CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Program Reviews

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Cheyenne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spain CIEE teach abroad

This program equips you for a successful year teaching abroad, providing essential tools. I'm immersed in diverse cultures, languages, arts, and history, learning extensively. The welcoming people make this experience memorable. I'll definitely use this program for future teaching abroad endeavors. The comprehensive tools in this program ensure success in teaching abroad. Immersed in diverse cultures and languages, I learn about arts and history. The warmth of the people enhances this memorable experience, and I eagerly anticipate using the program for future teaching abroad endeavors.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I were to do it all over again, I would work with older students instead of infants.
Pros
  • Lots of flexibility to travel
  • Kind people
  • Great learning about language and history
Cons
  • Working with infants is challenging because they have little understanding of English so the teaching I provide is limited
  • Missing my family and friends
  • Not much spending money
Response from CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Hey Cheyenne, thanks for the review and beautiful picture. It's great to hear that you're learning about so many aspects of Spanish culture! As for the kids, I bet they're learning more from you than you might guess at first :)

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Julia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Strong Program!

I chose CIEE mainly because they provide a lot of support throughout the visa-applying process and continued support once you arrive in Spain. It was very reassuring to know that I could always call/email them with any questions I might have about my stay here or Spanish bureaucracy issues.
The only thing relating to my placement is that there has been construction going on near my school so occasionally we have not had water nor internet. The internet is not a huge issue, but the water can be. Clearly this is not the fault of CIEE, but it is just something I was not expecting.
But overall, I've had a very positive experience with CIEE and would recommend this program to someone who wants to work abroad!

What was your funniest moment?
Probably people never knowing my age--during my first month or so, teachers occasionally thought I was a student. On the flip side, students would ask me if I was here alone, if I was married and even if I had children!
Pros
  • Learned how to nap in the middle of the day like a pro
  • Have seen what a TRULY social culture looks like
  • Have improved my travel and trip planning skills
Cons
  • Living in any US city is ruined for me! (They will never come close to matching the wonderfulness that is the Spanish public transportation system.)
  • It can be hard to find vegetarian-friendly food when you're out to eat
  • Gyms don't have early morning hours like they do in the US
Response from CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Hi Julia, thanks for the endorsement. Sorry to hear about the construction and water issues at your school, hopefully that work finishes up quickly for you and your students sake!

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Katelyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching Abroad - Madrid, Spain

Teaching abroad was a great experience, it gave me such an amazing insight into possible careers while allowing me to learn and invest in other cultural practices. CIEE is the best support system living abroad. They provided assistance through the VISA application back in my home country all the way to ensuring I had all the help available when applying for my TIE in Spain. They sends weekly updates with current events as well as a support line with any questions one may have throughout the year.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Invest. Invest yourself in everything you do abroad. Invest in you community, your school, the culture. By keeping an open mind and being willing to try new things, your perspective on life will change immensely. Investing in the culture in which you are living in was the best thing I could've done, I attended my city's parades, local customs and traditions and learned about the holidays they celebrate. I was able to immerse myself and felt more confident overall by investing myself in the area I was living.
Pros
  • Support - having the constant support felt reassuring
  • Madrid - being placed within Madrid was very nice, it is very diverse and has a lot to do
  • Pre Abroad help - the help I recieved before attending was immeasurable, I felt completely prepared to apply for my VISA in the states (and in Madrid!)
Cons
  • Pricey - having the support system and being located in Madrid does come with a price
Response from CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Hi Katelyn, that's awesome that you're getting such great perspectives on career possibilities and cultural differences. Keep up the good work!

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Brian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teach in Spain with CIEE

My time abroad through CIEE has been so rewarding and fulfilling, and they have truly made the difference in my experience. They helped me along the way as I prepared and submitted all of my paperwork for the visa, and they had a great orientation for all of us when we arrived. I still meet weekly with the friends I made at orientation! On top of all of this, the Spanish culture is incredibly fun and the people here have been so welcoming. I could not recommend this experience more for someone who is looking to spend time abroad in Spain.

