Program Reviews

I loved my study abroad experience with IES. The faculty and staff at the program center were incredibly supporting and friendly, and I had a great experience with my homestay as well. I took classes at IES and at the local university, and received personalized attention and support from professors in both programs. Having access to the mountains and ocean within a short bus ride was incredible, and I loved wandering around the city, exploring different bars, museums, and clubs, and even taking a dance class.

My experience abroad was a lot of fun. I met a lot of people, learned about Korean culture, and was able to take academic courses not offered at my home institution. Seoul is a very student friendly city so I would study at study cafes and explore others. One of my favorite things about Seoul was the food in which I could find meals that were cheap but were also delicious. In Seoul there were many activities occurring there were constant pop up shops, markets, and K-pop events. I was able to go to a pop up shop for the K-Pop group NCT 127 and it was a lot of fun.

In Nantes, I experienced incredible academics, community, and travel. I stayed with a French family who took me in like I was one of their own. They invited me to events with them, supported me when I took part in a theatrical performance in French (ahh!), and generally were so kind and interested in my life. School-wise, I took classes at the local university where I met college students my age from France. I truly felt like part of the student community. I also took an acrylic painting class at the Académie des Beaux Arts where I met a variety of people of a variety of ages, making my community larger. And finally, I took classes with other IES Abroad students taught by IES staff. Finally, the staff at IES Abroad Nantes is truly remarkable. They care so very much about their students, and are so invested in our health, safety, and happiness. This staff included 4 social and academic “tutrices” our age. They helped us improve our French language skills and also get involved in our Nantes community. They made us a family at IES.

Before I provide my review, I would like to highlight that I speak Japanese well, which made my life in Japan easier than for others. My study abroad with the IES Nagoya program was enjoyable. Since it involved direct enrollment at the Japanese school (Nanzan University), I really needed help filling out tons of applications. However, IES guided me through filling out all of the applications, and there weren't even many things to do at my level. Even though I could speak Japanese, I was definitely worried about adjusting myself to the new places. However, IES provided field trips to its students, which was actually an awesome experience for me. I took thousands of pictures on those field trips and even experienced many authentic Japanese places that I couldn't visit just in Nagoya. Adding more here, Nagoya is just the perfect place if you are first visiting Japan. Nagoya is a city with good authentic Japanese food, historical sites, and even a well-managed downtown area where you can enjoy East Asian culture with your local friends. In terms of learning, Nanzan offers great language classes where you can actually improve your Japanese skills. They also have a program where you can meet other Japanese students and exchange your own culture with them. Since you cannot meet local Japanese students in class, that program was really helpful for me to make some Japanese friends with whom I could practice the Japanese that I learned in class. I chose the homestay program while I was studying abroad, and I would say that was the highlight of my stay in Japan. You can engage with your host family who are willing to exchange their culture and help you practice your Japanese while you are at home. That helped me to understand Japanese society and people more deeply. I learned lots of etiquette that I need to know to live in Japan.

I decided to study abroad to gain exposure to a different country. Despite never having been to Europe before, I decided to take the leap and travel independently to London. At first, it was intimidating, but the IES program was extremely helpful in providing crash courses and webinars that covered all the dos and don'ts of traveling abroad. I enjoyed meeting the people and found it easy to acclimate to the British culture. I was able to travel to different countries during my time abroad and the program emphasized the importance of safety, in and outside of the country. If given the opportunity, I would definitely study abroad again!

As part of the IES Abroad Milan Business program, I was immersed in the Italian culture while receiving an impressive education. I became friends with the locals and had one of my favorite professors throughout my whole college experience at IES. I traveled every weekend while still experiencing everything the beautiful city of Milan has to offer. It truly was the best time of my life. The administration is responsive and accommodating allowing for a supportive experience during a semester-long adventure.

Last semester, I had the incredible privilege of embarking on a transformative journey in Milan with IES Abroad. This experience profoundly broadened my perspective, enabling me to immerse myself in a new culture and forge meaningful connections. Studying in Milan proved to be a pivotal chapter in my life, reshaping my outlook and fostering a deep appreciation for the diverse experiences I've been fortunate to encounter, courtesy of IES. My heartfelt gratitude extends to their program for the invaluable opportunities it has provided.

Residing at the Collegio di Milano offered me the chance to engage with both Italian and international university students, enriching my educational venture. Throughout my time there, I delved into various disciplines such as Art History, Italian history, and Transcultural Psychology, while also delving into the intriguing rehabilitation model at Carcere di Bollate. The vibrant local culture further enhanced my academic pursuits, creating a truly immersive experience.

