Sociology Study Abroad Programs

I studied abroad in both Pau, France and Madrid, Spain in the summer of 2015, and had a wonderful experience in both cities. Being that it was the summer, the university campus in Madrid was a little quiet, but I absolutely loved the classes I took with amazing professors. My Spanish improved immensely and the professors worked hard to challenge me in speaking, reading and writing. I lived in a small but nice apartment with a roommate from my home university, the University of Nevada, Reno (the USAC headquarters!). We lived right near Atocha, the main train station, making travel within the city and to other places in Spain convenient. Madrid in the summer is an incredible city, especially for a young person without a lot of travel experience, as it is quite safe and easy to navigate on foot and has quality public transportation. Madrid has plenty of nightlife for those who like to party, but plenty of high culture in the form of museums, historical sites and cuisine for the more bookish types like myself. One of my favorite memories is enjoying churros con chocolate with my friends at the famous Chocolatería San Ginés!

I spent 6 weeks studying abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica. I took two classes during my time there: Latin American Culture and Spanish for Health Professionals. I learned so much from the content of those classes as well as from my professors, host family, and the locals. While being immersed, I had the opportunity to see so much of the country and eat so much delicious food. This is an experience that I will never forget!

I chose AIFS Abroad for my 8-week summer internship in Berlin because of how responsive and organized they were from the very beginning. Any questions I had before departure got answered quickly, which made the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming. Once I got to Berlin, that same level of support continued. The staff were easy to reach and genuinely helpful whenever I needed anything, which made a huge difference living in a new country for the first time. I stayed in an apartment in a great location with my own room, which gave me the independence to explore the city on my own schedule while still feeling settled. AIFS built in a solid mix of activities and excursions like a trip out to Peacock Island was a highlight, and I also ended up playing badminton and joining a city tour, which were great ways to actually experience Berlin rather than just pass through it. Those activities were also where I met a lot of the people I got close with during the program. Having a built-in group made it easy to explore the city together instead of navigating it solo. Looking back, the experience pushed me to be more independent and comfortable navigating unfamiliar situations, which I don't think I would've gotten the same way from a shorter or less immersive program. I'd recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for a summer program that balances real independence (your own space, your own time) with enough built-in structure and support that you're never actually on your own when it matters.

I took an architecture and a holocaust class during the summer and it was an incredible experience. I went by so fast and I wished I would have done a semester. One of the coolest things we did was tour the Franz Ferdinand's estate. The professors were so kind and passionate, you could tell they want to be there and the program felt like a family.

There was so much provided with the program that made me feel very secure about my decision to study abroad with WorldStrides. For example, we had a very clear schedule and an overnight excursion to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu was included. I felt very safe the entire time I was there and knew that if I ever got sick or needed help the program leaders would be there to help me immediately.

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.

This year I participated in the Osaka World Class program and I loved it! I experience many exciting activities with much to see and do. From sight seeing to eating delicious food, all of it was great. Hiroshima was one of my all time favorite places that we went to by far, it was a long day of traveling, but 100% worth it. I specifically remember the Hiroshima peace memorial, while it was a solemn memorial they still had a beautiful tribute to the lives lost. Informing others on how big this impacted their community and how they moved on from this. This program allowed the opportunity to immerse myself in an atmosphere where I can learn and understand the Japanese culture.

Heritage Greece had a profound impact on me, but the most meaningful part of the experience was the people I met along the way. Being surrounded by other young Greeks who shared similar values, ambitions, and a passion for their heritage allowed me to build genuine friendships and connections that I know will last for years to come. As the grandchild of Greek immigrants who came to Canada and often faced discrimination because they were different, I feel incredibly proud to carry on and celebrate the heritage they worked so hard to preserve. Heritage Greece reinforced that pride and showed me that being Greek is something to be celebrated openly and confidently.

Two of my daughters went to the 2026 Osaka World Class program. They absolutely loved it! From exploring Japanese temples, to visiting historical sites, learning Japanese language and cuisine, to shopping, they enjoyed every day to the fullest.

I absolutely loved my time in Chile. Not only were the accommodations and classes perfect, but so was the life outside the classroom. Being located in Santiago, we were right in the capital city with multiple events, and activities you could participate in during your time abroad. It was a beautiful landscape with of a city with mountains, and an ocean in Valparaiso\Viña Del Mar just an hour away. I highly recommend studying in Chile!

I took a risk when I decided to accept my offer into this program. I knew it was a brand new program and I didn’t know anyone that was going to be there. I ended up making friends that will last a lifetime all while learning about sustainability issues and what it’s like to live in a different country.

