ISA by WorldStrides

Why choose ISA by WorldStrides?

As a leader in international education for over thirty years, International Studies Abroad (ISA) by WorldStrides is dedicated to providing university and college level students the opportunity to discover, learn, and enjoy a way of life other than their own. We offer a diverse portfolio of education abroad programs across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific. Our worldwide team provides high-quality experiences for university students at an affordable price. Each year thousands of students participate in our programs, including; Internships & Service-Learning, Veritas Christian Study Abroad, and EuroScholars undergraduate research.

Website

studiesabroad.com

Founded

1987

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Community Photos

This was from the first time I saw the Ponte Vecchio. I was very excited and can still remember that feeling.

First night in Italy - View from the social hub

La Noche de San Juan en la playa de Malaga

Exploring Venice, Italy with my family when they visited over Spring Break!

Petting goats in Capri, on the ISA field trip

me on a weekend excursion by isa in Florence

My friends and I in front of the Alhambra in Granada.

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Scholarships

ISA by WorldStrides Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship is offered for summer and semester programs and is intended for students with identities historically underserved in education abroad. This can include, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, LGBTQIA+, First-Generation College Students, U.S. Military Veterans, students with disabilities, and/or students at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Value

$2,500 - $5,000

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

BIPOC Support

Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of our destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

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Neurodivergent Support

ISA by WorldStrides is devoted to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.

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Accessibility Support

We are dedicated to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform ISA of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process. Please contact accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com with questions or for more information.

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Impact 🌎

Sustainability

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.

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Ethical Impact

ISA by WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

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Reviews

Studying abroad was truly the best experience of my life, and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone. Going into it, I was terrified—traveling to a foreign country alone without knowing anyone felt overwhelming. But taking that leap paid off in ways I never imagined. This experience gave me so much confidence in myself and a deep trust in my own abilities. I not only made lifelong friends and unforgettable memories, but I also left with a stronger, more fulfilling relationship with myself. Being immersed in different cultures firsthand is the best way to gain perspective, knowledge, and personal growth. A huge part of what made this experience so incredible was the support from ISA. From the very beginning, they provided guidance and reassurance, making the transition so much easier. I always felt safe knowing that if I ever needed help, I could rely on them. Their support allowed me to focus on enjoying my time abroad and truly making the most of every moment.

If you're on the fence about studying abroad—do it. It’s scary at first, but it’s an adventure that will change your life in the best possible way!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Do your research! Before you go, take the time to figure out what you want from this experience—what you want to gain, what memories you want to take home, and what’s most important to you. Set your priorities, whether that’s places you want to visit, food you want to try, or experiences you want to have.
Most importantly, don’t let anyone else dictate your experience. If the people you’re with don’t want to do something you’re excited about—go anyway! Some of the best memories come from stepping outside your comfort zone, even if it means going solo. This is your time, and it will fly by, so make sure you’re making the most of it in a way that’s meaningful to you. And also, remember, money comes back, but experiences last forever. Don’t let fear, hesitation, or finances keep you from making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You won’t regret investing in memories that will stay with you forever.

Pros

Better relationship with myself
Gained knowledge and perspective
Like-minded people

Cons

It's hard to keep a good routine
Can get expensive
It ends!!!

I loved studying abroad in Valencia! It’s a great city for someone looking for a vibrant, mid-sized city—not as big as Barcelona or Madrid, but still full of life. Valencia has a huge student population, beautiful access to the sea, and an incredible social and cultural scene that’s unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

I highly recommend going with ISA. From pre-departure support to the in-country staff, excursions, housing, and university options, my experience with ISA was excellent. I was placed in a beautiful top-floor apartment with a large terrace overlooking the city. I had the best roommates and I think ISA was intentional in matching up roommates when it came to homestay pairs or apartments which I know we all appreciated! ISA local staff make an effort to know the students. They took us out for not only our excursions but also typical Spanish meals and taught us about the culture. I can't imagine going with another program.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

One thing I would do differently is being more intentional, earlier on, about joining clubs, sports groups, international meetups, and local volunteer organizations. Some of my most lasting connections outside of class and my ISA program friends came from getting involved in the community. Whether it was playing weekly beach volleyball, volunteering for flood cleanup, or joining the American Space to help Spanish students with English, these experiences helped me connect with locals and immerse myself in Spanish culture in a deeper way.

