Four ways to get involved with USAC — before, during, and after your study abroad experience
Whether you’re just beginning your study aboard journey with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), are currently abroad, or have already returned home, we’d love to hear your study abroad story.
Sharing your stories, experiences, and reflections is a great way to connect with prospective students and fellow alumni about your time abroad. You can share your photos and videos, write a blog post, connect with USAC social media, or chat on the podcast (or try all four!).
Share your favorite moments in photos and videos
Help other students decide on the right study abroad program by showing what daily life is like in another country. Send us your photos and videos of your time abroad, from the daily routine of walking to class
Here are some things we’d love to see:
- Living accommodation tours. Whether you live in a dorm on campus, in a homestay, an apartment, or somewhere else, prospective students love to see where they might be staying.
- Your daily routine. From your morning coffee shop visit to attending classes, show us what it’s like to live in your host country.
- Exciting adventures. The awesome weekend festival you attended, the unique neighboring city you hopped over to, or the massive capitol city you visited — we want to see it all.
Please submit your original content through the USAC “Share your story” form so we can highlight your experience on our website, social media channels, and through other outreach efforts.
If you’re having difficulty accessing the form, email your photos and videos to marketing@usac.edu
Share your meaningful experiences in a blog story
Writing a blog post is a great way to reflect on your unique study abroad experience. Whether you provide tips on preparing to study abroad, talk about what it’s like to live in another country, or weigh in on your tips for overcoming reverse culture shock, students love to hear what it’s like from someone who’s been there before. Plus, your story can help future students find their perfect study abroad program and prepare to join the USAC network.
Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas:
- One thing I wish I knew about [location] before studying abroad. Did you have misconceptions about the country or people before arriving? Is there one item you can’t buy there and wish you’d brought more with you?
- A day in my life in [location]. Do you walk to class from your homestay, take a bus, or ride a bike? Do you live in a dorm right on campus? Maybe you have a favorite study cafe or a hidden walking trail to clear your mind. Readers want to know!
- My top three tips for living in [location]. What should prospective students know about your host city? Is public transportation tricky to figure out without a specific app? Should they bow or shake hands when greeting someone? Does everyone walk on the other side of the sidewalk? Let us know the tips that helped make your study abroad great.
- My favorite class/instructor in [location] and why. Did a professor teach an interesting course that changed the trajectory of your academic career? Did you get to learn outside the classroom through field trips and hands-on experience? Tell us about your favorite course, favorite learning experience inside or out of the classroom, or your favorite instructor.
- My top five sites to visit in [location]. Share your must-see destinations in your host city or country. Maybe that’s a super-famous landmark or a cute cafe only locals know about.
- Skills I gained while studying abroad in [location]. Did you learn how to communicate better, manage your time well, or be compassionate? What experiences made those skills shine?
- How I dealt with homesickness, culture shock, and reverse culture shock. There can be a lot of emotions when you study abroad. How did you manage challenging feelings surrounding missing your favorite things back home, or acclimating to a new culture? What were some of the most unexpected things that happened when you returned home? If you want to chat about other ideas, or need help with writing or editing, reach out to us at marketing@usac.edu — we’re always happy to help!
Share your IRL moments by collaborating with us on social media
Show the world what it’s really like to be a student abroad.
Social media is one of the most effective ways to provide others with a glimpse into your daily life abroad with prospective students and inspire them to take the leap.
If you have a video or photos you would like to share, post it on your personal Instagram or TikTok account and tag us @studyabroadusac. Any part of your experience is good to highlight: a typical weekday, your favorite local gems, advice on traveling on a budget …
Always make sure that your content is in a high-resolution, vertical format.
If you want to run your ideas by us before posting, please reach out to marketing@usac.edu
Share your story on the podcast
We’re always looking for students who want to talk about their study abroad story on USAC’s THE Study Abroad Pod, especially while they’re still abroad. Talking about the experience on the podcast as it’s happening can make it easier to capture the moments, challenges, and highlights that stand out most, giving our audience the chance to hear directly from students while those experiences are still fresh.
On THE Study Abroad Pod, you can join as an interview guest or co-host a conversation with another student or USAC alum. Episodes follow a relaxed interview format, making it a fun way to reflect on your time abroad and share your experience with others.
USAC students bring a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences to study abroad, and the podcast is a space to share those perspectives. We’re especially interested in conversations about the many different ways students experience life abroad, whether you’re completing an internship, the first in your family to study abroad, balancing a STEM major with international study, exploring your identity abroad, or bringing your own cultural perspective to the experience.
If you’re studying abroad and would like to share your story, we’d love to hear from you. Tell us a little about your program and what your experience has been like so far.
Contact us directly at podcast@usac.edu to learn more or get involved.
