My experience with CIEE Berlin is something that I'll remember for the rest of my life. This city is amazing and Id easily call it my second home. Because of how diverse Berlin is I not only got to experience German culture but several others too. These cultural experiences have lead to personal growth that I'm already seeing the effects of. It's also a city that you will never get bored in. Just by walking down the street there is always a new restaurant, store, or activity to explore. This program is everything I hoped study abroad to be and more and would highly recommend anyone thinking of studying abroad to absolutely go for it and 100% look at Berlin!
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Being abroad gave me the amazing opportunity of not just getting to explore my host country of Germany but also several other European countries. As grateful for this experience as I am, i'm leaving Berlin wishing I had spent more time in the city. It's such a vast place I feel like I've only brushed the surface.
My experience in Monteverde with CIEE was amazing. I had no idea what to expect going into the program and it definitely succeeded my expectations. I got to learn a new language, be apart of such a unique culture and community, and make long lasting friends. After staying here for almost three months, I was so comfortable here that I didn’t want to go back to the states, to reality. This really was such a surreal experience for me and I will definitely never forget. I am definitely coming out of this experience as a new person.
What was your funniest moment?
This trip has so many funny moments that I shared with all the other students. Every day we had something to laugh about or experience something that would never happen anywhere else beside in Monteverde
It was super fun traveling aboard and finding your people. Long-time friends that will make the difference while being aboard. You get to meet a mix of incredible people all of whom have different storylines from you and want to share them. The positive environment helps you find a grounding despite being far away from home. Exploring the city is a lot of fun the markets are so fun and literally you lose yourself in a day just walking around. It is as easy as taking the underground and going anywhere your heart desires.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Feeling homesick around holidays or missing family members' birthdays was definitely nerve-racking because of course you want to be there but can't. Just being away from all things that are familiar to you is a scary process, but truly sitting with those thoughts is helping and remembering why you went abroad. Also once you have found those friends you trust it is easier to share your feelings and know you are not alone.
I absolutely loved my time abroad in Sevilla, Spain with the CIEE program. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was greeted enthusiastically and felt instantly welcome in what would be my home city for the next four months. As my journey comes to an end, I can only speak highly of my experience. Through living with a host family and participating in CIEE events and trips, I feel as though I truly made the most of my semester abroad. I am leaving Seville a more confident, more knowledgeable, and overall better version of myself! I will never forget the laughter shared with my host siblings at the dinner table, the lessons learned from living in a different country, the joy that volunteering with Spanish children brought, and the memories that I made while traveling. I feel so lucky to have had this experience and cannot recommend it enough!
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment was my first time at the nail salon. In the United States, my nail salon always plays a movie that I can watch as I get my nails done, but the environment at the nail salon in Sevilla was much different. I knew that there wouldn’t be a movie to distract myself and that I would be seated for an hour and a half with the nail tech, expected to have a conversation in Spanish (a language which I had know knowledge of prior to coming abroad). After being extremely nervous and practicing what I might say, I ended up having a great time! My nail tech was super friendly and she spoke slowly so that I could understand her. She helped me to practice my Spanish and never judged me for trying my best.
Studying abroad in Berlin has been an incredible journey that has profoundly impacted my life. The experience has opened my eyes to various cultures, not just within Berlin but also in the surrounding areas. This immersion has been a source of immense joy and has enriched my understanding of the world in ways I can't fully express.
One of the most significant aspects of this journey has been the development of my independence and self-awareness. Being in a new environment has encouraged me to discover more about who I am as a person and how I can incorporate this growth into my future endeavors. The challenges and opportunities here have truly shaped me.
I am deeply grateful for the support and guidance provided by the staff in Berlin. Their assistance has not only made my academic pursuits smoother but has also fostered a sense of community that has been invaluable as a student abroad. Their presence has made every day here more meaningful.
Without a doubt, choosing to come to Berlin has been one of the best decisions of my life. This experience will forever alter the way I perceive the world, leaving an indelible mark on my perspective and future aspirations.
My program was a great experience and I learned so many new things, I felt that it was academically challenging and intellectually stimulating and overall a great experience. CIEE demonstrated a genuine commitment to addressing students' needs, creating an environment that stood out in my academic journey. The meticulous planning, coupled with the responsive support system, elevated my study abroad experience to unparalleled heights. I am so grateful that I chose CIEE for my study-abroad experience!
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have loved to travel more but planning ahead!
Staying in Prague was an amazing experience that I'd recommend to anyone thinking of studying abroad. CIEE goes above and beyond to ensure that each of their students has a great time and offer very nice extra-curricular activities such as wine tastings, free trips to different cities around the Czech Republic and Europe as well, and an opportunity to teach English to Czech elementary schoolers. The classes are not too hard, so I had a lot of free time to explore Prague and take weekend trips to the surrounding countries in Europe.
Deciding to study abroad was a great decision and I am so grateful of all my experiences studying with CIEE in Prague. It was incredible easy to adjust to the host country and even easier to make friends. CIEE provides lots of fun activities within Prague and trips outside of your country as well. Some of my favorites include our trip to Budapest, Czech cooking Classes, and the Nutcracker Ballet. Prague is very safe and very easy to navigate, if you decide to join CIEE Prague, you will never run out of things to do. The best part about this whole experience is the relationships you leave with! Very much worth it!
I would highly recommend studying abroad in Santiago! As a Spanish minor who primarily came to improve my Spanish skills, I will say that learning Chilean Spanish has been tough but has proven to be very rewarding and promising for the future. The city of Santiago is great and I have been able to meet a diverse group of friendly, warm, and genuinely kind people. Learning about Chile's social and political history as well has been very interesting and shed light on a lot of transnational issues.
You Don't Need To Go To The UK To Ride A Double-Decker Bus and Drink 20 Cups of Tea A Day
Nov 18, 2023
My only prior experience with the city has been day trips to Chicago, so I've been stunned by how much Everything is Everywhere! I've found amazing (and cheap!) local theater shows, which I recommend to all Spanish-learners, just by clicking around GoogleMaps. The farmers' markets are marvelous; blocks of fresh cheese for $5? Salted peanuts for $2? $1 avocados? Sí, por favor! Artisan fairs also darling: Barrio Italia's is stunning. Rode a double-decker bus to / from Valparaíso (a must-see). The tea is good, the pisco sour is better, and the boxed milk is fine if you don't drink it straight up!
Pros
Efficient public transit -- cheap, quick, and with stations at convenient locations.
General friendliness; people will slow down their Spanish / speak in English when they tell you're from abroad.
Pickpockets; I've been fortunate enough to not have had my phone stolen, but another student in my program had her's stolen twice. Be careful out there!
Have general awareness about political events and demonstrations; I went out for dinner with some friends, sat on the roof patio, but we all were rubbing our eyes. Turns out below us trash piles were on fire and the police were spraying teargas. Yikes.
All these pharmacies, yet I can't find one (1) jar of Vaseline?
