At University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), we believe global education expands perspectives, elevates opportunity, and empowers students to navigate the world with confidence and purpose.
For nearly 45 years, we’ve witnessed the lasting impact of international education. Through transformative study abroad journeys, students broaden their worldview, deepen their understanding of others, and return home more confident, curious, and engaged as global citizens.
Located near the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas on the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) campus, USAC headquarters faces toward Mt. Rose, which rises nearly 11,000 feet above Reno, Nevada. From this vantage point, the sunrise over the rugged landscape inspires hope, awe, and possibility — feelings that closely mirror what students experience as they begin their lives abroad.
Elevate USAC — a yearlong advocacy and fundraising initiative — focuses on the lifelong value and growing global importance of international education and study abroad. Together, we are expanding access to transformative learning experiences and helping elevate the future of global education for the next generation of students.
Emma Dostal, a USAC Lyon, France alumna, shares about academics abroad, including the courses she took, cultural immersion she experienced, and her daily class schedule.
Learning transcends borders and expands beyond familiar horizons. USAC’s mission is to provide comprehensive, integrated, and authentic academic experiences through immersive study abroad programs.
Students can find themselves on a class field trip one day and practicing the language with locals at a street market the next.
This multi-layered input compounds the chance for growth and learning, and students return from study abroad with new and valuable skillsets, ready and capable of elevating their communities.
Some lessons can’t be contained within the walls of a classroom. While studying abroad in Santiago, Chile, Lily L. began researching the Mapuche — Chile’s largest indigenous population — and discovered a deep-seated passion for the people. Examining relevant issues like the rights and visibility of the Chilenidad led to an epiphany: the same cultural erasure was happening to the indigenous groups in her home state of Wyoming.
Because of the importance of her work, Lily received a grant to return to Chile and finish her research, as well as an invitation to join a roundtable discussion and the opportunity to present at a conference, where she enlightened attendees with the knowledge that there are others in the world to learn from.
Other students have made traveling an integral part of their professional lives, thanks to study abroad opportunities. Arina X. originally studied abroad to find her family roots in Chiang Mai, Thailand, but the connections she gained made her realize the importance of being a global citizen. The experience led to a career with the Peace Corp as an education volunteer in Armenia.
Eliza Z. finished her study abroad program in Bilbao, Spain, and immediately started applying for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program award. She became an English teaching assistant and requested to be assigned to rural Spain so she could see a new side of the country, gain greater language exposure, and experience deeper cultural immersion.
For Colin Proctor, a USAC Torino alum, studying abroad set him apart from other job applicants and led to a position in his desired industry immediately after graduating.
We want to hear from you!
We’d love to learn about the moments that changed and inspired you, how your experience broadened your worldview, and the ways your journey continues to influence your life today.
Share your story with us and inspire future generations of students and help us champion the life-changing impact of international education.
Let’s celebrate the success of the next generation of worldly and wise global citizens. These USAC Ambassadors shared their knowledge of study abroad with future students and are now ready to step into their next chapter.
"Having the chance to live with an outstanding host family [in Spain] was an opportunity I will never forget. I also enjoyed just spending time with the new friends and connections I made. Whether it was going to the beach, getting a meal, or spending time exploring the city, being able to do that with my USAC program friends was unforgettable.”
Evan G., USAC Spain alumni
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
Finance major
“For my first study abroad program, I chose Cork, Ireland, because I have some Irish heritage. After my time in Ireland, going to Lyon, France was an obvious choice because I was a French minor at the time and I really wanted to go abroad again. The cultural immersion I experienced also had a lasting impression on me. I am much more interested in learning about other cultures and exploring the world.”
Mia B., USAC Cork and Lyon alumni
University of Nevada, Reno
Honors degree in Philosophy and French
Tatiana H., USAC Chengdu alumni
Loyola University Chicago
International Business major
“I’m especially grateful that I was able to experience Chinese New Year in China. It gave me a deeper appreciation for cultural traditions in a way that simply isn’t possible without full immersion. [Also,] being able to travel across different regions, from dense urban centers to more rural and countryside areas, broadened my perspective on the diversity within China.”
“The city as the classroom” is part of USAC’s teaching ideology. Students are encouraged to explore their host city, which allows them to gain insight into the local culture and customs while making deeper connections with the people and language.
Opportunities for learning can happen in surprising ways, as Pau, France alumna Aliya B. learned. A class field trip to a local waste sorting facility enlightened Aliya to the ways that the home country of the Paris Agreement manages trash and promotes sustainability.
Over in Germany, another opportunity helps make history come to life for students studying in Lüneburg. The optional Berlin tour takes students to important sites across the city, from witnessing remnants of World War II-era bullet holes at the Berlin Cathedral, to visiting Checkpoint Charlie, a Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West. As a result, students can gain a deep and introspective understanding of German history.
Luke B. discovered firsthand the transformative power of global academics when he received a USAC scholarship for his study abroad. Luke chose Bilbao, Spain so he could achieve his goals of developing conversational Spanish and improving his listening and comprehension skills — an intimidating challenge since he hadn’t studied the language in four years. But as many students discover, the deeply immersive environment of study abroad pushes them toward academic success and greater personal growth and advancement.
“Studying abroad in Bilbao, Spain was a once in a lifetime academic and personal experience that significantly shaped my confidence, goals, and understanding of global education,” Luke shared.
He also spoke about taking courses taught in Spanish and how it challenged and grew his language skills. “I learned that fluency and continuity were more important than rigid grammatical perfection, and as my confidence grew, so did my ability to participate comfortably in academic discussions.”
USAC is excited to announce the launch of two new scholarships, with awards ranging from $750 to $5,000.
Through these scholarships, USAC is supporting students who need financial assistance the most, opening the door to life-changing study abroad experiences for even more students.
Learn about USAC’s academic standards, Partnership and Specialty program models, standard and honors course options, and transcript and grade report outcomes.
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