Program Reviews

Studying abroad with CIS Abroad at Universidad Veritas in San José, Costa Rica was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, if not THE best decision. I knew I’d be immersing myself in a new culture, meeting new people, and navigating a different academic system, but I just had no idea just how much I would grow on a personal level. This experience didn’t just change where I was; it changed who I am as a person. To be honest it was not all easy, the first few days were kind of overwhelming. I was in a brand-new country, surrounded by a language I wasn’t fluent in, trying to figure out everything from how to get to class to what bus to take to get places. But pretty quickly, I started to feel more at home, and it all became worth it. Costa Ricans (aka Ticos) are some of the warmest, most laid-back people I’ve ever met. Everyone was so patient and kind, even when I messed up my Spanish or had no idea what I was doing. That welcoming vibe made it easier to just be myself and not stress so much about standing out or not fitting in perfectly. One of the most important things I’ve taken away from this experience is just how much more confident I’ve become. Before studying abroad, I sometimes second-guessed myself or played it safe, and I was not happy with being myself. But here, I had to figure things out on my own—from navigating public transportation to handling classes in a new system to planning weekend trips with friends. I felt like I could be my fun and comfortable self because of all the things I was achieving, and the supportive friends and staff I was surrounded with along the way. Each time I pushed myself, even in small ways, I could feel myself growing. Whether it was ordering food in Spanish without overthinking it or making new friends from around the area, I started realizing that I can actually do this. And that I really can do anything I put my mind to. And that mindset started to carry over into everything I did. If there’s one phrase you’ll hear all the time in Costa Rica, it’s “pura vida.” It literally means “pure life,” but it’s really more of a lifestyle. People here just get how to live in the moment. They don’t stress over the small stuff. They take their time, enjoy life, and focus on what matters most, which is connection, nature, and peace of mind. Before I came to Costa Rica, I was used to being constantly busy, always chasing the next assignment, work, event, or goal. But in Costa Rica, I learned to slow down. I started to let go of the pressure to be “on” all the time. I learned that it’s okay to relax, take a breath, and just be. Honestly, that’s a lesson I really needed. Looking back, I can see just how much I’ve grown. I’m still me of course, I still love meaningful conversations, trying new foods, and dancing, but I feel more grounded now. I’ve learned how to trust myself more, handle challenges better, and embrace uncertainty instead of running from it. I don’t think I realized how strong I was until I came here and had to rely on myself in ways I never had before. From all the fun and exciting excursions and challenges to everyday life, the experience has shaped me as a person. We snorkeled with sharks, ziplined, horseback rode to a volcano, and became a family. Now, I feel like after leaving Costa Rica I left not just with amazing memories, but with a stronger sense of who I am and what I’m capable of. If you’re even thinking about studying abroad, do it. Seriously. Costa Rica, especially with CIS Abroad and Universidad Veritas, gave me more than just an academic experience. It gave me confidence, clarity, and a fresh outlook on life. You’ll come back with some crazy stories, but more importantly, you’ll come back with a stronger version of yourself. And you might just pick up a little pura vida along the way, actually, you definitely will.

Life during my semester on the Italian coast was truly sweet. The thing I loved most about my experience was the whole town and ambience of Sorrento. Living just 2 minutes away from a beautiful, warm beach and getting to know several Sorrento locals, I fell in love with the town, food, people, and way of life. I enjoyed morning runs by the beach, post-dinner gelato, and sunset swims with all of my friends. The CIS Abroad staff and the friendliness of the Italian locals created a great experience.

Studying abroad in Sorrento Italy is amazing in itself but studying abroad with CIS makes it a completely different experience. I had many friends in the Sant'Anna program but not in CIS and they were all jealous of the amazing things we got to do. From pizza parties to a boat trip along the almalfi coast CIS truly gave us the full experience. Having an amazing contact like Frankie made my parents much more comfortable about me living in a foreign country. We had access to doctors that spoke english as well as home visits which really made the difference.

Genuinely the best semester I have ever had- Martina was amazing and so helpful at any time of day or night, they organized so many things for us and just made this experience so much fun and easy. I fell in love with Florence and made lifelong friendships and people I am already planning to visit and to go back to florence with! Going abroad has changed my perspective on life and what i’m capable of doing myself and i can’t wait to go out into the world and share my experiences with everyone else!

