IES Abroad Reviews

I absolutely loved my time in Madrid and am so happy I chose to study abroad with IES. The staff is incredibly helpful and supportive and they organize trips and events throughout the entire semester. You really can't beat this study abroad program...

Living in Madrid was a wonderful experience. It is a vibrant city full of culture and things to do. IES had multiple optional events like museum visits, cooking classes, dance classes, walking tours of different parts of the city, etc, almost every week. Even if you choose not to participate in IES events, there is never a shortage of things to do during the day in Madrid. And of course, the tapas, sangria, and overall nightlife can't be beat.

IES planned 4-5 trips to different parts of Spain, all of which were a great time. You can also travel on your own very easily since the Madrid airport is a major hub and most students can choose to only have class Monday-Thursday.

Housing through IES was also very good. I chose to live in a homestay, which most students choose. IES works extremely hard to match you up with a Señora who will fit your needs (though all of them are truly great). Most students lived in a neighborhood where other IES students were, and all of us were close enough to a metro that meeting up was no problem.

There's a pretty extensive selection of classes you can take since you can choose from three different schools. The majority of the Engineering classes are in English but you'll be in a classroom with Spaniards, which is great, and the classes themselves are not terribly difficult. Classes at the engineering school are hit or miss in terms of how engaging they are but the classes offered at IES are all taught very well.

Overall, IES Madrid was a fantastic experience. I couldn't imagine having chosen to study anywhere else but this awesome city. IES made the transition incredibly smooth and the staff is extremely supportive. I made friends through IES that will last a lifetime and I am counting down the days until I return to Spain again. Go abroad, go to Madrid, and do it through IES... seriously.

This study abroad experience was probably one of the toughest, most grueling, but most rewarding experiences that I was blessed to go through. I realize that many people aren't lucky enough to grab this opportunity like I did. I am bilaterally deaf and cannot hear without the help of cochlear implants. IES Abroad accommodated my full needs ranging from a sign language interpreter to preferential seating. IES Abroad Staff MADE sure I had everything I needed to succeed. And I did. That is my priority. I learned so much about myself, others, and the environment around me. IES made that possible for me. I struggled with learning how to be independent from my comforts, (Staying in and reading) but IES Paris staff taught me how to use the metro. Learning something so small, like navigating around Paris using the metro, was one of my highlights. I fully realized that I could get away, away from my comforts. My eyes devoured the Paris setting and all the richness of the Parisian lifestyle. One of the most difficult experiences that I encountered was hearing and communicating with the French. But with the help of IES Paris Staff, they provided me with an interpreter. I was able to get the full experience I wanted.

I LOVED MADRID!!!! BEST CITY IN THE WORLD AND THE PROGRAM STAFF IS THE BEST! the activities were great and everything was a blast. My host mom lived straight downtown and i was able to be my metro anywhere.

This program is just plain awesome. The classes are engaging, the field trips are incredible, and the overall experience is phenomenal. The city of Quito is situated in the Andean mountains. I was amazed by its beauty literally every single day on the way to class. While I did always feel a little on edge, if you follow the safety tips provided and keep your wits you will be fine. USFQ is a beautiful campus in a safer part of the city. The ecosystem class taken at this university is interesting, but the best part is when you get out of the classroom and go on the field trips. I honestly could not tell you which one I liked the most- Tiputini Research Station in the Amazon, the cloud forest at Mindo, or the breath-taking (literally and figuratively) hiking on Chimborazo, 16,000 feet above sea level. They are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and undoubtedly give you a new perspective on the world.

Although the days are long in Quito with 6 hours of class, you will appreciate the free time in the Galapagos. Every day I had time to explore the island, swim in the ocean, or just veg out on the beach. Snorkeling was my favorite thing to do in my free time. You will see sea lions, sea turtles, lots of pretty fish, sharks, penguins, and rays. The class in the Galapagos with Dr. Quiroga is extremely applicable. It is a lot of work, but I still find myself looking back on the assignments and finding ways to incorporate them into my classes back at home. Putting the work in is well worth it.

Start an email list The people I met in my group will be my friends forever. The host families I stayed with were genuinely kind people who love to host students. The food in the country was delicious. The country itself is beautiful. Overall this program rocked. My expectations were exceeded in every way and I wish I could do it again!!

There's a lot to be said for studying in as metropolitan an area as Tokyo. You'll never be able to take advantage of all the opportunities available, and the train system allows you to go almost anywhere in the country with incredible ease. Make sure you get a map of the train system at first though, and keep it with you until you learn your way around.

That's not to say that big cities and bright lights are all there is to Japan though. Most of the country is actually pretty rural, and the scenery is breathtakingly gorgeous. There are beautiful hiking trails, mountains to climb, and gorges to explore nearly everywhere! Nikko is an especially good place for this. If IES doesn't schedule a group trip there, you should go check it out!

Make sure to travel outside the city as much as you can. As exciting as Tokyo is, you'll have the most fun on your trips outside of it. Try looking up famous festivals in Japan and taking a day trip to visit one. They're always great fun, and you'll get to see and try a lot of new things. Personally, I would recommend the Narita Taiko Festival. If drums are your thing, this is for you! Great food and incredible performances every time you turn around. Make sure to try the Unagidon! If you're looking for something a little closer, head to the Jidai matsuri in Asakusa. Samurai, lords, princesses, shrine maidens, and ninja all in one glorious parade!

Also, keep the climate and weather patterns in mind while you're packing. Spring semester has the rainy season, and fall semester has typhoon season. Typhoon season will break your umbrella, so bring a raincoat instead. You should also keep in mind that most places in Japan don't take cards, so bring cash.

