Going abroad this summer was a fantastic way of me seeing the world in a different lens.. A unique thing that I was able to learn during this trip was the history of Argentina because my classes would have us visit historical sites and touristic areas of Buenos Aires. Before my trip I was shy and I very nervous going by myself but during this trip I was able to learn a bit more about myself and getting out my comfort zone. I was able to make good connections with various people whom I can keep contact with to build my network. I was able to make memorable memories that I will carry on with me forever and I can share my experience with my friends and family because I want them to see the world that is outside of their's. Adventure the World.
What would you improve about this program?
Have more events/activities every week and from other programs.
My time in Amman with CIEE was amazing. In class, my instructors demonstrated obvious expertise in their subjects, and their teaching styles kept every day as entertaining as it was informative. Outside of class, cooking and mosaic classes, tours of the city, and the trip to Wadi Rum and Petra with CIEE were all incredible.
Beyond CIEE events, Jordan is full of things to see and do. My classmates and I went to Wadi Mujib, the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, Madaba, and Jerash. We also found tons of shops and restaurants all over Amman where we ate our bodyweight in hummus and falafel. Also, for all of you coffee and tea lovers, the cafes in Amman will not disappoint.
The local people, the culture, the food, and everything in between made for an unforgettable experience. You're going to love Jordan!
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried fried lamb brain. I can't say I will ever want to eat it again, but I can at least check it off of my bucket list!
I enjoyed being in the CIEE program to expand my learning for my journalism career. I liked the activities we got to participate in, made a few friends, and learned something new in my news media, globalization, and journalism course. I would recommend this program to high school and college students for the adventure.
I also enjoyed being in a new city that was a way from home. Prague is full of life, the architecture is beautiful, the weather is really hot, and the night life is wonderful. I recommend the Arepas de Lyna place to eat fresh Venezuelan food. They are so sweet, their customer service is phenomenal, and it was close to my apartment. Definitely a ten out of ten and five star restaurant. I hope if you have the chance to come to Prague, to fully grasp the European culture and lifestyle.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Public transportation was difficult for me because I usually drive everywhere, but I got the hang of it.
Not going to lie, the thought of leaving family behind and traveling to a completely foreign country for four weeks was daunting at first. However, with the help of CIEE’s pre-departure programs and the constant flow of communication and information between the students and staff really helped alleviate the fear. Instead, with the talk of exploring the city's nightlife, trying all staples of the Dutch cuisine, the nervousness transformed into excitement and a thirst for adventure!
The lasting friendships, the scrumptious stroopwafels, the eye-opening lectures, the bustling nightlife have helped make my first study abroad experience an amazing one; one that has greatly exceeded beyond my expectations and what I hoped to have achieve in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Definitely rent a bike! As a non-biker back in the United States, I was nervous about biking around the busy Amsterdam streets. However, after stepping past that initial fear, you will fall in love with using bikes as your main means of transportation! The city is very bike-able and is much easier to navigate via biking!
The staff at CIEE is amazing and supportive. They will work with you before and during your trip to make sure you’re fully prepared and know what to expect. They plan fun excursions throughout the program so you have the opportunity to experience the culture and history. The classes are also very insightful and offer onsite excursions to gain more perspective on the subject matter. The staff is also very informative about events going on around the city, and sent out newsletters letting us know what was going on. The staff also offered recommendations for other cities and ensured that we were safe and enjoying ourselves wherever we were. Everyone involved in the program is very welcoming and they let you know they are available to help with any questions you may have. Everyone at CIEE is dedicated to you and making your time abroad truly special.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would advise everyone to put themselves out there, make friends, and take chances. I received an opportunity for a weekend in Milan and Switzerland by a girl I had know for maybe three days because we discussed trips we wanted to take and experiences we wanted to have. If I had stayed to myself, I wouldn’t have received that opportunity. I also planned a trip to Paris with another girl for the last weekend because we both really wanted to go and figured why not. Take full advantage of your time abroad and see everything you can from the monuments, to museums, to street performers. Who knows when a chance like this will come again?
I am really happy that I chose this program! I had already thought that I would choose this program about a year before I went. I was lucky enough to have had a friend be in the program the previous year, so she gave me advice and told me about the different things I would do. I don't think I would have chosen differently!
I love the classes and my peers! The classes are really fun and informative! Both of the instructors that I have had have been so kind and helpful. The people in my class are understanding and helpful as well. There are two classes and I have gotten to know the students in the other class and we all get along really well!
It has been such a great summer and I am really lucky to be here! There is so much to do in Rennes and it has not been a boring summer at all. Also the food is super great! I have gotten into a nice routine as well! A big plus for Rennes' public transportation systems as well!
I love the family that I am placed with and feel so comfortable with them. They are so kind and patient. I actually live with the same family as my friend who did the program last year! They are probably some of the BEST people I have ever met!
What would you improve about this program?
