CIEE

Program Reviews

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Riley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Alicante

I loved this program. It was the perfect blend of academics and fun. We got to experience so many fun things and create lasting relationships with the other students, professors, and host family members. I would recommend this program to anyone and everyone. Alicante is an amazing city to stay in. The mountains, beach, and city all in one city make it the perfect place to live and learn for the summer. This program helped me grow as an individual and it changed the way I view the world. I love to travel and this experience was one of my favorite ones yet.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be open to trying new things and always say yes. There are many things, activities, and foods that I was nervous to try but they ended up being some of my favorite things. Always keep an open mind!
Pros
  • Location
  • People
  • Language
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Valerie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adventures in Edinburgh

My experience with CIEE was absolutely amazing. The staff was very supportive and made me feel very welcome in the city of Edinburgh. The accommodations were spectacular and it was a great group of people to travel with. It has been such a highlight to explore new places and I really gained a lot of independence based life skills while never feeling panicked. The support system made it easy to explore without ever feeling like I was in a scary situation. It was a really great way to grow as an individual.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do not let the homesickness stop you from enjoying the experience! It goes by so quickly and you will be home before you know it. Don’t spend the whole time wishing you were home because there will be a time when you are home and wishing you were back where you traveled.
Pros
  • A group to make it less daunting to travel
  • A class to really enrich the experience of the city
  • Getting to live somewhere new
Cons
  • Class structure can make it hard to travel elsewhere
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Geena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So much fun and great people

I really loved my experience studying here. The staff is so amazing and responsive and the teachers are very kind and passionate. The city itself is gorgeous and there's tons to do and it's super safe. If you want to go abroad but not spend a whole semester or year somewhere, the program duration is just right where you get to feel like an experienced local but still get to spend time doing whatever else you might want for the summer. CIEE is a very reliable program and I feel very comfortable traveling with them. If you've always wanted to visit Lisbon this is the way to go.

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Jade
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer 2024

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
  • Had a room and bathroom to myself
Cons
  • No AC
  • Have to take care of all of your own meals
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Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE CPH LONDON

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.
Pros
  • the city
  • student life
  • academic course
Cons
  • housing
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Stella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Month in Prague

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.
Pros
  • Food
  • Safety
  • Public Transportation
Cons
  • Language barrier
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Carly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

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
Pros
  • living on you own
  • excursions
  • advisors
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MariaJose
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fashion and Business in Italy

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.
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Ace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

International Community

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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)
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Naa Atswei
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

UCT student for a semester

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.
Pros
  • Music
Cons
  • Strong American bubble