Marine Biology Study Abroad Programs

I had the most amazing experience studying abroad in Sydney. I specifically went to UNSW, which is super close to the beach. I was able to make best friends that I'll cherish forever, and together we made such amazing memories like surfing, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and travelling to different parts of Australia, and even New Zealand! I'm so grateful for everything this experience brought me; I made lifelong friends, but also grew so much as a person and connected a lot with myself!! :) Even though it might be nerve-wracking at first to do it alone, be proud of putting yourself out there! In no time, you will make amazing friends and memories, and hopefully fall in love with Australia like I did :) Make the most out of your experience and say yes to all the activities you can.

I spent my semester abroad in Christchurch, New Zealand with Worldstrides, and it was an extraordinary experience from beginning to end. We began the program with a 4-day orientation in Queenstown where we got to meet all of the Worldstrides students in New Zealand and participate in special culturally immersive events, while also being supported in the transition abroad. Having the opportunity to befriend each other before everyone continued on to their respective cities (Christchurch, Auckland, Dunedin, and Wellington) is something that I came to realize was unique to Worldstrides. Many of us ended up visiting each other across the country throughout the semester, and I loved being able to show Christchurch to my friends from other cities. It definitely created a community from the start, and I knew wherever I traveled in New Zealand I could always reach out to a fellow Worldstrides student nearby! As for the city of Christchurch, I cannot recommend it enough. Living in the Uni accommodations created such a special environment that tight-knit friendships with students both in and out of the Worldstrides program. Another huge part of my Christchurch experience was our Resident Director, Gill. She was basically our parent away from home and she truly cared about every one of us–not to mention she was a blast to hang out with! She gave us a tour of the city and gave us all of her local knowledge. She checked in on us weekly and always went out of her way to be there when one of us needed some extra support. When I go back to New Zealand (because after this experience I most certainly will), Gill will be the first person I call. Academically, the University of Canterbury offered some of the most intellectually stimulating courses I’ve taken in my college career, and I was surprised by the relationships I was able to build with my professors and local classmates in such a short time. I ended up getting more involved at UC than at my home campus, and the clubs were so welcoming and open to study abroad students. The culture and environment of New Zealand truly encourages you to get outside, step out of your comfort zone, and become a part of something so much bigger than yourself. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

My experience with the college year in Athens through the Heritage Greece Programme was truly unforgettable. The programme gave me the opportunity to learn about Greek history, culture, and identity while experiencing everything firsthand throughout Greece. Instead of only learning in a classroom, we attended lectures and discussions at historical and archaeological sites such as the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Pnyx Hill, Delphi, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion.One of my favourite parts of the program was seeing how ancient Greek history connects to modern Greece, particularly in areas such as democracy, business, politics, and cultural identity. We also had opportunities to meet and learn from leaders in government, business, and academia, which made the experience especially meaningful to me as a business student interested in international opportunities.Beyond the academics, I formed amazing friendships, became more connected to my Greek heritage, and experienced Greece in a way I never had before. CYA created such a welcoming environment and made learning feel immersive and exciting. I would absolutely recommend this program to students looking for an educational experience that combines academics, culture, travel, and personal growth. It is an experience I will always remember.

Studying abroad aboard Argo en route from Fiji to Bali (via Palau) was an experience I don't think I will ever forget. In addition to academics I also learned how to sail, how to scuba dive, and (I think most importantly) how to live and thrive in unique and seemingly uncomfortable conditions. The program is one of a kind, as are all the people who you will embark on it alongside. I loved it!

Truly a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to study abroad in both Southern Patagonia and Antarctica. When else will you be able to travel to Antarctica through the lens of being an exchange student? You truly are integrated into the Spanish-speaking community in Ushuaia with both your host families and your program cohort, and your Spanish-speaking ability increases tenfold. The program director, Maria, is very supportive and wants all of her students to succeed, and will support you through any hardships you may face. The only downside was pre-program departure- the steps are very unclear regarding the need for a Visa, and getting on my flight, I had to purchase another flight outside of the program, leaving Argentina in 90 days (just to prove that I wouldn't overstay the tourist period, not that I would actually be taking this flight to leave the country), which the program said should not be necessary but then I still had to do. I then had trouble getting the ticket refunded, but SIT ended up covering the cost of this extra flight for the headache of it all. Also, homestay families are not created equal- some are definitely more accommodating than others, but Maria and the program staff are all there to help you through any obstacles, and if there is a problem, they are more than willing to step in to resolve it. Overall, even despite the few hiccups, this program is an experience that I will never forget and am so lucky to have had. The nature and hiking around Ushuaia are unmatched, the community is very welcoming, and the educational resources/research in the area are exceptional.

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.

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 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.

I studied with CYA in an immersive 2 week program through Heritage Greece. The CYA staff were so welcoming, supportive, and truly made my experience unforgettable. From lessons with Professor Eve to the cooking staff and field trip assistants, each person I encountered during my study abroad enhanced my time. I can not reccomend CYA enough! I hope to return again.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 12, 2026

Hi Alyson, thank you for sharing your experience with CYA! We love to hear that you found the Heritage Greece program to be impactful and educational. We hope you can visit again soon!

Studying abroad through CYA was an experience I will always be grateful for. Living in Athens allowed me to immerse myself in Greek culture, explore incredible historical sites, and connect what I learned in the classroom to the world around me. I also made amazing friendships and became more independent and confident. CYA gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, experience a new culture, and create memories that I will carry with me for years to come.

