CIEE Reviews

I studied abroad with CIEE this past fall in Amsterdam. I was impressed by how receptive and helpful the staff in the Amsterdam office were, and I really built a strong connection with them. I participated in CIEE teach, I was a member of the Student Representative Council, and I participated in a homestay up one weekend up north in Groningen - these are examples of my favorite activities that I got to do as a CIEE student. My favorite memory was through CIEE teach, when my Dutch students said goodbye to my friends and I by performing a dance for us and giving us chocolates for their Sinterklaas holiday.

CIEE was very helpful during orientation (and after) in getting us accustomed to how the UvA operates. I also took courses with CIEE, as they had a more familiar grading standard. Both my UvA and CIEE courses were challenging, and it was cool learning about European politics and social policies while living there. As far as housing goes, that is the factor that influenced me choosing this program - CIEE guarantees housing in Amsterdam, which is an incredible promise that they uphold for students, since the housing market in Amsterdam is very competitive. I stayed in a single with a full size bed and private bathroom in The Student Hotel Amsterdam West, which was a ~25 minute bike ride from UvA. I loved this experience, the friends I made through it, and the memories I created will be cherished forever -- and I didn't go in thinking this is how I'd feel. Trust me, the folks at CIEE really did their best in shaping this experience for me and 90+ other students, and they are always receptive to improvements. If you're looking for a program thats challenging, with good staff support, independent housing, and in a central location for European travel, this program is for you.

I really enjoyed my time in Shanghai, China, on the CIEE: Business, Language, and Culture program. Many of my teachers had impressive business backgrounds and the class material was engaging. I met many close friends from different CIEE programs and really enjoyed the sense of community CIEE created between its students, especially those living in the dorms. Shanghai is a huge city with endless things to do. Plus, no classes on Fridays allowed for longer domestic travel trips on the weekends. I would highly recommend this program!

Studying in Seville is not my first time living abroad independently. However, it is definitely my first time speaking a language that I am not proficient with and adapting to a culture I have almost zero knowledge with. Ciee equipped me with a two weeks intensive Spanish training session, a four hundred level grammar class, and a variety of courses focusing on the history and society of the Spanish speaking world. I could take small-size panels at the institution itself or join in universities' lectures. The diversity and flexibility of registering for classes allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of Spain as well as charting my credits toward a bachelor degree in International Relations and Spanish.

Most professors at Ciee also teach courses in local universities, therefore they have highly organized teaching structures and years of experiences in their fields. For example, on my class Politics and Society of the Contemporary Arab World, Professor Eduardo del Campo incorporated his stories of being a journalist into his class. He has shared students with exclusive photographs taken by himself as he travelled through the middle east, such as scenes of the neighborhood on the Israel-Palestine border. The pictures and his real-life experiences made his opinions and narratives on the issues of the Arab world more appealing and convincing.

Just like Professor Eduardo del Campo, many Ciee faculties supported students to learn and integrate into the society through different manners which are not limited to a one hour and thirty minutes class. Students were able to register for a language exchange program sponsored by the University of Seville in which they practice speaking Spanish with their Spanish partners who are interested in learning and practicing English. Every week, there was an additional reunion at white bar for all students from the program where students can meet each other and develop their own networks. Since English is not my first language and most Spanish students are looking for a native English speaker to tutor them, I found it difficult to have a Spanish partner who can meet up with me on a regular base.

Instead, I spent more time on attending Ciee sponsored excursions and tours in and out of the city. Within three months, I visited Cadiz, Ronda, Córdoba, Jerez de la Frontera, and Huelva with Ciee. The one-day trip usually has a full agenda which includes studying historical sites, trying local food, visiting galleries, etc. Also, I have developed a genuine friendship with some Ciee students through the process. I met my friends Sam and Tess during the city tour at “Las Setas”, a landmark architecture of Seville. I also spent four out of five excursion trips with Jasmine. I did not dare to hope I would have good friends after I left Mount Holyoke College, but it turned out I could easily meet people who share same interests with me during countless extracurricular events. With the love and support from my friends, living and studying in Seville no longer became difficult and lonely for me.

