CIEE

Program Reviews

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Kirsten
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Dublin Block 2 2023 Review

This program was a once in a lifetime experience that I would recommend to others looking to expand their horizons and experience a new culture.
For the Dublin Program of CIEE, I loved the smaller amount of people in the program. It made it feel more personalized and allowed everyone to be in a more social setting while abroad. It allowed them to have a support system while away from home. It also made it easier for group travel plans.
Some things I had wish I had known before going to Dublin would be what the city was like and what we could expect excursion wise from our classes.
Overall, a great experience and I would recommend it to any student looking to travel while expanding their knowledge.

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Erika
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing program, amazing staff, amazing city!

I was hesitant to enroll in a study abroad program, but I'm so glad I did! This was a once in a lifetime experience and I would not change a thing about it. The staff was so helpful in every step of the way and made the transition to Barcelona super smooth. Plus, Barcelona truly has it all. I never ran out of things to do, whether it be exploring the Gothic Quarter, hanging at the beach, or having tapas with friends. My classes were also super interesting and the teachers were great. 10/10!!!!!!

Pros
  • Beautiful city
  • Supportive staff
  • Once in a lifetime experience
Cons
  • Apartment
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Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The benefits of studying abroad with a program like CIEE

Everyone always talks about how studying abroad was the best time of their lives (and I 100% agree) but I think an important aspect that gets left out is the different ways one can study abroad and how that can impact the experience you have. There are two main ways that I would say one can study abroad: 1) Apply directly to the university in the country you plan to study abroad in. 2) Apply through a program. When I studied abroad, I applied through CIEE due to my university's COVID policies, but this ended up being one the best decisions I had to make. I had a couple of friends who studied abroad without a program, meaning that they applied directly through the university they wanted to study at. They spoke to me about how they didn't know that applying through a program was an option, and if they had known, they would have done it too. There are many benefits that come from studying under a program including abundant resources, community, activities, and cultural engagement. Through CIEE, I always felt safe because they provided me with adequate resources to refer to when any situation occurred. The CIEE staff were all so friendly and well-informed-- I was able to trust them completely. Additionally, I was automatically connected with everyone else that was studying under my program through a groupchat, so it was super easy to make friends with people right when I landed! I even had the opportunity to talk to CIEE alumni, expanding my network even further. When you apply through a study abroad program like CIEE, there is an extra activity fee that applies, but it ends up being SO worth it because they fully plan out multiple activities for you to sign up for and attend. It's all super fun because you can go on these trips with other CIEE students fully paid for!!! It's a stress free way to do things in a country you are unfamiliar with. Last but not least, CIEE offers a course called "Intercultural Communication and Leadership." I loved taking this course because I learned so much about the different customs in South Korea and was able to deal with my homesickness way better through it. I strongly recommend studying abroad through a program like CIEE because the extra cost is so worth it!!!

Pros
  • Community
  • Resources
  • Cultural Immersion
Cons
  • Extra fees
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Kaiya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience Ever!

CIEE Gaborone was easily the best experience of my life thus far. Before applying, I had always wanted to travel to the African continent, but I really did not know where. When I found this program, I knew I had to apply, and I am so grateful that I took advantage of the opportunity. Botswana is a beautiful country filled with incredibly kind people and beautiful wildlife and scenery. I didn't know this before, but after reflecting once I returned to the U.S. I realized that this program attracts a special kind of person. The people I met during my trip abroad are people that will remain special to me for the rest of my life. I really feel like I found my people while I was in Botswana, and it was uplifting to know that there were more people like me out there. You really meet people from both the U.S. and Botswana that will change your life for the better. I could go on and on about how wonderful this program is, and I still wouldn't be able to find the words to express my gratitude and appreciation. If you are looking for a program that will broaden your perspective of the world around you, increase your knowledge about global healthcare, and make connections to last a lifetime, this is the one for you. You will not be disappointed!

