CIEE Reviews

CIEE is an extraordinary organization that provides a well-rounded experience and a variety of cultural opportunities. When I was coming abroad, one of my biggest worries was that I would feel lost in the absence of a trusted adult or advisor. Studying abroad can be daunting, and I had concerns about if I would have a solid support network. During the first day of orientation, these worries were put to rest. The CIEE Prague staff ensured all the students that they were not only there to educate us, but that they also cared about our well-being and about the experiences we had. Hearing those words put my mind at ease and allowed me to look forward to what lay ahead. Additionally, the CIEE staff did a terrific job of creating intriguing programming for the students that offered us a deeper look into our host culture. Through CIEE programming, we had the opportunity to attend a local hockey game, participate in wine tasting, learn how to do glass blowing, and even take a trip to Berlin.

Many of the classes at CIEE Prague included a Czech focus, and it was interesting to widen my perspective on life throughout the world and on myself. Before coming abroad, I didn’t truly grasp how intriguing it would be to immerse myself in a new culture and learn the norms of a different country. Through the classes I’ve taken regarding culture and identity, and through my personal experiences, I have become more aware and open-minded regarding cultural differences. The international education provided at CIEE is of the utmost importance as it guided students toward understanding the similarities between cultures and respecting the differences.

The cultural emersión program is filled with meaningful learning, exciting excursions and supportive staff members that help create a near perfect study abroad experience!! The program offers a good variety of travel across the country of Portugal! The Portuguese buddies attached to the program gives a good view of Portuguese culture from young peoples perspective! Both the homestay and dorm experience were amazing! The dorms are like mini studios and are perfect for mingling with others in your program!

I spent a month in Prague with CIEE during summer 2022 and was amazed by the significant impact such a short time had on me. I was nervous that by going for a month instead of a semester, I wouldn’t ever feel fully adjusted to life in Prague, but CIEE helped me feel at home right away and prepared me for all the exciting challenges that come with study abroad. By the end of the program, I was ordering coffees in Czech thanks to the communicative language course, comfortably using Prague’s incredible public transportation system, and exploring other nearby cities with the strategies for being abroad I had learned! My time with CIEE left me with an increased sense of independence and a deep connection to Prague that I find extremely valuable!

I was apart of CIEE's Open Campus Program in Cape Town, South Africa. I did 2 blocks in Cape Town, and they were the most enlightening, exciting, and unique 12 weeks of my life! Going abroad anywhere can be scary, especially in a third world country where the crime rates aren't very comforting. However, CIEE does an amazing job at providing the right resources and information so that as soon as you step foot off the plane, you feel comfortable and welcomed. Not only did CIEE provide transportation from the airport to the housing accommodations, they also organized an introductory seminar and orientation to give us the lay of the land (how to get places, who to contact in an emergency, certain areas to stay away from, certain areas that are recommended, and so much more). Ever since Day 1, the CIEE staff was attentive and responsive, and was at our beck and call every second of everyday. If it was 8pm and I needed a restaurant recommendations, I contacted a CIEE staff member. If it was 6am and I needed a recommendation on where to go for a hike, I contacted a CIEE staff member. If I was feeling sick and wanted to go see a doctor, I contacted a CIEE staff member. They are ALWAYS there to help and guide you through the best semester of your life!

CIEE did an amazing job in making us feel supported while abroad. It was hard adjusting to a different environment without any familiar faces, but CIEE did their best to try and give us immersive cultural excursions and activities, while also giving us the freedom do do our own outings. I really enjoy the flexibility they gave us, this allowed me build my own itineraries on certain days and learn about Amsterdam and the Netherlands in my own way. CIEE also supplied many resources abroad, making the process easier. They were amazing every step of the way!

I cannot stress how much fun the January term in Monteverde was! The community of CIEE Monteverde was incredible and all of the staff were helpful and nice. They learn every single student's name and by the end of it, your class, along with the instructor and TA, become a group of your closest friends. I am leaving this program with so many new friends from around the country and with so many memories of fun adventures and excursions that we took. This was the most interesting class I've taken!

CIEE London was a really great experience! I made phenomenal friends and studied in a beautiful school right on Russell Square. The class was about the NHS in the UK and had some great information; my teacher was also lovely and made it clear she cared about learning with us rather than simply teaching us. We were given plenty of time to travel on our own (I personally went to Paris for a weekend) and the work load wasn't taxing. I wish they would have given me information on the class schedule and housing sooner, but, overall, I had an AMAZING time. I never felt unsafe as a female traveler, even when alone, and there was always something fun to do.

January in Kyoto was a life-changing experience that presented me with lots of first experiences in my life. For starters, this was only a three-week program, so everything was very fast-paced. This isn't a bad thing though, as it makes you strategically plan out your limited time in Japan and makes you plan to see the sights and even go to Tokyo or Osaka. If you do the research you'll find so many things to do and you'll never run out of new things to experience, ideally something new every day! If you have a good balance between your academic and adventurous side, then this is the perfect program for you!

This program is excellent for both being immersed in the modernity and innovation of the country, as well as its rich history. You will be at one of three best schools in the country- the campus is beautiful and it’s an excellent opportunity to meet interesting students- as well as live in a very lively, youthful, and exciting neighborhood. CIEE makes the admission process easy and provides one-of-a-kind opportunities to engage with fellow Korean students, see other parts of the country, and fun and unique experiences. I am also grateful to the team on-site that helped me one-on-one for personal reasons on multiple occasions, as well as the very accessible and eager team online that helped me complete my application. I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to see the best of South Korea!

I had a wonderful experience studying abroad in Seville, Spain. I stayed with a host mom, and I was provided three meals a day by her. She was very understanding when I chose to go out to eat with friends instead, as she wanted me to get the full dining experience that Seville has to offer. My host mom made sure I was safe and happy, and is one of the biggest reasons my Spanish improved so much. I loved the classes I took. I took two classes at The University of Seville and two classes at the CIEE center. In addition to these wonderful classes, I spent my days taking walks, taking in the historic sights around me. Most nights I walked to the river where I met up with friends to watch the sunset. Life in Seville is simple and happy. I couldn’t recommend studying in Seville with CIEE more. I am so thankful to have had such a wonderful experience!