Program Reviews

I had an amazing experience on my CIEE program, from an amazing team of staff, teachers, and awesome host families, the fun felt like it could never stop! I am unable to take german classes in my home town so thanks to this program i was able to learn a lot about a language i love! My host mom constantly went out of her way to better my day! From waking me up with a pleasant good morning and a cup of tea, to bring snacks to me and my friends as we studied in my room. Over the four weeks Sabine easily became my favorite part of Berlin, she made me feel so incredibly welcome and my hope is that everyone will have hosts like Sabine, because there’s nothing better than that.

I had never been that far from home so when I got the chance to study abroad in South Korea I didn’t know what to expect. As I got to the airport, I got to meet everyone else in the program and while I didn’t know them before, it felt like I had known them for years because of how easily we bonded over our love for korean culture. Spending a few weeks with the rest of my peers, I got to experience so many things like karaoke, spicy rice cakes, and I even got eat fried chicken with my friends along the Han River. Making so many memories with people I didn’t know, naturally led to us becoming not just friends but “Seoul Mates” and to this day, my trip to Korea continues to inspire me to be more curious and to embrace the unknown.

During my time in Santiago, Dominican Republic was AMAZING. I grew so much from there, not only did the children I mentored learned something from me but I always learned something from them. I took what I learned and applied it to my everyday life. Having GREAT program leaders also contributed to my trip, there was never a dull moment while with then and I felt quite comfortable with them and the people who travel with me were great, I still keep in contact with them and soon will visit them. While study Abroad, I got the chance to volunteer, learn about the culture and language, interact with the citizen and travel on excursions! One of the best parts that made feel right at home was staying with an host family, scared right? The total opposite, my host family was so welcoming I felt right at home, we cooked together, watched tv togther, and ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner togther, which gave me the tile to get to know them! I don’t think I would ever chose a difference program other than CIEE to travel abroad with, I felt really safe and the experience was GREAT!

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!