My studying abroad in Seville will continue in 2020. Next semester, I will change my program from liberal arts to business and society in order to take more economics classes. Additionally, I hope to challenge myself and spend more time talking and networking with locals. Therefore, I will cherish the opportunities that Ciee offer me in interning or volunteering in Seville institutions. On the same time, I will take advantage of my previous experience and stay out of my comfort zone, which means I will spend more time in the language exchange program and become fully confident in speaking Spanish under whatever circumstances.

I loved CIEE Prague! The staff was nice and very helpful. The classes were interesting and I enjoyed my Professors. I was hesitant about going abroad with a study abroad company rather than directly through a school, but it was actually a great experience. I learned a lot and the program was well-organized. The staff responds well to suggestions from students and has put in place a more flexible attendance policy and implemented more breaks for travelling. This has helped give me more freedom to enjoy being in Europe while I am here.

This is your standard study abroad program with classes and excursions. The academics weren't particularly challenging but nonetheless, I took interesting and informative classes. The excursions and cultural activities were all well planned and I enjoyed all of them. The staff was generally helpful and always supportive. I made lifelong friends and lived with a host family that became my home away from home.

I wish the program was in a larger space, as we had 60 students in one small floor of a building.

I couldn't recommend CIEE in Amman, Jordan enough, especially to students pursuing degrees in Arabic and/or Political Science. I initially chose CIEE over other programs because of the variety of transferrable classes it offers, the freedom of mobility students have within and beyond Jordan's borders, and the program's emphasis on organizing cultural experiences to better immerse students in the local lifestyle. The program itself not only met my expectations in all of these areas, but the staff and faculty also went above and beyond in their support, administration, and provision of engaging activities offered to students, which was a pleasant surprise. The Arabic professors are the best I've ever had in my three years of studying Arabic, and the relationships I have fostered with both the local and CIEE communities are some I'll retain for life. CIEE Amman knows what they're doing--they aim to serve their students well in every capacity to ensure an unforgettable semester full of personal and language growth.

I loved my semester abroad in Barcelona! I even had the opportunity to be a CIEE blogger, so if you are interested please look me up on their site. It is the perfect sized city, close to the beach and the mountains, and the food is amazing. Not to mention you never run out of things to do or see. It is also very easy to travel around Europe by being in Barcelona. I have been to four other countries during this semester abroad. I would definitely recommend this program specifically, especially if improving your Spanish is something that is important to you. I would also recommend staying with a host family. It is a great way to try local food and also practice your casual/every day conversation in a stress free environment. I am so sad to be leaving next week.

CIEE London is a great learning experience. Since I participated in the Open Campus program, I had the option to move between cities every 6 weeks but I decided to stay in London to get a feel for the city and do some in depth exploring. CIEE offers plenty of opportunities to adventure around the city you are studying in and with the weekend long excursions you learn even more about your host country! We went to Liverpool, York, and Cardiff (Wales!) while I was here and these trips were the things that I looked forward to the most. The staff is very helpful and friendly, which made the transition into living in another country quite inviting and welcoming. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to study abroad but also be around Americans at the same time.

With the help of the on-site staff, my cohort of the CIEE Fall 2019 program was quickly acclimated and felt at home in this new city. From the moment we stepped off the plane, we were greeted by CIEE staff and were in their direct care.

After a fun-filled first week of orientation and field trips, like to Lake Balaton, the CIEE activities continued with staff and a Hungarian peer, including a trip to Transylvania (yes, it's a real place)!

The academics in this program were interesting and showed information I had learned from a different perspective and it allowed me to interact with international students from all over the world, gaining varying insights on political and historical issues.

If I were going abroad again, I would 100% pick CIEE Budapest again.

I admit I had set the bar really high for my semester in Seoul, but I was not disappointed. It was just as beautiful and exciting as I expected. I didn't realize that Seoul itself had different provinces and that surprised me but made me more excited. When I got to the Collage Campus, I got lost because it was big and a little confusing, however, when I got used to it it was exciting just walking to class and see the changing season. My classes weren't all that hard and even if I had trouble the teachers were really understanding and helpful. I think the only thing that got me was the big language barrier, but I had both friends who could translate and the people would understand and switch to English. I loved my semester here and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to study abroad!