Studying abroad through CYA was an experience I will always be grateful for. Living in Athens allowed me to immerse myself in Greek culture, explore incredible historical sites, and connect what I learned in the classroom to the world around me. I also made amazing friendships and became more independent and confident. CYA gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, experience a new culture, and create memories that I will carry with me for years to come.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 12, 2026

Hi Hailey, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love hearing you had an unforgettable experience and had the chance to immerse yourself in the culture during your course. We hope you can visit again soon!

If your goal in college is to experience a wide range of opportunities, this SIT semester (this program in Ushuaia specifically) might be the single best way to accomplish that. You get to see the elusive 7th continent while immersing yourself in the vibrant and unique port town Ushuaia. Your Spanish will improve and you'll get the chance to work with great faculty (shoutout Maria Lola Lida and Solange) and hike beautiful trails with other motivated students!

My Seamester trip was genuinely the best 20 days of my life! My biggest regret was not doing a longer trip with them. It was crazy how much I got to experience in just these 20 days. I learned how to scuba dive and got to dive in some of the most stunning dive sites in the Caribbean. I learned responsibility, as we got the opportunity to be full-immersed in sailing an 88-foot schooner. And I learned how to live and work well with others in very close quarters. The friends I made on this trip will be my friends for a lifetime. Seamester does a really good job of cultivating an environment where you work hard and play hard. Additionally, the staff were the most patient, kind, selfless and hard working people I have ever met. I really trusted them to keep us safe, and I learned so much from them. They are amazing role models and had everyone's best interest in mind at all times. I seriously could not recommend this program enough, the only thing I would do differently is never leave :)

My summer study abroad with CYA was amazing. I learned so much in the class I took, and my professor was outstanding. Outside the classroom, the people and cultural experiences were very fun and engaging. CYA made my time in Greece unforgettable, and I'm so happy I did this program.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewJuly 24, 2026

Hi Owen, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love hearing you learned so much in your course and had a great experience with your professor. We hope you can visit again soon!

About the professor: Katia is wonderful. She was the most patient, understanding, and knowledgeable professor I've had. You'll learn so many fun facts with each lesson, and finish the class day feeling so enriched! I really hope she never stops teaching this class. She was so caring and made my time abroad better than I expected it to be. About the course: Don't let the syllabus scare you, it doesn't really match the experience you'll have, aside from the locations visited and the two assignments you'll complete. Your experience is what you make of it! I also recommend this course to any student willing to learn about medicine in antiquity. My class was mainly pre-med students, or aspiring Classicists like myself. We learned about (and visited) the many different archaeological sites that were significant to this subject matter (the Acropolis, the Sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron, and the Asklepieion at Kos, to name a few) along with what constituted "ancient healing". Lastly, its a lot of standing and walking, but insanely rewarding nonetheless. Museum access is completely free with the activation of your ICOMOS card, which is provided to you by CYA and is valid until December 31st of the year it was issued to you. If you love historic sites like me, this may be the highlight of your trip. In Kos, you will also taste lots of honey and briefly visit the greatly-anticipated Asklepieion! You also get housing and your flight ticket accommodated for, and free meals from CYA Monday through Friday! This was the highlight of my summer.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewJuly 24, 2026

Hi Janna, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love hearing you had a great experience learning from Katia, traveling around Greece, and diving into ancient medicine. We hope you can visit us again soon!

Living on Argo was the most incredible experience of my life, I absolutely loved my voyage with 30 of my favorite people! I sailed from Fiji to Palau on the 40 day voyage, and I loved every minute of it!

My biggest takeaway, besides the incredible places we visited and sailing, was how inspiring the staff was! I loved meeting new people and hearing about how their paths brought them to Sea|Mester!! It truly opened new pathways that I hadn't imagined, knowing that I could have those experiences too. I had the best time exploring different islands and learning so much about sailing a big boat! My biggest excitement was that every day was a new adventure. I learned so much in just a short amount of time and would highly recommend this program!! (Although my one regret is that I didn't do a longer trip!)

I have recommended the experience to everyone I know. My only regret is that I didn’t go longer. The staff before the trip and on board were so incredibly helpful. Overall I made friendships and memories to last a lifetime. I loved every moment!

Is it cliche to say abroad changed me? Either way, it’s true. This program developed my science communication skills, confidence in myself as a researcher and scientist, and field skills while keeping cultural connectivity and the natural world at the forefront. Between the oldest rainforest in the world, the Great Barrier Reef (my dream travel destination), and Cairns itself, I kept pinching myself at how beautiful and complex an ecosystem we were constantly emerged in and learning about. The assignments were really interesting and taught me a lot about how to communicate science and conduct research, and nothing beats snorkeling for hours at Lizard Island! My Independent Study Project (ISP) was SUCH a fun and immersive way to lean in to the things I noticed in Australia that interested me most. I was also able to incorporate my major (biochemistry) into my ISP, and to learn about intersections between ecology and biochem! I came back a lot more confident, a lot more knowledgeable about conservation biology, and with the fun party trick of being able to identify all the birds native to the Cairns Esplanade. If you’re thinking about doing this program, this is your sign…

My experience studying abroad in Molise Italy was absolutely life-changing. I learned so much about culture, made lifetime, friendships, and endless memories. Getting to experience the culture and beauty of Molise was the absolute highlight of my summer.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewJuly 21, 2026

Grazie, Breanna! Colli really is beautiful and it's such a great partnership!