USAC

Studying abroad in Scotland was a wonderful experience! While it took me a while to adjust to the academic environment, since it was quite different from the one I was used to in the U.S., I thoroughly enjoyed the classes I took and enjoyed learning about a new range of topics I necessarily would not have had the opportunity to at my home university. But, I loved exploring all over Scotland, from the hikes and zip lining trips I took in the Highlands, to the trips to the major cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, where I tried new foods and drinks, went to many museums and art galleries, and overall got to see what these cities had to offer. Overall, it was a wonderful experience!

I'm so happy I picked Madrid, it's such an easily accessible city and there is always something to do! The city tour and the campus community tour at the beginning of the program made me feel at home in the first week. The advisors, Gabriela and Sara, are what made this program special! They are willing to do anything to help, and I always felt safe during my program. When I had an allergic reaction to something I thrifted, I was able to get in to see an English-speaking doctor that same day. The excursions on the weekends gave us extra glimpses into Spanish culture, and the advisors would send lists of things going on in the city during the weekends we didn't have anything planned. Even though I was there during the summer, there were opportunities to interact with the other Spanish students at the university and practice Spanish. Very small class sizes means you get personalized instruction and you get to grow close with your classmates! I made friends and memories for life and can't wait to go back!

Costa Rica is a lush tropical paradise full of all sorts of life. I personally saw several sloths, monkeys, toucans, frogs, and coatis (my favorite) on several different occasions! Some of these encounters were even on school campus. Classes were taught by amazing professors that were passionate about Costa Rica's biodiversity and had an interest in our education as students. The town I was in, San Ramon, was lovely in itself as everything was extremely walkable and there were several charming cafe's and restaurants to go to for snacking, homework, or to meet up with friends. My host family was very supportive during my stay and encouraged seeing as much as I could during the four months I was there. The weekends were reserved for going out and seeing someplace new in the country since almost every destination had a convenient bus route from our city. These trips were usually done with friends that I met within the program which was interesting since almost everyone is from a different state or region in the US. I got to experience beautiful beaches, forests, cultures, and people during my semester abroad and I wouldn't change any of it!

I absolutely loved my time abroad! It really changed me for the better. At first, I was very hesitant to get out of my comfort zone and really see the country because of my fear of spending money, but once I broke through that barrier, I couldn't stop traveling! I saw both coasts, went to both the Nicoya and Osa Peninsulas, visited the mountains in Monteverde, experienced San José night life, and so much more.

When I wasn't traveling, I really enjoyed spending time with my amazing host family, who included me in so many of their family activities, which made it feel like I had a home away from home. I really liked that I studied in San Ramón, because while it isn't nearly as big as something like San José, it still has so many things to do and see. It's smaller size also makes it a lot safer and easier to get around.

While I do speak Spanish, many of the other program students went into the experience with very little Spanish skills and were able to have an awesome experience while also learning SO MUCH of the language along the way - so if you're nervous or unsure about going because of Spanish skills, GO ANYWAYS :) If you DO study Spanish, studying abroad will help so much - my biggest Spanish issue before this experience was understanding native speakers, and now I'm SO much better at it. Costa Rican Spanish is a good place to start because it's a very neutral form compared to the Spanish in other Hispanic countries.

As for academics, while we did have some bumps in the roads with professors, for the most part, I learned so much and had some amazing professors with whom I formed some great bonds. The program staff was super helpful, and since it was such a small program, it was a more personal experience. The small class sizes allowed each individual to receive more academic attention and therefore have better success.

Overall, while my study abroad experience began because I was required to do so for my Spanish minor, I got so much more out of it than just that. I now have a network of friends all over the United States and Costa Rica and feel like a more well-rounded perspective with a more open-minded view on life.

I came into college as a sport business major and a French minor. After loving my classes and wanting to study abroad, it was easy for my professor to convince me to turn my French minor into a major. I decided to go to France to complete my requirements for the major then be done with French classes. Once I arrived in Lyon, France I quickly realized I didn't want those classes to be my last French classes. During my short four months in France, I traveled to 15 cities across 6 different countries. I fell in love with traveling and realized I could picture myself working abroad. Studying abroad was the best thing I have ever done in my life! When I returned from France, I became a Global Ambassador for my university's study abroad office. I was so passionate about sharing my experience and wanting others to have the same great experience as I did. My top three takeaways from studying abroad are:
1. You gain lifelong friends
2. You become more independent
3. You create lifelong memories
From the very first night I made some of my closest friends. Our entire program got along and we would cook meals together to save money, we would go out together, and we would travel together. After being back in the United States for 4 months, we are already planning a reunion so everyone can see each other. Going into studying abroad I expected to make friends, but I never expected the whole group to do activities together. It made the whole experience less intimidating because everyone was always up for an adventure.
Even though I had made many friends, I still became more independent while living in France. It was a little bit of an adjustment knowing that I wasn't in the same country as my family, but it made me more independent. I had to learn how to navigate the public transportation system, speak to native French speakers, plan my own travel agenda, and do my own shopping. Learning to do these activities on my own made me a more confident person and I took this confidence back to the United States with me.
The last takeaway I gained from studying abroad were the memories. There wasn't a single night that I wasn't doing something with my friends. Whether it was staying in and playing a card game, trying a new restaurant, visiting a museum, going to a rugby match, celebrating a birthday, celebrating Thanksgiving together, or shopping at the Christmas markets, there was always something to do and something to help improve your French. I went in to France with no confidence in my speaking at all, but when I returned to America I had much more confidence and my speaking improved so much.