Criminology Study Abroad Programs

Spending a semester in South Africa reshaped the way I see the world and the way I write about it. As a writing major and African and African American Studies minor, I took every history class I could fit into my schedule, learning about liberation movements, identity, and global interconnectedness right from the source. When I wasn’t in class, I was at the beach — literally every minute possible — journaling with my toes in the sand or doing yoga as the sun came up over the water. Spring break took me all the way to Tanzania, where new landscapes and new conversations stretched my perspective even further. I met people who became lifelong friends, the kind you still text years later because the bond formed abroad never really fades. More than anything, the experience gave me a deeper understanding of myself, my studies, and the world I want to help shape. Studying abroad didn’t just change my semester. It changed my life.

Studying abroad was the best choice I've ever made. Worldstrides, as a partnership program, was the best. The first week, we met for orientation in Cairns, Australia, and they took care of hotel and excursion expenses (this includes the Great Barrier Reef). It was a great first week getting introduced to Australia and my program. They were very helpful before and during my time in Australia, always there for questions, concerns, and planning a handful of group activities + one overnight trip! They were truly a blessing while abroad.

It has been about 3 months since I came home from Study Abroad, and I still haven't found the right words to describe this experience! When I left for study abroad, I was stepping into the unknown - moving to a new city, far away from everything and everyone I had ever known. Some moments challenged me, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and forced me to grow in ways I never expected. Along the way, Ifound a new sense of independence, confidence, and trust in myself! What I will cherish the most are the people. The friendships I made, my roommates and forever friends who turned into family. They were there for every laugh, every tear, and served as a shoulder to lean on when I needed it most! I was lucky enough to do something most people only dream of. I got to experience cultures, traditions, and places that opened my eyes to how beautiful our world is! I left study abroad with more than just pictures and postcards, but lessons, stories, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime!

I went abroad with this company, and it couldn't have gone any better. In any situation that was rough, they were always there to chat or help resolve the issue. Great company; would love to go again!

Studying abroad through SAI was the best choice I have made in my academic, personal, and career life yet. Not only are the staff and program well structured, but they truly allow you to be supported, make friends, and experience places/things you never would have expected. As a participant of the 2-city program, I experienced life in two cities of Italy, each unique but special. While La Spezia helped me settle into Italian culture and appreciate the slower pace of life, the hustle and bustle of Florence showed me why Italy is such a destination for people to experience. My 4 months flew by faster than I could imagine, and staying so busy and immersed (in the best way) now allows me to share about my time- and how I have absolutely no regrets. Being involved in the moment, taking time to talk to locals and do "non-touristy" trips/things, and keeping an open mind can shape your life and is truly what makes the experience. It's the little things. People watching. A scrumptious cappuccino. An immersive class experience. Studying abroad is, yes, about education and pursuing a career, but so much of the learning and growing for it are done outside of the classroom, often through unexpected moments. I always felt the support of SAI staff, and their focus on the student experience at a personal level created a sense of belonging and home away from home. If you are on the fence, just go! You won't regret it!

I genuinely had the best study abroad experience through SAI in Florence. I was able to live with 3 of my best friends and we loved our apartment so much! Although we weren't right in the city center by thew duomo, we found that we loved being across the river as we were more immersed in the culture by being in a neighborhood filled with locals. Outside of our housing and classes, we had so many opportunities to do different activities whether it was a cooking class or a gold leafing class. I could not recommend this experience enough!

I went to study abroad knowing nobody, completely throwing myself into a different culture across the world, and it was the best choice I made in my life. I met the most amazing people in the most amazing place, and I would choose to do it all over again if I could. Study abroad if you have the opportunity!

My time as a University of Sussex student was a life changing opportunity. I got to grow and connect with people who I was able to explore with. I constantly reminisce on my time there and all that I got to do and for that I am grateful!

Studying at the University of Sussex as a Spanish exchange student has been one of the best experiences of my life. I felt welcomed from the very beginning, and the lecturers were always supportive and approachable. The campus is beautiful, the facilities are excellent, and Brighton is an amazing city full of culture and opportunities. I also met incredible people from all over the world, which helped me grow both personally and academically. This exchange has improved my English, broadened my perspective, and given me unforgettable memories. I would highly recommend the University of Sussex to any international student looking for a high-quality education and a truly enriching experience.

I did a year abroad from Australia at Sussex and it was genuinely an amazing year. Sussex is so progressive and community based, that there’s no ‘upper echelon’ groups or unapproachable people. Everyone at the uni is easy to talk to and friendly. Making friends was so easy. I joined the Salsa society; one out of literally a million choices of societies. Also, I’d argue that Sussex is as good as it is because you get to be abroad in Brighton. There’s no other city like it, so full of love and quirk. There’s ALWAYS something going on too, be it live music or festivals or arts or community activities. So bloody good and I’d go again in a heartbeat. Everybody really is in the same boat in Brighton and at Sussex, you’ll never feel judged.

My four months in Brighton were amazing! The university had organised a great reception for all visiting students, which made it easy to get to know people from all over the world. While living on campus, I also made close friends with the people I lived with. I was mostly happy with all my selected modules, and found the teachers to be friendly and dedicated! Brighton itself is the perfect size for a semester abroad and full of lovely cafés, restaurants, pubs, and clubs. I definitely recommend Sussex for your exchange!