IES Abroad is a fantastic organization that caters to every student's need prior to departure and upon arrival. Our program director was kind, helpful, and fun to be around. Every day was a new adventure in Sydney, whether it was exploring the city, hiking the rugged coastline, or earning a scuba diving certification. The people, culture, and environment were truly amazing. The experience helped me grow into a more well-rounded and confident individual. Studying abroad with IES truly enabled me to challenge myself and become the best version of who I am.

So the day would always come when I would have to formally relate my experience in Spain with IES, where I would have to put into words the significance of this adventure. Unfortunately, this is not that moment, as a written review is not befitting of the experience. I cannot say that it was a life-changing one—four months simply wasn't enough time. I will not say that it was the most fun that I have ever had. I can, and will say without reservation, that my semester abroad was the most important experience of my short life. Others may have fortunately had the opportunity to undertake a similar adventure, either domestically or internationally. Me, on the other hand, never. So the immensity of the situation cannot be understated, and IES was on hand to make sure that I got the most out of it. What I will always appreciate is just how much the staff was willing to help me take advantage of the opportunities Spain had to offer. And that often meant letting us explore on our own, and not be terribly forceful and hands on in their approach to programming. It all really helped me foster an invaluable sense of independence. I need to go back.

The Spanish have a saying "vivir para trabajar, no trabajar para vivir." Loosely translated this phrase means "live to work, don't work to live." In other words, enjoy what you do with your life and make sure it makes you happy; don't do something just because you have to. During my visit to Spain in the summer of 2014, I found that this statement embodies the Spanish culture, and the IES Abroad Madrid Summer program truly gave me the opportunity to live it.

Having lived in the United States all my life, I did not have too many international experiences under my belt before this trip to Madrid. I chose to study abroad so that I could be immersed in the Spanish language and culture, and it was definitely one of the best decisions of my entire life.

IES Abroad Madrid Summer is a 6-week-long program centered in Madrid, Spain. The program allowed for complete language immersion, as all my classes were in Spanish and, since I was with a host family, I could only communicate with them in their native language. Everyone took two classes: a grammar class and an elective. My elective was Madrid the City, which basically just gave the class an excuse to travel around Madrid and learn the history. By the end of the program, I really felt like I knew the city well.

The program offered many activities throughout the week within the city. We had museum visits and walking tours, flamenco dancing lessons and cooking demonstrations, debate sessions and excursions with native students.

Over the course of the program, we also got to travel around Spain. With IES Abroad, we went to Segovia, Valencia, Cordoba, and the Madrid mountains. We had enough downtime as well so that I took a trip o fmy own to Barcelona with friends I'd made in the program.

As much as I enjoyed experiencing the city, the country, the culture, and the language, some of my favorite memories are a result of the people I met. All of the IES Abroad staff and teachers were incredible and helpful. My host family was so nice and made delicious food. I made many friends who were fellow students in the program. Overall, I always felt very comfortable and happy during my stay.

I learned and experienced so much and gained so much confidence from my time in Madrid. IES Abroad truly has an amazing program, and I would highly recommend the program to any prospective Spanish study abroad student.

My experience in Rabat was incredible and intense from the beginning, partially because we were essentially experiencing a semester in the course of seven weeks. I had class every day--three classes a day. I chose to take literature, politics, and also had the required Moroccan Arabic course that every student too. I stayed in a host family and through them experienced every day life as well as the month of Ramadan.

My academic experience presented topics that I was familiar with (French literature and the politics of the Arab world) and turned my perceptions upside down. We explored everything from post-colonization sentiment to the concept of "being a stranger" in literature class and I wrote what I feel is the best essay I have written in some time (in English or French) in the politics class. Politics class also included a visit to the Moroccan Parliament following a unit on the Moroccan constitution.

My living situation helped my language skills immensely. I have studied French for eight years and Arabic for two years, and while almost everyone in my homestay spoke French, the one person who did not was the two year old granddaughter, who spoke the colloquial Arabic at essentially my level, allowing me easy communication and a great introduction to conversations.

The program administration felt more like camp counselors or family members than directors, which was excellent, as we were travelling with them for several weekends and were most always in the center.

My only problems with the program were that we were not informed of the medications and vaccinations recommended/required for the weeklong trop to Senegal, which resulted in panic on my mother's end and a very early morning trip to Casablanca--I am unsure if the Senegal trip will be offered in the future, but if so, do your research!

Additionally, it should be noted that since this is a summer course and is very intensive, the opportunities to interact with the local students will be limited. Perhaps the best way to meet Moroccans is through host siblings. However, I did become close with the other five students in the program and we explored the city together.

Altogether, a highly recommended program for both the cultural experiences and the enriching academics.

My experience with the IES Freiburg-EU program was nothing short of amazing. The center staff became our family in Freiburg, helping us with everything from how to manage the Strassenbahn (street car system), to carefully planning our three, week long "field trips". They provided just the right amount of guidance to get us started in our new environment without crossing over to "hand-holding".

What I enjoyed most about this program was that it was more than just living abroad for a year--it was about learning and experiencing things which you do not have the opportunity to at your home school. The EU program offers courses dedicated to the understanding of the European Union--and not just through theory! Everything you learn in class is connected to real, on-the-ground applications. Through the three field trips throughout the many European Union member states, you have the opportunity to see and experience theories and institutions in practice.

On top of the wonderful memories and life-long friendships that IES Freiburg-EU fosters, this program keeps ahead of the curve in developing a study abroad experience that will influence your life for years to come.