The amazing excursions, like paella-making and ISA-organized trips, were incredible opportunities to experience Spanish culture within the program. But I also loved seeking out activities on my own. I really appreciated that the local ISA support staff would send out volunteer opportunities or organize extra social events beyond the main group activities. Thanks to their recommendations, I even joined a kite surfing class—and I absolutely loved it!

Pros

Really well done excursions, They took us to great restaurants, stayed in nice hotels, and provided well-organized group tours. It never felt like they were cutting corners.
Great local support staff.
Afforable compared to other programs and includes alot.

Cons

My classes were mostly only with other American students. But this varies on university in Valencia
Nothing else, I only wish it was longer!

I had such a great time studying in Barcelona, Spain with ISA for the Fall 2024 semester! The ISA staff was so great and helpful throughout the experience and provided me with so many wonderful opportunities and activities to get to know the city. I played in the study abroad soccer league as well as took Latino dance classes through ISA. Living in a homestay also helped me improve my Spanish and challenge myself! Throughout my semester, I became so much more independent and confident. This was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life!

I studied abroad in the fall of 2024 with ISA by World Strides. It was an experience I will forever talk about. I met some of my best friends and got to travel throughout Europe while studying for my degree. During my time abroad, ISA staff members created fun little day trips for each of the students to go on which helped with meeting people and learning more about Italy. I stayed in the social hub which I would say is the best option for meeting people from other programs and from around the world.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

The most nerve-racking moment was stepping off of the plane in Florence. You get a feeling full of excitement and nervousness. I think the most nerve-racking part about going abroad is meeting new people but once you find your people it is the best feeling in the world. I kept telling myself, everyone was feeling the same emotions as me.

Pros

Meeting new people.
The staff members being their for you when you need them.
The opportunities the porgram gives you to travel with them and also traveling to other countries.

Cons

Communication with the school itself.

It was a very fun experience traveling, meeting new people, and learning about other cultures. The ISA Madrid staff were all so nice and helpful and fun to be around. I enjoyed every aspect of studying abroad except for the school part. The commute to UC3M was a drag and I never got used to it. There came a point where I just gave up on going to my classes that didn't take attendance. I also don't like the website they use for school, which was called aulaglobal. I think canvas is set up more organized and they should switch to that. UC3M engineering is very difficult, and those classes definitely require too much effort for a study abroad student to be able to balance the fun study abroad aspects and school at the same time. I also think the professor for the class called "Measuring Instrumentation" is a terrible professor who doesn't care about his students learning or success. His name is Pedro Martin Mateos and everyone should avoid him and his measuring instrumentation class. I also think the security guard in the La Latina Mi Casa Inn needs to mind his business. He loved to order us around and tell us we couldn't be downstairs or we were being too loud when we weren't. I also didn't really like the shared kitchen aspect. But my overall experience was really amazing and I loved it a lot, I'm just going into detail on the downsides because if I went into detail on the positives this would be exponentially longer lol.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

Germany

5.00 •1 review

ISA has partnered up with Freie Universität to offer this exciting...

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Wish List

ISA by WorldStrides

ISA Study Abroad in Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal

Lisbon is a hilly coastal city known for its beautiful architecture...

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose my program based on academics and excursions, along with cost of course. The main things I wanted to gain from a program were new experiences and credits that would transfer back to my home university. My program included 2 weekend trips plus day trips as well, and allowed me to visit new places. There were also many different courses offered which was a bonus.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My program/university scheduled my classes for me, picked out my homestay, and gave me itineraries for all included trips. Once I arrived, I went to my class orientation where they gave out our syllabi and schedules. I also received housing information about a month before going on my trip from the program. I organized extra trips on my own, and I also took care of buying food I wasn't eating while in my homestay.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I wish I had packed lighter. It is true you end up buying many items there and souvenirs. I was only gone for a month and came back with so much. I also think it's important to have an credit/debit card that works internationally but also have cash on hand. I exchanged money before my trip so once I was in Barcelona I already had euros on hand. I highly reccomend doing this at a local bank before you depart.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I would wake up, have breakfast provided by my host mom, get ready and take the metro to class. I had two classes a day, four times a week. In between my classes I would go sight see or grab food depending on what I wanted to do. I then had my second class and after I would head home to unwind and I usually ate dinner at my homestay with my roommate. Many nights I would go grab tapas or drinks with friends I met on the program later in the evening too.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was language usage. I study Spanish but have never been able to go in the "real world" and apply it. I knew being in a homestay would give me a lot of practice and it did. I also met other people from my building and talked to them as well. I think just putting yourself out there and trying is the best way to learn any skill but language especially.

