Government Study Abroad Programs in Asia

Studying abroad in Japan through USAC was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made in college. Before going, I was excited but also nervous about the language barrier and whether I’d feel out of place, but USAC made the transition way smoother than I expected. From orientation to day-to-day support, it felt like there was always someone I could reach out to if I needed help.

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

My time in Japan was life-changing. As a Nikkei student, I reconnected with roots my family had lost after internment and generations of cultural distance. From dorm life to local hikes, food, and community events, I gained authentic insight into daily Japanese life. Beyond travel, it was about reclaiming identity, building cross-cultural friendships, and finding confidence in who I am.

I wanna start by saying this is one of the best experience I've ever had! I had a support system through API and through the university which enabled me to immerse myself even more. I can't stress enough about the classes how crucial they were to my whole experience. I was able to take beginners Korean wine, learned more about medium popular culture in Korea, a DEI class through the natives experience and took a health policy class. I think each class played a very important role where I was able to learn so much more about the country and it's history and be able to apply it in some of the classes. I am now at my home university and how I think about certain topics. Another favorite parts of this program was being in the city and being able to explore on my own time with my friends that I made. After class, we would just go explore the city and do excursions of our own. One of my favorite events I was able to attend was Ipselenti and Daedongje one of the biggest week of events in the spring semester that they have where they bring the biggest artist of K-pop at the moment to the students. I got to see some of my new favorite artist perform especially their newest releases. I was not expecting it at all, but I think that's what made this whole event so memorable, plus I was able to do a project for one of my classes based on these events. Another plus is that they have some of the best cuisine. Every day I would eat something new.

I had an idea of what studying abroad would be like: going to school, eating at home or a restaurant, going on trips, etc. But I was suprised by how it really felt like my life. In the sense that, the mundane things became my favorite things. Waking up and being able to say “I’m in Korea” or buying toothpaste when I ran out. The touristy stuff and the amazing trips were, no doubt, amazing, but the longer I stayed here the more I fell in love with the idea of planting temporary roots here. I feel like I‘ve made a connection to South Korea. That rather than just stopping by for a few days, I’ve relocated my life for a bit of time and it‘s not only changed my location but also my life. Safe to say I‘ve been significantly impacted and my life will not be the same, in the best way possible.

My semester abroad in Granada, Spain was absolutely unforgettable. I decided to stay with a host family and I lived in their home with another student in the same program. Living with a roommate, we became really close friends. My host family was so kind and welcoming, they included us in everything they did. I learned so much Spanish culture and tradition from spending time with the family. The school was called Center of Modern Languages and I had a mixture of Spanish and Business classes. I loved speaking Spanish in class and getting to know other students. AIFS provided a level placement test at the beginning of the semester so that everyone found courses that were appropriate for their knowledge of Spanish. The classes were very fun and I enjoyed going to class. The AIFS program excursions were some of the best experiences/trips that I went on. I was blown away by the Morocco trip as well as the Seville/Córdoba/Gibraltar weekend. The trips were well planned, affordable, and allowed for free time to explore with friends. I made so many connections with locals, got to experience once in a lifetime activities like riding camels next to the ocean, and tried amazing foods. The program application process was hassle-free and the program advisors in Granada are so helpful. I would often visit their office and just chat with them or ask their advice on where to visit on the weekend. They organized cooking classes, art classes, sporting events, and cultural activities like a flamenco show. Granada is such a wonderful city. It is very walkable and the people are very friendly. There are endless tapas bars in the city where you get free food with each drink purchase. I made friends with lots of locals and other students from across the US. I attended exchange club meetings where you get drinks and tapas, and you chat in whatever language you are trying to learn with people from around the world. AIFS did a wonderful job providing opportunities for all of the students in the program to get to know each other. I made a close-knit group of friends and we spent so much time together. I am so thankful for having met them thanks to AIFS. We even visited each other once we arrived back in the US! I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience Spain on a more personal scale compared to bigger cities. I think Granada is the most beautiful city, and the Alhambra is a must-see!

