Program Reviews

I really loved this program. decided to do this program for my last summer before graduating (August 2025) and have no regrets.

The staff was very helpful in reviewing my application and matching me with an internship.

The process was easy. I met online with one of the staff members, who asked me about my goals and what I wanted out of this program, and pretty much got to know me. Then a month later, I got matched with an internship, and interviewed with 2 of the internship supervisors and a CIEE staff member. I knew immediately I would be working with them, seeing as the interview went great, and we both agreed on the call that we were very eager to work together.

Right before the program, however, I was a little lost as to what I needed to do; a lot of students were in the dark. BUT, the predeparture orientation was super helpful, let us know where we would be living during our program, what to do upon arrival, and what to bring with us to Tokyo.

Upon arrival, the CIEE members were visible at the airport in bright orange shirts, and they were ready to help guide us to the waiting area. We waited for everyone to show up and then took charter buses to our dorms. The next two days were very helpful orientations, and after that, we were on our own in the city, but this wasn't super scary since Tokyo is very safe.

The class, however, was a different story. The class was VERY easy, you met 3 times during the whole program, and submitted assignments on the CIEE canvas pages (different than your home inst.) BUTTTT I feel that the class could have used more staff oversight during its creation and curriculum writing. It's not super applicable to what you're learning. The teachers they chose were very nice, but in this program setting, I feel that either a culture class, a language class, or a career readiness class would be better.

The program is a bit expensive, even as a low-income student (-1500 SAI) I still had to pay $3,000 out of pocket, and that's including the scholarships that CIEE gave me. SCHOLARSHIPS, another great thing about the program! If you're from a low-income background like me, the financial need-based scholarships are pretty much guaranteed. The Gilman Go Global grant is very nice, it's a great ailment when the Gilman rejection comes in. What I didn't like, though, like was that the scholarships team never advertised that you (potentially) could receive more aid. I didn't know that I could petition for more aid as they present the financial aid appeal form (the form that could give you up to $2,500 towards your summer program) as a form to fill out if you "need to cancel due to financial need". I was scared to click this form because I was scared of automatically cancelling my application SOOOOO don't be like me, FILL OUT THE FORM!

Money aside, I loved my experience, I had THE BEST internship experience, and learned so much about my future career goals, and learned invaluable skills that I can (and will) apply in the future.

I really loved my time on the CIEE summer French program. Rennes was a great town to get to explore and the region of Brittany was beautiful! My French improved dramatically and I was able to finally overcome my fear of speaking French. The immersion aspect of the program was really helpful, especially living with a host family helped me experience French culture in a special way and feel like I was actually learning instead of just being a tourist. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in being immersed in French culture.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was single handedly the best decision I have ever made. The program was super helpful in guiding us through the initial process and being there for any help we may have needed. I was able to meet a ton of lifelong friends that I will be keeping in touch with for many years to come. I got to discover a bunch of new places all across Europe and Africa. If you are an adrenaline junkie, there will be plenty of things to do for that too. Overall, a great experience and would 100% recommend!

My experience with CIEE has exceeding my expectations of cultural and personal growth! Coming from an urban city in the US, I was shocked to see the vibrancy and friendliness on the streets. Bike riders of all ages, families playing at the park, and the sight of warm bakeries at every corner. As an art history lover, the easily accessible and endless museums and monuments around Alexanderplatz & Postdamerplatz made me excited to explore new places! Plus, with its central location in Western Europe, it’s easy to travel to other countries within a matter of hours & at low cost. For last-minute & affordable trips, I suggest FlixBus or Deutschbahn. For advanced trips, flights with local airlines is possible too!

My experience here in Singapore was unique and unlike anything I have ever done before coming here. The streets are clean, the trains (MRT) are on time, and the food comes in different forms than I'm used to. In Singapore, there are a lot of chances to explore and have fun because within this small country, there are things that you don't expect to find. From the malls to the small local stores you will find a lot of cultural items and foods that will blow your mind. Singapore is said to be the Garden City and I would agree because it has lots of green and clean places all over the country, one of the more famous ones being the Botanic Gardens.

