Program Reviews

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona.

Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere.

I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

Aside from being the best summer of my life, my time in Barcelona was such an insightful experience. I spent a total of six weeks studying at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, where I met lots of people and explored a new city every weekend. I would walk and take the metro to school every day, and I loved seeing the city every day.

I really enjoyed the room and cluster setup, as well as the roommate life, which made it very easy to make friends. During the weekdays, we’d often hang out and go out together, which was always fun.

Barcelona itself is a very international city, so while I met people from all over the world, it was a little harder to meet locals and Spanish people specifically. I also didnt visit a lot of Spain, but its because I chose to visit other countries. I also wish I would've done a full semester since it would've given me more time to build deeper connections, as well as visit more places.

Studying abroad in Sorrento with CIS Abroad was truly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The program took care of everything and made the whole experience smooth and stress-free, from classes and housing to fun weekend trips. Living in Sorrento let me enjoy breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast, incredible Italian food, and the chance to dive into the local culture every single day. The staff was always helpful, and I made amazing friends from around the world! I feel like this is one of the first times I truly enjoyed going to class and learning!! 100% recommend!

When I decided to study abroad in Rome with CIS Abroad, I had no idea just how much it would change me. I signed up on my own, far from family, but from the moment I arrived, I knew I was stepping into something extraordinary. What I found was not just a semester abroad, but the most amazing experience ever.

I attended The American University of Rome, where I took courses for my film degree. The school that CIS provided for us was very high quality, but a lot of the learning during study abroad also came from being in the city of Rome. Every cobblestone street carried history, every piazza became a stage of daily life, and every plate of pasta was a lesson in Italian culture.

CIS Abroad made this journey feel both adventurous and safe. Their staff was encouraging, supportive, and always there when we needed guidance. The group trips, cultural activities, and check-ins reminded me that even though I signed up for this study abroad alone, I was never truly on my own.

The most educational and important lessons in my life have come from moving abroad, and having done so several times in the past, my theory has proven to be true time and time again. Moving to Rome taught me Italian cultural norms, Italian political standpoints, religion, history, and I learned so much from the people there. I made friends in unexpected places, and my friends at CIS Abroad have become family.

What I carry most from this experience is growth. I discovered courage I didn’t know I had, independence I never thought I could embrace, and a confidence that will follow me everywhere. Rome taught me not to be afraid of new beginnings, but to celebrate them.

To anyone considering studying abroad: do it. Say yes, even if you’re nervous. The world has so much to teach you, and you’ll come back with stories, friendships, and memories that will stay with you forever

Studying abroad with CIS in Florence was one of the best experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, the staff made me feel supported and welcomed. Martina and Romina, in particular, were incredibly kind and helpful—whether I needed travel advice, restaurant recommendations, or help navigating unexpected challenges, they were always there.

One of the things I loved most was the variety of cultural immersion activities CIS offered. One of the first activities I did was the hike to Piazzale Michelangelo, which became one of my places. CIS introduced us to this breathtaking viewpoint early on, and I ended up returning many times during my stay. They also had trips to places like Rome and Arezzo, attended local operas, visited museums, and participated in other local activities. The staff joined us for these excursions, making the experiences feel even more personal and connected.

The city of Florence itself was amazing. It was easy to navigate, incredibly beautiful, and full of life. I loved wandering the streets, stumbling upon musicians and artists, and taking in the rich history and art that seemed to be around every corner.

This experience also allowed me to grow on a personal level. I had never traveled alone before, and I learned so much about myself. I know how I like to travel, what pace works for me, and how to problem-solve on the fly. From figuring out train tickets to adjusting plans after flight delays, I became more confident in my own abilities to problem solve in stressful situations.

However, my time there was not perfect. There were some bumps along the way. A major storm caused a small flood in our apartment, and we lost power temporarily. It was stressful, but the CIS staff sent help and made sure to check in after the fact. There was also a situation where some neighbors felt unsafe, but CIS took it seriously and responded by installing security cameras and hiring a guard to ensure everyone felt secure. Personally, I never felt unsafe, but I thought CIS handled the concerns well.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the CIS Abroad program to anyone who is interested. The program was thoughtfully designed, the staff were exceptional, and there were many opportunities for cultural immersion in the city. Even with a few bumps along the way, I felt supported and truly at home wandering around Florence.

I studied at Sogang University with CIS Abroad in the spring semester of 2025 as part of a requirement for graduation in my degree plan. I was extremely hesitant about the trip at first, especially since it was my first time traveling abroad alone, and I would be living and studying in a completely new culture in a country where I didn’t know the language.
But CIS Abroad made it so simple, easy, and fun. Before I even applied for the trip, CIS Abroad’s advisors and coordinators were there to answer any of my questions in a detailed and timely manner.