If you ever have the chance to visit Seoul, South Korea, spring is an ideal time to go. I had the privilege of studying abroad at Korea University during the spring semester, and it was an unforgettable experience. I was initially unsure of what to expect but decided to fully immerse myself in the culture. I enrolled in Korean language, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and Media and Popular Culture classes. These courses were invaluable in helping me understand South Korea's rich history and contemporary issues. The Korean language classes were particularly helpful, making it easier to navigate daily life and engage more deeply with local culture. As a person of color, entering a new culture can sometimes feel daunting, but I found that Koreans are generally welcoming and interested in meeting foreigners. Korea University has a program called Korea University Buddy Assistant (KUBA) and their support helped me feel more comfortable and integrated into the community. If you’re in South Korea, check out Seoul for all their different types of cafes, karaoke rooms, and cherry blossoms locations but also check out other spots too! Busan is awesome with its gorgeous beaches and seafood markets. I got to sit and watch artists build sand castles for the sand castle festival. Jeju Island is a must-see, with its incredible scenery and the Snoopy Garden. Overall, studying in Seoul during the spring not only provided me with academic and cultural insights but also allowed me to build meaningful connections and create lasting memories. If you’re considering studying abroad, South Korea in the spring is a wonderful choice.

I cannot recommend studying in Seoul, South Korea enough! As someone who has never traveled outside the country, I can wholeheartedly say I was supported through every step of my journey abroad. For example, API and my home university provided excellent orientations that informed us about cultural norms, traveling, and expenses. I really valued how they prioritized students' cultural immersion experiences and well-being throughout the trip by having an API director on site. If I had questions or concerns about traveling or locating places on campus, my director would be one text message away. This eased my worries about adapting to the city and the university. I also have to mention how kind Korea University students were to foreigners. They always encouraged us to join dinners, have study sessions, and explore the city with them. The KUBA program is an excellent way to meet other foreigners and connect with Korean students, so be eager to join trips to Lotte World, Everland, etc. Connecting with this program helped me meet my closest friends abroad, so I highly recommend looking into it. I am tremendously grateful to the API team and Korea University for this experience. Full transparency: studying abroad is never perfect, so be prepared for tricky courses, language barriers if you're unfamiliar with Korean, and adjusting to an urban environment. Creating routines of heading to cafes to study and planning trips with friends helped me find balance in my schedule. I also connected with many friends who taught me Korean phrases, so be willing to learn! Studying abroad in Seoul was one of my favorite things in college. The temples, music scene, nightlife, and cities are unforgettable. If you're unsure about studying here, know that API has many support systems and resources to answer your questions and concerns. I remember feeling so scared about traveling away from my family, but I always had advisors, directors, and friends to support me. You'll find your community in Seoul, I'm sure of it!

I have so many fond memories from this program. From the small interactions with locals to going on multiple day-long trips, there is was so much to love. I gained a much greater understanding about just how different cultures can be and how to adjust to unknown situations. My favorite thing I would do often was just going on day trips on my own or with friends to the countryside or just anywhere that is less touristy. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else, and I couldn't recommend it more.

My experience abroad was a lot of fun. I met a lot of people, learned about Korean culture, and was able to take academic courses not offered at my home institution. Seoul is a very student friendly city.

Berlin is a really wonderful and historic city to live in. My German is basically nonexistent and I still felt like I was able to get around fine. The AIFs staff are very supportive, and the organized actives were well structured and thought out. If you weren’t interested in some or all of the activities, you didn’t have to participate and there was plenty of time to do your own thing around Berlin or travel throughout Europe. I didn’t particularly enjoy my academic experience at Humboldt, there were a few good classes but also a few really awful ones. So, if I could do it again I would probably do the AIFS program with Freie Universität academic program.

My colleague and I have had the pleasure of accompanying 21 amazing humans on a 3 month journey that will most certainly change them for the rest of their lives. Thank you to AIFS for sharing Rome with us and attending to every detail that made this an experience that will live with us eternally. The AIFS Rome center staff were excellent in providing impactful excursions, extra-curricular courses, and ensuring that all of us were well informed and provided for in every part of our journey.

