EF International Language Campuses

I spent two weeks in Munich between late July and early August of 2022. The trip was some of the most fun I've ever had.
I was going into my senior year of high school, so I was able to spend time with both older and younger people. For me, socializing and finding friends was easy and led to some great memories. I think most were very open to meeting new people.
I stayed in a homestay, and I found it to be the perfect set up. It was about a 45 minute train ride —which was perfectly fine. The family was nice and cooked great food. They also let me be and weren't overbearing.
I entered the program as nearly a complete beginner. Language acquisition was more difficult than I expected although I still progressed. The daily school schedule varied from class just in the morning (~8:00-11:00) to class and activities for nearly the entire day. I thought the variation kept things interesting and the right amount of busy without leaving no free time.
Munich is a great city and highly accessible by walking or public transport like trains, trams, and buses. I never had any problem getting around/lost. I would highly recommend the Eisbach in the Englischer Garten; it's an awesome river you can swim in. I would also recommend taking advantage of the trains and going to nearby towns (I went to Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Salzburg). I went to Nuremberg with the EF coordinated trip. The EF trips were nice to make friends, but it was fun to be more independent when I already had a group of friends to go with.
I would definitely recommend the program to anyone interested. I was very hesitant to go right up until the last moment, but I am so glad I did.

It was fun living in Nice for two weeks. I liked my teachers and my French got better. However, the homestay was not what was promised. I was in a basement apartment with 5 other girls sharing one bathroom. There were 10 girls total at the residence. We barely interacted with the Home Family except for the dinner. We were not allowed in the main house. She was not a good cook and would make us carbs and premade food heated up. Frozen pizza, hot dogs, potatoes, etc. No vegetables. We were scared to ask her for more items like toilet paper, towels, and breakfast items. Also, no a/c in bedroom during 90+ degree days.The homestay almost ruined the experience for me. EF Nice has to do better.

I went to Barcelona for 2 weeks through EF, and I wish I could have stayed for two years. It was the most freeing and amazing experience where I learned so much. My classes and teachers made learning Spanish feel so in reach, and I thrived being immersed. My Spanish skills got so strong, and on top of that I made so many friends and learned so much about myself and who I am outside of the bubble of the US. The activities were memorable, and even just within the city there was so much to do. I am so grateful I had the opportunity this summer and look forward to many more.

Absolutely one of the greatest experiences of my life, I returned three days ago and I am already planning my next trip. I have never been in an environment where I can meet so many people from around the world, and built connections with people that I never would have made otherwise. Classes are also incredibly helpful, and I feel like I learned more in two weeks of instruction than I did with years of Mandarin classes in high school. I am going to remember my experience forever and I can not wait to return.

I'm writing this review as a parent of a 16 yr old daughter who just finished her summer language immersion course in Barcelona. EF Barcelona was an amazing experience for her, from the quality of the instructors, language classes, EF activities, new friendships to her homestay experience. I'd give it an A+ on all accounts as EF Barcelona went above and beyond our expectations. The daily immersion courses gave her the confidence to succeed, the instructors were caring and encouraging and the courses were challenging. The EF activities were super fun and affordable - from Spanish culture, sightseeing, cooking and sports activities. Her host family was the icing on the cake and gave her an incredible welcoming sweet and loving experience she could have wished for. She improved her language skills so much with the encouragement of her family and learned so much about the food, culture and daily family life. As a parent, it can be a little unnerving to send your teenager to another country especially during covid, but we are thrilled that we did.