Program Reviews

Studying abroad in London this semester fulfilled a long-held dream, significantly impacting me, and giving me the unique opportunity to deepen my studies and broaden my horizons. Living here has pushed me to grow professionally and personally. As a clothing design major, immersing myself in one of the world's leading fashion and theater hubs has provided a rich, multifaceted landscape to learn within and having a fashion design internship helped me to contextualize my studies in a professional context. Using a program provider enabled me to participate in a variety of excursions that added depth to my time in the city and gave me the ability to explore both the city and nearby locations I have always wanted to go to. I am immensely grateful to have had the chance to experience this vibrant and dynamic city.

I had a great experience with CIS Abroad. They made the entire process easy and seamless, so I didn’t have to worry about logistics and could just look forward to going abroad. One of the things I appreciated most was how they offered organized activities to fill our time. It was nice knowing that if I didn’t want to plan anything, there were always options available.

The program also did a great job of helping us get settled when we arrived. They guided us through important necessities like getting transportation cards and learning how to use the local transit systems, which was incredibly helpful. It made adjusting to a new place much less overwhelming, and they were always there as an extra pair of hands whenever I needed help or guidance.

At the same time, the program gave us plenty of free time to explore on our own. I was able to take a day trip to Kamakura and visit places like Jeju and Busan. Having that balance between structured activities and independent travel made the experience even more meaningful.

Overall, I really enjoyed how the program kept us engaged while still allowing us the freedom to explore and learn in our own way. It was a perfect mix of guidance and independence, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Studying abroad in Costa Rica changed my life and it will change you yours as well! I went to Costa Rica with the goal of learning Spanish and it got so much better. I took all advanced Spanish classes due to my minor and because I tested into the advanced classes. They were hard, not going to lie, but it I learned so much. San Jose is also a great city. There was so much to do in the city and at the school whether that be from events downtowns, sporting events, or parades. Putting yourself out there is the key!

My experience abroad with CIS Abroad was truly incredible and easily one of the best experiences of my life. From the very beginning, CIS Abroad made it clear that they genuinely cared about helping students make the most of their time abroad, not just academically, but personally, socially, and culturally as well. Every detail felt intentional, supportive, and designed to help us fully immerse ourselves in our host country.

One of the things I appreciated most was the variety of housing options available. Having comfortable, well-located housing made such a difference in how easily I could adjust to life abroad. It allowed me to feel safe, independent, and truly at home in a new country. Being surrounded by other students who were also navigating this exciting experience helped create a strong sense of community from the start.

The excursions and activities organized by CIS Abroad were another highlight. They went far beyond what I expected from a study abroad program. From cultural trips to unique experiences like a spa day—yes, a spa day abroad, which still feels unreal—every excursion gave us the chance to relax, explore, and connect with both the culture and each other. These experiences allowed me to see parts of the country I may never have discovered on my own and helped balance the academic side of studying abroad with fun and meaningful memories.

The group dinners organized through CIS Abroad were especially impactful. What started as simple shared meals quickly turned into moments of connection that helped form lasting friendships. Sitting down together, sharing stories, laughing, and experiencing local food created bonds that felt genuine and natural. Through these dinners, I met friends who quickly became my travel buddies, and we explored new cities, navigated unfamiliar places, and made unforgettable memories together. Even after returning home, I am still in contact with many of them, which speaks volumes about the strong relationships that were formed during this time.

Beyond the logistics and activities, CIS Abroad provided consistent support throughout the entire experience. Knowing that there was always someone to reach out to if I needed help made studying abroad feel less overwhelming and more empowering. That support gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, try new things, and fully embrace life abroad.

I loved every minute of my experience with CIS Abroad, and I truly miss it every day. The memories, friendships, and personal growth I gained are things I will carry with me forever. Studying abroad changed me in ways I never expected, and I am incredibly grateful to CIS Abroad for making that possible. If given the chance, I would do it all over again without hesitation.

The country itself felt super safe for solo travel and there were so many places to go like Phuket, Bangkok, Krabi, Chiang Rai, etc. Travel time was long but worth it. Food was amazing, just avoid water contamination! Everything in Thailand was cheaper as well, which was helpful for budgeting. People were super friendly and patient as we tried to immerse ourselves in their culture and learn their language. Weather was consistent and honestly I got used to the humidity quickly so I didn't have any issues.

My semester at the American College of Greece was truly life changing. The campus was beautiful and there were many opportunities to be involved. CIS provided many opportunities to explore Greece further and provided instructions on how to stay safe and travel within the country. I was able to see much of Greece as well as visiting other countries. I got emerged in the culture, tried a lot of yummy food, and learned to speak some Greek words. Greece became a second home to me and I would go back in a heartbeat :)

Studying at the Sant'Anna Institute on the Amalfi Coast was the best decision I've ever made! From the number of included activities offered to students through CIS, such as kayaking and exploring Naples, Matera, and the Amalfi Coast, there was never a dull moment during my experience.

I also highly recommend participating in the CIS Micro-Credential program while abroad! Every week, it motivated me to get involved in the town's festivities, and by the end, I felt much more like a local than a tourist.

The on-site CIS staff were also really personable and were a vital part of the transition abroad. When I needed support, Frankie was always there.

My favorite class was Field Archaeology, where we got to explore Pompeii, Herculaneum, and multiple archaeology museums in person. I've never had a class that captured my attention so thoroughly. Professor Tartaglia is the BEST.
Sorrento is also only an hour from the airport, so weekend trips were super easy. I went to Paris, Athens, Milan, Como, Lugano, and Rome (3x!).

One of the best parts of my friends' and my experiences was our daily trip to Orbit, a local iced coffee shop with Matcha, Chai, and Bubble tea. The owners, Roberta and Lorenzo, are in their 20's, fluent in English, and the kindest human beings ever! It was our favorite study spot and a great place to practice our Italian with locals.

Seoul is one of the safest cities in the world, and I certainly felt that and took advantage of it while I was there. There is so much to do, whether you stay close to school or venture to other cities or places in Korea. I felt sufficiently challenged by the academics while still having the time and flexibility to experience the new place around me. I made many friends I still talk to today, despite being someone who can struggle with meeting new people. I felt very supported and grew so much as a person as a result of this experience.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was the best decision i made. The site directors were so helpful and thoughtful. I studied communications and business in LCI which was also such a huge part of my academic growth.

Going alone in the Fall really helped me get out of my bubble and as fun as it could be to go travel the world with your friends, I really recommend doing it alone with strangers too. The Spanish culture, weather, people, everything was perfect and if I could I'd do it all over again. I would definitely recommend CIS and CEA CAPA to go abroad.

While in Thailand, I completed my Political Science minor, taking courses such as Thai Foreign Policy and Fake News, Censorship, and the Politics of Truth. Studying politics, media, and governance while living under a constitutional monarchy offered a depth of understanding that no classroom at home could replicate.

Community is central to who I am, and I often associate belonging with a shared language. While I was nervous about navigating a language barrier in Thailand, I was drawn to a culture rooted in collectivism, respect, and care for others.

Through CIS Abroad, I found community across cultures and backgrounds. I am endlessly grateful to David, Ann, and Jenny, who made us feel at home, answered our questions, and reminded us that belonging can exist far from familiarity. Choosing to study abroad was not easy as a first-generation college student. That is why I am especially grateful to have had such an amazing support system through CIS Abroad.

Traveling and studying in Southeast Asia deepened my understanding of the region’s history, economics, and political climate in ways I will carry with me for the rest of my life. This experience challenged preconceived notions and reaffirmed my belief that studying abroad is not just an escape from reality, but a meaningful rite of passage.