Program Reviews

I completed Spring Blocks I and II at CIEE Sydney this year. Incredible program to take if you're looking to study abroad in Australia. Sydney to has plenty to do like exploring different surf spots around the city, trying out the nightlife, and eating the incredible food. CIEE also has classes only 3 days a week leaving plenty of time to plan weekend trips. I was able to go to Cairns, New Zealand, Bali, and Tasmania during the 3 months I was there. Staff were super friendly and helpful too! They organized weekly events such as trips to Taronga Zoo, AFL matches, and an overnight trip to Port Stephens. Overall, had an amazing time and would highly recommend!

CIEE Staff Support
The staff of the CIEE Rennes program are beyond wonderful. They are accessible, warm, caring, supportive, and detail-oriented. They were available and helpful before I came to France and during my entire stay. They went out of their way to make sure I and my other group mates not only settled in but also thrived in Rennes. They provided excellent support for the transition to life and academics abroad. They even go as far as to ask us for our interests and create lists of extracurriculars (i.e., gyms, places to hang out, etc.) that allow us to get involved in life outside of school too!

School and extracurriculars
I found the coursework at CIREFE comprehensive and challenging but not overwhelming. The professors there were incredibly kind and dynamic. My language skills improved dramatically due to the instruction I received.

CIREFE has many extracurriculars open to their students such as Breton dance, music, and theatre. This allows students to build community with other international students!

CIEE also allowed me the opportunity to participate in their TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) program. This program combines a teaching assistant position for one hour a week with a concurrent class run by a CIEE teacher. It was an invaluable experience to be able to learn in the classroom and in real-life practice at the same time!

Host family
The time I spent with my host family was the highlight of my experience abroad. They were very well matched to my personality and preferences, and they welcomed me into their house as if I was a member of their own family. Staying with them is what improved my language acquisition the most. I also learned a lot from them about French culture; participating in things such as galettes de roi, holidays, birthdays, and just afternoon teas where we got to talk and exchange details of our lives! A year after leaving the program, I maintain contact with my host family!
(Note: my level of french is B2/intermediate)

Additionally, the Breton culture of Rennes runs strong! The medieval colorful half-wood paneled buildings and the rich history of the city shine through and make Rennes a really special place in France to experience.

Outings/ Excursions
The CIEE staff took our group on a number of outings in Rennes and in nearby areas in France. These outings were incredible opportunities to get to see the country and to try new activities! My semester excursions included: Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo (where we went sea kayaking!), Paris, La Roche aux fées (historic neolithic doleman), and the Fougères castle.

If you want to travel independently, Rennes is very well connected to the train and bus systems of France. With my student status, I was able to benefit from 5 euro bus rides to cities surrounding Rennes. On this bus, I was able to visit places like Brocéliande, the legendary enchanted forest from Arthurian legend!

LGBT safety
If you’re a part of the LGBT community like me and wondering if Rennes is safe and if the CIEE team is accepting, wonder no longer! This was a real concern of mine before going abroad. When I came to Rennes, I was very happy to see that it is a diverse and eclectic city with a decent LGBT population. The CIEE staff were incredibly supportive and accepting, and had no problem using preferred pronouns!

Super grateful for all the friends I met along the way. If you are outgoing enough, I was able to meet a fluent Japanese speeker. Which made my trip exponentially better. Lots of introverts in Japan.

The CIEE team there puts in a lot of effort to make sure you have the best experience. Super helpful staff.

I stayed in the Oakwood hotel, since the dorms were full. Best housing choice you can have, Kinda a bubble since it was a 10 minute walk from the other dorms, but made friends with all the people there! Go, go, go, only young once! wont regret it.