Beyond academia, my time in Milan allowed me to hone my Italian language skills and deepen my understanding of global history through travels to nine different countries. Each journey enriched my love for world history, leaving an indelible mark on my personal growth. As I reflect on this remarkable chapter, I am profoundly grateful to IES Abroad for facilitating this life-changing opportunity. The memories, friendships, and mentorships I've acquired serve as treasured souvenirs of an unforgettable experience.

I spent Fall 2023 studying in Milan through IES Business Studies and it was the best experience of my life! I took two courses through IES Abroad and two courses at partner institution, Bocconi University. IES Abroad did a great job facilitating an easy transition for all students to their new home in Milan. It was an amazing opportunity to meet different people from various parts of the world, some who have become my closest friends. This was my first time away from home, which was one of my biggest fears regarding studying abroad, but IES made the adjustment very easy as I was constantly surrounded by support and any assistance if I needed it. This experience was the most amazing way to meet different people and diversify your perspectives in many different aspects. I gained a new sense of appreciation for cherishing the simple things in life, which is a big part of Italian culture and am so happy I could bring that new perspective back home with me. I became much more independent through navigating my new life abroad, but of course had the support of advisors and IES Abroad staff to help me along the way.

I think the most unique element of studying with IES was the location of the school that I got to attend every day of the week. It is right off of Plaza Catalunya, and was so easy to commute to and from class, and also so much to do right around there in between and after classes. It was a really big program, which was honestly fun to make so many friends that I could run into all around the city.

I would say that the academics could be a bit stronger, but I recognize there are students from such a variety of universities that it is probably at a realistic level. The professors were super nice, and not having a ton of homework allowed me to explore Barcelona and freely travel on the weekends without worrying too much about my workload. Overall, I love Barcelona and would recommend this program to anyone.

IES Abroad Nantes truly provided me with the experience of a lifetime. Originally, I never wanted to go abroad, despite how one of my majors is in Francophone Studies. I attended multiple study abroad information sessions and turned down each one. Then, hours before the deadline to declare if you were going abroad, I told my college that I’d go.
I looked through all my options, searching for a program that would be similar enough to my home in Maine. I found IES Abroad Nantes and, based on how it was near the Atlantic Ocean, thought I’d give it a try. I filled out their easy application, and IES Abroad walked me through the more complicated Visa application process. When it came down to a month before departure, they sent me plenty of information on what to do once I arrived in France.
Upon arrival, IES Abroad Nantes faculty met me at the train station and made sure I made it to their centre, and then home to my host family. My host family was so wonderful and understanding of the shock that comes with experiencing a new culture and language without the support of people you know. I quickly grew very close with my host family. I ate dinner with them each night, and they left breakfast out for me in the mornings. My host mother and I drank tea by the fireplace each night before bed, then I’d watch the news with my host father. When they weren’t home, my youngest host sister and I made dinner together and chatted into the night, exchanging stories about our lives and cultures. I was even invited to my host brother’s fiançailles (engagement party), and I hadn’t even officially met him yet! That night spent in celebration with my five host siblings is one of my best memories of being abroad.
As for the IES center, I took three classes there. The classes were small and consisted entirely of exchange students, yet they were all entirely in French. The small class sizes allowed me to get close to the professors, who were natively French. Additionally, there were tutors at the center who hosted events which encouraged us to immerse ourselves further into the culture of Nantes. A few examples are study sessions in local cafés, seasonal festivities happening throughout the city, weekly karaoke at a local bar, and a weekly Conversation Club that invited French university students to come chat with and then go out to dinner with our group of exchange students. On top of all this, IES Abroad Nantes provided us to go on excursions to visit other parts of France. As a group, we would leave for a weekend and IES Abroad Nantes provided us with room and board, as well as transportation and guidance. A few of the 12 places we visited in France outside of Nantes through IES Abroad were Guérande, les châteaux de la Loire Région, and Caen.
I also took two classes outside of the center at the local French university, Nantes Université. My self-confidence improved immensely during this experience, as I realized I could excel in a classroom setting that was designed for native French-speakers.
Outside of France exploration, we were given a week-long fall break. During this time, I was able to explore the countries of Austria and Scotland. I enjoyed immersing myself in these cultures that I originally knew very little about, as well as learning that I am capable of organizing a successful trip on my own.
Because of this experience as a whole, my fluency in French skyrocketed. Not only that, but I also now have connections with people in France, as well as some exchange students from Lithuania and Germany. I also have a new knowledge of and love for a city I would not have discovered otherwise. I hope to return soon to my second-home and reunite with my host family and friends.