CIEE Reviews

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!

I enjoyed my experience. The program directors were very helpful, and the internship was an amazing experience. Traveling on the weekends was very accessible. I would say it is very hot in Italy, so it is good to be aware when packing. Public transportation is very easy, but you have to get the hang of it first. You can save a lot of money on public transportation by purchasing a monthly ATM card, highly recommend. I enjoyed being a part of the program to meet others from many different places. We also had group trips or events we could attend to get to know each other. When working in my internship, my supervisor was very understanding and helpful. We had several classes throughout the week with the CIEE directors. I didn't find all of them helpful, and they were sometimes long. Orientation was insightful, but it was directly after my 12-hour commute to Europe, so I was very tired and felt they couldve spaced out the process.

My summer global internship was one of the best choices I’ve made. I met so many people and gained so many incredible experiences while also gaining incredibly valuable internship experience and professional development skills. I would recommend this experience to anyone looking to expand their global perspective, meet so many new people, and step out of their comfort zone. I will be talking about this experience for a very long time and continually reaping the benefits of the connections I’ve made, skills I’ve learned, and places I’ve seen!