CISabroad
Programs and Reviews

CISabroad study and intern abroad Discover Europe photo collage

CISabroad is committed to providing the best overall value in study and internship abroad opportunities. CISabroad programs are affordable and specialize in providing quality education and support throughout your study or internship abroad experience. Experiences are innovative and focused on cultural immersion.

All of the CISabroad staff members have studied and lived abroad. They provide first-hand insight and feedback so that you are fully prepared for your trip overseas! Scroll through the program listings below to find one that fits you best!

Programs Abroad

Study Abroad at UAB with CISabroad
Spain
Spend a semester or a summer in the beautiful, coastal city of Barcelona! Live out your dreams of studying abroad in Spain by joining the Center for International Studies Abroad and the world-renowed Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona...
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Study with CISabroad in Florence, Italy
Italy
Florence, or Firenze, is an amazing location for art-lovers, food-lovers, nature-lovers, and generally, Italy-lovers! By studying at the Florence University of the Arts with CISabroad, students can soak up the beautiful surroundings...
CISabroad Students in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
There has never been a better time to study abroad in Costa Rica! CISabroad offers an adaptable, affordable, and immersive semester-long program in the capital city of San Jose. Enjoy a wide range of Spanish language courses and...
Study Abroad in Barcelona with CISabroad
Spain
Study abroad in Barcelona with the Center for International Studies Abroad! This Spanish city is host to more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other European city, and the world-famous nightlife, dancing, arts, and cafes draw...
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83% Rating
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Study Abroad in Australia with CISabroad
Australia
Soak up the sun on the Gold Coast! Study abroad in Australia, where Bond University and CISabroad have teamed up to provide students an unforgettable semester. Known for its outdoor activities and perennially pleasant weather, the...
100% Rating
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Study Abroad with CISabroad in Perugia
Italy
Study abroad in the heart of Italy: Perugia! At the Umbra Institute, students can learn to perfect their Italian, with a custom study abroad experience that tailors the program to the specific needs of the student's level of Italian....
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CISabroad students in front of the Eiffel Tower
France
Study abroad in Paris next summer or semester! Considered the most romantic city in Europe for a reason, Paris draws visitors from around the world to enjoy its incredible architecture, its delicious pastries, and its phenomenal...
Study Abroad at the Pantheon Institute in Rome
Italy
Spend your semester or summer in Rome! Study in Italy through the Center for International Studies Abroad and fall in love with this bustling, historical city. The Pantheon Institute boasts a full panel of distinguished professors and...
Study with CISabroad in Cusco, Peru
Peru
Get sky high with the Center for International Studies Abroad! Travel to Cusco, the beautiful mountainous Peruvian city that sits at 11,500 feet above sea level. A historical and culturally important city, Cusco combines pre-Incan...
Study Abroad at University of Stellenbosch
South Africa
This summer or semester, have an adventure in South Africa with CISabroad! Considered the adventure capital of the world, South Africa offers many unforgettable experiences that are unique to its location at the southern-most tip of...
CISabroad Program at VUW in New Zealand
New Zealand
For lovers of the outdoors, there's nowhere better than New Zealand to embark on any number of adventures. From bungee jumping with the world's first bungee company, skydiving over the ocean, and white-water kayaking to days spent...
Study Abroad at UIBE in Beijing with CISabroad
China
Spend a semester at the University of International Business and Economics! Studying abroad in Beijing, particularly in the subject of commerce, is an exciting opportunity to observe the business practices of the quickest developing...
Study Abroad with CISabroad at La Trobe University
Australia
Study abroad in Australia at La Trobe University! The Center for International Studies Abroad has teamed up with the Bendigo and Melbourne campuses to provide an unbelievable semester in Australia! This exceptional university prides...
CISabroad students in Ghana
Ghana
Do something different with your semester by studying abroad in Ghana! Study African foreign relations, sustainable development, West African music and dance, and several other subjects at the University of Cape Coast. Full of...
Study Abroad in Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii (USA)
Study in Hawaii at the Hawaii Pacific University! With some of the most famous beaches in the world no more than a fifteen-minute walk away, participants will have a hard time focusing on their studies. But with classes in everything...

Reviews

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Costa Rica Study Abroad

My Costa Rica experience was perfect with CIS. The program director, Lisa, was always there whenever you needed her and took us on great weekend trips throughout the country. Living in a central location, San Jose, I was able to travel to a different breathtaking destination every weekend!! The school even provided us with weekend field trips to places I would have never have thought to go to, like Ostional, a Lora Turtle reserve in Guanacaste. There I got to see Lora turtles laying eggs and I even saw baby Leatherback Turtles making their first journey into the sea. I would do anything to be back in Costa Rica!

Critical Feedback:

The Spanish classes are not well organized and don't match the way of teaching Spanish in the US. There was a lot of overlap in courses taken in the US and courses taken in Costa Rica.

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Submitted by Hannah Brubach on 05/22/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Elizabethtown, PA    |    Novice Traveler    |    Elizabethtown College   

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Incredible

This was the best experience I've ever had. I was placed in a very good home. The family tried their best to communicate with me and work with my poor Spanish skills. They helped me when I needed it. The program orientation was helpful because we walked downtown the first day and were able to see some main sites. The classes were pretty easy, but I still was able to learn a lot.

Critical Feedback:

More trips in the middle/end of experience - most were back to back weekends in the beginning.

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Submitted by ticamagnolia on 05/21/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Minnesota    |    Experienced Traveler    |    Other   

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Three Months in Barcelona

On a daily basis, I learned new things about Barcelona. I tried new foods, met new people, and saw new buildings produced by amazing architects and artists. I was constantly amazed that I was living in the most beautiful city in the world.

Critical Feedback:

The school did not have an adequate number of computers.

