a way I will never forget. I truly felt the energy of such beautiful people, and if given the opportunity, I would come back and work here to continue making an impact just as we experienced during this journey. A very special thank you to Ellen, our leader and guide. She was absolutely amazing, and I am so grateful for the wonderful experiences and locations she selected for us. Her guidance and care made this trip even more special. I would also love to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone I had the pleasure of meeting: Hector, Karen, Victoria, Jax, Gabby, Kaylee, Maria Arias (thank you for the awesome chicken sandwich!), our amazing driver, Michael, Sharon, and so many others who made us feel welcomed and cared for. Special thanks as well to Dr. Alex, Dr. Tatiana, and Nurse Gerald for taking time out of their busy schedules to teach, guide, and share their knowledge and experiences with us. To every person who participated and made this journey possible: thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made a lasting impact on my life, and I will forever remember this experience. God bless you all!

We had an impactful experience during our study abroad trip. They planned a variety of meaningful experiences and provided tentative support during the entire trip. A special thanks to Ellen for her support and grace.

The staff at Umbra, whether professors or office administrators, is incredibly friendly and helpful for anything you may need. You will absolutely have opportunities to explore Italy between the trips planned by the student services team or from the trips that may be a part of your classes. Or even if you are looking for information about your own travels, the professors and staff members are full of great recommendations and bits of advice for your travels.

My semester in Montevideo, Uruguay, with USAC will go down as one of my favorites from undergrad. There was so much cultural immersion, ample opportunities for language acquisition, and traveling within the program and on our own time. The city was quite easy to navigate on foot, and its expansive busing system made traveling to different parts of the country just as effortless. I adored my classes and my professors even more. Notably, Pau, Trilce, and Hecsil were always eager to listen to my many questions and gave the best advice. I’d would one thousand percent recommend a semester in Montevideo if you were interested in sightseeing, practicing Spanish, and trying the best oranges. They were my most purchased grocery item for the entire semester!

I am super grateful for the support from both institutions in making the process as smooth as possible from departure to arrival and departing again. USACs preparation was surely a gift, Kookmin’s integration and support was helpful, and staff from both sides helped as much as they could!

Had such an amazing study abroad semester with the Umbra Institute! Having participated in two of this program's community engagement commitments, I was able to learn more about Perugia's culture and the people through my major. Along with this, the professors I had cared deeply about our learning and were passionate about what they taught (especially props to Italian Prof. Livia). Likewise, I loved Umbra Institute for its tight-knit community, which I was involved in through a work study job as a front desk receptionist. Overall, the program provided me with so many opportunities to immerse myself with the school and Perugia as a city! If you are seeking a study abroad program that values fostering a close community, I highly recommend the Umbra Institute!

Had a great time with Umbra. They are very helpful and have always been there to provide help with resources and advice on how to navigate the city of Perugia. They have always been very transparent about class and schedules!

The city, the people, the classes, the staff— you cannot even begin to describe how incredible this program is and how it has changed my life. I have built long-lasting relationships while working and serving a community that now means the world to me. The smaller city vibe makes the most authentic experience possible. I always wanted to study abroad in Rome or Florence, but Perugia was the only city available. And thank goodness it was. Being at the Umbra Institute was the biggest blessing in my life so far. I was able to become very close with my classmates, professors, and staff members that would not have been possible in other places. I have found meaning and authenticity in my studies, balanced travel, a social life, and felt SO supported in my time here.

Studying abroad was more than travel, it was learning how to exist between languages, cultures, and systems of power. Coming from a background shaped by migration, the experience felt deeply personal. Walking through new cities, I began to notice not only differences in culture, but in how societies are organized, who has access, and how opportunity is distributed. It made me reflect on policy beyond textbooks—how decisions made in offices translate into real lives, real barriers, and real possibilities. I saw how history, governance, and identity intersect in everyday spaces, from public institutions to conversations with people from different backgrounds. There were moments of uncertainty, of not fully belonging, but also moments of clarity where I understood that navigating these spaces is itself a form of political awareness. I didn’t just learn about the world, I learned how to read it, question it, and imagine how it could be better. This experience didn’t just expand my perspective it gave me a deeper sense of purpose. It reminded me why I chose to study political science, and why I want to be part of the conversations and decisions that shape our global future. https://www.instagram.com/huerta_mmx/

I loved so much about my experience here. There were so many wonderful opportunities to visit cool places, and tons of events to go to. The classes were very interesting and all of the professors and staff are lovely. I had so much fun seeing and trying all the new things.

Altogether, I had a great time. We got to see so much and I believe the pacing of the program was great, spending the right amount of time at each location. La Fortuna was my favorite! Traveling in a large group brought up trouble with waiting on students, health issues, etc. but I still think they were able to make the most of it. Having a flexible schedule and being open to adjustments definitely helps. Our guide Rodrigo and our bus drivers were the best!

