I'm so glad I did this program. I have no regrets! It was really expensive, but it's worth the money. I made so many great friends and memories during my 8 weeks here; and I've also grown a lot. When I told people I was doing study abroad in Berlin, they always asked why. This city is criminally underrated. Berlin summers are so beautiful because of the great weather and amount of greenery everywhere. The public transportation is also a bonus, making everything easily accessible. I recommend renting a bike from Swapfiets, as it's the best way to explore the city.
It was such a unique experience. The teachers, the staff and even the other students helped create an adventure that I will never forget. I feel in love with the classes and was so excited to learn more about Japan’s history. It was an amazing opportunity to grow my japanese speaking skills as well as use these credits for my major. They program offered many excursions to help expose the students to japanese culture. Even class had extra curriculars where we would be able to see the things we were learning about.
My experience in Kyoto was unique and insightful because I got to learn the Japanese language in the historical and cultural capital of Japan. As a mix between old and new, Kyoto provided me with a holistic perspective on what Japan evolved from as well as the direction it is going in. I would recommend this city to anyone who is looking to study abroad in a dynamic city that is also very clean and safe. During the summer here, pack for heavy heat and humidity. During the winter here, pack for a lot of snow!
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