Studying at Sant’Anna Institute through CIS Abroad was an unforgettable experience. I lived in the school dorms, located on the beautiful seaside of Sorrento, Italy. Sorrento has the charm of the Amalfi Coast, with less crowds and tourism. In my classes I studied archeology, volcanology, marine biology, and human rights. We went on amazing field trips such as snorkeling, hiking Mount Vesuvius, and exploring the ancient ruins of Pompeii. In my free time, I swam and read by the beach, which was just a 5 minute walk away from the school. CIS abroad provided incredible excursions throughout the 4 month stay. We experienced cooking classes, kayaking, a street food tour, and even staying in a luxury cave in the third oldest city in the world! Everyone at both Sant’Anna and CIS Abroad was welcoming, helpful, and kind. They truly care about your well being and happiness. I couldn’t recommend this program more. Go to Sorrento, you won’t regret it!

Studying abroad was the best decision I made in my college career. It was such an incredible, eye opening experience that I am so grateful for. I learned so much about my italian heritage and was able to explore and understand the cultures of many different countries throughout Europe. I was in Florence, Italy. The city is truly amazing, it is like walking through living history. The architecture is beautiful, the florentines are welcoming, and there are plenty of other study abroad students and programs that helped me feel at home. CIS Abroad was a great program to be apart of and made this experience so special. My program leaders were very helpful with recommendations for restaurants, cities to visit, etc. and hosted multiple events and activities for the students in our program to meet and bond. I lived in The Social Hub, and overall had a good experience there. It is a dorm style living arrangement with in house laundry, AC (that works closer to what we are used to in the US), a communal kitchen, a meal plan, and some other great amenities like a rooftop bar, a pool, and monthly events/classes to help students get acquainted. FUA (FLorence University of the Arts) was a great school with many course options for almost any field of study. I was able to take courses to complete my degree as well as a bread making class, and a street photography class, which I did for fun (and greatly enjoyed). I reminisce on my study abroad experience constantly and can't wait to find my way back!

The CIS Semester in Florence Program is very special to me. Our program directors, Martina and Romina, made this experience so unique. They were both so supportive and they pushed everyone to try new things, while also looking out for our safety and well being. They planned many fun events for us to get to know the other students in our program, such as walking tours of the city and cooking classes. Martina helped me and my roommates a lot when we were having some roommate issues and were worried about the mental health of one of our roommates. Martina made sure to hear us out and look out for our roommate. She followed up with us a lot and was easily accessible when we needed her. My experience would not have been as wonderful as it was without these amazing program directors who work for CIS.

I would highly recommend the CIS Barcelona Creative Industries Program. Not only is studying abroad a life-changing experience, but this unique program has only added to the amazing experience. My days were filled with learning and exploring the amazing city that is Barcelona. Classes were open and creative, and even the professors would take us on field trips to further learn. Not only was living in Spain amazing the staff on site were very supportive in the whole experience. There were also different excursions including a winery tour, a tour of Blanes, and a trip to the gorgeous Spanish city of Sevilla. So if you want a life-changing experience and one that is even more unique than others you should check out the CIS Barcelona Creative Industries Program.

I studied abroad in Florence, Italy in the Fall of 2024, and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had! Before arriving, I had so many feelings - excitement, nervousness, and much more, but I soon realized after getting to Florence that this was going to be life-changing. I was fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling, I visited eleven countries outside of Italy, and more cities than I can count! Some personal favorites were Barcelona and London!

The academics were constructed in a way that allowed me to enjoy my classes, I took three classes that taught me about the food, culture, and society in Italy, including a class where we went on walks every day! Being able to learn in a hands-on environment in such a cool city was definitely a highlight.
My support system from CIS, whether it was my pre-departure contacts or my on-site directors - was all amazing! I felt very prepared before leaving, and I never had a question go unanswered while in Florence. I loved being able to learn so much from my on-site directors, they had so much knowledge to share!

Choosing this program was truly the best choice of my life. I met the most amazing people, experienced the most amazing culture, and became the most amazing version of myself. If you’re letting a language barrier prevent you from going to a country, don’t. I knew 0 Korean (besides the basics) when I went, yet I was able to adapt and overcome very easily. My site director took the best care of my group and myself by giving us recommendations, helping us navigate public transportation, and even translating for me at all my doctor appointments when I fractured my foot. This trip even made me realize how much I would love to live in Korea one day or even just visit multiple times a year. I highly highly recommend!