Once I arrived in Seoul, my on-site program coordinator was there to help me every step of the way, arranging airport pickup and even a hotel to stay at with others on the CIS Abroad trip the first night, after such a long flight and jet lag, so that we could be fully rested before checking into our dorms the next day. Our on-site coordinator also helped us exchange currency, get an e-sim card, and provided dinner and breakfast while we were settling in. We all had a barrage of questions, but she was very informative and friendly.

The next day, when we arrived and checked into our dorm, our program coordinator stayed nearby in case we needed anything. We had several welcome events and orientations, both by CIS Abroad and Sogang University, in the next few days to help us adjust to life in Seoul. Everyone was extremely helpful and friendly, while letting us maintain our independence and explore the city on our own.

One of my favorite parts of my study abroad was how quickly I made friends with other exchange students and other CIS Abroad members. It’s tough making friends in college, but our cohort was small enough and we had enough events together that we all got to know each other really well. I always had someone to explore a new restaurant with or walk through the streets of Hongdae. Although we may live on separate sides of the U.S., we still text and call every day.

Because I was studying abroad in Seoul, I expected to meet lots of Korean students, but I was surprised at how many friends I made with exchange students from across the world. Some of my favorite cross-cultural exchanges were learning Swedish drinking games from two students from Stockholm, working on a group project with a student from Kazakhstan, and learning the colloquial differences between Spanish in Mexico (being from Texas, that’s most of the Spanish I hear) versus the Spanish in Spain from a classmate from Valencia.

CIS Abroad arranged several excursions and trips specifically for CIS Abroad students. These excursions never felt rushed or done on a budget; they were the perfect mix of cultural education and fun. Some of my favorite excursions were the Seoul scavenger hunt, hanbok rental experience and visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace (a classic Seoul must-do), an overnight trip to Yangyang Beach where we got to surf and visit several incredible Korean Buddhist temples, and the farewell dinner in Namsan Tower overlooking Seoul at a fancy restaurant with a four-course meal.

Often after class or on the weekends, I would explore Seoul on my own. I loved eating at a solo BBQ restaurant and then going window shopping in Hongdae. One of my favorite activities was hiking famous trails like Inwangsan and Bukhansan. Hiking is a popular pastime for many Korean retirees, so I got to practice my basic Korean skills and share some snacks with locals, while also visiting temples and learning about Seoul’s history while traversing the mountains. One of the things I miss most about Korea are the traditional bathhouses, or Jjimjilbangs, with saunas, cheap massages and body scrubs, and various cold and hot baths.

Korea is also known for its drinking culture and nightlife. Although we always made sure to practice basic safety tips like watching our drinks, avoiding clubs with bad reputations, and staying together in groups, we never felt unsafe or harassed while walking the streets, even at 2 or 3 a.m.

Because I was there for a semester, I was able to take it easy. If I felt like lying in bed all day (I rarely did), I could, and then hit the ground running the next day, exploring. I got to see a lot of things that on a one- or two-week vacation I would never do, like visiting the Seoul Botanical Gardens, taking a trip to Jeju with friends, or exploring the underground shopping malls in Gangnam.

I loved my study abroad, and Seoul will always be in my heart. I am forever grateful to CIS Abroad for making it possible.

I went to Sorrento, Italy this summer and it was the best decision I ever made! I was scared to go on my own but I am so glad I did. I made numerous friends, memories that will last me a lifetime, and go to visit my dream destination! If I had the opportunity to, I would go back in a heartbeat! If anyone is nervous about going, or on the edge of going, the only thing I can say is go! It is a once in a lifetime experience, and you will have the best time of your life. If you want to travel, travel while you can!

I loved my time in Limerick! The CIS Abroad staff are great and made the experience so smooth. The living arrangements are of good quality, and the people I met were amazing! Definitely bring a rain jacket, but the weather is overall not too bad. The program has a solid and clear structure to it, so I would definitely recommend it for someone who maybe has not traveled as much and might be hesitant to travel without a structured plan. I also enjoyed the group activities, which gave plenty of room to make friends with other students.

This was my first experience leaving my home country and I don't think I could have had a better experience. With the help of my program and my group of friends, I was able to have so much fun while still feeling safe and having a stable help network to rely on if I need it. The onsite program staff was very helpful for anything that me or my friends needed, as well as any questions we were concerned about as well. I definitely felt safe travelling in this country and with this program. I also think that this is a great way to start travelling to other surrounding countries in Southeast Asia!

It was my first time traveling outside of the country. I was so nervous, but both my home and host university were so supportive and comforting. This experience helped to shape me into a more confident, cultured, and self-aware person. One of my favorite moments while abroad was getting to connect with the locals, especially my Mama Tica. The bond we created over such a short time will never cease to amaze me. When it came time for me to leave, we were both crying. We still keep in contact and I plan on visiting her again after I graduate. This is an experience I would do again in a heartbeat and it’s something I would recommend to anyone.