Held on the campus of Latin University of Costa Rica with a familiar campus setting in a college town, this program blends the best of an American college experience with the excitement of being in another country and doing it all in Spanish.

"I learned so much about the culture and even more, the language. I wish I could have stayed longer!" Sydney R, Xavier University

Based out of the small town of Cochrane, students spend most of the semester hiking, bushwhacking, and back-packing while conducting wildlife research and assisting our local partners with conservation projects.

"I learned about how conservation gets done, how to debate my viewpoint, how to be a guest." Matthew M, Marlboro College

IES Abroad Study in Amsterdam Program takes advantage of the city’s unique balance of history and contemporary culture, and lets you structure your studies at the prestigious Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) and at the IES Abroad Center.

"I gained a lot of self-confidence about being on my own. It was definitely worthwhile." Kelsey G, Trinity University

At Harlaxton College you'll studying in a 100-room Victorian manor house in the rolling English countryside one hour north of London. As a UK campus of an American university you'll share the manor with a community of committed faculty, supportive staff, and fellow students.

"The scariest but greatest thing that I have done." Kindel P, U. Southern Indiana

Sant'Anna Institute believes students will enrich their collegiate experience by immersing themselves in Italian language and culture and do so with young people from all over the world.

"I learned what it was like to live in a different country and how much different the culture is. I loved it." Julie R, University of Akron

As the political and cultural capital of China, Beijing attracts people from all over the country, and increasingly all over the world. While there is lots of hustle and bustle and everyone seems to know where they are going, help is at every corner, indicated by Beijing be in the Top 10 for three straight years.

"It's really easy to meet a lot of friendly people in Beijing. I met a lot of new friends there that I still keep up with nearly a year later." A student, Amherst College

San Jose's metro area contains half the Costa Rican population and the majority of the visiting students. It's cosmopolitan with museums, restaurants, shopping malls, and nightclubs and yet renowned for its eco-tourism with rainforests and beaches on both sides of the country!

"My host mother was so warm and welcoming. I felt like she really cared about me. We had so many conversations about my insecurities while speaking Spanish, and she made me feel very comfortable about my abilities." Emily M, Bloomsburg U.

Paris is renowned for its fine cuisine, often accompanied by fine wines the city is famous for meticulously prepared food, served and celebrated by expensive restaurants and hotels, but as students will attest, there's great food at every corner for every budget.

"Food in Paris is incredible and there's lots of great international options as well." Andrew C, James Madison U

Local ingredients make Costa Rican cuisine so attractive and so affordable. Fresh fruit like no other place in the world: in drinks, on salads, mixed in Casado is just the beginning, a seafood paradise as well with fresh catches from the Caribbean and Pacific.

"The food in Costa Rica is absolutely amazing. There is so much fresh fruit. If you don't like rice and beans, this definitely isn't the place to go because they are definitely staples in the diet." A student, U. Kentucky

In the top food cities every year, Aix is a true culinary gem. Cafes once frequented CŽzanne and Hemingway are now popular hangouts for the creative study abroad students, others find hidden delights in the back street boulangeries.

"The food was amazing. My host mom cooked all the time, the restaurants were great and the cooking class taught me some yummy recipes." Elizabeth G, Linfield College

"It was definitely worthwhile and I strongly recommend it to anyone." Angelina D, U San Francisco

"My experience reassured my love for cultures and people. It reawakened a drive for learning and for travel." Nahema C, Villanova U.

"Everyone in API was awesome!!" Jessica V, Texas Lutheran U.

"CAPA's counselling was top-notch in finding people care that suited them, inexpensively and quickly." Paul W, Hood College

#5 on last years list too, Morocco remains one of the best value countries on the Mediterranean, so close to Spain and so much cheaper!

"The only extra money I spent was on traveling internationally (which was super cheap!) or on souvenirs (which are also inexpensive in Morocco)!" Morgan H, University of New England

Large numbers of eco-toursts and students haven't driven driven prices up too much as Ecuador is still very affordable and a very popular study abroad destination.

"All food is super cheap there! You can find a huge lunch for $3. Same for dinner. For breakfast, I was able to find empanadas for $1." Jasmine R, Trinity U.

Venture out of the capital and regional tech hub of Santiago and you'll find amazing things to see and do and the costs drop substantially the further north you get.

"In country transportation in Chile is very cheap!!" Arianna B, Messiah College

The immersive experience is a key part of NYU in Dublin: rather than experiencing the city as tourists, students live in the heart of Dublin, getting to know the city and its people as locals.

"I didn't have time to spend an entire semester abroad, but the opportunity to spend six weeks in Dublin more than made up for that." Mary C, New York University

The KIIS summer program in Japan offers students an opportunity to discover one of the world's most sophisticated and dynamic nations. A sublime blend of tradition and technology, Japan seamlessly fuses modern art and ultra-high-speed railways with ancient temples and shrines.

"I gained a lot of confidence, maturity, and communication skills. I loved the experience." Christinia P, Berea College