IES Abroad Reviews

IES's Tokyo program was a great first experience in Japan for me. It had just the right amount of the familiar (for example, living in dorms with other college students) with the new and unexpected (staying with a host family for one weekend, venturing out into the city alone).

In terms of academics, we covered the equivalent of one semester's work in six weeks. Although class could sometimes feel long, we generally had limited homework and therefore plenty to time to explore Tokyo.

For the majority of the program, we stayed in the National Youth Olympic Center, which is located next to Yoyogi Kouen. It was convenient to be able to stay in dorms a mere five minute walk from where language classes were held, and there were cafes and a conbini in the Center as well.

Studying abroad through IES Abroad in Delhi truly gave be a real living experience and allowed me to immerse myself in Indian culture. I had the most understanding and loving host parents, who gave me a realistic view on everyday life in Delhi. I was able to take courses at the IES Abroad office as well as Jawaharlal Nehru University, which allowed me to make friends with fellow Delhiites and connect with other study abroad students at the same time. The IES program sponsored trips for classes as well as the center throughout the city and country, making us become engaged with the many cultures and traditions around us. These experiences made me fall in love with Delhi, as I had all the opportunities to experience it to the fullest.

I absolutely loved my study abroad experience and highly recommend the program IES Roma. I had an apartment in Rome with 4 other girls and it was perfect sized! Although the hot water didn't always work and there wasn't air conditioning I really felt like I was living like a true Roman. You get used to it pretty quickly and realize that it doesn't really matter because her, I'm in Rome! I recommend signing up to live with an Italian Student Companion (ISC) because they introduce you to their friends and can take you to local bars and places to eat that they normally go to with their friends. The ISCs are also our age and are students at the local universities of Rome so they become just another one of the friends that you become so close with while abroad! You learn a lot of great recipes from them as well and most times you get to meet their families! They also really help you figure out the metro and the bus system which is super helpful especially when you first arrive. All of the classes that I took abroad were so interesting and I learned so much about Rome and it's history. I recommend taking any class that has field studies because that way you get to experience museums and other sites that you wouldn't normally get to on your own! The field trips through IES are great and I highly recommend the one to Tuscany. All of the staff was really helpful and I always felt comfortable asking them questions. They definitely made us feel safe in Rome.

IES administrators are very helpful and encourage travel and exploration of the city. Living situation and IES building are incredibly centrally located in the city, and living in Nido was a great way to meet people from all over the world. Academics were challenging and fun, and no class on Fridays. IES fieldtrips were also a great way to see the UK without the hassle of planning!

Vienna was an absolutely beautiful cosmopolitan city. I had the most fun exploring hidden streets, cafes, or local hideaways revealed by the staff at IES. The academic classes were not that difficult, but I went to art museums, birthplaces of composers such as Beethoven, and attend operas and other music events, and they provided me the tangible evidence of history. I wish I could have immersed myself in the language more and taken advantage of the language buddy program, because they pair you up with an Austrian student and you get a chance to have a local critique your German, not to mention an Austrian friend. Being away from home for six months was challenging, but the chance to explore a city that deeply was one I never would trade.

My semester in Buenos Aires was amazing. The staff is awesome and always looking to improve your experience. I was placed with a wonderful host mother, who really made my experience. I was faced with the normal cultural shocks, such as adjusting to Argentine time standards ( or lack of!) but the staff and my host family really helped me to adjust. The culture of this city is so rich and so fascinating. Buenos Aires is a perfect place to study abroad.

IES Abroad Beijing (Contemporary Issues Program) was exactly what I was hoping for in a study abroad experience: a challenging and engaging academic program, plenty of opportunity for complete cultural immersion, and more than enough time to explore both Beijing and China in general. My Chinese improved tremendously because of the excellent staff at IES and also because I was placed in a home stay that could not speak English. The home stay was by far the best aspect of my time abroad, and I feel that I was matched perfectly with my host family. I loved the balance that the Contemporary Issues Program provided in terms of rigorous Chinese study combined with courses designed to deepen our understanding of modern Chinese government, international relations, literature, environmental issues, and more.

IES Santiago is a must. The city is so fun and there are always so many things to do. The staff at IES is very helpful and genuinely very nice. The food is awesome. I hope you like bread tho... The weather is really nice. It never rains. The view of the Andes Mountains from anywhere in the city is mesmerizing. Torres del Paine, San Pedro de Atacama, Valparaiso, Pucón, and Chiloé are just some of the incredible places you can travel to in Chile. I was able to see real penguins in their natural habitat! The clinical observation program with IES was unreal. I was able to witness heart surgeries, brain surgeries, and even births. Learning spanish in Chile can be difficult with a lot of slang but you pick it up very fast and people are so nice and always willing to help.

I studied abroad in Paris through the IES BIA rogram in spring 2013. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The program is excellent; the professors are knowledgable and the staff members are extremely helpful.

Paris is an incredible city, not only for the arts, food, and monuments (which are quite honestly unparalleled), but for cultural immersion. I couldn't have chosen a better city or program for my study abroad experience.

I loved living in London, its like my second home now! My advisors were very nice and helpful, and I was able to do a couple of group trips such as one to Stonehenge and Bath. Make sure to hit up Nando's and Bella Italia if you go! Those were our favorrrrrite restaurants. Hyde park is a great place to relax in in the evenings, and Piccadilly Circus is great to stroll around in the afternoons.