CIS Abroad

Program Reviews

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Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST EXPERIENCE

I completed a summer intern program and I would HIGHLY reccomend it! CIS Abroad provides such a fun experience for all students. Students get to participate in many excursions (cooking class, boat day on catamaran, dance class, tour of roman ruins, tour of Park Guell, etc.). In addition, the program director is so sweet and always makes sure to provide the best for all the students.

In terms of my internship experience, I appreciate that CIS Abroad matched me with a place that was closest to my interests and experiences. I was a social media marketing intern for a Spanish Language academy. Not only did I gain hands-on experience, but I also learned so much about the Spanish working culture, and different communication styles.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I did this all over again, what thing I would change would be to eat more tapas!! The food in Spain is absolutely delicious (especially their tapas). So I would love to go back and try out more tapas restaurants and the unique dishes each one offers.
Pros
  • Strengthen your Spanish Language Skills
  • Lots of things to do (you'll never get bored)
  • Delicious and CHEAP food
Cons
  • Can feel lonely at times
  • Be careful of pickpockets
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Bryn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

La Dolce Vita!

My experience studying abroad in Rome was unforgettable. Rome is a city rich in history; with breathtaking views of the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, and Roman Forum along cobblestone streets. Apart from the famous and well-known artwork and architecture painting the city, finding the hidden gems of the city was the best part. I can tell you where to find the best coffee, pizza, and gelato away from the tourist hot spots. I can tell you how to connect with the local community despite a language barrier. The best part of studying abroad is immersing yourself in all that the city has to offer; for me, that was stepping outside the comfortable and familiar destinations, and allowing myself to assimilate into the community as more than just another tourist. I said some of the hardest goodbyes to the friends and memories I made along the way, but they will never be forgotten. It truly was a sweet life!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-wracking moment I faced was flying internationally for the first time. Before studying abroad, I had never flown alone at all. As excited as I was, I was terrified of losing my passport, missing my flights, misplacing my luggage, etc. It is easy to become consumed by all the negative "what ifs" that you forget about the wonderful possibilities awaiting you on your journey. I didn't overcome my worries right away. It's unrealistic to expect yourself to adapt to so much change at one time. It's important to remind yourself that everything will work out, whether or not it is easy.
Pros
  • Food
  • Walkable
Cons
  • Unpredictable Transit
  • Housing
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Nya
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Just Do It!

I loved going to Korea. It was such a rush to be there, especially coming from a small town. There were so many street signs, tall buildings and opportunities to get involved on campus. I loved how efficient the public transit system is. The food was great and opened me to new things I now have in my diet (I am a picky eater.) The scenery is one of a kind and I still keep in contact with my friends I made there! I was scared to go as this trip held a lot of firsts for me, but once I got of the plane and collected my luggage, I knew I made the right decision.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would travel more by myself. I did a lot of traveling with friends I made there but didn't get to explore by myself and learn more about what I like.
Pros
  • Great food
  • Rich culture
  • Language immersion
Cons
  • Easy to get lost
  • Need to know a little Korean
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Hanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIS is the best program!

I had an amazing experience with CIS Abroad! From start to finish, the program exceeded my expectations. They had the best options tailored to fit exactly what I was looking for in a study abroad experience. The advisors were absolutely awesome—genuinely caring, always available, and incredibly helpful in making sure I had everything I needed. They went above and beyond to ensure that all aspects of my time abroad were well-organized, from pre-departure to my return home. I never felt lost or unsupported at any point during my journey. Everything was seamless, and they couldn't have been more helpful. If you're looking for a program that not only delivers a memorable experience but also makes you feel valued and supported, I highly recommend CIS Abroad. They made my study abroad experience one I will never forget!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay for longer!!
Pros
  • Orgainized
  • Helpful
  • Caring
Cons
  • Didn't stay long enough
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Camryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Month of My Life!

My time in Italy exceeded my expectations in countless ways! The CIS staff went over and above to make us feel welcomed, supported, and loved. The events they hosted were incredible! We were treated to a welcome and farewell dinner at local restaurants. We also went on excursions to Pompeii for a walking tour and Naples for a food tour! My class, marine biology, went on an excursion to Ieranto Bay to hike, snorkel, kayak, and swim. This was truly one of the most surreal experiences of my life. Sorrento itself was a safe and beautiful town that felt like home in just 3 short weeks. The locals made you feel genuinely loved and cared for. Overall, exploring the beauty of the Italian Coast with amazing new friends made for the best month of my life!