Never in a million years did I think I was ever going to get the chance to study abroad! I was digging around the web during Covid for programs that could give me more out of my college experience. Covid gave me time to think about what I wanted out of life and definitely made me see how much I took for granted. I always wanted to study abroad but I didn’t think I would be able to afford it or have the courage to travel to another country alone. I passed USAC’s program on the web and immediately applied out of sheer confidence that this is what I wanted to do. I got accepted and the rest is history. This experience has made me grow so much as a person and develop a new appreciation for relationships and cultures. I have fallen in love with being able to communicate with people from all over the world and gain new found friendships that will last a lifetime. I got out of my comfort zone so many times and have never regretted a second of it. I have learned so many new things about myself as a person and as a member of society. Nishinomiya will forever be my home away from home. The city is absolutely beautiful and the people are so amazing and friendly. The university I attended, Kwansei Gakuin University, is even more so. The professors and full time students were great. They welcomed us with open arms and made sure we felt comfortable. There were also so many opportunities for Japanese and exchange student interactions, but my favorite was the Global Lounge. Exchange and full time students hung out in the lounge together and it is how many of us became friends. There are so many relationships I’ve made that I am going to miss. To anyone who is thinking of studying abroad, I highly recommended it! There might be some rough patches throughout your time abroad, especially if it’s for an extended amount of time, but it will all the more help you grow. Studying abroad is a life changing experience. I have never travel abroad in my life until this program. I am incredibly grateful and will remember this for the rest of my life.

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad

Studying abroad is the best way to experience a new country, with a perfect balance of independence and being involved in a community. I had a wonderful time in Japan and was able to fully immerse myself into the culture and daily life. I developed new routines that I would have not encountered in my home country, and stepped outside of my comfort zone to experience new responsibilities. By broadening my perspective of the world, I better understand the differences in societies, including all of the obstacles, and will remember my time here in Japan forever.

I definitely had a really exciting and wonderful trip. There were a few aspects like traveling and staying at more cities besides just Salzburg would have been a lot more fun. But the tours and field trips were absolutely incredible and the people who showed us around were amazing! Loved to see the history and beauty all over

From arrival to departure, AIFS made my study abroad experience a 11/10. Great staff through and through allowed for a complete cultural assimilation in the time I spent there. It was the experience of a lifetime that I would recommend to everyone.

Studying abroad in Japan was a dream I had for so long, and to say the experience lived up to my expectations is an understatement, it exceeded them. Even just the daily routine of going to classes was so fun and I really feel like I was able to do something new everyday. I loved the location of this program and plan to go back in the near future. Nishinomiya was such a fun, vibrant city and locals were always so kind and helpful. Even when my Japanese was hard to understand, everyone was so nice and welcoming to me. Being so close to some of Japans most exciting areas was really something I loved about this program. From wearing a kimono in Kyoto, petting the most polite deer ever in Nara, breathing the fresh sea air in Kobe, and celebrating Halloween in Osakas nightlife center, it’s feels unreal to look back at how many unique and fun experiences I got to have. All these cities are less than an hour away by train, and Osaka was only 12 minutes away! The city life was fun, but what I’ll miss most was everyone I made friends with while I was there. All my class buddies, dormates, conversation partners, I lucky I was to meet all of them and share such a fun time of life with them. When I look back at my photos from the past few months, rarely is it just me. So many adventures were with my new friends and I’m glad to have made those memories with them. I also enjoyed my time solo traveling too, and as a woman in Japan, I actually felt quite safe and took the opportunity to indulge on night walks as well as 1am convenience store runs to family mart! I could go on and on about my semester in Japan, but I’ll end here by encouraging you to study abroad if the opportunity arises. I think it really changes how you see things, and exposes you to so much. I learned more about Japan on a cultural level, my language skills improved, my connections worldwide grew, and I left feeling a sense of accomplishment and growth, as well as the desire to see more of what the world has to offer.

My semester in Tokyo Japan was truly the best! There are so many things to do, new foods to try, delicious foods to eat, etc. I also made lots of friends from Toyo University, which was really great! Toyo University offered classes in English and Japanese and almost all teachers, students and staff spoke English which made my experience a lot greater. I'm so glad that I got to study at Toyo and will never forget my time there!