I am so grateful to have participated in CIEE's Florence program this semester (spring 2024). Before coming abroad, I was very nervous about how I would adapt to life in Italy, but the staff and teachers from CIEE made the transition super manageable and a lot less scary. During orientation they showed us around and prepared us for what we would experience. Additionally, throughout the semester they were always available for advice or assistance. I think CIEE especially did a great job with extracurriculars and creating a community within the program. For example, my program offered us free group activities such as pasta making class, trips to Siena, Bologna and Luca, rafting on the Arno and so much more. These events not only allowed me to see Florence in different ways and through new experiences, but it also brought me closer together to people in my program.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate lampredotto which Florence is famous for! It is made from the cow's fourth stomach which really scared me at first but it was good!!
The past four months I have spent studying abroad in Madrid have been amazing. I have been able to travel to 10 countries and close to 20 different cities! The CIEE program allows you to have the freedom to travel and explore Europe. The staff is friendly and supports you through school work, outside activities, or any accommodations you may need. The school buildings are located in the center of the city which is a great way to get familiar with your new home base. The academic staff is very responsive and accommodating too.
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I went paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland. I would have never thought I would or could do this before coming abroad. It was an amazing experience that I will always remember!
I loved my experience with CIEE. It was not very academically challenging which is what I was looking for to take advantage of travelling during my time here. Having class on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday was amazing. It allowed me to be able to explore Rome on Wednesdays or take a day trip and I was able to travel every weekend. The classes like Exploring Rome, Mythology, etc. where we took a lot of field trips were my favorite classes because I got to see more of Rome than I would have if I didn't take these classes. The professors are all very knowledgeable, and having someone take us through Rome's museums and other historical areas was very beneficial.
Pros
Class Schedule
Not challenging academically
Free activities organized by the program
Cons
Housing wasn't amazing. It was far from school and we had no living room.
Throughout my time spent in Berlin, I have encountered many new experiences, countries, friends, and relationships that have all strengthened my character and have directed me on the path toward personal growth. I completed my studies at the CIEE Berlin campus, however, it surely was not the only place I began to frequent while in Berlin. The recommendations from the campus staff and the hearty smiles from my professors were nothing short of kind and endearing. I thoroughly enjoyed the structure of the program as well. With the 6 week blocks, I was able to collect more class credits than a typical American semester, while also completing the requirements for my writing minor.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was when one of my connecting trains back to Berlin was delayed and eventually canceled which threw off my solo travel plans set for the entire day. Considering I primarily only speak English, this travel situation was not ideal and very stressful. However, I tried to tackle it positively and it all worked out eventually, until my wallet was stolen that evening and was an entirely new challenge to overcome.
The experience Japan was other worldly I have always wanted to go to Japan and the CIEE did a great job on organizing out of class trips and excursions that were super fun and exciting. They were able to help with travel expenses as well and they provided all the necessary things to helping keep a nice safe environment to live in. After staying here for 3 months I am happy that I chose this program as well as this country to stay in and I definitely would recommend this to other people who want to go abroad,
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Had some chicken hard liver and kidney, as well as some ox tongue and raw squid and shrimp.
Couldn't recommend this program more. There was so much support on-site, the location is perfect and the excursions were so much fun. Felt like I was simultaneously experiencing the most freedom of my life and also on a four month long class field trip. The city itself is amazing and full of things to do, and we were told all the details of places that are and are not as safe for us so I was not doing blind safety-wise. The staff is amazing, however the security that does sound checks at night are very unfriendly which can lead to unpleasantness. However overall would absolutely recommend.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Taking the UBahn! Was terrified at first but now I can do it just fine with no map. You just have to do it, there's no way around it.
I really enjoyed this program because of the teachers. They all had real-world experience, whether it was professional, personal, or academic, they brought their past learnings to the classroom, making learning really engaging. By learning straight from professionals in their respective class topics, I was able to make real-world applications and ask questions about things past the course material. They also took an active interest in seeing us engage with Spanish culture by giving us recommendations of places to travel, visit, eat, sightsee, enjoy, and more. They treated us like adults, not just students, which made the classroom experience very cohesive. They helped me enjoy Madrid a lot more.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Experience all there is to Spain. There are so many awesome smaller cities in the different regions of Spain that showcase so much culture. The regional differences of Spain make it so unique. I traveled a lot outside of Spain, but I wish I had made more trips within Spain because cities like Toledo, Seville, and Valencia were amazing.
Pros
Madrid is a good city to travel out of for relatively cheaper prices.
Great diversity of food, culture, and experiences within Madrid
Madrid is a great city to start getting accustomed to European culture if it's your first time.
Cons
Larger city meaning longer commute times, traffic, and tourism which can add up during tourist seaons.
Can be overwhelming because of how big of a city Madrid is, but I enjoy larger cities.
Berlin is a place where I was able to truly experience independence and freedom for the first time. It is such a unique city with endless opportunities for self-discovery. It has been the perfect way for me to explore life outside my comfort zone, and it's great for any first-year student looking to get a feel for the beauty in finding yourself. Whether you spend your time exploring the city with friends, communicating with your loved ones from a distance, or simply window-shopping while listening to your favorite podcast, Berlin is the perfect place to admire the little things in life. My advice for anyone exploring the city would definitely be to have a picnic or two, try out as many cafés as your wallet will allow, and definitely get out for walks, because you will most likely stumble upon your new favorite coffee shop.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Definitely a Döner box, which turned out to be one of my favorite go-to street foods. It is a box with salad, chicken, small fries, and dressing. You definitely can't go wrong with this one. Plus, there are countless Döner booths on every block of Berlin's city streets, so they are a super easy fix for a craving!
Pros
Lots of cafés to try.
People are friendly and helpful.
Social atmosphere is very vibrant.
Cons
Somewhat difficult for traveling to other European countries.
Before coming to Rome, I had never travelled abroad. CIEE made this transition into a new country and culture easy. Through weekly activities such as cooking classes or spritz socials, CIEE made activities to help their students become more comfortable and involved with their new community. I was also able to gain a large portion of credits through the classes CIEE offered. Not only was I able to talk classes such as "Culture & Cuisine" or "Contemporary Italy" which taught me about Italian culture and way of life, but I was able to gain credit at my home university while doing so.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would recommend that future students in CIEE take advantage of the Community Activities that CIEE offers. They are free, easy to navigate, and ultimately help students become more comfortable in their new community. I would also recommend travelling within your host country. CIEE taught us how easy to navigate the Italian train system can be, and because of that, I was able to take advantage of travelling within my host country of Italy.
I would recommend the study abroad experience to anybody! You learn so much about yourself & the culture you submerge yourself in. It helps a lot with practicing the language as well, in my case the practice was Spanish. This was the best decision I have made in my adult life. I learned a lot about independence and myself during the process as well. I was worried about traveling to a new country by myself & not knowing anybody, especially being an African American, but I truly could not have asked for a better experience.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Overcoming the language barrier for sure! All I could do was practice practice practice until I could get by.
