CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange

CIEE

Why choose CIEE?

A nonprofit, non-governmental organization, CIEE is the world leader in international study and exchange programs. For more than 75 years, CIEE has helped thousands of students, professionals, and educators gain the knowledge and skills necessary to live and work in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world by offering the most comprehensive, relevant, and valuable exchange programs available.

Scholarships

CIEE

CIEE Scholarships and Grants

CIEE’s need-based grants offer support to students who face financial barriers to studying abroad. CIEE awards need-based grants based on students’ EFCs and program selection. The Gilman Go Global Grant offers students $750-$2,000 toward airfare, plus $2,500 toward semester program costs, or $1,000 toward summer program costs.

Value
$500 - $2,500

Reviews

Default avatar
William
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Prague, Do It

Staying in Prague was an amazing experience that I'd recommend to anyone thinking of studying abroad. CIEE goes above and beyond to ensure that each of their students has a great time and offer very nice extra-curricular activities such as wine tastings, free trips to different cities around the Czech Republic and Europe as well, and an opportunity to teach English to Czech elementary schoolers. The classes are not too hard, so I had a lot of free time to explore Prague and take weekend trips to the surrounding countries in Europe.

Pros
  • Class workload
  • Central location in Europe makes travel easy
  • Meet people from all over the US and world!
Cons
  • Spotty wifi at the main building
  • Not all housing is equal
Default avatar
Kaya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE College Prague

Deciding to study abroad was a great decision and I am so grateful of all my experiences studying with CIEE in Prague. It was incredible easy to adjust to the host country and even easier to make friends. CIEE provides lots of fun activities within Prague and trips outside of your country as well. Some of my favorites include our trip to Budapest, Czech cooking Classes, and the Nutcracker Ballet. Prague is very safe and very easy to navigate, if you decide to join CIEE Prague, you will never run out of things to do. The best part about this whole experience is the relationships you leave with! Very much worth it!

Pros
  • Easy to Get Around
  • Safe
  • Unique
Cons
  • Attendance Policy
  • Winter weather
  • Limited class choices
Default avatar
Yoon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Liberal Arts in Santiago

I would highly recommend studying abroad in Santiago! As a Spanish minor who primarily came to improve my Spanish skills, I will say that learning Chilean Spanish has been tough but has proven to be very rewarding and promising for the future. The city of Santiago is great and I have been able to meet a diverse group of friendly, warm, and genuinely kind people. Learning about Chile's social and political history as well has been very interesting and shed light on a lot of transnational issues.

Default avatar
Aidan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

You Don't Need To Go To The UK To Ride A Double-Decker Bus and Drink 20 Cups of Tea A Day

My only prior experience with the city has been day trips to Chicago, so I've been stunned by how much Everything is Everywhere! I've found amazing (and cheap!) local theater shows, which I recommend to all Spanish-learners, just by clicking around GoogleMaps. The farmers' markets are marvelous; blocks of fresh cheese for $5? Salted peanuts for $2? $1 avocados? Sí, por favor! Artisan fairs also darling: Barrio Italia's is stunning. Rode a double-decker bus to / from Valparaíso (a must-see). The tea is good, the pisco sour is better, and the boxed milk is fine if you don't drink it straight up!

Pros
  • Efficient public transit -- cheap, quick, and with stations at convenient locations.
  • General friendliness; people will slow down their Spanish / speak in English when they tell you're from abroad.
  • Marraqueta bread + grilled meat of choice + mayonnaise + avocado + chopped tomatoes = perfection.
Cons
  • Pickpockets; I've been fortunate enough to not have had my phone stolen, but another student in my program had her's stolen twice. Be careful out there!
  • Have general awareness about political events and demonstrations; I went out for dinner with some friends, sat on the roof patio, but we all were rubbing our eyes. Turns out below us trash piles were on fire and the police were spraying teargas. Yikes.
  • All these pharmacies, yet I can't find one (1) jar of Vaseline?
Default avatar
Max
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Awesomeness

Amazing program every which way. Consistent schedule, fabulous academics, great people, and wonderful travels- what could be bad? So many different locations offered with helpful staff and people. Coordinate lots of fabulous group activities and offer amazing educational experiences. Such a great learning and growing experience navigating different cities and new cultures. Met friends that will last a lifetime and travel memories that will last always and forever. If it wasn’t for CIEE I wouldn’t have been to Europe at all

Pros
  • Met great people
  • Got to travel all over
  • Amazing academics

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Sofia Solari

Hi! My name is Sofia Solari. I studied abroad with CIEE's high school abroad program for an academic year in Sevilla, Spain and then returned to Sevilla for the spring semester of my junior year in college.
Sofia Solari

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

I chose CIEE in high school because my older brother used the program to study abroad in France and had a wonderful experience. When I was applying to study abroad in college, I knew I wanted to use CIEE again because I had such an extraordinary time with the program. I made so many friends during my first time abroad, that it was a no-brainer I would choose CIEE again for my college experience.