I am a senior at Arizona State and I went to Sydney for 6 weeks. I was super on the fence about going and wasn't sure if it was a good idea. Eventually, my family and friends told me I'd regret it if I didn't enough times that I was convinced! The flight here was long but not bad at all. Upon arrival, the first week was windy and rainy. Make sure you check the weather reports! However, we had orientation and quickly made friends in the program. We learned to do things in Sydney that didn't involve the warm beach and now, I'm so grateful for those times. My first tip is this: say yes to everything and everyone in the first week. I met so many great people. We went to the first CIEE excursion together (a tour of the botanical gardens) and there I met even more people! It was pouring rain that day but afterwards we visited a nearby museum. After the first week of adjusting and meeting people and overall craziness, you quickly settle into a routine. Classes help you stay structured. Now the best part: THE WEATHER. The second it got sunny in Sydney, it was paradise on earth. Our daily schedule looked like this: wake up, workout (we liked taking pilates classes at Bondi), class, homework, beach and more beach and then dinner with friends. Weekends were so fun in Sydney. We explored all the thrift markets, farmers markets and shopping centers. As a girl who loves shopping, Sydney was amazing. Double Bay, Bondi Junction, Glebe Markets...the shopping list is endless. Australians are as friendly as they are made out to be. Also, the most important part to me, Sydney felt incredibly safe. While studying abroad, it's important to practice independence. There are certain times when you may want to do something differently than everyone else and that's where it's ok to have a solo adventure! I learned how to take public transport on my own and at first I was scared. However, as time went on, it was super easy to pick up on. Never once did I feel unsafe on my own in Sydney. Also, the food was amazing. So many great options and such a diverse variety offered in the city. I'm not going to lie and say every part of studying abroad is amazing and easy. There are bumps in the road, like anything in life, but trust me when I tell you that they are well worth it. You will grow so much while abroad and learn so much about yourself. Sydney is a great place to do so. My roommate- it was her first time out of the United States and she absolutely loved it and felt so comfortable. It may take a few days to find your footing and adjust. It will take you some time to find your people, find your routine and figure out how to get around. I would recommend coming with a bucket list and activities that you know you want to do. Overall, I would recommend this to absolutely anyone interested.

I stayed in a homestay for my time in Sydney and I absolutely loved the family I lived with! The city itself has lots of different restaurants, parks, beaches, and site seeing to explore! Sydney is a very central location on the east coast of Australia which makes it accessible to travel up and down the coast and to different islands as well. If you like the outdoors, this is the place for you! The locals in Sydney are very kind and welcoming. No matter where you are staying, there are lots of options for public transportation.

Going to Sydney for 6 weeks was the best decision I ever made. I had such a blast here and was able to enjoy the summer in January and February, and I'm now leaving to study in Rome, Italy for 12 more weeks! While in Sydney, I was able to be very independent and planned trips with my friends every single weekend. I went to surf camp, to the Blue Mountains (with CIEE), to Cairns (the Great Barrier Reef), and to Byron Bay! There were tons of options on things to do and it was so sunny and beautiful the whole time. I am so glad I got the chance to explore such an amazing place. This program is incredible and I had the absolute best time.

I could not recommend this study abroad experience more!! I was nervous to be so far from home, but the culture of Sydney and CIEE was beyond welcoming. I had such a fun time exploring the city during the day, and there was lots to do at night! Although Australia is mainly English-speaking, I felt immersed in an entirely different culture! From seeing the native wildlife, experiencing the Great Barrier Reef, and hiking the mountains of Tasmania, I got to experience so many new things. You can't beat Sydney for a study abroad location - it really has it all from beach to hiking, fun nightlife and a rich cafe scene!

I think this experience was very unique and surprised me. I did not know what to expect from Santiago as a city but was pleasantly surprised. I thought that the program staff were amazing, they met every need of all the students and truly focused on our wellbeing. The program-led activities were so engaging, informative and adventure based. I felt that they provided a comprehensive view of Chile. The accommodations were less than expected. There was a great need for upkeep and maintaining the cleanliness. When I discussed this with the program coordinators, they were very receptive and actively worked to improve the situation. The safety was not the best, but again I felt that the program did their best to keep us safe. This was shown with the 24 hour emergency phone number and extensive orientation.

I loved being in Santiago!! The support system that CIEE provided was amazing, and I felt like if anything happened to me abroad I would know where to go. The home stay experience was epic, and I got to know my family super well while improving my Spanish. I wanted to have both a broad cultural experience and one filled with travel and the outdoors, which Santiago was perfect for. CIEE was really helpful in planning trips and taking us on excursions that felt beneficial in gaining cultural knowledge and having an exciting adventure.

Studying abroad in Sydney with CIEE is an incredible blend of academic enrichment, cultural immersion, and outdoor adventure. The city’s breathtaking landscapes, from Bondi Beach to the Blue Mountains, provide endless opportunities for exploration, while iconic sites like Sydney Harbour and Cockatoo Island offer both beauty and history. Academically, CIEE’s courses make learning engaging and hands-on—whether diving into the science and history of brewing or examining urban sustainability through real-world case studies. Beyond the classroom, co-curricular activities like a brewery tour introduce students to Sydney’s thriving craft beer scene, while trips to Cockatoo Island uncover the city’s layered past. With stunning scenery, dynamic courses, and immersive experiences, CIEE’s Sydney program is the perfect choice for students seeking both education and adventure.