IES Abroad Reviews

This was truly one of the greatest semesters of my life. Being in a city so full of culture and livelihood led to an adventure every single day. There was never a dull moment in Madrid. I stayed with an incredible host family who really made me feel welcome and helped me gain a better hold on the Spanish language. The classes through IES were also very informative in terms of learning more about the Spanish culture, however they could have been more challenging for the students. I also really enjoyed that there were no classes on Friday, which gave students ample time to travel. IES also gave students multiple travel opportunities with the program to various locations in Spain that were all very interesting. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who would like to learn Spanish in a lively and vibrant city like Madrid!

At first I thought that it would be difficult to acclimate to Chinese culture and society. However, this wasn't as hard as I thought when I arrived in Kunming. The people on my program, whether he or she was a teacher or friend, in addition to my homestay parents really made the experience. Taking class at Yunnan University, being able to explore Kunming as well as travel through Thailand and Laos were all great highlights.

For the Fall of 2014 I was fortunate enough to spend my semester at The University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. UNSW is very diverse environment that allowed me to grow both academically and socially. UNSW is a research university so many of the professors and facilitator are at the top of their fields and have made major contributions to their respective fields; because of this classes were engaging and challenged me to produce a higher quality of work. While I was able to grow inside that classroom I was also challenged to find my spot in the large UNSW community. Going to Australia I did not know anyone in my program which allowed me to really push myself socially and make a whole new group of friends. During my stay at UNSW I lived in Phillip Baxter College, of the Kensigton Colleges. Baxter College was made up of about eighty percent Australian students and twenty percent exchange students, which allowed me to have a very diverse group of friends from all around the world.

Going abroad was an amazing experience that I would not trade for the world. I was incredibly lucky to have chosen the wonderful program that I did through IES Abroad. The staff were so friendly and nice and I made so many friends that I know I will keep for many years to come. I explored a new city and now better understand the Spanish culture.

IES struck a perfect balance between accessibility and hands-off-ness, allowing us to have as much help or be as self-sufficient as we wanted. Here are a few examples:

Times when IES was involved:
* Complaints about homestays were heard and handled personally and promptly
* Security threats such as protests or natural disasters were addressed promptly and demanded immediate responses
* Holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving were celebrated in the IES building.

Time when IES was hands-off:
* We were allowed to take classes at partner Universities
* We were free to get involved in whatever group or organization we found without first running it by IES staff.
* We had the chance to arrange our own housing if desired.

My time in Vienna was an incredible experience. IES helped me find a balance between academics, exploration, and travel that made my time in Vienna exactly what I wanted. Unlike some other abroad programs, IES values a rigorous academic schedule that allows you to get the most out of the city by learning about it's past while you are living it's present. Classes not only encourage students to explore, but also take students on excursions throughout the city of Vienna. Lastly, the program organizes trips all over Europe and Austria that are available for students to participate in. Additionally, they aid students in planning their own fun and safe travel. The staff were incredible, helpful, and extremely knowledgable about the city. They were always accessible to all students. IES did everything they could to support us without being an overbearing presence. I was independent, but always felt I had the support I needed. That independence gave me the time to figure out that Vienna is an incredible place to live. From the delicious bakeries on every corner to the impeccably run public transportation system, Vienna was easy to call home. I learned about a new language, the beauty of classical music, and the history of a fantastic place. Walking through the streets of Vienna was like living in a fairytale. My experience with IES Vienna was invaluable and I could not ask for a better semester abroad. I recommend this program to all.

A most amazing and wonderful program! I most highly recommend IES Abroad Paris to anyone considering studying in France's capital city of Paris. When I began my search for an abroad program I had no idea what to choose, but after much research I decided on IES Abroad and I am so glad that I did. They walked me through everything from getting my visa to returning home after the semester. I felt very prepared. I received my housing placement about three weeks before my departure and I was super nervous at first, but then I arrived in Paris and found that my host parents were some of the coolest people in the city! The housing coordinator had matched us up perfectly and they really helped me to integrate into French culture. The entire staff at IES Abroad Paris includes some of the nicest people you'll ever meet! I was able to tour different parts of France with the trips organized by IES as well as take classes at a French university where I could truly immerse myself in the culture. The IES Abroad Paris program is simply delightful and I just wish I could do it all over again!

I had an absolutely incredible experience studying in Vienna for a semester. From exploring beautiful palaces like Schonbrunn and the Belvedere to writing my first string quartet and having it debuted in our composition concert at the end of the semester, these four months were full of adventures. I also met a group of absolutely wonderful people during my stay, traveled to many new and exciting places, and learned so much about the world and Austrian culture. I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone who is looking for an amazing semester.

IES Abroad Barcelona truly takes care of its students. I had great classes with really caring professors, a great homestay mother and roommate and made lots of sweet friends while in Spain. IES hosts and organizes many events that give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and discover the beauty of the city. I got to hike gorgeous mountains, eat delicious, authentic spanish food and interact with my classmates at many of the events that IES held. The staff is so caring and friendly and approachable and truly made the experience unforgettable. I had all the freedom and structure I needed. I would do it over again in a heartbeat with IES.

My daily life included waking up, eating breakfast with my host mom and then going to class at the program center. After class, I would return home and eat dinner and then go to my internship for work.

It was difficult getting adjusted to the Spanish schedule and culture, which is very different from America's, but after a couple of weeks, I felt right at home. The food is delicious, and Spanish people are so friendly.

On the weekends, I would typically travel to other cities, or spend the day exploring different parts of the city