Why APA Tops the Charts
With 81 student reviews across 11 programs and an overall 4.8/5 rating, APA consistently ranks among StudyAbroad101’s Top-Rated Programs. Reviewers rave about language gains, supportive staff, and curated cultural outings that make every semester or summer unforgettable.
Program Portfolio Snapshot
| Region | Flagship Track | Unique Selling Point |
|---|---|---|
| Paris, France | Semester/Year, Gap Year, Internships | Direct Sorbonne enrollment & museum-based courses |
| Dakar, Senegal | Semester/Year, Summer | Business & STEM in a vibrant West African hub |
| Rabat, Morocco | Summer or Multi-Country | Arabic + French dual immersion across three regions |
What Students Love
- Language Breakthroughs
- APA’s little-known HIP: High Intermediate Program helps B1-level students advance toward C1 proficiency through core in-house support, one-on-one language sessions, and personalized tutoring.
- “Endless opportunities to use French.” —2019 Brandeis review
- 70% of alumni report jumping at least one ACTFL band in oral proficiency—mirroring national research on semester-abroad gains.
- Personal Growth
Frontiers studies link host-family immersion to measurable boosts in self-efficacy, echoing student survey comments on confidence and maturity.
“My language skills improved a lot and I overall gained confidence and independence.” —Swarthmore review - Career-Ready Skills
Paris internship alumni credit APA with résumé-boosting experience in fashion, finance, and media. Gap-year students say the program helped clarify their majors and career paths—a benefit backed by Gap Year Association data.
Academic Rigor & Support
APA keeps cohorts intentionally small (a human-sized group) and assigns each student a bilingual academic tutor. This approach directly addresses scheduling and support challenges noted in earlier reviews and has improved satisfaction scores year after year.
“One of my favorite classes in Rabat was Passages through Francophone Cities, a literature class. Our professor was super engaging and challenged us to draw out fascinating analyses of excerpts from books about Rabat, Tangiers, Casablanca, and Fez.” —Barnard student
Affordability & Aid
Need-based grants (up to €3,000), early application discounts, and direct billing through U.S. financial aid offices help make APA cost-competitive with larger providers. External funding—including Gilman, Boren, and Fund for Education Abroad scholarships—can also be applied.
How to Get Started
- Read verified student reviews on StudyAbroad101 to find your perfect program.
- Attend an APA virtual info session and request further information.
- Apply 2–6 months before departure. Intermediate French (B1) is recommended, and pre-application interviews are a great way to confirm your language level and ensure the program is the right fit.
