I had a fantastic experience in the CIEE Prague Business + Arts study abroad program. I particularly enjoyed the staff's emphasis on immersing students in the Czech culture. This was displayed through various orientation activities and trips. Furthermore, the available course selection was full of interesting courses, and my teachers were fantastic. I particularly enjoyed my Cold War Confrontation and Czech Sports History courses. Both were engaging learning experiences and included field trips--directly seeing the concepts taught in class. Overall, I am thrilled that I chose the CIEE Prague program and highly recommend it to prospective study abroad students.
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would've emphasized staying in Prague a couple more weekends. I was incredibly fortunate to travel all across the continent, but in retrospect, Prague is such a great city; I wish I had been around more to see it.
My experience abroad has been unforgettable! Traveling with CIEE was a significant factor in my experience; the program allowed me to get to know people and take advantage of activities within Prague and on trips abroad. I really appreciated the consistency in communication from the staff, and I felt like I could reach out at any point. I was placed in an apartment for my housing, I enjoyed the experience and got so lucky with amazing roommates. There are so many ways to connect with others through school and activities!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would say to any future travelers, say yes to everything! This program gives many opportunities for fun activities and meeting new people. Time flies, sometimes it's worth missing a class or having a late night to make unforgettable memories.
Pros
Many opportunities for group activities and trips
Manageable course loads to balance your weekends and free time
Public transportation is very simple to use and helps get to know the city
Cons
Acclimating to a new city and language can be hard
Time management skills are required to efficiently plan travels and school work
Sometimes activities fill up quickly and might not be able to participate
CIEE are without a doubt the best people to go abroad with. Their course offerings, activities, and staff are always there to support you in whatever you’re looking to do overseas.
On their Barcelona Business + Culture abroad program I have:
* Gone on dozens of class excursions
* Made just as many friends
* Had the time to visit places like Paris and even Morocco
If you’re still on the fence at all just do it. As I write this I’m finishing my final week and wish I could stay forever. Thank you CIEE!
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Taking a tour inside an ancient salt mine in Cardona while being told ghost stories by our guide.
I was debating between Barcelona or another city and there's no doubt that Barcelona was the right choice for me. This program allowed me to learn in this beautiful and creative city. The classes helped me learn so much about many different subjects such as arts, cuisine, and the Spanish language. The assignments were reasonable and creative with fun and understanding professors. With my schedule, I still had time to explore the city and other countries on weekends which I'm very thankful for. I met amazing people and made friends in my classes and housing (residence hall). The housing was even better than expected and I'm thankful I chose the residencia/residence option. It allows me to be around locals and still reach anywhere I want to go by public transportation. That is something I'll miss about Barcelona, the metro is so good and the prices are reasonable. Overall, I would do this all over again, this was the right city and program!
What was your funniest moment?
My friends and I went to go get tacos at our favorite 1 euro tacos place followed by getting something sweet from McDonalds. Something funny that happened was that as we were ordering a bunch of people in costumes and paint on their faces started coming in. We were so confused but it was a hilarious moment.
Pros
Fun trips from my classes and the program itself
Residence hall is a single room and overall the building is pretty, it has everything I need.
I enjoyed my classes and their times. Made the right choices with my schedule
Cons
I live 30 minutes from the center but thankfully the metro system here is great
In the residence hall the kitchen is shared and it can get croweded while cooking
Alot of assignments from different classes were due on the same week or day which was sometimes overwhelming
Studying abroad with CIEE for architecture was like hitting the jackpot for students who love design, culture, and a bit of chaos in the best way possible. From day one, I found myself learning in totally new ways. We’re talking hands-on fabrication labs, CNC machines, and more Grasshopper tutorials than I knew I needed.
But it wasn’t just about architecture. Being dropped into a culture with so many layers, from Gaudí’s wild forms to hidden neighborhood gems, pushed me to explore deeper than the tourist surface. I got to experience independence in a whole new way, figuring out city life while also forming friendships with students from all over the world.
Of course, I hit the big tourist spots. You kinda have to. But the real fun was finding the tucked-away cafés, sketching in plazas no one back home has heard of, and realizing that every street corner could teach you something about design.