Pros
  • Made lifelong friends
  • Saw wildlife and nature like I had never seen before
  • Got to go on fun side trips on long weekends to explore the country and surrounding areas
Cons
  • Electricity and water supplies were not always reliable
  • Things were not always super organized, but that is also a part of the culture difference between countries
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LIlly
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Immersion in Nature

This is a program for people that want to be immersed in nature and experience the rainforest. There is a lot of downtime where you can explore the area and go on hikes, swim in the river nearby, and hang with the local dogs and monkeys. On the weekends you can travel to other towns to go out and get a taste of Costa Rican nightlife, but there is not much (or any really) nightlife in Monteverde. It is a small town which is great in many ways but can get boring sometimes. The food at the dining hall is amazing (and included in tuition), the housing is very comfortable (think glamping), and you couldn't imagine a more beautiful location.

Pros
  • Nature
  • Opportunity for adventures
  • Amazing people
Cons
  • Can be isolating
  • No nightlife
  • Expensive
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Woodson
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Rome Spring 2023 College Abroad Studies

Studying at CIEE in Rome Italy was the best decision I have ever made. It introduced me to many lifelong international friends, amazing experiences, a unique learning experience, and much more. I am currently 21 years old, and a junior in college. At first, I was very hesitant to study abroad. I had never been outside of the country and I didn't speak any foreign languages. However, I decided to overcome this uncertainty and study abroad here in Rome. CIEE did an amazing job informing us students about what to expect pre-departure, once we got here, and everything else we needed to hear. CIEE made this experience extremely easy, enjoyable, beneficial, and exciting. They helped me grow my independence and not fear getting outside my comfort zone. If you are curious about studying abroad, definitely look into CIEE. They are the best study-abroad program and will offer you the best experience of your life. I highly recommend CIEE, and I promise you won't regret it!

Pros
  • Learning about a new culture
  • Learning a new language
  • Infinite amounts of support
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claire
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Open Campus Block Program in Copenhagen, Denmark

CIEE is an amazing study-abroad program. This program focused so heavily on students engaging in cultural immersion activities and encouraged us to really get involved in the culture around us. We got out of the classroom a lot and did a bunch of co-curricular activities to experience as much as we could. The staff was so kind and helpful, they really care about their students. The campus itself is beautiful and really felt like a home base for us students. The open campus block program is so unique and really allows students to see so much of the world and experience so much.

Pros
  • Wonderful Staff
  • Variety of coursework
  • Safe and comfortable accommodations
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Diana
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Pretty good program

I liked studying abroad in Sydney. It's a beautiful area with east access to public transport. The program provides weekly excursions that are fun for instance trips to the Blue Mountains and Kiama blowhole. You get the chance to meet a lot of new people in the program and the academics are straightforward. You have classes Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, so there's a lot of free time to explore Sydney. The only downside is having to share a room and the small closet space. Overall, it's a fun program.

Pros
  • Meet lots of people
  • straightforward class
  • Outside activities planned
Cons
  • strict housing with roommates
  • long commute to classes (costs money)
  • Laundry is shared and costs money
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Sam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Copenhagen

It was a really great experience. Getting to go abroad and see this great city was so cool, and the program and staff at CIEE made it very easy and fun. The classes were engaging and interesting and I learned a lot about Danish culture. Getting to go out during the classes worked very well to deepen my program. There was so much to do and so many places to see, I definitely made the most of my time. I went out on my own a lot and tried to see as much of the city as I could and it was fascinating to go out and get to walk through and feel the history in this city. I was able to go to many bakeries and coffee shops and truly experienced the famous Hygge.

Pros
  • Ease of travel to other cities/countries
  • Historical City
  • CIEE's programs and extracurricular activities
Cons
  • Weather
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Kostand
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE London Block I 2023

I was very excited for this program prior to arriving in London. Visiting the city was a major bucket list item for me and the CIEE curriculum and program events made my experience so exciting and fun. Our professors hosted several co-curricular activities, particularly the British Museum tour, a bus tour around the city where we learned about the history of the city, a tour of the pubs in the downtown area, and many more. Overall, I am very grateful for the experience that CIEE provided me with. I highly recommend this program to others.