I really enjoyed this experience. My review is based off of a free trip less expenses such as food and transportation, as I received scholarships for this course. I do know that many students paid upwards of $7,000 on this study abroad trip, which I do find to be a bit much. Considering we were staying in $80 / night hotels with non-working lights, mediocre amenities, and bad air conditioning and bedding coupled with the scarcity of included meals, the figure should have been more around $3,000 without airfare cost. I do not understand how the cost was so high for what was received. I also found living in the dorms with random Costa Rican people to be fun, but a bit restrictive. The morning meals were literally eggs, a piece of bread, and really bad coffee. I was also staying in a really small bunk bed which was uncomfortable. Staying in an affordable hotel would have been better. Next time I recommend the school book out Ester’s Place which is closer to the tech campus and run by a lovely lady who has many rooms available in her home hotel. She also had a much better breakfast and the cost was only $65 / night per person. I stayed here my first night flying in on the 12th and wish I could have gone back but due to restrictions I was not allowed. My family of four at the time in 2019 went on an all inclusive cruise to Italy, Spain, and France for under $10,000 with included meals, drinks , stay, etc. So this trip being $7,000 + for just ONE PERSON is a bit crazy. Regardless, the activities were awesome and for me, price was not an issue as stated before. So, my review without price factored was it was amazing. Great tour guide Rodrigo was so knowledgeable and a very nice guy. He took us to authentic places and not just generic touristy places. I enjoyed seeing the stark contrast in sustainability initiatives between exotic resorts, quasi-governmental organizations, and design firms. I truly did get a wonderful experience with understanding how firms work and the metric process used to gather sustainability info, as well as how to tell if a company may be kind of BS-ing the situation with their sustainability initiatives, or holding themselves accountable. I loved the zip line tour and the coffee and cocoa bean tour. The history tours around the towns was cool, but truly was not necessary. I feel we could have just had an informational PDF sent to us instead of touring these relatively boring historical landmarks. Activities are always more fun than learning about history. I think it would have been much more effective to fly into Liberia, tour the beach and Penninsula Papagayo’s HOA office, then make our way back to San Jose and visit firms, then fly out of SJO. The amount of time driving was frustrating. Or, instead, we would just fly into SJO and tour the Caribbean side of things and skip the western side of Costa Rica altogether. This way the time could be allocated more effectively. I also wish the professors would have split us into groups so we could have gotten to know everyone. There were certain folks I never really got to have conversations with because the groups would naturally clique and we never had forced exposure to each other. Overall it was a wonderful trip and, with a few adjustments I know the next one will be awesome as well!

Coming to TTU Costa Rica was an amazing experience and allowed me to try lots of new and unique things. Rodrigo was the absolute best and the entire trip wouldn't have been half as great and smooth without him! Gonna miss him back in the states, thank you so much for an amazing time!

I had an incredible experience with this study abroad program and would highly recommend it to anyone considering going abroad. From start to finish, everything was well organized, and I felt supported every step of the way. The program made it easy to adjust to living in a new country, and the staff were always available to help with any questions or concerns. One of the best parts of the experience was the opportunity to fully immerse myself in a new culture. I was able to explore the city, try amazing local food, and meet people from all over the world. The program also did a great job of balancing independence with support, giving me the freedom to grow while still providing helpful resources. Academically, the courses were engaging and offered a unique perspective that I wouldn’t have gotten at my home university. I learned so much both inside and outside of the classroom. Overall, this program exceeded all of my expectations. It helped me grow personally, academically, and culturally, and it’s truly an experience I will never forget. I would absolutely give it 10 stars and encourage others to take advantage of this opportunity!

Umbra made sure to make the student feel welcomed and at home right away. The staff is always available if you need help. They’re always planning different activities to bring the students together which is great. They’re always giving you recommendations for places to go to so you don’t feel lost. Overall I’m very happy that I chose Umbra and wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

This program was amazing, I stayed for a full year, so I experienced two different cohorts of students and each group was fun and had unique experiences. The program helps place you with a family that they work and they make sure the families are open and receptive to students, my host mom was amazing and I still talk to her a year later:) the classes give you hands on opportunities such as going to marches for activism class and interviewing local activists for a research study. It also can be hard to get close with locals your age and other students from Uruguay because the classes are all USAC students. There are different avenues that you can use to make friends you just have to make more of an effort to push yourself out there.

The service learning trip to Costa Rica instilled a greater love for agricultural and eco sustainability. I conquered one of my greatest fears by completing the hanging bridges hike. I highly recommend to everyone to see Costa Rica though the eyes of the local people. Pura Vita!