I feel like CIEE offers so many things such as different classes, excursions, and cultural exposures that really enabled me to learn Spanish quicker and become apart of the Sevillan community.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

CIEE assisted me with everything I could have imagined! CIEE had on site staff in Spain that would support me in any mental, emotional, or physical assistance that came up. Not only that, but before going abroad with the program (both times) they provided info sessions and orientations.

I felt I had all of the information that I needed prepared by CIEE before I left the United States, and when I actually landed in the country, there were 3 days dedicated to orientation, so we all felt confident entering the Spanish community.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I would say the largest piece of advice I could give is: remember, homesickness is normal! You may feel homesick at times, especially during holidays, but remember you are only abroad for a short amount of time, and you should take advantage of your city! Join activities, talk to people, explore!

I feel like it is easy to get caught in the moment of missing home, but when I started to have that feeling, I would meet up with friends or walk around Sevilla. I would talk to my parents and friends from home occasionally, but I really put effort to dive deep into the culture. I took many classes offered in my town, and I joined a local gym!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

During both programs with CIEE an average day consisted of meals with my host family, school, some homework, and exploring the city + participating in extracurricular activities such as cooking, pottery, and dance classes and hanging out with friends.

Once my schoolwork was completed, often times me and my friends would go to a park and sit and talk. My spanish friends would show me new Spanish songs, and we would make plans for the weekends.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear going into the program was that I was not going to make friends. However, I think being a foreigner is a great conversation starter! So many classmates of mine introduced themselves and I began to hang out with them all the time. Do not be afraid to ask people questions or start a conversation!

When I first met my friend Javi, he made fun of my accent and I was mortified. Little did I know he would become my best friend on the program. I talk to him every single day, even now, and every time I go back to Spain we see each other and laugh about memories. I can not believe I have known him 6 years!

What was your favorite memory abroad?

My favorite memory abroad was being able to attend the Feria de Abril in Sevilla, Spain. The Feria de Abril is a huge tradition in the south of Spain and I had the opportunity to eat traditional foods, dance, and dress up in a flamenco dress. My friends helped me pick out a dress and invited me to their caseta (little tent) where they introduced me to their families and friends.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Katherine MacColl

Job Title
Teach Abroad Senior Coordinator
Katy taught abroad for 4 years in Turkey and then in Thailand. She is dedicated to helping others experience all that teaching abroad has to offer.
Katherine MacColl

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory is from Myanmar. My friend and I did a guided hike through the countryside. We spent our nights above temples and the days wandering through another world. I remember being in awe of the differences, even between Thailand and Myanmar, and in the attitude of the people. They were the happiest people I had ever been around, even with the limited access they had to things that we feel that we "need".

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

CIEE has been a great place to work and has really motivated me to stay in the education industry. I love helping others and CIEE strives to give amazing customer service, always putting the teacher first. I have learned more about the process and how to best help others through it. I think, whatever you are doing in education, it is a place where there is always room to grow and continue to make an impact that has amazing ripple effects.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best stories are those when the students or teachers feel they have made an impact. However, maybe more than what we think we impact, the impact that others make on us is what truly inspires me. Travel and living abroad changes you, it demands growth and patience. Students that feel that impact from their students and communities reminds me why I love helping them get started.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose our program in Chile. Santiago is such an incredible city and the chance to work in a college setting has always been enticing to me. You are able to be the lead teacher and have amazing experiences to grow as a teacher and of a Spanish speaker. The program feels so tight knit, and you create an amazing group of friends right when you arrive.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

CIEE goes above and beyond to encourage education on all levels. The Teach Abroad programs gives people the knowledge and confidence to go abroad, changing their lives forever and being able to change others lives through teaching. We work to break down stereotypes and we are upfront and honest about the challenges that we all have to face when we go abroad, but we make sure that participants have the tools to overcome these.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in being a successful company is to truly care. We all care about our participants and the experiences that await them. I hope that all of our participants feel like and feel connected to a great support system before and after their arrival in their new home. Without heart, what we do doesn't mean anything.

Professional Associations

The Forum on Education Abroad Logo
Gap Year Association Logo
NAFSA Logo