Oh my gosh, where do I even start with this program? It was absolutely, positively, mind-blowingly amazing! Seriously, I can’t even begin to express how incredible it was. From the very first day, I was in love with World Class Programs. The energy, the staff, the excitement, the sheer awesomeness of it all was just overwhelming in the best way possible. First off, the people and teachers at World Class Programs were just the best. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and it felt like I was part of a big, happy family right from the start. The instructors were super knowledgeable and passionate about what they were teaching, and it was so inspiring to see how much they cared about helping us succeed. They continuously went above and beyond to make sure we understood everything and were always there to answer any questions we had, no matter how silly they might have seemed. And the activities! Oh my goodness, the activities were just out of this world. We got to do so many cool things that I never even thought I’d get the chance to try. There were trips to places like Kyoto, Nara (to see the deer!!!), Himeji, Hiroshima (on the peace day festival) and Tokyo! We also played group games, and even some fun, unexpected surprises that kept us on our toes and made every day an adventure (don’t even ask me about the “karaoke” experience! Haha). I learned so much and had a blast doing it. It was, seriously, like being in a dream. But it wasn’t just the people and activities that made this program so amazing. It was also the environment. Japan. Oh Japan. Japan was just beautiful, with stunning views and a vibe that was both really chill and relaxing, and also energizing at the same time. It was the perfect setting for us to focus, learn, and grow, and I felt so lucky to be there. Every morning, I would wake up excited to see what the day had in store, and every night, I would go to bed feeling grateful for the incredible experiences I had. I also have to mention how much I learned. This program was not just fun and games; it was also incredibly educational. I took the Japanese history course for my major and Photography for my minor. I gained so much knowledge and skills that I know will be super valuable in the future. The way the information was presented was so engaging and easy to understand, and I felt like I was really absorbing everything. Being able to EXPERIENCE things rather than just talk about them was great. It was like my brain was a sponge, soaking up all the amazing stuff being thrown at it. And let’s not forget about the friendships I made. I met so many awesome people who I will never forget. We had so much fun together, whether we were playing “taco cat goat cheese pizza”, hanging out during breaks, watching movies, or just chatting about life. Even though we all just met, It was like we had known each other forever, and I felt so lucky to have them in my life. We even planned to stay in touch after the program ended, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us. In conclusion, this program was just the best experience of my life. It was everything I could have ever hoped for and more. I learned so much, met so many amazing people, and had the time of my life. I will always look back on this program with fond memories and a heart full of gratitude. It was truly an incredible experience, and I am so thankful to have been a part of it. Thank you World Class Programs!!!

As a study abroad student in Japan, I am having so much fun! And I highly recommend this to others who might be interested in this! There are tons of fun and interesting adventures!! And the teachers are the BEST!! I’m currently in Japan and I leave tomorrow! I am excited to see my family, but also I genuinely don’t wanna leave Japan. I feel like I could stay here another week!

Let me tell you, World Class Programs is the way to go, especially the Japan program. If you’re wanting to experience a fun and exciting adventure that broadens your worldview, this is it. Throughout the three weeks, they not only made me feel safe and supported, but also like family. The staff were also super nice and helped you keep on going even when you were tired. We were all in it together! The activities were also all immersive and varied, so you get a good mix of history, culture, and souvenirs to bring home! If your a history buff, you’ll be especially happy!This is a program that everyone, atleast once in their life, needs to experience!

I went on a 3 week study abroad trip to Japan in 2026 and I had sososo much fun! I was nervous about traveling alone but all the staff were friendly and experienced in travel, so they took all the stress away. The whole trip all the staff were extremely kind, fun and understanding. They always accommodated everyone’s needs. I had lots of fun doing the classes and genuinely learned so much more than I knew before this trip. I felt like I was learning even outside of class in the funnest way possible, I feel like I might even be able to navigate a train station by myself! I really enjoyed free time and I bought so much stuff. I loved going to the malls and animate, my clothing and figure collection has grown substantially. This trip was genuinely a once in a lifetime experience and I had worlds of fun. My only con is that I wish we could have our own rooms the whole time, mostly because I’m a big introvert and I just enjoy having my own space!! Everyone on the program and not was so friendly and Japan is a great place to visit, especially with world class programs!!

This trip was a rich experience that helped me learn about the local life as well as enjoy the simple and fun experiences in Japan. From the quiet shops to the towering skyscrapers, every day was a new adventure. The nature in Nara, tech in Tokyo, and the cuisine in Osaka all stole my breath. It was an amazing trip and couldn’t recommend it enough. Not only that, but it teaches kids social skills and cues. Going to a different country will teach far more than we know.

My study abroad was the greatest time of my life. I met countless friends from the United States and all over the world. I have friends that I am actively planning trips to see again in Paris and am coordinating trips in America for my American friends abroad. Within 3 weeks of my return I went from Ohio to Idaho to see a good friend I had met just months earlier. Every night was an adventure. My French is very good. I would love to go back but also inspire others to take that step in their journey.

Currently I now live in Norway and am pursuing my Masters in Computer Science. During my exchange semester, I met so many people and the classes I took really inspired me. Genuinely, I think the experience was somewhat live changing. The professors I met were also incredible. Even though I am a computer science major, I feel this experience would be good for any major.

Studying abroad can seem scary and intimidating, however the Costa Rican culture and USAC staff made my journey so welcoming, easy, and fun! The staff were truly so kind and genuinely cared about their students. Any question, concern, or recommendations were happily answered and they followed up with everything. They made my experience so enjoyable and allowed me to fully focus on my academics and experiences.

My time at Richmond has been the best 3 weeks of my life. I've never felt freer and happier. I have made so many friends along the way that I will never forget, friends that I laughed with until we were all out of breath and crying. The history that London has is almost unreal, walking by churches that are older than America. Everyone was unbelievably kind, at concerts we were upgraded to front row seats, and in class we were given opportunities to see Oxford and York - both of which were some of the best moments I had with the friends I made. Our professor was always willing to answer two million questions, before Richmond I had never had fun learning. I'll never forget my time in London with Richmond and every opportunity it's given me.