Whether you're anxious about starting to explore your options or you're ready to depart from the gate, this episode will help you feel more confident, informed, and empowered. Three study abroad alumni, KayCee, now an enrollment specialist, Jonathan, an institutional relations officer, and Dominique, an experienced program advisor, will walk you through the steps you’ll take to start your journey, and highlight all the support systems from USAC available to guide you. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Women can do it all: from isolating the chemical compounds in medicinal plants in Thailand, to advocating for abuse victims in India, there’s a place to practice your craft in a study abroad internship. This episode highlights Maggie, from the University of Idaho, and Haley from the University of Nevada, Reno, who saw firsthand the global impact of women forging their own pathways in their communities.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this episode, David Gilland, Resident Director for USAC Lüneburg, chats with Jorana and John, a couple studying abroad together in Germany. They share how they’ve grown together abroad navigating cultural differences, and David reflects on his own cross-cultural marriage to a German. Whether it’s discovering little quirks of German life or learning to balance different cultural values, this episode shares inspiring stories of the joys and challenges of life abroad with someone special.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this episode of THE Study Abroad Pod, Wright State University student Celeste Irwin shares her unique journey of playing Ultimate Frisbee in South Korea while studying abroad at the USAC Gwangju program. With USAC Verona alumna Sophia DeYoung as host, they discuss the thrill of connecting with a new culture through sports, balancing academics and athletics abroad, and the unforgettable friendships forged on the field. Whether you're an athlete, a student, or just curious about the intersection of sports and study abroad, this episode is for you.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this episode, hosts Mason and Isela will celebrate transformative student stories from 2024 and share a few of their own personal takeaways and memorable adventures. Ranging from Korean Frisbee tournaments to Italian Riviera tours, the alumni stories they will share showcase the growth students experience through navigating challenges abroad, and the joy they discover while exploring a new environment and forging new friendships. This reflective finale offers inspiration and practical advice for prospective and returning study abroad students alike. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

A reformed skeptic when it comes to studying abroad, University of Nevada, Las Vegas senior Cesia Cordies wasn’t sure she would go through with it until her visa was processed and she enrolled in her classes at the Université Catholique de Lyon in France. A double major in History and French language, all her classes will bring her closer to graduating — while she is the farthest she’s ever been from home. Now, living in a new city and constantly practicing her third language, she is building new relationships, studying, volunteering, and embracing a foreign culture wholeheartedly. Join Cesia as she chats with USAC Alumni Content Coordinator (and former USAC Lyon student) Colette Horton to discuss French culture in and outside of the classroom, and the beautiful balancing act of living like a local in Lyon.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Becoming a world traveler means paying attention to how you interact with other people and cultures. Your values, goals, reactions — your identity — will affect your experience. To explain what that means, listen to an honest conversation between two friends: Rabiah, a Nigerian American and Muslim woman, and Thomas, an openly gay Puerto Rican man. These USAC Alicante alumni offer tips for energizing your identity.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

One of the biggest concerns for students who want to study abroad is the cost. This episode, hosted by USAC Italy alumni Sophia DeYoung and Danny Rhodes, reveals several insider tips on how you can minimize travel and living costs while maximizing your experience abroad. They cover everything from setting a budget, avoiding overlooked costs, and leveraging all the ways to make a term abroad just as affordable as one at home.

Listeners will hear essay writing advice from USAC Thailand alumnus Ricardo Estrada-Davila – a California State University, Chico student who earned not one, not two, but three study abroad scholarships. Plus, we’ll get a behind the scenes look at how to make your essay stand out from the rest from Ryder Hankins, a USAC Italy Alumnus and a former University of Nevada, Las Vegas, scholarship essay evaluator. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

It helps to be a part of a deep-rooted Italian community if you’re looking to be taught how to cook pasta the “right” way. Accepting new ways of doing things can also help you build the confidence to teach others about your own values as well. University of Nevada, Las Vegas graduate Ryder Hankins will walk us through the lasting impact of making good food and finding a friendly community as a queer person during his time in both the USAC Viterbo and USAC Torino programs. In this episode, we will also feature a segment of “You Belong,” a video presentation by USAC Chiang Mai alumnus Ami King, about his experience finding community as a queer person abroad. "You Belong" in it's entirety can be found on our YouTube channel. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Let's talk Study Abroad! From London bathrooms to Korean Fried Chicken, University of Nevada, Reno students and alumni Angelica, Dominic, Kaycee, and Olivia share their advice and most valuable study abroad experiences in France, Japan, Korea and the UK.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Eric Torres Garcia — a Mexican American, two-time USAC Italy alumnus — shares how self-discovery abroad helped him embrace his identity as a gay man and gelato-making inspired his viral hot chocolate creation and business, Cocoa Bombs™.

Learn more about Cocoa Bombs™, study abroad in USAC Verona and Torino, and explore our  LBGTQIA+ resources to help you find your ideal experience abroad. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Julia Ratti — USAC San Sebastián alumna, former Girl Scouts CEO and Nevada State Senator (D-Sparks), and current Director of Programs and Projects at the Washoe County Health District — chats about the impact study abroad had on her career and worldview.  Julia shares her perspective on women in leadership, inequality and systemic issues, health and wellness impacts, and why she thinks study abroad should be accessible to all students.  Learn more about our study abroad programs and scholarships. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this episode with hosts Amber and Nicole, Brent Coulter, USAC Chengdu and San Sebastián alumni, shares his experiences as a gay man abroad, including how to find LGBTQIA+ communities, make connections and re-define identity, and how his study abroad opened doors to an unimaginable future.

Explore LGBTQIA+ study abroad topics and learn more about upcoming USAC programs.

