I thoroughly enjoyed Amsterdam because there was always something to do, whether visiting a new museum, exploring a market, or satisfying any craving with the diverse food options. I also enjoyed focusing on just one class, which gave me a good balance between being there for school and having free time to experience Amsterdam. The class I took, Race and Ethnicity, was interesting as it allowed me to learn about the nuances of this topic between the US and the Netherlands. I also stayed at The Social Hub while there, which was amazing. The combination of events hosted by CIEE and The Social Hub allowed me to meet so many people. I enjoyed being independent and living life one day at a time. The days were always long, with sunlight from 5 AM to 10 PM, so I felt safe exploring alone. I can't wait to return to Amsterdam.
What was your funniest moment?
We were provided with free bike rentals, and once I got my bike, I attempted to bike to class the next day. The ride was supposed to take around 25 minutes, but it ended up taking me 45! I showed up to class thinking, "Whew, I'm exhausted, but at least I'm only a few minutes late." Unfortunately, I had gotten the time for class wrong and was actually 30 minutes late. I blame it on the bike being too big for me. At 5'2" (roughly 157 cm), I was given what Swapfiets considers their size small bike, with the seat lowered all the way. Despite this, I almost fell off every time I stopped. After just one day, I gave up on biking.
Pros
There is a tram and rail cart stop right in front of where I stayed
CIEE provided SIM cards and from there I could purchase a plan that would best suit my needs
As a student studying global health, I don’t think I could have picked a better program to study abroad. Our professor was so knowledgeable and the discussions in class were engaging. The class made me enjoy learning and rekindled my passion for public health. CIEE was also very helpful in every situation and helped me make the most out of my program. From the excursions to day trips, everything was so well planned. It was easy to travel to other European cities, making the experience even better.
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I was surprised that I was able to travel so much while in the program.
My study abroad experience in Prague was my first time traveling to Europe. Studying abroad through CIEE was the perfect choice. They made me feel at home in a new country and kept us engaged with the local culture and events. Even though I was in Prague for just a month, I felt like a local. The housing they provided was in a very residential and safe area, which greatly contributed to my sense of belonging and cultural immersion in Prague. My class was very intriguing, and my professor was very passionate about the subject. The homework load was not too bad either. Each class was 3 hours long, which at some times was hard, but our professor gave us little breaks every hour. Overall, I would definitely recommend studying abroad through CIEE. The academics, the housing, and the excursions that they plan are all very enjoyable.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
As someone who really enjoys food, I had a blast trying all kinds of restaurants and street stands in Prague. There are many places to find traditional Czech food, but I would also recommend exploring the diverse range of international cuisines available. Prague is a cultural hotspot with numerous groups and cultures coexisting. Some of my favorite foods in Prague came from Indian restaurants and Kebab stands.
I enjoyed this experience a lot. Theres the perfect amount of freedom and guidance. If you ever need help with anything there's always someone there for you. But you get to live on your own and do whatever you would like. Of course they ask you to keep in contact with them so they know where you are located but its for safety reasons and its not over bearing. They also have a emergency line or just contacts if you need to call someone. The excursions are really nice too. You get a feel for things you probably wouldn't have thought to do.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment was traveling to another part of italy with just a friend for a weekend. We traveled to a part with no service and no-one spoke English. But we went anyways because we wanted to see how different it was like than a tourist attraction city. We met the nicest Italian ladies who had coffee with us and we figured our way around. It was a little hard with the language barrier but I got the chance to practice my Italian. It was so worth it
As someone who isn't a fashion major, I took this class as a chance to grow personally and expand my knowledge. I have always been fascinated by Italian culture, and exploring it through the lens of fashion seemed like the perfect approach. This course in Milan offered me profound insights into Italian culture, rituals, fashion, history, and lifestyle. We went on numerous excursions around northern Italy and within the city itself. It was a fantastic experience where I learned a great deal while enjoying visits to various fashion exhibitions.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
One of the most unfamiliar things I ate in Milan was "risotto al nero di seppia," which is risotto made with cuttlefish ink. The dish's striking black color was surprising at first, but the rich, savory flavor was an unforgettable culinary experience.
