CIEE High School Summer Abroad in Spain

Overall going to Barcelona with CIEE was a very positive experience. I grew so much and learned more about myself. The highlight of the program itself was my teacher. I learned so much in such a short time. She was so positive and full of energy. I appreciated her high expectations because it gave me goals to work toward. The downside was my housing. The family I stayed with was so kind but did not include us in dinner and their activities. The room was also very small and I shared with two other girls. There was no window and also mold in the shower. I heard other people had better stays but in my personal experience it was not good. It was a time for learning and dealing with ups and downs. I will forever be changed by it and recommend it to anyone who wants to travel and discover themselves.

I loved my month abroad. I learned so much about the language, the culture, and overall myself when being independent. It was an experience I will never forget and I would encourage others to try it even though it might be intimidating. I met amazing people there that I will 100% stay in contact with, give yourself the opportunity to experience a foreign country, without parents, without anyone you know. It can show and clear up many fears you may have for the future. It overall gives you a moment to put your life on pause and go see the world.

I absolutely loved this program. I got to meet so many wonderful people and see so many amazing places. I loved being there while the World Cup was happening.

My biggest flex from the trip is being in Spain and them winning the World Cup especially because of the parade that happened the day after the final where the team was in going around the streets of Madrid.

I made good friends whom I am still in contact with and love them. They made my time abroad so much more special.

I am so glad to have had this opportunity to visit Madrid, Spain and I recommend it to anyone, it’s an amazing unforgettable experience.

Going to Palma De Mallorca Spain was the. est decision of my life. It really shaped me as a person and I would never be the where I am today without out. It brought me out of my shell and helped me to learn that meeting new people and traveling the world and exploring different cultures is what life is about. I could go on for hours talking about how amazing it was and I would do it a million times over again. I met some of my best friends because of ciee and I am forever grateful for my experience.

CIEE was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I went during my sophomore year and the things I learned and the relationships I gained tops any other that I’ve ever had in my life. My time in Spain was one of the most unique experiences ever I think that any high school or college student would very much benefit from going on a trip with CIEE. The program leaders are some of the most kindest people you’ll ever meet as well as the CIEE STAFF. Travel to and from Spain was amazing and I highly recommend CIEE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GET OUTSIDE OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE.

I feel as though my summer abroad trip to Palma de Mallorca was the most important thing to my identity today! As a person, I am typically shy, reserved, and oftentimes scared to explore. As I tried new foods, including Norwegian sausage, and initially became shocked learning new norms in Spain including walking around with slippers, it felt so interesting learning the characteristics making each culture unique! Among my time in Spain, I was able to find my newfound interest in not only hiking but also the delicious foods I tried there, namely ensaimadas. As a picky eater in the United States myself, I was initially fearful of being rude if I did not like the food I was consumed, yet in Spain I learned about my love for new, Spanish deserts while also learning that existing my comfort zone is not always equal to uncertainty. Coming to look back on this trip, if I could sum up this trip in a theme I would have to say: exploring the uncertainty of myself.

CIEE high school summer abroad was one of the best experiences of my life. Going in, I was nervous, just as every other student. I wondered if I would make friends, if I would fit in to this new culture and if I would be safe in a country abroad. As I boarded the plane these emotions intensified. However, as soon as I landed the CIEE staff with huge smiles and open to questions made all those wonders go away. CIEE did an amazing job at easing us into the new country without it feeling like a huge hurdle. Additionally, my program, culinary arts and culture, was amazing. I had so much fun cooking (and eating the food, the best part!!) in the kitchen and exploring foods I’ve never seen before. I learned so much from our chef being a complete beginner! All activities were also so fun and amazing especially when we went to the water games at the canal. There wasn’t a second I was bored or not enjoying my time. For friends, I met so many new people. I’m not Aalways extroverted but I feel I made friends for a lifetime. It was so easy to talk to everyone, which was my biggest worry, and I had no issue making friends. Everyone was so awesome. If I had one advice for anyone considering CIEE it would be do it. This is one of the best programs ever!

I had the best 4 weeks in Seville, Spain. I lived with an amazing host mother and a roommate, who I became best friends with. My host mom was an amazing cook and I got to talk to her through shared meals and I learned so much from her! Living with a host family made the experience so much more immersive. CIEE also has fun activities planned almost everyday. Before the activity (which usually starts around 6pm) we had free time, which gave us majority of the evening to explore on our own. There are two planned weekend activities (one day trip and one overnight trip) but there was also a free weekend to do whatever we wanted. It felt like a perfect ratio of free time and planned activities. The classes were 3 hours long (9-12) and I actually enjoyed the classes a lot. Everyone on the program is so supportive and kind, it was really easy to make friends.