Program Reviews

Being able to study abroad was the most fantastic decision I could have made. The program assisted in making this a smooth transition. The program coordinators helped me with handling doctors' visits, and they were very accommodating while I was dealing with the death of my father. This program introduced me to new friends, cultures, and beautiful experiences! This is an experience that all college students should take advantage of. It is such a great way to curate new memories, travel, and make friends!

Copenhagen was an amazing city and CIEE Copenhagen made it worthwhile. I had a fantastic time. My classes in the US are very rigorous so comparatively these classes were not as hard. I really enjoyed my time here. Copenhagen is a truly enjoyable city, offering something for everyone. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's rich history and cultural heritage, or simply soaking up its relaxed, laid-back atmosphere, you're sure to find plenty to do here. The city is known for its beautiful architecture, charming canals, and lively street life.

I recently participated in a study abroad program in Kyoto, Japan and it was an incredible experience! From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in the vibrant culture and rich history of the city. The program offered some interesting classes, I really enjoyed the more intimate structure of them and appreciated how interactive they were.
The support and communication of the staff were great. They were always available to answer questions and provide good recommendations, making the transition to living and studying in a foreign country seamless. The housing arrangements were comfortable and conveniently located, allowing me to explore the city independently or with classmates. Overall, the study abroad program in Kyoto was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to broaden their horizons and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Rome is one of the most amazing experiences that I have had. The city is so beautiful and if you are able to visit other cities you will see the true beauty of Italy. I was able to visit nine cities during my six weeks because of how easy it is to get a train or bus ticket to so many other areas of Italy. Rome has many museums, historical sights, parks, stores, restaurants, you name it. The true beauty of the city lies in the small alleyways and the streets away from the touristy areas. Amazing pastas for very cheap prices, great gelato, and some of the best pastries and deserts. The city has amazing sunrises and sunsets, one of my favourites are in the Roman Forum and on the bridges. There are little pathways by the riverside that are so peaceful and have great views. While it is very important to be with people you know and not travel alone in the dark, sometimes it is great to take some time to explore the city on your own. Campo di Fiori near the Fontana di Trevi is a great little market with lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, juices, souvenirs, pastas, condiments, and limoncello! Alongside it there are some really good restaurants and a few little neighbourhoods. Definitely worth getting lost in some of these areas and simply looking around because that is where you will find some of the best things to explore. Everywhere you look is a mesmerising experience so take it all in. Do not miss out on stracciatella gelato, a classic margherita pizza, aperol spritz, and tiramisu of course!

Ciee London has their campus adjacent to Russell square garden in the neighborhood of Bloomsbury. Its the best place for a campus being only a quick walk from covent garden and soho. Its extremely clean and safe compared to other parts of the city. Every time I got off the tube and was walking to class I would think about how lucky I am to study in such a great area.

The classes are educational but don't put too much stress on students while they should be focusing on travel and experiencing life in England. Also flights from London are really easy to get and fairly inexpensive.

Madrid, Spain is a vibrant and dynamic city that offers a unique and amazing study abroad experience for students. The housing, culture, and academics in Madrid are all standout elements that make it an unforgettable destination for international students.

Housing in Madrid is diverse and offers a range of options for students. The city is home to student residences, apartments, and homestays, all of which provide an affordable and convenient living experience for students. Student residences in Madrid offer a supportive community for students, with common areas for socializing and study rooms for academic pursuits. These residences also provide a range of services, such as laundry facilities, 24-hour security, and meals, making life easier for students. Apartments in Madrid offer a more independent living experience, with many options that are fully furnished and equipped with all the necessary amenities. Homestays in Madrid offer an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the local culture and learn Spanish by living with a local family.

The culture of Madrid is a major highlight of the city, with a rich and diverse cultural heritage that is evident in its architecture, art, music, and food. Madrid is a city of art lovers, and it is home to several world-renowned museums, such as the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. These museums showcase works by some of the greatest artists in history, including Velázquez, Goya, and Picasso. In addition to its museums, Madrid is also famous for its nightlife, with its many bars, clubs, and live music venues providing a lively and dynamic atmosphere. The city also offers a range of outdoor spaces, such as Retiro Park and Casa de Campo, where students can relax and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Academics in Madrid are top-notch, with a wide range of programs available for students in many different fields. The city is home to several universities, including the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, all of which offer high-quality education and resources for students. In addition to regular classes, Madrid also offers a range of extracurricular activities, such as sports clubs, cultural organizations, and volunteer opportunities, which provide students with the opportunity to explore their interests and make new friends.

