Student Testimonials

Amanda Gladics

Antarctica

"The Antarctica program combined world-class academic instruction with an adventurous field course for an incredible overall experience.  I was impressed by the effective use of technology to link researchers, academics, and professionals working on issues related to the White Continent with students all over the United States.  Weekly lectures were broadcast over the internet so that students could ask our questions directly to the preeminent experts in Antarctic research... I definitely think that this course offers something for everyone, and encouraged students to engage in self-directed and self-motivated learning.  The preparation that the online class provided proved invaluable in understanding and interpreting the natural phenomenon we encountered while travelling on the field course in Tierra del Fuego and the Antarctic Peninsula, allowing students to build on their previous knowledge and ask more probing questions of the expedition guides that accompanied us on our voyage."

Sophie Zawaki

Antarctica and New Zealand

"AUIP are not typical study abroad experiences. They provide a unique opportunity to travel throughout a country, absorbing the culture and developing a strong connection with your destination. Each day is a new adventure, beyond what you could experience as an independent traveler. Lectures from local experts enhances the academic component while increasing your appreciation for the subject. Studying in situ with AUIP have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my college career, both personally and academically. Indeed, I do not know an AUIP student who has not loved their program."

Mike Hann

Australia

"The Australia Study Abroad trip was the trip of a lifetime. This was the first time I had been out of the country and it could not have been better. The program allows students to see several different views of the Australian people working on the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback and the Rainforest as well as how all three come together. I saw many similarities as well as differences to the way similar landscapes are managed in my home state of Hawaii. I think this program has helped me develop an understanding of taking different views and to integrate them to making solutions that will benefit all. The Australians and AUIP staff that you will encounter through out your stay put all they have into providing you with the best information, knowledge, and experiences that you will never forget. Australia is one place I defiantly will be returning to sometime in the future."

Harrison Simmons

Australia

"I was very skeptical when my mom introduced the idea of studying abroad to me during my junior year of college. I wasn't sure I wanted to leave my friends at school and be gone for most of my summer in a place I had never been to, with people I had never met before. I decided to give it a try and headed to the land down under during the summer prior to the senior year.

"It became very clear from the very first day in the airport that I was in for a great time. I was traveling to Australia to adventure in ways I had never done before. I had the opportunity to hike through the woods to the beach, explore the rainforest, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef at night, and stand on a peak in the middle of the outback. Those were just a few of the many highlights I had during my time in Australia. We had exquisite tour guides during each of our three stages of the trip who were knowledgeable beyond belief about everything that we were doing. The material was not just handed to you, rather we had hands on experience that guided us through the material and presented it in a fashion that will not easily be forgotten.

I was touched not only in an academic fashion, but on a personal level as well. I have formed lifelong friendships with people that were strangers to me before I left for this trip. When you have the opportunity to experience something that is so emotionally moving with a close group of people, the experience is truly life changing. I still keep in touch with those that I met and will continue to do so in the future. I will never forget the things I learned and the people I met during my travels abroad, and would enthusiastically recommend it to any student who is looking for a more well-rounded collegiate experience.

Alyssa Guttendorf

Australia

"My study abroad experience in Australia was incredible. I never expected to learn so much and meet as many amazing people as I did. I'd even go as far as to say that my study abroad experience changed my life. Before studying in Australia, I was virtually unaware and uninf ormed on the importance of being environmentally conscious and knowing about your carbon footprint. After studying in Australia, I've used my knowledge of sustainability and promoting environmental awareness in so many ways. Not only have I tried to make my own life more "green," but also I've attempted to create awareness in others through speeches and news articles. I wrote a speech about the negative impacts of plastic bags on the environment for one of my classes and ended up taking second place in a university-wide competition, and had my speech published in the course's textbook. Without the knowledge I gained from my study abroad experience, I never would have been able to spread that kind of awareness. I am so grateful for everything I learned during my time in Australia; it's something I will never forget.

Jennifer Jurney

New Zealand and Fiji

"My study abroad trip was absolutely amazing. I did things I never thought I would be able to do. I kayaked, hiked on a glacier, climbed Mt, Cook, and even lived with a Fijian family. I made life long friends, and had the most incredible experiences that people can only dream of. The trip was life changing, and one that I will always cherish.

Temperance Carter

New Zealand and Fiji

"For students looking to study abroad, the programs offered by AUIP, particularly the New Zealand and Fiji short programs come highly recommended.  The locations are phenomenal and the direct exposure that students have to local and indigenous peoples as well as the natural and built environments is unparalleled.  Students are not confined to classrooms; rather, knowledge is gained in context as part of a diverse yet like minded cohort.  The activities and workload provided thought provoking opportunities to engage the environment and newly acquired knowledge without being overwhelming.  But don't get too comfortable because the group is always on the move, visiting geographic locations one would not believe could be in driving distance from each other.

The variety of locations visited and topics covered as well as the quality of accommodations exceed expectations.  Note: Students looking for a carefree, international vacation under the guise of 'studying abroad' need not apply."

