Program Reviews

This summer was one of the best summers I’ve had in a while. China, of course, was fun but what made the program was the staff and their organization of the program. We were guided around Beijing and we were given the opportunity to explore the city on our own allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the culture. All the experiences were gratifying: climbing the Great Wall of China, taking an overnight train and high speed train, and visiting the 2008 Olympic site. Even more gratifying, I made friends from the program that I continue to talk to this day, and that friendship applies to the staff as well. I highly recommend this program as I was able to grow as an individual through the stuff I learned and the experiences I gained!!

My experience was unique because of the people I had the pleasure of meeting and befriending. Some advice I'd have for future participants is to prepare for your host family experiences more. This has impacted my life post-program by giving me new connections across the country and across the globe and by influencing my choice in major (I've chosen Environmental Analysis) in college. My favorite memories are at the campsites with my friends. It was a really great group of people because everyone is passionate about the focus of the trip, conservation/ecology and are adventurous and excited. Some more specific memories are going to the mall with my host family, early morning safaris and exploring with my friends.

In every aspect, my life was enriched due to this program and trip. I gained a better understanding of a language that is in my DNA, met life-long friends, and experienced true independence and responsibility. The classes were beneficial, from in classroom to real world experience, and the excursions were amazing. A program I would, and do recommend to my fellow classmates. The trips couldn't have been any longer because each excursion was so fun. I also appreciated the first day aid and awareness over potential homesickness to come in the trip. They ensured that we knew what to do in instances such as that.

The people and the location was amazing, and I truly enjoyed my stay during my 3 weeks. The staff was amazing and always willing to help us out in any situation. I would recommend that a simple understanding of Portuguese should be done in order to not feel isolated or confused. But many people in Lisbon are willing to help you out! The region has amazing weather and plenty of things to do while I was present.

I've never thought I would be lucky enough to travel abroad, let alone in Europe. Thanks to the scholarship CIEE gave me, which I am undyingly grateful for, I was able to experience what it was like to be in Berlin. It's almost been an exact year since the visit and I still scroll through my photos or look in my album, and keep in contact with friends and host family from the program. CIEE gave me the opportunity to see into my future, and I'm now preparing to go to college in Germany thanks to the downright positive experience that was studying abroad. CIEE is wonderful for people hesitant on studying abroad, they are very supportive and generous, and I wouldn't trade my experience for anything in the world.

By offering me a scholarship and a guaranteed safe trip, CIEE was able to give me my first ever travel experience. Other than flying on an airplane for the first time, the trip gave me a new sense of confidence and self worth that I will forever cherish. I could not be happier with my trip to Portugal as I had an incredible time and made life long freinds. I highly recommend this trip to anyone thinking about traveling as it changed my life and will change yours as well.

My experience traveling to Guanajuato, Mexico with CIEE was truly extraordinary- so much so that I convinced many of my friends to travel with CIEE and they all had incredible experiences as well. I still regularly speak with my host family, who are some of the most amazing people I have met in my life. Last summer, 2 years after my month in Guanajuato, one of my friends I met there came and stayed at my house for week (just to give you an understanding of the friendships made on the trip). I always felt completely safe, the teachers, program leaders, and families are inexplicably kind and welcoming and make a seemingly scary experience so worthwhile. At the age of 16 I was able to say I’d traveled to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan, walked around the home of Frida Kahlo, and practiced my Spanish with average citizens on the streets of beautiful Guanajuato. I cannot emphasize enough how incredible this experience was, both in improving my Spanish and my character overall. I strongly, strongly recommend this program to everyone!

My experience in Chile with CIEE was one of the best I have ever had in my life, and I think about it almost every day. Not only did I learn lots of new Spanish communication skills, but I also developed a very strong bond with my host family. We got very close over the course of the program and are still in touch today. I was excited to wake up every day while abroad and there was never a dull moment.

Seville is a BEAUTIFUL city. You should definitely visit this historically and culturally rich place. My experience with CIEE was great overall. My needs were understood, and I was constantly challenged to step out of my comfort zone and improving my Spanish. The daily cultural activities were sometimes fun and useful and sometimes not. I enjoyed the cooking and dance classes the most. The weekend excursion to Granada was one of the best part of this whole experience. Through this program, I got to learn a lot about myself and the culture of Seville, Spain!

The most incredible trip I have ever gone on. I grew so much as a person and would not be the person I am today without this trip. The staff were incredible and every single day was filled with fun engaging activities with a focus on understanding the community we were serving. Go on this trip. You will not regret it. We worked with the kids 4 days a week in the morning and the rest was all cultural exploration. We got to go to many different areas of the island and generally explore the entire Dominican. You will build such strong bonds with the people you go with and create lifelong friendships. This trip changed my life