In terms of improvement, I sometimes wished that there were more information on the activities we do on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are still fun!
Being in Australia and getting hands on experience with its wonders and especially the wildlife (terrestrial and marine alike) has been everything I had hoped for and more! The opportunities here are immense. Now I can say that I am 1 in 3 million people who have ever had the chance to swim next to a whale shark. I got to feed and play with kangaroos, pet a baby koala, watch a giant manta ray doing barrel rolls right before my eyes, take selfies with Quokas, experience the vivid night life that is similar yet very different than in the US. Experiencing a different culture by diving right into it has been amazing in every way! I have formed relationships with beautiful people and have come out with far more knowledge and awareness of the importance of our marine ecosystems. I would absolutely recommend to everyone to go to Australia and especially to Ningaloo marine park. I have never seen such beautiful and pristine beaches before and the coral ecosystems are phenomenal. There is an entire world under the sea that most people sadly are unable to visit or see. Going to Ningaloo has reawakened my passion for conservation biology and I want to do everything I can to help preserve the precious coral reef and marine ecosystems we have left. Everything about this trip has been spectacular in every way. I only wish I would have known how nice Australians (especially women) dress. So my advice to future CIEE students is if you are planning to go out into town at all or to go out at nice, bring your best clothes because they dress VERY nice here.
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I could do this all over again I would do it in a heart beat but the thing I would change and that I regret is to go on every single whale shark drop during the tour regardless of how sea sick I am and how choppy the waves are.
This program was the perfect program for me! I have always wanted to go to Australia, but I struggled for a while to figure out which city to go to. I decided on Perth, because I didn't want the feel of a huge city like some of the cities on the east coast. This was perfect, because the city of Perth offered lots of things to do / see, including bars, restaurants, clubs, city events, etc., yet it was also much quieter and laid-back. I could not get over how clean the city was -- it was just beautiful. I loved how close Murdoch University was to Fremantle, which was my favorite suburb to explore. There were endless restaurants and stores to explore, and we saw the best sunsets there every night. On Murdoch's campus, I loved that we lived in the Village, so we were fully immersed in the student life there. We became friends with full-time students, so I became best friends with students from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, etc. I absolutely loved all of my fellow American friends through CIEE, but we all really loved / appreciated the fact that we were not just limited to meeting Americans. I loved how laid-back Murdoch University was as compared with universities in the US. My professors were willing to meet with me for extra help, and I loved the unique classes I could take here in order to learn about Australia itself. Finally, I loved the opportunities we had to be outside, explore nature, and interact with animals. On any of the trips we took to the north- or south-west of Australia, we would see kangaroos, wallabies, emus, echidnas, and more just on the side of the roads. This would've been a totally different experience if I had been in a huge city, so I am so thankful for Perth / Murdoch and all they had to offer!!!!
What would you improve about this program?
The one thing that was hard about this program was the fact that there was an Arts + Sciences program as well as a BEFS program. While we were all in CIEE, we were completely different programs with different schedules. We became best friends, but then we only had one of the same breaks from school, and we finished our programs at different times. It was really sad to be separated from them while they did research, because Murdoch had a break the week before their research, and they had a break the week after their research. This left us being unable to see each other for 4 weeks, which was really hard after we had gotten so close. It also was sad to see them leave so early. In the future, I would recommend overlapping the 2nd Murdoch break with the 2nd BEFS break, so that the only time apart would be the research weeks at Ningaloo!!
Honestly, this was one of the best things that I have ever done in my life. Studying abroad is a fun experience, and it is something that we should all do. Paris is full of wonderful things, so you will never run out of things to do. The classes are long enough to learn from them, but short enough for you to have free time and explore Paris. You are always safe, but you are also given personal space to do what you want. The home stay is also amazing. We are provided with amazing households with wonderful families. Food is also not a problem. Lunch is provided and dinner is given by your family. However, if you would like to buy a snack during the day or when out, you should have your own money. Be careful with your money. It may seem like you have much, but it can spend away like that.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Me and my roomate ere terrified meeting out host family. But we breathed and tried to relax, and everything turned out to be perfect.
This program was great! The best part about this summer language program is the balance between classes and time for exploring your new city. The language intensive program offers an incredible learning experience for those trying to improve on their Spanish speaking skills. Additionally, you will have numerous opportunities for exploring and traveling freely. CIEE organized multiple excursions and cultural events throughout the program. Alicante itself is a wonderful city full of history and beautiful sights. Who doesn't love the beach? You'll be racing to see everything in Alicante during your 8 weeks here, but CIEE will make it a breeze. The CIEE staff was great during the application process, but once you arrive, you'll realize that the on-site staff is incredible as well. Safety and support while abroad were covered amazingly by the Alicante CIEE staff!
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I experienced was the week of the Hogueras. After this incredible week, the firework show on the beach begins and lasts for 5 days!