Response from CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Hi Brian, it's great to hear that our guidance and resources made the difference for you! Teaching abroad is really amazing, we're glad that you enjoyed the orientation and made some good friends there.

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Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Teach In Spain: Great Experience 10/10 recommend

The CIEE Teach in Spain program was amazing. I would highly recommend it. It is a lot of work getting to Spain (I.E. Visas, Background check, Money) but once you are here it is awesome. CIEE provides an orientation which is EXTREMELY helpful. I know friends in other programs who did not have this perk. They explain everything from getting a metro card to a TIE. I would of been lost without this. They also have people in USA and Spain to always be of assitance all year round. I would highly recommend doing this program. I have met lifelong friends through CIEE.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Study up on my Spanish prior to coming!
Pros
  • Guided oreienation
  • Hotel/ Host family
  • Step by step instruction
Cons
  • Visa process is unpredictable
Response from CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Hi Grace, thanks for the kind words about our Spain program, glad it was useful for you. It's a great way to make friends too!

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Iris
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE TEFL Review

I recently completed the TEFL certification program with CIEE, and I must say it has been a truly transformative experience. From the comprehensive curriculum to the dedicated support team, CIEE TEFL has exceeded my expectations.

The course content is well-structured, covering a wide range of topics essential for effective English language teaching. The modules are thoughtfully designed, providing a perfect balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application. What sets CIEE apart is the emphasis on real-world teaching scenarios, enabling me to feel confident and well-prepared for my future as an English teacher.

What was your funniest moment?
Hearing other students travel stories.
Pros
  • Accessibility
  • Guidence
Cons
  • Cost
Response from CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Hi Iris, we're so glad to hear that our TEFL program exceeded your expectations and helps you feel so prepared!

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Marissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Great Learning Opportunity

The CIEE TEFL course created a wonderful platform to meet with like-minded, motivated, and intelligent individuals as peers under kind and patient, qualified teachers. The instructors were always quick to answer any and all questions and provided ample feedback with all assignments. The course prepared me well for the classroom by outlining challenges I could anticipate and hadn't yet thought of. The only complication I encountered was issues with Canvas at times but this was not at the fault of CIEE. Overall a great experience!

Response from CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

Hi Marissa, thanks for leaving a review, so glad to hear that you feel well prepared after taking the course. Good luck in the classroom!!

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Jaina
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What an amazing opportunity!

Taking this opportunity through CIEE was probably one of the best decision I have made. Starting this journey with CIEE has made this possibly because I dont know if I would have the confidence to do this without the helpful staff of CIEE who essential held my hand through the application, visa, and housing processes. I am grateful to now be here, settled, and having the time of my life. Seriously, just do it! I think this not only gives you the chance to live in a new country and experience all there is to do in the day-to-day life in Spain, but also travel around Europe easily. There is so much to do and learn, I have only been here for 2 months and already think i will stay at least a second year!

Pros
  • Learning a new language and culture
  • Meeting new people
  • Making amazing memories
Cons
  • Visa process
  • Housing search
  • Missing my dog (and family)
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Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great for first time living abroad

Teaching abroad with CIEE is great for anyone who wants a helping hand while moving abroad. They have a very thorough pre-departure course and instructions about how to get a Visa. They also provide reliable on-site assistance here in Madrid. If you're the type of person who doesn't have time to do your own paperwork research or you've never lived abroad before, I would 100% recommend applying through CIEE. If you don't mind navigating the intricacies of Spanish bureaucracy on your own and you're more independent, then maybe NALCAP is a better option.

Pros
  • Easy to meet people
  • Very reasonable monthly stipend
Cons
  • Difficult to find housing
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Sara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teach and travel abroad!!

CIEE made it exceptionally easy to transition to living and teaching abroad! The guaranteed placement in Madrid was a huge benefit. I have been able to enjoy a really fun and rewarding year abroad as a gap year between undergraduate studies and law school. I went on this adventure not knowing anyone and through the CIEE social media platforms and in-country orientation I have been able to meet so many new people and have found amazing friends. I would highly recommend this program to anyone ready to have an extraordinary, life changing experience!