By now, you’ve probably met someone on campus who has gone on a study abroad program or is about to go on one next semester, or you went on one yourself. They probably described it as an “eye-opening experience” or one they “would recommend to everybody.” 

USC gives its students plenty of ways to study abroad. Twenty departments provide students with opportunities to study abroad in over 130 cities across 50 countries. With so many options, it’s easy to imagine being only a plane ride away from immersing yourself in another culture. 

But simply crossing a border does not guarantee immersion.

Crystal Kirui, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry who spent her Fall 2025 semester abroad at Anglo-American University in Prague, said much of her cultural immersion came through her own efforts.  

“USC did barely anything when I got to AAU,” Kirui said. 

According to Kirui, apart from the courses, the guidelines and AAU’s two-hour Prague tour at the start of the semester, there were few other structured opportunities to engage with locals. 

Rather than following a checklist that the school provided, she had to be proactive about familiarizing herself with the culture: walking around the city, memorizing the metro routes, becoming a regular at a Žabka — a convenience store chain in Prague — and getting to know the locals even if she did not speak the language. 

These self-directed interactions are what turn a host city from a place students live in into a culture that they actively participate in. 

While Kirui found herself needing to seek immersion on her own, Sienna Hwang, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience, had a different experience studying abroad at the American University of Paris in Fall 2025. 

According to Hwang, AUP offered the USC cohort guided day trips to small cities in France or museums, giving her opportunities to leave the classroom and explore French history and culture. Structured opportunities like these can make immersion more accessible, especially for students who may not know how to seek cultural engagement on their own.  

Despite having more structured events and opportunities than Kirui did in Prague, Hwang still noted that she did not feel “fully immersed” in Paris. 

“It is kind of hard because you’re within that bubble of either USC kids or other American kids at AUP,” Hwang said. 

Even though living in the middle of Paris did make exploring the city easier, Hwang said USC students largely remained within their own social circles. While this is not inherently negative — especially for first-semester students adjusting to college abroad — it can limit immersion if the student does not move beyond the bubble to engage with the culture. 

Even with more built-in exposure to French culture, Hwang still faced the American social bubble through the USC cohort. Kirui experienced the same, noting that when she traveled to neighboring countries, she typically did so with other USC students.

Yet neither of them believed that being surrounded by other USC students inherently took any meaning away from their study abroad experiences.

“Just because you’re around other American people … doesn’t make it any less meaningful. As long as you are trying to put yourself out there with your friends, I think it doesn’t really matter,” Hwang said. 

The bubble of American students may also be especially difficult to avoid in first-semester abroad programs. Unlike sophomore or junior students who left USC after already establishing themselves on campus, Kirui and Hwang began their college experience overseas. 

“It was really nice connecting with other USC spring admits, because I was really worried about feeling behind,” Hwang said. 

Every study abroad program should offer some baseline opportunities for students to connect with its host culture, whether that be through local events, tours or field trip excursions. They should push students beyond what’s familiar, giving them real chances to engage with the place they flew thousands of miles to experience.

Without these opportunities, students may never move beyond simply being in another country. If the host culture is just the backdrop, then there is no immersion. 

Eventually, though, you must choose to leave the familiarity and comfort of your bubble. Go to an unfamiliar restaurant. Wander around the city to find your very own Žabka. Talk to the locals even when it’s difficult. Do it with or without your cohort, but don’t let the bubble limit an immersive experience.