At University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), we’ve witnessed the legacies international education creates. For nearly 45 years, students have embarked on transformative study abroad journeys that continue shaping their lives long after they return home.
These experiences broaden perspectives, deepen cross-cultural understanding, inspire personal growth, and empower students to become more confident, curious, and engaged global citizens. The impact extends beyond the individual — influencing careers, communities, relationships, and future generations.
Volcán Barva, located in Heredia, Costa Rica, offers visitors the chance to find the greater view, both physically and metaphorically. Rising more than 9,500 feet high, the mountain is situated between a volcanic lake and three hills called The Three Marys.
Just as the view from the peak reveals the path one has taken, the legacies left behind through USAC students reveal diversity, courage, and strength.
Elevate USAC — a yearlong advocacy and fundraising initiative highlighting the legacies of international education and the value study abroad creates. Together, we are elevating student experiences and expanding access to students from all backgrounds.
Quinn shares how study abroad in Viterbo, Italy was the starting point for her adult life.
Study abroad is equally challenging and rewarding. Yet many students face additional pressures and limitations to studying abroad, such as first-generation students, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This month we're highlighting those students who have overcome immense challenges and came out victorious, the students who can and will influence generations to come.
When students return from study abroad, they regularly cite the sentiment that “study abroad was life-changing.” Just as every student has a unique story, their experiences with study abroad leave a unique legacy — whether that be a drastic change in career, moving abroad post-graduation, or even finding a life partner abroad, which is Quinn’s happily-ever-after because of her semester in Viterbo, Italy.
Legacies like these inspire everyone around them to do better, do more, and expand their horizons, and USAC is honored to be right there alongside students every step of the way.
Donations support student scholarships
For students, a tight budget can make or break once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. USAC wants every student to be able to say “yes” to experiences — yes to study abroad, yes to the event in their host city, yes to weekend trips to neighboring countries.
Whatever your story is, you can help make an exciting, fulfilling study abroad experience happen for others. And because USAC is a nonprofit, you can rest assured that your money will go straight to the students who need it most.
For Walker and Jeanine, studying abroad in London, England was a chance to embrace their identity and discover who they were — and what kind of legacy they wanted to leave behind.
While studying abroad as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community can present unique challenges, there’s no need to hide.
For Jeanine, study abroad was the perfect opportunity to reset and examine all aspects of her identity... and then embrace her colors. For Walker, London was a chance to rewrite himself. When he stepped into a queer bookstore, everything seemed to fall into place, and he gained a deeper understanding that there was no reason to hide his identity.
Walker and Jeanine shared their stories with USAC Resident Director Dr. Jeremy Doughty and chatted about how they studied abroad with pride — everything from life in London to finding queer communities abroad.
Alhia Harris is leaving behind a life-changing legacy: a scholarship which promotes international education for women of color. Harris founded Diverse International Women of Color (DIWC) to inspire, encourage, and promote opportunities for women of color to travel abroad, broaden their horizons, and expand their knowledge of self.
Studying abroad changed the trajectory of Joy Donnelly’s life, and now she shares her passion for international education and advocacy through her nonprofit organization, Joy Worldwide Inc. Joy Worldwide provides scholarships for underrepresented students, and in 2025, USAC partnered with the organization to match its scholarships for students participating in USAC programs up to $500.
For student Mary Napolean, studying abroad in London was the perfect place to step outside her comfort zone. Mary was a recipient of the Joy Worldwide scholarship as well as a USAC match, and the funding allowed her to maximize her experience abroad, engage fully with diverse perspectives, and return home prepared to apply globally informed solutions to the communities she serves.
Tia’s study abroad experience in Chiang Mai, Thailand, went beyond just learning a new culture, practicing a foreign language, or getting academic credit.
Tia found deep comfort, connection, and belonging with her Hmong heritage, and discovered belonging in Thai society — something she’d craved in the U.S. her whole life. Tia even had the chance to connect with a relative who shared with her the ways in which the Hmong people are part of a transnational indigenous struggle.
USAC programs offer unique and engaging coursework that deepens students’ understanding of the world, society, and themselves. From examining unique perspectives on activism, gender, and women’s issues in Latin America, to the intersection of art, writing, and gender in Europe, or courses on transnational feminism and sexuality studies in Asia, students will return home from study abroad equipped to elevate and support all communities.
In Montevideo, Uruguay, women’s activism issues are brought to the forefront through enriching, interactive courses like Contemporary Women’s Activism and Latin America Women’s Voices. Inside the classroom, students dive into the topics of gender, activism, feminism, and women’s movements. Outside the classroom, students join events and activities around the city highlighting everything they’ve learned.
Across the globe in Bengaluru, India, Maggie, now a University of Idaho alumna, saw firsthand through an internship how women are making a difference. Maggie’s experience in Bengaluru opened her eyes to the issues that women face in the country and gave her the opportunity to advocate for abuse victims. “Not all women in India are oppressed, but some are,” Maggie shared. “Not all women see their treatment as oppression, but some do. Women's relationship with society is very complex.”
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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