Should I go on the provided trips/tours?

The answer is 100% yes. These were how I made friendships that lasted me the whole trip but also even after I left. They had a diverse range of activities ranging from museum tours, paella making, boating, and swimming in the sea. I loved traveling with my program because they also gave students the freedoms to do whatever they wanted in the evenings but also providing us with activities all day.

Katherine Armstrong

Corlis Fraga

2017 Alum

Amber Marinko

2017 Alum

Merna Mohamed

Lauren Conners

2010 Alum

Alexandra Smith

2016 Alum

Morgan Boudreau

2015 Alum

Paola Gamboa

2014 Alum

Leah Shaknitz

2014 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

If I had to choose from volumes of memories, I would say that my favourite (so far) would be the cherry blossom season in Korea. Coming from East Coast Canada, our summers are relatively short and we are known for excessive amounts of snow. So in Korea, when I saw all these cherry blossom trees that were chock full of blooms and drifted down with the wind like snow falling softly to the ground, I felt at peace with the choices I'd made, nostalgic for home and mesmerized by a beauty I'd never seen before.

I remember roaming the streets or the park near my apartment just absorbing the fragrance from the blooms or taking photos.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Running ISA's Bridging Cultures Programme opened my eyes to the rich heritage of Māori, the first people in New Zealand. Over many BCPs, I have had the privilege to better understand te Reo-Māori language, waiata-songs and the importance of whānau-family which is not necessarily limited to your relatives.

I also understand that my country has a lot of room for growth in incorporating our First Nations people's heritage and culture, beyond a day of recognition or a few keywords and/or phrases. No country is perfect; however, New Zealand has arguably done a remarkable job in acknowledging failures of the past, while fulfilling promises made to the people.

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What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I'll never forget the bundle of energy that is Josh; an enigmatic combination of intelligence and excitement that made for a very exciting semester. Josh came to NZ and brought his love of airplanes with him, so what was the very first thing he did when arriving in the country? He managed to get himself the best seat on the plane...the pilot's seat..on the AirNZ long-haul flight to Auckland. Although it was largely for a photo-op, as soon as I heard the story, I knew then I had someone special in my cohort. Josh would later go on to correctly identify the aircraft model based on the sound of the engine while in air.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Hands down, I'd jump at the chance for the ISA Galway summer programme - Irish studies at the National U of Ireland. Not only would this satisfy my dream to get to Europe, but it would also be an opportunity to learn about my family's history in Ireland. Way back when, longer than I'd care to admit, I researched our family genealogy, and I would love to find our family crest that I discovered so many years ago.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I came to New Zealand as an international student; although older than the students that sign up with our company, I still wish that I had ISA to help navigate some tricky things that came up and just to answer questions as I had them. I always communicate with our students that we are available when they need us and sometimes that is days or even weeks into their semester. I am very proud of how my team and I are available to students and we always ensure students' questions are put up the chain until we get them an answer.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

A successful company delivers on the promises they make; ISA offers students a quality experience in countries across the globe and employs on-site staff to maximize that experience. In order to deliver on those promises, a successful company must be comprised of people who are actively committed to the job they signed up for. Here in the Pacific, the on-site staff have extensive experience in education and/or studied abroad themselves. Knowledge combined with passion equals a standard of care for our students from pre-departure to arrival and success at their site.

Website

Founded

Connect with us

Community Awards

ISA by WorldStrides Diversity Scholarship

Alumni Interviews

Katherine Armstrong

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Should I go on the provided trips/tours?

Staff Interviews

Allison Ferris

What is your favorite travel memory?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?