Choosing to study at the University of Sussex was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has completely changed how I see the world. Within the first week there, I found myself surrounded by such an incredible group of people, making friends from Australia, the United States, Mexico, Malaysia, and England. Each of whom generously shared their cultures, perspectives, and ways of life with me. Some of my fondest memories were simple ones, such as evenings spent laughing at Falmer Bar, surrounded by good company, good food, and an atmosphere that always felt like home. Sussex's location made it the perfect place to explore new destinations. Not only was it close to countries across Europe I'd dreamed of visiting, but it also placed me within easy reach of some of England's most charming destinations including London, Lewes, Cambridge, and Bath among my favourites. Between coursework, I found myself constantly learning both academically, and experientially, gaining a broader appreciation for the world and my place in it. Brighton, just a short bus ride from campus, became my favorite escape when I needed a break. I spent countless afternoons discovering new coffee shops and catching up on coursework, or wandering along the waterfront. By May, Brighton was in full swing, its pier buzzing with visitors enjoying games, rides, and seaside food. As someone living with Celiac Disease, I was especially grateful for how seamlessly I could navigate both grocery stores and restaurants with an abundance of gluten-free options that made me feel safe, cared for, and included throughout my time there. Academically, Sussex exceeded my expectations. My favorite course was Positive Psychology with Rona Hart, where small class sizes allowed real connections to form and made participation feel natural rather than intimidating. We didn't just study psychological theory, we got to practice them by participating in techniques like goal setting, stress management, and resilience building in ways that I've carried with me well beyond the classroom. Overall, my semester at Sussex gave me more than education, it also gave me the most memorable experiences that I’ll cherish forever.

I had an amazing time during my study abroad at Sussex. Brighton was such a lovely town, with a lot of kind and interesting people. There is so much to do and so many cool experiences to have. I highly recommend coming to Sussex!

I had a great time at Sussex. I lived in Brighthelm and was able to be around my friends all the time. We would have little dinner parties and watch movies and it was so nice because everyone lived so close to eachother! Sussex also offered tons of activities for students I particularly loved trivia nights, and all the clubs were so open and welcoming which made meeting people easy!

As part of my studies, I spent a semester at the University of Sussex and I had a truly wonderful experience there. There were many differences compared to my home university. What I enjoyed most was the campus life. There were countless activities and events that made it easy to meet new people and try new things, which helped students connect with one another. I also really appreciated the support I received before and throughout my stay. Whenever I had questions or encountered any problems, there was always someone available to help. The lecturers were very welcoming, supportive, and genuinely cared about their students. In addition, the university’s location gave me the opportunity to explore Brighton and visit other English cities, such as London. Overall, I really enjoyed my semester at the University of Sussex and it was an enriching experience both academically and personally.

I absolutely loved my time at Sussex Uni and in Brighton. It's such a special place that you can't find anywhere else and a place that stays with your for a long time. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why as it is in the air, in the style and in the feelings you feel. The people were so cool and amazing, the town so fantastic and the university and campus such a cozy and familiar place that I felt like I belonged and had been there longer than one semester. I miss it a lot and look back on it with nostalgia and love. Definitely recommend going on an exchange there.

•Academic studies Those required critical thinking, plenty of readings, and active attitudes, which were not always necessary in my home uni. Therefore it was very hard for me to catch up and ‘participate’ the classes. However I could take various modules I had interest at that time, which broadened my horizons. •Nice living environment Even though I lived in the second oldest dormitory , I was quite satisfied with the environment. The flat was always cool and clean, and the best point was that I could see several bunnies in the courtyard. There are some bus stops, cafes, a small supermarket, and so on. Those were really convenient to live on campus. •Kind staff members They always care about us, send some emails, quickly respond to our messages. When I needed a support (for travel documents, hobs in the kitchen…), they kindly helped me.

My exchange semester at the University of Sussex was an exercise in high-level adaptation. Academically, the environment does not hold your hand. Coming from a Mechatronics and Cyber-Physical Systems background, the modules immediately tested my technical baseline. Developing machine learning and deep learning models—specifically utilizing PyTorch and NLTK for text preprocessing and document classification—demanded relentless problem-solving. Similarly, benchmarking optimization paradigms for light-seeking robotics required a level of precision that leaves zero room for error. The assessment standards here are uncompromising; you learn very quickly that strict adherence to coursework guidelines and academic criteria is mandatory for survival. However, the intensity of the Jupyter notebooks and robotics labs was offset by the lifestyle Sussex enables if you are disciplined enough to structure it. Living in the Falmer area meant I had to optimize my time, anchoring my weeks with strict meal prep, Monday sessions with the university running society, and weekly swimming. That routine is what made the academic load manageable. Furthermore, the location is a massive strategic advantage. The accessibility of the rail network allowed me to easily disconnect, whether that meant taking a quick group trip to Hastings or executing rapid, highly structured day trips to London to study engineering history at the Science Museum and British Library. Sussex is not a passive experience. It is an environment built for students who are ready to be challenged by uncompromising academic rigor while actively engineering their own community and routine on the outside.

I had an excellent time at Sussex University! Coming from Australia I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and the ability to explore the United Kingdom with ease. By doing an exchange at Sussex I was able to take classes I normally couldn’t do at my home university, and meet new and awesome professors that significantly helped me develop ideas for my future career.

Insane experience and could not recommend more. You make a bunch of international friends, experience education in another country, and can hop on a train to get to another country. I found the modules at Sussex engaging and relevant to my future job. The course load was manageable (much less work than my home uni) and allowed for constant travelling (uni is fairly close to gatwick airport). Sussex is a very international student friendly place, in all of my classes there was a bunch of exchange students. All of the clubs and sports teams had activites and pubcrawls, which really gets you involved in the pubbing culture.