Program Reviews

Studying abroad with CIEE in Monteverde was truly life-changing. The hands-on learning in the beautiful cloud forest was unforgettable and made every class feel exciting and real. The food was fresh, delicious, and a perfect way to experience local culture. The staff was incredibly kind, welcoming, and always ready to help or make us feel at home. I gained valuable real-world experience in sustainability and environmental studies while making lifelong friends from all over the world. If you want an immersive, adventurous, and meaningful study abroad experience, this program is absolutely for you!

This program taught me so much, CIEE has amazing teachers and well formulated curriculums. Plus, the accommodations, outings, and location make it even more great. The place you say is in a very safe and relaxed place.

Learning the public transportation system is daunting at first, but if you get off the unfamiliarity and follow the instructions on your phone, you will have no problem getting your way around the city. Also, if you are used to it, I recommend finding a cheap bike or skateboard on gumtree.uk (their version of craigslist), to cut costs on transportation.

Pack your own lunches, buy food from the grocery store because it is much cheaper than eating out. Plus, groceries are one of the only things cheaper in the UK than in the US.

Have an amazing time, I am sure you will.

Walking through the streets of Seoul, looking at each memory made, and each friendship that is truly special to me, it seems that everything is coming to an end soon as the program is finishing. There are so many things I want to get done, and to experience and it doesn’t make it feel like a farewell to Korea, but just appreciation of the growth I’ve experienced during my time abroad.

Each corner of this city holds a moment, whether it was a late-night walk with friends along the Han River, a quiet moment sipping a matcha latte in a cozy café, or laughing uncontrollably over our struggles with the language. These memories are stitched into my heart, not as endings, but as parts of me now. I see the version of myself who first stepped off the plane, nervous, curious, and unsure and compare her to who I am now: someone more confident, more open, and deeply grateful.

Being immersed in a culture so different from my own taught me to be present, to listen, and to step out of my comfort zone. I didn’t just learn about Korea, I learned about myself. This isn’t the end of something, but rather a continuation of a new mindset, a broadened perspective that I’ll carry with me wherever I go.

As the program winds down, I’m not rushing to check things off a bucket list anymore. I’m taking time to savor each day, each conversation, and each sunset over the city skyline. This experience has been more than just travel or study, it’s been about connection, growth, and becoming.

And for that, I’ll never say goodbye to Korea, just thank you.

Yonsei is a great school for language learning, though some of my STEM friends said they wished they took only electives while here. I have always felt very safe in Seoul/South Korea in general, which is especially valuable when coming home from the club at night. There is so much to explore- I would recommend scheduling your classes so that you have a weekday or two off if you can. I loved the freedom of being able to take day trips so I could get the most out of my time here. Also, CIEE organizes some really great events, so definitely sign up for those as quick as possible! Overall, despite having a kind of small room a few districts away form campus, I wouldn't really say I have any major complaints.

My semester in Edinburgh is something I will never forget. CIEE and its staff gave me so many new experiences, and I met some of my best friends through doing the same program as them. Getting to stay in university housing and being immersed in the culture is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and I could not recommend being in Scotland more. The program taught a Scottish history class and took us on excursions to make sure we truly got a proper understanding of the country we got to experience.

Overall, I had a fantastic time with CIEE abroad in Spain! Their resources are amazing and the on-site staff are just as wonderful. The only thing I didn't like that I had wish I had known sooner was the difficulty of the classes at UC3M. Other than the International School courses, the classes were very difficult. I struggled to pass classes seen as easy at my home university. However other than that, I had no other big complaints about the program and my experience. Definitely recommend to anyone considering!

I had a good overall experience in the CIEE open campus program in the Madrid location. I knew I wanted to study abroad in Madrid, Spain for a long time, and being in the CIEE program makes me glad I decided to pick it. The location of the Aduana and Annex buildings are great, making it easy to explore the city after classes. I also really liked all the staff here as they were welcoming and made the experience positive, answering all questions and doubts I ever had. I really liked my classes, especially how the program is laid out: I like how it's separated in 3 blocks with 2 breaks and 2 classes at a time.

Monteverde is a beautiful area. Being so close to the cloud forest is amazing. I loved living in the mountains, it is way less hot than it is on the coasts. There were way more opportunities than I was expecting, both academic and extracurricular. All staff were very nice, and I had two of the best professors I've ever had the pleasure of learning from. Most of the students were great, as the program attracts very similarly cool people. The group got really close and I made a lot of friends here. If you are looking for a stronger going-out scene and parties frequently, this will likely not be what you are looking for. The closest town is about 20 minutes away by car, and the program provides transport on the weekends and Wednesday nights. Otherwise it is difficult to get to town, but there are fun events around and people do go out on Saturdays sometimes. It can feel a little isolating but I also think that added to the experience for me.

My study abroad in Kyoto has been an incredible journey of self-discovery and finding life long friends. In just two and a half months, I've explored every major city and made amazing experiences. The food was a highlight, each meal a new adventure. My solo trip to Tottori was unforgettable. From relaxing on the beaches to exploring the majestic sand dunes and kayaking in the crystal-clear waters. This experience has truly helped me find myself, and I'm leaving with memories that will last a lifetime.

CIEE was a great program to travel with, the staff was super helpful and available. Madrid itself was super safe, affordable and had so much to do. Madrids transportation is also super affordable and easy to navigate. Many people speak English or at least enough to get around in restaurants and stores. The classes weren’t rigorous and the program was pretty flexible allowing for travel time in between blocks and only class 3 days a week made it possible to explore the city and travel to other countries. Overall a great experience!!!! I will never forget it