About Brent
Brent has lived abroad for more than seven years and currently works as a Case Manager for Policy Violations at Meta. He studied abroad through USAC in San Sebastián, Spain and Chengdu, China where he later started his career as a U.S.-China policy analyst before returning to the U.S. to attend law school. His passions are languages, international mobility, and the globalization of communities. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this episode, hosts Amber and Nicole chat with Jade Wright and Brendan Henry, Haifa alumni about their study abroad experiences, including common Middle East misconceptions, studying Arabic, how studying abroad contributed to their careers, and the Discover Middle East Scholarship Jade founded.

Find out more about USAC's Haifa program and learn about the Discover Middle East Scholarship. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

During Black History Month, Amber Aiton, Students Beyond Borders co-host and Alumni Relations Officer, sat down with three USAC alumni to discuss their experiences as Black students abroad. With a spotlight on racial identity, overcoming barriers, and personal growth, our USAC alumni panelists share their honest reflections of their study abroad experiences in Korea, Thailand, and India and how their worldviews evolved.

This panel was offered as part of our Global Perspectives Program panel series. Stay up-to-date on upcoming USAC events by subscribing to our newsletter. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Congratulations! After months of planning, you are finally studying abroad. This time abroad is going to be filled with a ton of new and exciting opportunities, but if you don't find a balance, you may quickly find yourself burning out. 

In this episode we talk about the importance of:

1. A morning routine.
2. Staying mindful and present.
3. Drinking enough water and staying healthy.
4. Dedicating spaces for study.
5. Methods to help you reflect and share your experience.

And SO much more! Tune in to learn how you can find the perfect balance during your time abroad.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

We have finally reached the end of the year, which means that thousands of students who studied abroad this fall will be returning home from their programs. A lot has happened to those students over this past semester and they've inevitably developed new perspectives of the world and their identities. For this reason, it is important that they understand how to integrate these new perspectives into their new lives!

That's why we invited Cate Brubaker to chat with us on the podcast. Cate, and her website smallplanetstudio.com, specialize in "Re-Entry" and have helped hundreds of people around the world deal with the psychological side of returning home.

In this episode, we explore the topics of reverse-culture shock, how to work with sudden emotions, goal setting, and more, to help students have a smoother transition returning home. For more information about re-entry, be sure to check out our alumni re-entry resources.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Welcome back to another exciting episode! In this special episode, three USAC alumni join us to share how studying abroad inspired them to live lives of adventure, entrepreneurship, and travel.

During this discussion, you'll learn how one alumnus started their own chocolate business from a viral video, how another became a YouTuber based in Mexico, and yet another went from being an archeologist to a major supporter of impactful NGOs.

Learn more about our upcoming 2022 programs and find out how study abroad can create life-changing experiences for you. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Alumni, this podcast is for you!

As a USAC alum, you will benefit from your life-changing study abroad experience AND from joining our diverse 61,000 alumni strong network! Our alumni have exclusive access to global job postings, webinars, panel discussions, and more! 

In this episode, we have our fantastic  Alumni Donations Officer, Amber Aiton, who will be sharing all of the incredible resources USAC shares with our Alumni. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

This episode is easily one of our favorite podcast recordings to date! In this episode with Nicole, Amber, and Tyler, you'll be introduced to Monte and Gino, two USAC alumni who met in Torino Italy in nearly 17 years ago and have remained close friends to this day.

This episode is packed full of career advice (especially for those interested in having a career that allows you to travel), study abroad tips, and hilarious stories from being abroad.

 You won't want to miss it!

To learn more about 2022 USAC study abroad programs, visit our website for a list of key deadlines and program statuses. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this special spooktacular episode, we will be showing you how Halloween is celebrated in other parts of the world! Spoiler Alert - most cultures don't celebrate Halloween the way we do in the United Staes, but they do have some very beautiful and spooky traditions of their own.

From "Dia De Los Mortes" (Day of the Dead) in Latin America, "All Souls Day" in the Czech Republic, to the "Hungry Ghost Festival" in China, we will be taking you on quite an interesting journey with this podcast.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

Happy 39th Birthday USAC! As we wrap up September, we reflect on USAC's contribution to international education. In this episode, we chatted with some of our most cherished and long-standing members and asked them to reflect on how USAC has grown over the years.

We also invited them to share the many qualities about USAC that allow us to stand out from the rest. From affordable study abroad options in unique locations to the personalized touch of our Resident Directors, there are so many characteristics that make USAC a special organization. Give a listen to celebrate with us! 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this episode, hosts Amber, Nicole, and Tyler chat common study abroad myths and share their international experiences. Do you really know what really happens during a study abroad term? Maybe, you think it's too expensive and not possible for you?  Or, maybe you're scared to leave your hometown, campus events, or friends?

Learn more about study abroad during this candid, personal chat, and then discover your dream study abroad by checking out USAC's programs and scholarships.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

From Boise to Bilbao, Lindsay Woycheck is an amazing example of the life-changing effect that study abroad can have on your life. While studying Spanish in Bilbao Spain, Lindsay met her future husband, and now lives and works as a freelancer in Bilbao! 

In this episode, you'll learn tips for studying abroad in the Basque region, how to leverage your professional skills learned from study abroad, and also learn the importance of making friends on the metro! Join us for another exciting episode.

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.

In this episode, hosts Nicole and Amber chat with Tyler Moye, USAC Shanghai & Global Perspectives Virtual Intern Alumn, and USAC Marketing Communications team member. Learn how study abroad and interning during COVID-19 changed Tyler's life direction and what lasting impacts these opportunities had on his career. 

To learn more about Spring 2022 in-person study abroad opportunities, or virtual internships, visit usac.edu. 

Have an idea for a future episode or just want to learn more about study abroad? Email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.