CIEE

This was honestly one of the highlights of my summer. The environment was so welcoming, and I made friends with people from all over. If you're thinking about joining next year, definitely do it! My only advice for future participants is to get involved in the group activities early on, it's the best way to get the full experience. The teachers were incredibly supportive and always willing to help. Future participants should definitely come ready to ask questions and collaborate! Overall I really enjoyed my experience.

I had the pleasure of taking Catalonia and Spain Through the Arts. The class was centered more around tours and sight seeing rather than lecture, which made the trip feel much more real and immersive. However, on the days with lecture, it was never too bad and our instructor, Marcel, made it very easy to follow. The exams and projects were fair and followed the course well, and work was not a hinderance on me being able to experience the city whatsoever. It was a great time and I would recommend it to anyone.

I am a 4th-semester ME student from Penn State University who came to Seoul with CIEE to do the Engineering, Technology + Science program. I took two CIEE courses (Internship seminar + Culture & Cuisine), two engineering courses at my host university (Thermodynamics + Dynamics), and an Internship. My CIEE courses were small in size, with not too many assignments, and even though the classes lasted 2 to 3 hours, the professors made them engaging and fun to attend. My HYU courses were academically challenging but definitely doable; they barely provided assignments, and most of my grade was weighted on my midterm and final, which provided some stress, but it was expected coming into Korea, where academics are known to be challenging. Don't let that discourage you, as there are resources like office hours, and you can make friends with whom you can study as well. The host institution was also attentive to how the international students were, and would send emails to students with important information and events happening at the university. My internship was the highlight of my experience abroad, as I got to work in a Korean "start-up" company for 4 months, where I worked on my soft skills and was able to get a glimpse of what corporate life is like, as well as gained experience that I can add to my resume. CIEE made sure my time here was enjoyable, such as keeping in contact and responding quickly to our emails. They would host events for us to meet Korean students, known as SEOULmates, and they would also host trips to nearby cities like Andong and Suwon so we could explore SK more.

Lastly, Seoul is a vibrant and lively city. There is so much stuff you can do; take advantage of that!!! I was able to go hiking, kayaking in the Han river, visit Namsan tower, attend a KPop concert, eat SO MUCH delicious food, shop a lot, and just have a blast. It is an opportunity to be independent and an adult, so make the most out of it!

Amazing experience! Supportive staff and good academics, good lodging, and Amsterdam is a wonderful, safe city to travel in alone. The classes offered are great and provide insight on Dutch culture that enhances the experience of studying abroad. There are many activities through class and through the program that allow you to explore museums, other parts of the city, and complete activities you may not have previously considered. The staff members at CIEE are super approachable and always happy to help out when you need it.

CIEE Madrid created an unforgettable study abroad experience. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to study abroad in Spain. The program offered substantial help with finding a place to live, organizing events, and creating a great environment to immerse students in Madrid culture. The classes weren't overwhelming, but still provided the intellectual stimulation that I look for personally. The professors, staff, and organization as a whole created an unforgettable experience.