Laura Ek

Australia and Fiji

"The study abroad programs in Northern Queensland, Australia and Fiji were one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. Each day was a new adventure with new areas to be explored, people to meet and things to do. It gave me an in-depth discovery and understanding of where I was that I couldn't have found by any other way. Some of the highlights of the trip in Australia included staying out for a night on the Great Barrier Reef, exploring million year old rainforests through the eyes of a native aboriginal, and going to a little town in the Outback to learn about and experience their way of life. In Fiji, we had the opportunity to stay with a native village and partake in their cultural ceremonies and spend time with their families. I could'nt ask for a better way to see and understand other cultures than actually getting to spend time with them in their community. I was exposed to so many new and different ideas of living, my favorites being the "No Worries" mentality of the Australians and the "Fiji Time" approach to daily life in Fiji.

Through engaging in this experience, I have gained a better understanding and knowledge of the world and how other cultures and earth systems work, and why it is so pertinent that we care for the world in which we live. I highly recommend these programs to anyone who wants to not only see some of the most amazing ecology in the world but also obtain an in-depth understanding of how these cultural and environmental systems work. (And of course have loads of fun doing it!)

As an AUIP alum, I have also found many long-term benefits to my involvement in this program beyond the 5 weeks I spent in Fiji and Australia. This experience facilitated networking with the home-country faculty, researchers, and organizations as well as the faculty from AUIP. Developing these relationships has proved to be extremely helpful. As I find myself pursuing other opportunities, the rapport created by the student/faculty close daily contact means I have someone to provide letters of recommendation, mentoring, and gather contact information for those areas of the world (schools we visited, teachers, lecturers). They have been invaluable resources, both enthusiastic and happy in helping me to connect to a better future."

Brittany Trimble

Australia and Fiji

" I always wanted to travel abroad, particularly to Australia, but when the idea of studying abroad was introduced to me, I was a bit skeptical. Stepping out into the world without a parent, traveling over 12 hours away across a big ocean, and risking a perfectly good summer with total strangers did not sound ideal. Turns out it was the best decision I ever made.

My study abroad experience with AUIP was life changing. We all know that learning from a textbook can be extremely boring, but this learning experience was anything but boring. We learned by doing, a hands-on approach that included snorkeling/scuba diving, hiking, visiting interactive museums, and stargazing, to name a few. Along our journey, we were taught by some of the most fantastic guides. They are funny and exciting, making learning that much easier. They welcomed questions, were more than willing to help with module work, and if they did not know the answer, they were determined to find it and get back to you. I learned so much about the environment, politics, and human nature; it really opened my eyes to how connected everything is in the world. It was easy to forget that you were actually taking classes for credit.

But not everything is about learning for credit. During an experience like this, you learn about yourself. You form life-long bonds when you are apart of a once in a lifetime experience like this. I made some amazing friends, which I still keep in contact with (one is my current roommate!), and we get together often to reminisce about our time abroad. I also had the opportunity to really get to know my professors, in a way that a lecture hall class of 300+ does not allow. They were able to see the transformation in us and learn from us.

Studying abroad in "the land down under" with AUIP was one of the most rewarding experiences. As an alumni, and someone hoping to go on another adventure in the near future, I highly recommend this journey to any student looking to enhance their college experience and truly enjoy their time abroad." .

Anthony Wynne

Australia and Fiji

"My experience in Fiji and Australia provided me not only the academic opportunity to learn about eco-tourism and international sustainability issues, but also the personal and professional opportunities to network and create meaningful and lasting friendships. I am now participating in Graduate Studies work that is an extension of my AUIP coursework! Issues regarding water, forest, wildlife, and human resources are growing here in the states and abroad and the AUIP program provided a unique opportunity to learn about adaptive management strategies used in other countries. What a valuable experience!

Josh Petit

Australia and Fiji

"The AUIP programs to Tropical North Queensland, Australia and the Fijian islands were invaluable life experiences. Having participated in other study programs, I can attest to the high quality of AUIP. Unlike most study abroad programs, AUIP offer the student an opportunity to truly immerse oneself in the culture, wildlife, and natural surroundings that these amazing places have to offer. Unlike traditional programs whereby students travel to, and remain in, only one location/city, AUIP programs focus on traveling throughout the region, which leads to an unmatched, diverse, yet focused educational experience.

I highly recommend these programs to students considering participating in study abroad. The lessons I learned in just 5 weeks will benefit me for the rest of my life. The exceptionally qualified staff provided a challenging but rewarding curriculum, and emphasized the importance of concise academic and scientific writing styles. The individual projects in which we participated gave me a solid foundation on which I hope to build and capitalize throughout the remainder of my academic and professional careers."

Savannah McReynolds

Australia and Fiji

"Studying abroad in Australia and Fiji through AUIP was the most amazing experience of my life. The program is designed to give you a unique look at Australia through the amazing speakers and places you get to visit. You are on a constant adventure, and get to experience so many new things. I met the most amazing people, learned valuable information, but also had a blast! I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to get the most out of their college education.

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