My 138 days (semester) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, have been stimulating, challenging, and invaluable. It changed and developed me as a person, and I feel much more capable of understanding the world from diverse perspectives. Firstly, I took CIEE courses and courses in local Argentine institutions, and my classmates were from many international origins. Secondly, I lived with a loving host family. Thirdly, I made friends of many nationalities everywhere I went. We will keep connected!
It was hard for me after a month of being in the big city of Buenos Aires because I am from the small city of Frederick, Maryland. Thankfully, my host family, classmates, and the program staff were always supportive and encouraging. I adapted to big city life and learned to appreciate and enjoy it!
I was struggling in my Microeconomics course (in Spanish), and the CIEE program staff set me up with a private tutor (at no cost). I passed my class and better understood the subject!
Studying abroad is a formative experience that will change and mark who you are. I recommend it to everyone who has a desire to grow, explore, and adventure!
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
With the program, we went to the Salta Province in Argentina and did wine tasting in Cafayate. We were surrounded by breath-taking arid mountain ranges, vineyards, and the local flora and fauna. On the same trip, we explored the arid countryside and did a tour of the city of Salta.
Pros
Many Included Activities
Cultural and Lingual Immersion
Professional and Informed Staff
Cons
Challenging for People not from the Big City
Argentine Inflation Volatility
Ocassional Academic and Infrastructure Strikes (Not including CIEE program)
Would recommend this program to anyone interested in the history and culture of Cape Town as you have the opportunity to study at UCT. You get the chance to socialize with UCT students as well as other young people Cape Town! Be mindful, however, if you are American/European how your privilege may influence your experience. I would also urge anyone going on this program to break out of the American/European bubble and get to know people from Cape Town/ S.A./ Southern Africa. I would also recommend taking a roadtrip to Namibia!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
finds spots in Cape Town you love and become a regular — you will meet so many amazing people that way.
I absolutely loved this program. The staff at CIEE were incredibly helpful before, during, and after the program. There were many options in choosing classes and many activities to participate in with your fellow study abroad peers. Studying at Yonsei University was also amazing in that the location was incredibly convenient and the campus was beautiful. There were so many things to do in the surrounding city of Sinchon and the staff communicated well with participants about internship, volunteer, and extracurricular activities we could participate in. All together it has been an incredible experience and I would whole heartedly recommend both this program and others hosted by CIEE.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moments came when I would speak to locals in the native language. I had studied it for 10 years prior to my participation in the program, however, using it in a natural environment is pretty intimidating. I was able to overcome this obstacle by frequently putting myself in postions of having to use the native language. By doing this I became more comfortable and more confident and I am glad I got to experience this and work outside my comfort zone.
Pros
Seoul is a big city and you never get bored
The staff on this program is amazing, responsive, and supportive
Classes are interesting and Professors are very kind
Cons
University isn’t amazing at incorporating visiting students
Shanghai is such an amazing city! I loved how international yet historical it is. Traveling in China is so easy and fun! Going to miss the ease of transportation here. The food is also so good! If you get sick of eating Chinese food, there are great American rooftop bars, Mexican restaurants, and French restaurants. Smartshanghai is a great resource for anyone staying in Shanghai, so many recommendations from spas to events to restaurants. If you're a shopper, this is also the place for you! There are tons of shopping malls and the fake market is great (make sure to bargain)!
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Most nerve-recking moment was missing a train connection back to Shanghai and it was 12:30am. I was with one other girl from my program and we didn't realize the train connection was at another station in the same city, so we missed our second train. Because buying tickets and traveling is so convenient, we were able to buy new tickets for a train that would leave 1 hour later, thank goodness! We were so confused for a good 30 mins and not sure how we were going to get back. We had class the next day, but we collected ourselves and realized we could search for other trains and thankfully they had one that night! Otherwise, we would have had to find a hotel and leave the next day.
I loved this program and everything they allowed us to do. Starting from the beginning it was a great welcome to a new country and meeting so many fun people. The classes were so detailed and learning-filled, and the extra circulars were great. We got to see tons of different places and got to go pottery painting, go on a wine tour, see holocaust museums, travel some, and more. It is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am so thankful to CIEE for making it special and something I could never forget.
What was your funniest moment?
When we had to pottery paint and I was horrible at it and got paint all on ,e
Pros
getting to try new things
meeting people in the fun classes
living in a different country with helpful people and getting class credit