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Submitted by Amanda Starkey on 05/21/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   United States    |    Experienced Traveler    |    North Central College   

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¡Aproveche!

If I could go back in time, I would. My expericence was priceless. My host family was beyond wonderful. My host sister would always wake up with a smile and say,"Hola, Jay!" The teaching staff were bright and sunny when you'd return a "saludo" in passing. Yes, classes from 8 am to 12pm for five days a week was a bit tiresome, but worth every minute of my time and effort.
I love, love, love to travel so Costa Rica serves as an ideal location to do that. Transportation is reasonable. I would recommend a Central American trip, I did that, and I had a fabulous time.
Take advantage while you can. Go with CIS or with anyone, to Costa Rica because you will have an amazing experience.

Critical Feedback:

More excursions!!!

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Submitted by Jasyne Harvey on 05/18/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Riverside, California    |    Experienced Traveler    |    California Baptist University   

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CIS Abroad

This past semester in Barcelona was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Being able to experience and live in a beautiful new city, meet great people and travel around Europe really opened my eyes to what I want out of life and how much I love to travel and take on new challenges. I am so happy I chose CIS because they made all of the pre departure requirements really easy but more importantly the incredible staff in Barcelona were always willing to help and worked hard to make our time in Spain memorable. Barcelona is the best city in the world and I would not change a thing about my time there. From the beach to the lively culture to the incredible night life, I will look back on this amazing time for the rest of my life. Thanks CIS!!

Critical Feedback:

I think it would be helpful to the people living in the apartments to be given new sheets and blankets upon arrival that we could pay for. It was a little difficult at first figuring out where to buy these kind of essentials for cheap prices. Also I would suggest allowing students to remain in the apartments for a little longer after the end of finals to be able to pack-up stress free and say final goodbyes to the city.

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Submitted by Alia on 05/10/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Mankato, Minnesota    |    Pro Traveler    |    Minnesota State University–Mankato   

Alumni Interviews

Staff Interview

Interview with Keith Born - CISabroad

What position do you hold at CISabroad? What has been your career path so far?

Keith: I'm the Marketing Coordinator, focusing largely on our online efforts by keeping our website pretty and up-to-date, contributing blog articles, writing and distributing press releases, and managing our search engine marketing. I started as a University Relations Representative ("rep"), or field staff that travels to schools to promote CISabroad programs. After a few years of that in the Midwest, I transferred out to the Mountain States region, where my rep duties were reduced to make room for increased marketing efforts. Not to mention, I wanted to be able to settle down and actually enjoy my new home, which is hard to do as a full-time rep (hence the nickname "road warriors"). I have since mostly relinquished my rep duties to focus on marketing. I miss the personal interactions from my rep days, but this way I get to reach thousands of students and encourage them to make the life-changing decision of studying or interning abroad.

Did YOU study abroad? If so, where did you go and what inspired you to go?!

Keith: Heck yeah! I was fortunate to travel a good bit while growing up, both domestically and abroad. Enough international exposure at a younger age and a knack for the Spanish language led to me studying Spanish and International Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison. Once in that track, I just assumed I would study abroad at some point. After a couple winters in Wisconsin, during fall of my junior year I started looking into study abroad options, determined to spend the worst of that next winter (early spring semester) somewhere warm, and Spanish-speaking. A friend in my Spanish class mentioned he knew someone that studied in Seville, Spain and loved it. After an internet image search, the palm trees started calling. Despite a scary visa processing delay, I made it and spent that next spring in beautiful Seville. And that's where it all began for me.

What does the future hold for CISabroad - any new programs to share?

Keith: The future at CISabroad is very bright. I've been lucky to have come on during some pretty fun times in terms of staff development and program expansion. Our Discover Europe! Summer Series will probably see another couple programs added to the eight we're running in summer of 2013. After enough similar requests from prospective participants and study abroad staff we oftentimes start creating something.

Our plan now is to expand our non-traditional options, as well as offer more programming in a wider variety of terms like January Term and May Term. We also administer customized, faculty-led programs, which we've seen an increased interest in over the last few years. Each of those programs is new and unique for us. Plus, CISabroad U.S. staff get to accompany some of those, so of course I'm pulling for more that I will get to lead!

What about the future of the industry? How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

Keith: It's exciting to be part of a steadily growing industry. I think we can accredit that to the fact that colleges and universities are featuring international experiences up-front more often than before. The third-party providers (private study abroad organizations) and study abroad directories and review sites also have a greater public presence, which I imagine has added credibility and feasibility to the once obscure and prohibitive concept of studying abroad. Colleges and third-party providers have also adapted to the needs and wants of students. In just the last few years we've seen a substantial shift in the typical programming model, including more support and inclusions than the "old school" direct enroll model that involved minimal administration and support. Shorter and more customized programs are becoming the norm and I see that trend continuing for a while.

Which study abroad destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

Keith: That's a tough one. I have to say that Mexico as a whole has a really bad rap and undeservedly so. It's the most beautiful, diverse, culturally-engaging and welcoming country I've visited. And that's referring to non-resort areas of course, where you always have a more authentic experience and get to know people that are genuinely friendly, not paid to be so. There are tons of great universities perfectly established for foreign students in safe and well-developed cities. It's a shame more people don't have the experience of getting to know Mexico and all that it offers.

As for most overrated: I'll play it safe and say that I don't believe large cities offer the same intimate experience as smaller cities. When you only have a short time in a new place it's difficult to get to know it really well if it's too large for you to completely explore. People in large cities tend to act more anonymously, since you don't expect to see the same people regularly. There tends to be less potential for spontaneous social interactions, which is how you can make your best friends and adoptive families abroad.

Media

Study with CISabroad in Cusco, Peru!
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Study Abroad in New Zealand with CISabroad
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CISabroad invites you to study in China!
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