USF students say studying abroad helped them experience new cultures, make friends and learn to live independently. ORACLE GRAPHIC/CAROLINA MOLERO ROCA

For some USF students, studying abroad is more than an opportunity to travel. It can be a chance to experience a new culture, meet new people and gain independence outside of the classroom.

According to USF’s Global Learning Office’s website, the university offers study-abroad opportunities designed around different schedules, budgets and academic interests.

Students can choose from faculty-led programs, summer programs, semester exchanges, affiliate programs and international internships. 

Summer programs can range from about two weeks to more than two months, while semester programs can last an entire semester or academic year, according to the website.

Students can explore USF approved affiliate study-abroad programs through the University’s Discovery tool. They can also pursue international internships, some of which offer the opportunity to earn academic credit depending on the program and university approval. 

The cost of studying abroad varies depending on the destination, program type and length, the Global Learning Office said.

Students may need to budget for tuition or program fees, housing, airfare, meals, passports, visas, transportation and personal expenses. The office recommends that students review each program’s individual budget because included costs can vary.

Eligible students can also use financial aid toward approved study-abroad programs.

USF Financial Aid advises students to meet with the office before traveling to determine which forms of aid can be applied toward their study-abroad program.

Related: USF international students navigate travel under new visa limitations

After his first two years of college, senior marketing major Italo Soares Andrade said he began looking for study abroad opportunities.

He traveled to Seoul, South Korea, for 21 days during summer 2026 through the honors college’s South Korea Beyond the Classroom program. 

Soares Andrade said he attended study abroad events hosted by the honors college, and spoke with Dr. Kevin Lee, the instructor leading the South Korea program before deciding where to go.

The program includes a spring semester honors course on the Tampa campus, with the trip happening after the semester ends, according to the program’s webpage.

He said that during the trip, his favorite experiences were trying new things.

“I think what stood out to me most was wearing the hanbok, which [are] traditional Korean clothes.” Soares Andrade said. “I had the best time going out to restaurants, going to coffee shops, trying different things. Their matcha is amazing.” 

Although he was initially nervous about traveling abroad, Soares Andrade said students should not let fear prevent them from taking the opportunity.

“Even if you’re scared, just talk to your friends, talk to your classmates,” Soares Andrade said. “They’re probably going through the same thing.”

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For senior mathematics major Frederic Bowen, studying abroad was also an opportunity to experience life outside of the United States. 

His love of traveling began with a trip he took as a child, and he wanted to continue exploring new places and cultures through USF’s study abroad program. 

Bowen studied in Florence, Italy, for six weeks during summer 2025 through the FUA: Summer in Florence program. 

The opportunity to study in Florence while taking courses connected to his interests in art and fashion made the program appealing to Bowen. He took courses in baking and apparel sewing.

“I got to learn baking techniques from an Italian pastry chef, and then an Italian fashion designer was our professor for the sewing class, which was really neat.”

He said being surrounded by other students studying abroad also made it easier to meet people and adjust to being in a new country. 

“It really showed me that I am able to live independently, and I am able to travel far away from my family and friends and still, you know, thrive.” Bowen said.

At first, Bowen said he was nervous about making friends and being away from home. Instead, he quickly found that many of the other students had the same concerns.

“It’s surprising how fast you can make friends,” Bowen said. “We’re all scared and missing home, but we’re also excited and we want to make the most out of the summer.”

Bowen said one of the biggest benefits of studying abroad was learning how to live independently. Being away from his family and friends showed him that he could adjust to a new environment while still enjoying the experience.

“I think that living on my own in another country, and not only surviving, but having the best time of my life, it really showed me that I am able to live independently,” Bowen said.

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As for financial aid, both students said that there were resources to help reduce the costs of their trips.

For Soares Andrade, he said scholarships and FAFSA refunds ultimately covered his trip to South Korea.

Through the Honors College, he received a scholarship that helped reduce the cost of the program. He also received another Honors scholarship and FAFSA refunds.

“I got half off [the cost], and then I also had another different honor scholarship that was unrelated to studying abroad, but it did help cover the cost.” he said.

Bowen used Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid to help support his trip. He also used money he had saved from working in high school.

For students who think studying abroad is too expensive, Bowen recommended researching scholarships.

He pointed students toward RewardSpring, a free scholarship platform where students can submit information and apply for multiple scholarships.

“If you sign up for [RewardSpring] and you write some essays and submit them to that website, it’ll [show you] a ton of different scholarships that you’re eligible for,” Bowen said.

For Soares Andrade, studying abroad changed the way he viewed cultures outside of the United States.

He said experiencing another culture firsthand gave him a better understanding of the world.

“Sometimes all we know [are] stereotypes,” Soares Andrade said. “But it really takes us going somewhere and experiencing, talking to people to understand what the culture is.”

For Soares Andrade, the experience was worth stepping outside his comfort zone.

He said students may be nervous before leaving, but studying abroad can provide an opportunity to experience another culture while still in college.

“I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Soares Andrade said. “I think it’s the best time for people to go out, experience this, and have fun”