I studied in Merida, Mexico in June 2025 with CIEE on the language and culture program. From the moment I started my application, CIEE staff was available to help. They went above and beyond by calling me to ask additional questions about my allergies. Their attention to detail assuaged many of my fears about traveling as I knew the staff was prepared.

My homestay enriched my experience by giving me opportunities to practice my language skills and immerse myself in Mexican culture. My favorite memory of my host mom is when she taught me how to make empanadas. Spending hours with her in the kitchen gave me unforgettable memories and valuable knowledge.

Despite not knowing anyone when I went on the trip, I made friends quickly and spent most afternoons hanging out with them. Merida is very walkable and Ubers are cheap, so it was very easy to get around the city. We had student IDs and were able to get into some museums for free.

I attended daily language classes and we had cultural activities every day to deepen our understanding of Mexican culture. In class, we learned practical language skills focused on conversation. By the end of the program, my Spanish speaking had improved significantly because I had so many opportunities to practice. Whether I was taking an Uber, ordering at a restaurant, or talking with my host mom, there were many opportunities to practice my Spanish.

My favorite part of the trip was the overnight excursion to Chichen Itza. It was incredible seeing it in person as it had been on my bucket list for a while. We also got to see some cenotes, which were beautiful.

I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to improve their language skills and immerse themselves in Mexican culture.

I spent three weeks in London studying creative writing with CIEE, and those were the best three weeks of my life so far. I met amazing people that I continue to keep in touch with, I got to explore a culture-rich city (and came to adore it so much), and I got to learn about a topic I loved. Everything was so fun and organized and tailored to the student that I didn't really feel like I was studying; it felt more like a fun summer trip with friends!

I think studying abroad is something everyone should do, so if you're thinking about it, I recommend going with CIEE!

My experience with the CIEE Spanish Language and Culture Program in Palma de Mallorca was overwhelmingly positive and truly transformative. Living with a welcoming host family allowed me to experience authentic Spanish culture, try new foods, and practice my language skills daily. Taking Spanish classes every weekday deepened my understanding of the language while immersing me in an academic environment abroad. Beyond the classroom, cultural activities and excursions helped me connect with the island’s history and people, creating lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. This program not only strengthened my Spanish but also gave me a new sense of independence and appreciation for global perspectives.

My time during study abroad with CIEE was something I’ll never forget. It’s normal to be scared to fly on your own, but CIEE made it so much more acceptable and comfortable for me as we tracked with everyone else on a chaperoned flight. On your study abroad experience you are bound to make multiple friendships along the way which will make your journey so much more fun! I got to see plenty of Italian monuments and places like Venice, and the Duomo in Milan. Additionally, the experience with the host family completes it, families can be so inviting and supportive during your time abroad, I got to experience multiple memorable moments with them. Finally, if you go for language and culture you’ll be sure to learn so much Italian culture and the language, I was already speaking in three weeks because of CIEEs amazing teachers and engaging classes.

This last few weeks I was lucky enough to go to CIEE's South Korea and Taiwan Peace and Diplomacy program. Over the course of this program I feel like my confidence in my own independence has grown dramatically. I enjoyed making new friends, experiencing new foods and cultures, and learning all the way. The most interesting part of this program was talking to local residents of both countries, especially residents of South Korea. The knowledge I learned from them was fascinating and I could not wait to bring that information home to share with my parents and friends. I have always been interested in foreign countries and foreign cultures, and this trip was a perfect way to go out of my comfort zone and visit these places in a fun and safe way. All of the CIEE staff were very nice and very accommodating, and I can not wait to go back!

This was one of the best experiences of my life! I made a lot of wonderful friends, and am very close to my host family. They were incredibly welcoming, and they helped me practice my Spanish and I learned a lot about Argentinian culture with them. The ciee staff were very friendly and supportive too. On my second day, me and another student had no idea how to get home, so one of our instructors went with us on the subway to make sure we got to the right place. We had a lot of structured activities, especially during the first week. However, I thought we also had a lot of opportunities to explore the city by ourselves, which I enjoyed a lot. I also really enjoyed my Spanish class. It was really small, only 10 students, and there was a big emphasis on speaking. While I think my Spanish improved, I think my confidence improved much more. I thought the workload was reasonable. We had classes every morning, and we would have a long writing assignment due every Friday. If you do a little everyday it's not that bad at all. We only spoke in Spanish during class, at home, and at restaurants or wherever else we went. However, I did speak in English a lot with my friends, who I was with a lot. I am really happy with the friends I made. However, if I had chosen a semester abroad or something where I was with Argentinian teens instead of US teens I think my Spanish would have improved a lot more. But overall, this was a wonderful experience and I can't recommend it enough.

When I signed up for the trip I thought we would have a lot more opportunities to go into the city and have fun with the native population but you are on the campus a majority of the time and only get to go out on the weekends supervised to certain places. You are not allowed anywhere but two places in the city as well (supervised) when you go there. I have heard more programs have more freedom and much less class time as well, there is a lot of structure involved which if that is what you are looking for then great but if you want fun look for a different program.

As my trip to Barcelona for the CIEE Spanish Language and Culture program approached, I was incredibly nervous. My only experience away from home had been at summer camps an hour away, and I had grown up seeing the same kids every summer. This trip would be totally out of my comfort zone – but I had no idea how much I needed to go.

The CIEE staff were super helpful and welcoming, and from Day 1 emphasized that we could contact them in the case of any emergency. I never needed to contact my Program Leader, but it was super reassuring to know that she was there for me 24/7. My host mom also made sure that I could reach her at all times – she was a single mom with a teenage daughter, and both of them went out of their way to ensure that my roommate and I had an incredible experience in Barcelona. Our family dinners every night were one of my favorite parts of the trip, where we would enjoy delicious food and strengthen our Spanish skills by talking about our day.

Although my roommate and I were placed in different Spanish classes (based on a test and an interview), we still spent tons of time together, and are best friends to this day. I really liked the other students in my class, and learned tons of Spanish daily, both from my Program Leader during our morning activity and from my teacher during afternoon classes. While my grammar and vocabulary improved during the afternoon, my appreciation for Spanish culture increased each morning. Whether we were taking a flamenco class, touring gorgeous Gaudi houses, or walking through historic neighborhoods, I always was able to try something new and have fun with my friends. Getting to meet new people was also a highlight of my trip. CIEE students came from across the country, but we all found shared interests to connect over, whether it was a love of thrifting or a desire to see as many museums as possible.

Now that I'm home, not only has my Spanish improved enough that I was moved from Level 3 to AP Spanish, but I also feel more confident and excited to try new activities and experiences. I'm still in touch with many of my friends from CIEE as well as my host family, and am planning on meeting up with my roommate during our Spring Break, and potentially seeing more friends when I travel during the summer as well.