In conclusion, Madrid, Spain offers an amazing study abroad experience for students, with its diverse housing options, rich culture, and top-notch academics. The city is a dynamic and vibrant place, with a wealth of opportunities for students to learn, grow, and have fun. Whether you are interested in art, music, history, or just soaking up the local culture, Madrid is an unforgettable destination that will provide you with an experience of a lifetime.

The CIEE staff are really over worked, there are too many programs going on at the same time. The professors were not organized and one professor was completely unhinged and made me feel unsafe. The student life staff was extremely accommodating and invested in our success. The housing was really nice and the location was incredible. My positive of the experience is I got to immerse myself in Japanese culture. I loved being in Kyoto, I think it’s a fabulous place to stay over Tokyo and Osaka. I loved my classmates, it was super easy for me to make friends. I wish I grew professionally a bit more and gained more academic and transferable skills. The classes simply were not what I expected for a college level. They were very informal.

In January 2023 I spent 3 weeks in Argentina studying tango (the dance, the music, the history). It was an amazing time! I always looked forward to coming to class because it was engaging, the professor was super passionate about the course, and she cared about the students.
It was an intensive program, sometimes 5 hours of class in a day, sometimes class staring late at night. But I got to see many parts of the city during class trips, I got around to understanding the history of tango and Buenos Aires, and I learned to feel confident dancing tango. (Honestly, best class I've ever taken! And I'm in my last semester of undergrad).
It was really nice to have a small class of just 8 students, we became friends quickly. And it was interesting to live with a host family to be more immersed in the culture. I'll admit not everyone had as great of a host family experience as me but I enjoyed it. I stayed with a host mom and her two daughters aged 8 and 10. When I was home from class we would draw pictures and play games. One day, we went to see my host mom perform in a theater show.
Communication was a bit difficult for those who didn't know any Spanish but they were able to learn some words, they were still able to get around and explore the city well and had a good time. (The tango program is taught in English. If you want to learn Spanish in particular, I would recommend the Spanish intensive program.)

Overall great experience with great people. I was able to adjust and connect with the culture very easily through class trips, program-sponsored activities, and through my own adventures. Staff is very supportive and helpful and want to make sure of you and your wellbeing. Copenhagen, Denmark was a very cool place to study abroad, there's a lot of trust and culture within the community and you can feel it while walking around. Everything is very close and there's a wide variety of different places to go and things to see so I never felt like I was bored or like I didn't know what to do next.

The first couple of days in London (Monday-Thursday) went well, but definitely not as planned. From our first step off the plane into Heathrow Airport (London, England) my roommate and I fell very ill. Whatever has been going around, we got it, but luckily it has passed.

In terms of academics the first week included a light scheduled with two classes over the course of Thursday and Friday. The focus of Thursday’s class was on the origins of the NHS, Pre-NHS policies in Britain, and the chaos of medical care that consumed the UK prior to the creation of the NHS. Friday we focused on learning more about how politics and the NHS intertwine, where some would even argue that despite the NHS being a health service it is really a large scale political project.

Amongst our readings and assigned videos, one documentary recounting the history of the founding of the NHS really stood out to me. I will include some of my thoughts and comments on it below along with the video link.

Thoughts:

Over the course of the documentary certain events of the early 19th century were pointed out to highlight the progression of thought in terms of how health was understood and managed amongst different communities in England and eventually in the country as a whole. Progression began with an emphasis on tackling infant mortality rates with midwives becoming more commonplace being granted pensions, salary, and standard of care training. While there were still many issues with the greater integration of midwives and the limits of what they could achieve, overall infantry mortality increased drastically. During this time middle class families held the belief that doctors were the appropriate professional to hire to usher in a new child, however midwives produced greater results due to the overwhelming amount of work doctors faced. Due to the expensive nature and busy schedules of doctors, vulnerable citizens such in low income brackets were left exposed and in 1911 health insurance schemes organized by local government to serve the poor were put into place. That said, unemployment was at an all time high and the unemployed, women, and children were left uncovered by any means of insurance. In fragmented communities this was addressed through medical aid societies where the community members would contribute money into a larger pool to cover medical expenses of community members. While communities like this were effective, pandemics (ie. Diphtheria) still impacted the majority of citizens and it was not until the onset of WW2 that the English central government finally began to address health concerns and initiate a vaccination program. This shift saw the central government's influence extend to monitoring the health of youth in schools and seeking to understand risk factors for health via experimentation at the local level. Finally, in 1948, the central government took the reins and control of public health by implementing the NHS.

What I found most intriguing was firstly the social health experiment conducted at the Paneer health center and the foundational knowledge of risk factors the experiment discovered, and two, the community of Judea where Aneurin Bevan was born and the influence that the medical aid society had on his eventual creation of the NHS. These two points prior to the NHS seem to have heavily fueled the creation of the NHS and informed its understanding and vision of public health.