It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime student experiences that felt like a turning point. I left not only with new skills but a wider lens on how architecture lives and breathes in different parts of the world. If you're even thinking about it, do it. Your future architect self will thank you.
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I were to do it all over again, I’d make more of an effort to connect with students in other CIEE programs. There were so many different perspectives and backgrounds around me, and I wish I had taken more time to engage with that wider community.
I had an outstanding experience with CIEE Barcelona. I have traveled to many new countries, participated in various cultural activities, and broadened my horizons in many ways. I have met lifelong friends and made special bonds that I will always hold close from CIEE. I have grown and evolved as a result of this program, and I will be forever grateful for the memories I have created during this one-of-a-kind experience. If I could restart the program from day one today, I would do so in a heartbeat.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I think it is important to travel to places you would not necessarily plan on traveling prior to studying abroad. This is how I discovered some of my favorite trips.
Pros
Lifelong friends
Gaining independence
Growing as a person and gaining cultural knowledge
I completed the Economics + Culture track in Barcelona with CIEE and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I came into study abroad not knowing a single other person, which was very nerve wracking. However, I immediately made friends through classes and CIEE activities. One of the highlights of CIEE is how they make an effort to get you involved with the city. There are 3-5 activities weekly including things like cooking classes, dance classes, art works shops, and day trips, that are completely free. These programs have been one of my favorite ways to get to know Spain and other people studying abroad. The academics at CIEE are also very manageable and it is totally possible to take weekend trips and not have to worry about academics. The CIEE staff are also very responsive and willing to assist with anything that comes up.
I had an amazing time here in the Open Campus Block Kyoto location. There were so many activities that were fun and inspiring, such as kimono textiles printing, shrine and temple visits and Wagashi making workshops. Our courses included co-curricular activities that enriched our understanding of the courses and invited us students to become more local in Kyoto. The flexibility of the program allowed so much time to do solo trips around Japan. I really had the best study abroad trip of my life!!!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go explore something new everyday, even if you’re alone. There will be many amazing people you’ll meet and wish to do things together, but trying new places alone and exploring your surroundings by yourself is also an adventure that should be experienced. Try new things alone! There is always company surrounding you with the locals too, they are so friendly!
Pros
Amazing support in every aspect!
Dedicated teachers and appropriate time schedule for the courses
Local activities and excursions!!
Cons
Needed more cash available than expected
Language barrier (but Google translate saves lives)
Experiencing Sydney in the summertime was awesome. I think that Sydney itself has a lot to offer in terms of things to do and public transport is great and accessible. Definitely expect to spend a lot of time on trains and buses here. I think Sydney generally is awesome for wanting to get outside and being active as a city. More people are awaking running, surfing, biking, and swimming at 6am than are out at the club at 2am.
CIEE is also great because of the flexibility it allows you with its schedule. We took classes M/T/Th, so could travel Friday-Sunday which was awesome and got to a lot of cool locations like Tasmania, New Zealand, Bali, and Cairns.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Highly recommend coming in with no trips around the area (cairns, tasmania, nz, etc.) booked and booking them when you get here. Cool to make friends and travel together.
I completed Spring Blocks I and II at CIEE Sydney this year. Incredible program to take if you're looking to study abroad in Australia. Sydney to has plenty to do like exploring different surf spots around the city, trying out the nightlife, and eating the incredible food. CIEE also has classes only 3 days a week leaving plenty of time to plan weekend trips. I was able to go to Cairns, New Zealand, Bali, and Tasmania during the 3 months I was there. Staff were super friendly and helpful too! They organized weekly events such as trips to Taronga Zoo, AFL matches, and an overnight trip to Port Stephens. Overall, had an amazing time and would highly recommend!
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
My friend and I started a instagram account where we would review meat pies during our trip. We decided to document our diet of only eating meat pies for as long as we could. We both lasted a week and called it quits.
Pros
Class workload
Organized events
Flexibility to travel
Cons
Farther from the beach than I would have liked (other housing in the program was closer)