Trojans Abroad: Europe

Everyone in the program stayed in the same complex. I got lucky and was placed in a single, but there were also some doubles. By living in the same place as all my friends I was able to spend so much time with them exploring the city and relaxing. My friends and I started playing DnD, and I had frequent walks, study days, or movie nights with my friend Jaid who lived a floor up from me. The housing situation really helped create a community for us.

One of my favorite memories from my time abroad was experiencing Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the Champions League final. As a French soccer fan, watching the match in Paris with my friends and seeing the entire city come together to support the team—and then celebrating the win all night—was an experience I’ll never forget

As a first-generation, transfer student, I would have never imagined that I would have an opportunity to study abroad for 5 months. I felt a special connection to Spain. This experience not only changed me as a person but also helped me grow to a better version of myself.

Living with a host-family inspired me to explore more areas and practice my French more often without having the fear of being judged.

The USC Madrid program stood out to me due to its dedication to the full immersion of the Spanish language with the homestay program and classes instructed only in Spanish.

I had always expressed interest in learning the language, and there was no better way to immerse myself than studying the language through the medium of film.

As a 17-year-old, I knew USC’s study abroad programs were my ticket to adventure. After careful research, I chose USC Madrid by my sophomore spring. Exceptional education, easy travel, and a vibrant culture that pushed my boundaries—Madrid had it all. Living there for five months gave me unforgettable memories and invaluable lessons.

My time overseas was transformative in so many ways, and has ultimately inspired me to pursue graduate programs abroad in the near future. Thanks to the incredible professors I met, I have learned about the unique master’s programs that the University of Deusto offers, programs of which I would not have known about if I didn’t choose to go abroad. I am immensely grateful for the time I had in Bilbao, and look forward to the time I can visit again!

I grew up in Los Angeles and have lived here my whole life, so I yearned for something completely different. I wanted to go somewhere where I knew no one, and had never been to.

Take advantage of every opportunity in Edinburgh. It feels like a small college town in a good way, and you really do have full control of it as a student.

Having a full year abroad was amazing, since it allowed me to fully immerse myself at LSE and in London as well as giving me ample time to study and travel. I traveled around Europe, like visiting Berlin to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Berlin wall falling and saw Dracula’s castle in Romania. I think there is no better way to learn about the politics, cultures, and histories of other countries than being there yourself.

Spending a year really allows me to experience living in London. I sincerely appreciate the friendship, mentorship, and unforgettable experiences here.

My experience studying abroad as an HHSC major was wonderful. Overall, I’m thankful for my time in the study abroad program. It allowed me to bring new perspectives to my final courses at USC and carry them with me even beyond graduation.

I opted to spend an entire year abroad to really understand what it feels like to live abroad, and LSE has been a dream of mine since I began college. The community the General Course offers to bring together study abroad students is absolutely unprecedented and I had a great opportunity to build relationships with full-time LSE students as well!

Studying abroad in Edinburgh for my Econ major was a great experience. I think this helped me dive deeper in my understanding of the field, rather than simply memorizing and restating factoids. All in all, it was a great experience and the transfer of credits was hassle-free!

During my time at Sussex, I formed close bonds with other Maths students who I still Facetime today. Studying abroad changes your weekend-trip-travel-bug into a long-term interest in understanding other cultures by fully immersing yourself for months, if not years. Studying abroad is a must-do during your time at USC!

My time at Trinity College Dublin was unforgettable I came to feel at home, both at Trinity and in Dublin. I made friends for life, both Irish and international. I joined numerous clubs. It was an experience I will cherish forever and I cannot wait until I can return to Dublin again.

In Dornsife News, Sierra Drummond talks about her time at USC including her semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh.