Program Reviews

I really recommend studying abroad in Tokyo with CIEE. The partner university for semester programs in Tokyo is J.F. Oberlin University in Fuchinobe, and your dorm will be a 5 minute shuttle ride away. Tokyo proper is only about an hour and a half away by train, which means it's really easy to get out and do fun things without having to deal with the hustle of the city every single day. The CIEE group was really helpful throughout the whole process, and I learned a lot both academically and about myself.

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.

CIEE is a great program that truly gives students the opportunity to see the world while still remaining focused on academics. The full semester program in Berlin was an amazing experience because it gave me the opportunity to take four courses while still having enough free time to genuinely enjoy the city, travel, and immerse myself into everyday life in Germany. One thing I really appreciated about the program was that the atmosphere never felt overwhelming. The schedule allowed students to balance school with actually experiencing Berlin instead of constantly feeling stressed or rushed. The support from the staff was also phenomenal. Anytime issues came up, whether academic or personal, the staff were always willing to help and guide students through the process. I would absolutely participate in another CIEE program in the future.

One of my favorite aspects of the program was the academic experience, especially the history-focused courses. I took courses such as Berlin: Capital of the 20th Century, Holocaust Studies, Culture and Cuisine in Germany, and German. The history courses were absolutely phenomenal because they connected so well with my political science courses back home in the United States. Being physically present in Berlin while learning about German history completely changed the way I understood topics such as World War II, the Holocaust, fascism, political division, and the rebuilding of Germany after the war. Instead of only reading about these events in textbooks, we were able to visit memorials, museums, historical sites, and former locations connected to the history we were studying in class. That made the learning experience much more emotional, impactful, and memorable.

One of the most meaningful parts of studying abroad in Berlin was being able to see how history still exists throughout the city today. Walking through Berlin, visiting memorials, and seeing places connected to important historical events gave me a completely different perspective than I could have gained in a traditional classroom setting. I found myself constantly connecting what I was learning in Germany to my political science and legal studies coursework back home. It made me think more critically about politics, human rights, democracy, and how history continues to influence societies today.

I also enjoyed the excursions and activities organized by CIEE. They gave students the opportunity to explore different parts of Berlin and Germany while also meeting people from different backgrounds. The group dinners, excursions, and cultural activities helped create a sense of community among students. It was nice being able to meet other students from across the United States and internationally while sharing experiences together abroad.

The only course I personally found difficult was German, mainly because learning another language can be challenging, especially while balancing multiple courses and adapting to a new environment. However, even that experience pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me appreciate the challenges that come with learning and adapting to another culture.

Overall, studying abroad with CIEE in Berlin was one of the most impactful educational experiences I have ever had. It allowed me to grow academically, personally, and culturally while giving me memories and experiences that I will carry with me long after the program ended. I would highly recommend CIEE to any student considering studying abroad because it truly provides an unforgettable experience.

I had such a great experience studying abroad in Rome with CIEE. The program was really accommodating, which made everything so much easier, especially being in a new country. Anytime I had a question or needed help, there was always someone there to support me.

I also really enjoyed my classes. The professors were engaging and made the material interesting, and I liked how a lot of what we learned connected to being in Rome. It made the experience feel more real and not just like a typical classroom.

Overall, I had such a positive experience. Living in Rome was amazing, and I felt like I grew a lot personally while I was there. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone thinking about studying abroad, it was such a fun and memorable experience.

The academic challenge was moderate. Classes weren’t overly difficult, but they still required consistent attendance and effort. Some courses felt more engaging than others, especially those that incorporated the city into the learning experience. Overall, it wasn’t academically overwhelming, which made it easier to balance school with travel. The program staff were helpful and generally accessible. They provided guidance when needed and were supportive in adjusting to life abroad. There were a few moments where communication could have been clearer, but overall I felt like I had support when it mattered. The social scene was one of the best parts. Being in Rome made it easy to meet people, go out, and travel on weekends. There were plenty of opportunities to explore Italy and other parts of Europe, and I met a lot of great people through the program. Housing was decent but not perfect. Living standards were acceptable, but there were occasional issues (I lived in a dorm), space and food became a big problem. The location was a big plus, though, and being in Rome made up for some of the downsides. I generally felt safe both at the school and around the city. Like any major city, you have to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded or tourist-heavy areas, but I didn’t have any major safety concerns. Overall, I had a really positive experience. The chance to live in Rome, meet new people, and travel made it incredibly worthwhile. This experience as a whole was memorable and something I would 100% recommend.

Studying abroad has been one of the most impactful experiences of my academic and personal life. Living in a new country pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I didn’t expect, from navigating daily life in a different language to adapting to new cultural norms. At first, even simple things like ordering food or using public transportation felt challenging, but over time those small wins built my confidence and independence.

Academically, studying abroad gave me a fresh perspective on my courses. Being immersed in a different environment made what I was learning feel more real and relevant, especially when I could connect class topics to what I was seeing and experiencing around me. It also exposed me to different teaching styles and ways of thinking, which helped me become more open-minded and adaptable as a student.

Beyond the classroom, the experience helped me grow personally. I met people from all over the world, formed meaningful friendships, and learned how to communicate across cultural differences. I also developed a greater appreciation for diversity and a deeper understanding of global perspectives.

Overall, studying abroad challenged me, taught me resilience, and helped me grow into a more independent and culturally aware person. It’s an experience I would highly recommend to anyone, as it not only enhances your education but also changes the way you see the world.