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Molly
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester in Barcelona

I had so much fun with CIS. I think a big benefit of CIS over other programs is you have a smaller cohort, so you get to really know everyone which is great if you are studying abroad with people you don't know. Barcelona is such a cool city with its proximity to the beach and so much artwork and history, you can spend days just walking around the city and shopping! One thing that I would recommend is eating out for tapas because it is very affordable and social! You will learn so much about yourself and the world from this experience! I can not recommend it enough.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My biggest advice is to be a "yes" person! Take advantage of everything Barcelona has to offer even when your tired and Tiktok is a great place to find local events happening!
Pros
  • Group Living
  • Near the beach
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Izaak
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIS Abroad Maymester on the Italian Coast (Sorrento)

This program was absolutely fantastic! Three weeks was plenty of time to explore Sorrento and the surrounding area in decent depth. We studied at the Sant'Anna Institute, which is designed for international students; they had many activities for us, such as an orientation tour and a day trip to Pompeii! The course I completed (History of the Mafia) was very interesting, as were the accompanying field trips. May is truly a great month to be in this part of the world; the weather is extremely pleasant, and the major tourist crowd does not arrive until June. The on-site staff with CISAbroad were extremely helpful and supportive; they clearly love what they do, and they made many efforts to connect with the students.

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Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Ever!!!

I went abroad with CIS abroad for the summer 2 program in Rome, Italy. I can say with absolute certainty that it was the best experience of my life! Not only was my experience in Rome amazing but CIS abroad was extremely nice to work with throughout my stay.
While I was applying, my advisor was incredibly helpful during the process. Caroline made sure that anything I needed explained was explained well.
I was also overly happy with the on site advisor, Elizabeth, was very helpful and kind throughout my stay. She even introduced us to her favorite gelato place in Rome!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advise for future travelers is to make the most of every moment. the saying “when in Rome”, is completely accurate. There is so much to do within the city itself, but Italy is also an incredibly travel-able city. Almost everything you could want to do is reachable through train. When I was in Italy I used the trains to get down to Naples and to Pompeii all in one day. Of course I recommend traveling the city as well and seeing all there is to offer, but overall just take advantage of every opportunity.
Pros
  • Diverse history
  • Amazing food
  • Amazing excursions
Cons
  • Pricey city to live in
  • Wish I went longer
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Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIS Abroad - Semester Abroad in Florence

I loved my experience during study abroad and I'm owe a lot of that to CIS Abroad. CIS provided immense support and extra excursions at no additional cost. I took a trip to Arezo, went to a soccer game, Gucci Garden, and more. They had a group chat with our on-site coordinators and I never felt afraid to ask questions. Especially hearing from students in other programs, I saw how CIS Abroad really does go above and beyond. Their communication prior to me arriving on-site, during, and afterwards was above average. I would do it all over again if I coud because of how much I loved my semester.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most never racking moment I had was when I first arrived. I missed my family and wanted to go home immediately. I focused on short term goals and remembered why I wanted to study abroad in the first place. Having FaceTime and communication resources allowed me to remember I was never truly alone. I'm so happy I stayed because it was such a rewarding experience and I feel like I can face any challenge now.
Pros
  • Independence
  • Communnication
  • Welcoming
Cons
  • I would have liked a longer orientation. As someone who was lonely, it would have been nice to keep busy.
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Isabella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Coolest place! Best people!

I studied abroad spring 2023 in Barcelona, I didn’t know what to expect and I was doing this completely alone. I immediately felt like I was part of a community of people who wanted to change their lives and see the world. Everything from my program director to the places I traveled to was amazing. Nicole (Onsite Director) really cares for her students and does everything she can to make you feel comfortable and loved! I wish I could go back and do it over again, leaving Barcelona was so hard. By the end of my semester, Spain had become home and the people became family. I am so grateful for CIS and the effort they put into their students.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I solo traveled to about 13 of the 16 countries I visited while studying abroad. I was nervous about going to places where I would standing out as a young female tourist alone, especially at first. I lived by the phrase ‘fake it till you make it’ and it really saved me. While solo traveling was probably the most nerve-racking, it was also the most rewarding!
Pros
  • Community
  • Food
  • Easy travel