A safe and reliable program with good housing and a couple of fun excursions that are planned, but aside from class mostly free time. A good opportunity to live abroad and explore independently while getting credits. They are somewhat disorganized but ultimately everything gets sorted. This is a great option if you only want to spend 4 weeks abroad and meet people. It is mostly students who are 19, 20, and 21 so expect that age range. Anyone can sign up for this program when approved so you meet people from all over.
Pros
Safe and Simple Housing
Easy to meet other students
Good course
Cons
Bad administrative communication in the beginning stages
Such an amazing experience in Copenhagen with this program! The classes were engaging, the staff was fantastic in getting us involved with cultural events, and the city felt easy to explore. I felt safe walking around on my own as a young woman, even at night. Almost everything was under a 30 minute walk from my housing, so I could easily roll out of bed and head to a museum or bakery. While the area is expensive, there were so many free cultural events to do and beautiful parks to hang out in. Overall, a great location to explore and a supportive program to help you during the experience.
Studying abroad in Paris was an unforgettable experience! The city's rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture made it a dream destination. I immersed myself in French language classes, which greatly improved my fluency. Exploring iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum was awe-inspiring. The local cuisine, from croissants to escargot, delighted my taste buds. Making friends with fellow students from around the world added a global perspective to my education. Weekend trips to nearby cities allowed me to delve into Europe's diverse tapestry. The only challenge was adapting to a new environment, but it fostered personal growth and resilience. Overall, my study abroad journey in Paris was life-changing and expanded my horizons in ways I couldn't have imagined. I'll cherish these memories forever!
CIEE Monteverde Summer Sustainability + the Environment :)
Jul 27, 2023
Loved this study abroad and would definitely recommend to future students! The campus is 30 minutes from town with short hiking trails and an on-campus environmentally-conscious farm. The local town is super cute with lots to do, including ziplining, hiking, swimming, butterfly garden, night hikes, etc. The CIEE Staff are super helpful in helping you plan all of these activities, as well as weekend trips away to Tamarindo(the beach) and Arenal(the volcano). The temperature is lovely at 75 degrees F. The nature locally is SO cool with a wide variety of animals, plants, microclimates, and weather conditions. There's also a farm nearby with a river for swimming and pizza, which was so clutch. CIEE also plans outings to local waterfalls and beaches which is fun. the people are awesome.
Pros
Beautiful rainforests, waterfalls, and hikes
Nice dorms, dining hall, campus, etc.
Very interesting, kind people(staff and students)
Cons
The classes were interesting but not super in-depth
Being able to explore Amsterdam and the cities around has been the best part of this experience. Transportation has been really easy to use. Administration from CIEE is super helpful in giving you tips on where to go and how to get there throughout the city and in other countries. My professor had a lot of great experiences in the workforce that he could share in class that related to the topic taught. Being abroad has given my time to learn about myself and to do things I wouldn't normally. Learning about the culture has been really cool to gain a new perspective and makes you adapt. A really nice part is that almost everyone speaks English in Amsterdam.
My experience abroad in Kyoto has allowed me to witness a number of cultural facets pertaining to Japan. Attending tea ceremonies, participating in the Gion Matsuri, visiting many shrines and temples, and hiking the local mountains are only a fraction of the fun activities I've done during the program. I was also able to enjoy the city life that the Kyoto youth enjoys, partaking in nightlife like clubs, and rooftop bars. I frequented the Round One arcade in Kawaramachi and the BiVi arcade near Nijo Castle. The cuisines in Kyoto are so diverse that I have nearly 300 restaurants marked and have been to a fair amount of them and all of them have been affordable and more than satisfactory.
Pros
Ability to experience both traditional and modern Japan
Vast variety of international and local cuisine that I was never able to try back home
CIEE is the best program to do a study abroad with! Not only do they offer a great, affordable price, but they include so much with it. You get free tours, housing, the staff is friendly and very informative as well. I had the time of my life meeting people and making forever friends. The classes are extremely informative and I felt that I came out of the program with new knowledge that I will be able to put forward in my work experience. I had so many opportunities to improve my Spanish while studying in Barcelona. I feel that it has improved significantly and I feel that I have a better grasp of the Spanish culture. If you are on the verge of deciding what program to choose, don't hesitate in choosing CIEE!
My experience in Barcelona, Spain has been an amazing opportunity to immerse myself fully in a new culture, people, and language. My day-to-day consists of attending my course at CIEE, participating in class, completing assignments, and exploring the city of Barcelona. Barcelona's scenery is quite unique one day we explore the beaches, various museums, local Spanish restaurants, and nearby cities. I think everyone should have the ability to study abroad, as from my experience I can say it has helped me become more independent and culturally aware. As well as gaining a world perspective, building friendships, and new knowledge in this study abroad program as a first-generation college student.
Pros
Friendships
Exploring the cities & independence
Spanish culture
Cons
Housing were a bit further outside from the main city.
Amsterdam Business and Communications Summer Program
Jul 26, 2023
This study abroad experience was one of my best college decisions. CIEE was the first program I found that catered to all my desires. Within my summer Business and Communications Program, I took classes in my field of study and counted towards credit back at my home university. Additionally, the program allowed me to take weekend trips to other surrounding countries, truly making the most of my study abroad experience. Not to mention, the opportunity of both need and merit-based aid in a program that was already affordable was appealing. The program also was not exclusively connected with any one college or university, meaning that students were coming from a variety of different places, backgrounds, and schools. I knew this would make building friendships much easier because we were all in the same boat of being in a new country virtually alone.