It was an awesome experience. I got to meet so many wonderful people, practice Spanish, and I learned a lot from my courses. My dorm was a 3 minute walk away from the main plaza of Alcalá de Henares, Plaza de Cervantes. It was also only a 3 minute walk away from the University. There was also the option to stay in a homestay with a host family. But I chose the Dorm option to be closer to the University. Overall this program was a great experience and included 3 excursions, we went to the Palacio Real, Guadalajara, and a cooking class in Madrid. We had class Monday-Thursday 9am-2:30pm with a 30 minute break from 11:30am-noon.

I LOVED Merida! It was so safe, fun, and exciting. There was always something new to do.

These are a few things I did that everyone should experience:
- Both Zoos Centanario and Animaya
- Mercado lucas de Galvez
- Parque de las Americas
- A local dance class
- Outdoor park/ workout area
- All the local museums
- La Negrita Restaurant
- Riding the local bus
- Chichen Itza
- Cenotes
- Progresso Beach
- All the local shopping
- Dancing at Plan De Ayala (Only on Fridays)
- Guyabana icecream
- Gran Museo Maya
- Galerias Mall

I recommend talking to locals whenever you can. Everyone is so kind and they know hidden secrets about the city. I recommend budgeting at least $400 for spending money per month because shopping is a big part of the culture.

My host mom was so sweet, and I loved doing activities with her. She had children, so we played a lot of board games, and we even got to watch their end-of-year dance recital. Make sure if you're busing anywhere that you leave at least 20 minutes cushion time because sometimes the buses can be unpredictable. It does rain, so bring an umbrella or a rain jacket. Also, the streets will flood! This place is perfect for anyone doing a solo or a group trip. 10/10 I recommend :) Also please bring lots of bug spray. You can forget about perfume.

Participating in CIEE’s Global Internship program in Milan was truly an unforgettable experience. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to live and work abroad, gaining not only international exposure but also invaluable professional skills through my internship. Being immersed in a new culture while working in a dynamic and global city like Milan allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

Milan was the perfect location, known as the capital of fashion, business, and innovation, it offered a vibrant and inspiring environment to learn and thrive. The city's blend of history, art, and modernity created the perfect backdrop for exploration and discovery. Every day brought a new adventure, whether it was navigating the bustling streets, visiting iconic landmarks like the Duomo, or enjoying authentic Italian cuisine.

My time in Milan taught me the importance of adaptability, cultural awareness, and professionalism in a global context. I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone, communicate across language barriers, and contribute meaningfully to my host organization. These experiences not only enhanced my resume but also helped shape my perspective on the kind of global career I want to pursue.

I look back on my time in Milan with so much appreciation. From the friendships I formed to the skills I developed and the memories I made, this internship experience was truly life-changing. I’m so thankful to CIEE for making this possible and would encourage anyone considering international work or study to take that leap it is so worth it.

Being in Florence was amazing, and that's because of the staff and their constant support. I could confidently walk around the city and visit any place I wanted because of how prepared the staff made me. Any questions I had regarding health, speaking Italian, or places to go, they always had an answer. They provided a comfortable and enjoyable experience, especially with guided tours and excursions that were very personal and unique. Thank you to them for making this experience so memorable, I truly appreciate it!

I spent a month in Toulouse with CIEE and it was the most amazing thing i’ve ever done! The teachers were awesome, my group got along super well, my host family was amazing, and the overall atmosphere of Toulouse is amazing! I got back a couple of weeks ago and I already want to go back, I miss it so much! I would recommend this to anyone, I learned so much, felt so independent, and really got to explore another culture in a way I couldn’t before! My french also improved tremendously, especially thanks to my amazing host family!