IES Abroad Reviews

I loved all of the classes that I took. The professors were excellent, and although they weren't too challenging, I learned a lot. The staff was wonderful as well and was quick to help me with any problems that I encountered. My internship experience interests a lot of employers that I'm applying to right now. All in all, it was a great semester getting to know one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

IES offers its students a French experience while maintaining the academic excellence of the US. The program offers many excursions to its students to explore the city as well intercultural exchanges with other French students. Homestays and apartments are offered, although the homestays are usually better located.

IES Rome is an amazing study abroad program! I highly recommend it!

IES has great teachers and staff. It is located in the heart of Rome-right across the river from the Vatican. It's beautiful and functional. The classes are interesting and many of them take you on cool field trips around Rome. They provide discounted activities too- like cooking classes or apperitivo. IES housing is great! You live in an apartment, with other people from your program. You get to know a neighborhood of the city and explore the other ones your friends live in.

There is lots of opportunity to travel, not only with in Italy, but also in Europe.

Also, Rome is an amazing city. There is so much to see and do with the art, history, fashion, etc. I miss it and want to go back!

The best part of this whole experience would have to be the people. I met some amazing people and have made friendships that will last a lifetime!

After careful consideration, I chose to study abroad with IES London in the Spring of 2012. I studied with IES in Oxford my sophomore year, so choosing IES was an easy decision. I lived right by the Thames in Chelsea, one of the safest and prettiest parts of London. I quickly learned that spending three months in this beautiful city was hardly enough time to check everything off of my to-do list, but I tried to pack in as much as possible, and with the help of IES field trips, I got to experience a lot of things on my checklist and even more that I would have never known about without them. The faculty and staff at IES London is wonderful...they are so helpful and friendly and always willing to give advice about what museums to check out, where to eat, and even where to go out on the weekends! Through my classes, I got to learn about London through a cultural, architectural, literary, and historical lens. IES London makes sure you have every opportunity available to you, whether that is taking a class at a British university, joining a local club, spending a weekend with a host family, or participating in an internship. They help you to make the most of your experience and have fun along the way. After three months, I thought of London as my second home and I can't wait to go back soon! Studying abroad was definitely the best decision I have made in my undergraduate career, and IES London is definitely the best program out there.

If you are looking for an amazing experience abroad in a historic metropolitan area, this program is perfect.
We lived in Spitalfields at Nido student housing. Talk to anyone, this is really really great location. It's a unique area, minutes walk from the train station, Spitalfields Markets, Bricklane, and other great locations.
There was a perfect balance between academics and free time. I think most all of the people I studied with would agree that the classes and teachers are some of the best they had ever had. That was definitely the case for me. I took the Theatre in London class, as well as the course on the life and writings of Charles Dickens...both wonderful. Also, most people had time to do outside traveling if desired. My friend and I were able to take four day trip to Norway. We also participated in some of the extra field trips offered by IES, including Stonehenge, Bath, and Brighton. Some people chose to travel every weekend, but there is SO so much to do in London, my friends and I really focused on experiencing as much of this historic place as we could.
I am studying modern dance, so for me personally London was the ideal city to experience performing arts abroad. In my spare time I was able to take dance classes and see dance performances, in addition to the performances that we saw for my theatre class.
I would never trade my experience with IES London. It really was one of the best summers of my life.

The time that I spent at City University London with IES in the fall semester of 2011 was perhaps the most important thing that I would ever do. It was an introduction into the rest of my life. I have moved back to London (hopefully permanently) to study for my masters degree. Without IES I might never have realised that this is where I want to spend the rest of my life. City is one of the most incredible places I have ever been. The staff on sight are amazing, and the support I received from the friends that I met, the staff at City, the Students' Union and the IES staff are the happiest memories that I have.
Thank you IES for this opportunity of a lifetime!

Message from Go Overseas: Hi there! This IES Abroad review was submitted before we increased our character limit for reviews. Just wanted to let you all know.

Madrid is the most awesome city ever and I can't say enough in favor of studying abroad there. I was very fortunate to live in a dorm at the Universidad Complutense with Spanish undergrads and international grad students -- all of whom speak Spanish nearly 100% of the time. I highly recommend doing that. Take advantage of the cultural activities that IES offers, particularly the class that meets inside El Museo del Prado, one of the world's best museums. In my experience IES participants were great people but they probably won't take the language pledge too seriously, so that is a drawback you have to work around. The IES staff is wonderful and you'll love each of them dearly. I did not find the IES classes that challenging except for the language class, which was top-notch (I still keep the textbook for reference). Nevertheless the point is more that you're learning in Spanish -- and if you self-direct a bit you'll learn a lot! It's a fascinating time to learn about the EU, the Euro and the European economy -- not to mention Spanish history. But of course the valuable things that you do studying abroad are the exploration that you need time to do (which homework would've taken away from) -- so good on IES for giving us free time. I think one of the other reviews mentioned how great Madrid is in terms of access to the rest of Spain and Europe and I want to second that -- it's definitely the easiest city to travel from on your weekends and vacations. I went to Mallorca, London, Paris and many places in Spanish Iberia, often visiting cities when they had a major fiesta such as Las Fallas, Carnaval or Semana Santa.

Living in a dorm allowed me to take full advantage of Madrid. I saved a huge amount of by time not having to take a subway commute. I took an art history class at the Complutense itself. I played soccer with the students in my dorm. I watched soccer with them too, and ate meals and partied and made friends. It was amazing. I was next to a beautiful park in which I could take runs in the evening past the Manzanares River, Goya's burial place and the Palacio Real. I spoke Spanish way more than most other IES students. I just can't say enough.

My tl;dr advice to a potential studier-abroad: YES, you do know enough Spanish so I don't even want to hear any more insecurity out of you. YES, Madrid is the best place to study in Spain.

The 5 months I spent in Nantes, France were some of the best days of my life. The IES program has a great combination of fun and education. Our lives were not too packed with school work and the staff and professors were excited for us to know as much as possible about the city. The activities set up through the program to get to know French people were great for us to practice our speaking and to meet the natives. It's a great city and a great program.

The IES Madrid program is an amazing adventure that incorporates a great academic program and a wonderful way to experience the Spanish culture at its best. Being a native Spanish speaker, the programs classes were not extremely challenging, but would include excellent elements such as going to a theater performance or a field trip excursion into the city. It was a great way to get to know the culture and the my surroundings better. In addition, the program offered weekend trips to different parts of Spain, which I would totally recommend if you are interested in getting to know your host country better and have a great time doing it. The bonds you form with many of your fellow study abroad classmates are strong and can last for a lifetime. Friendships you form with your host family and other Spaniards can be hard at first, but are worth the time and effort. To this day I keep in touch with my host family and carry fond memories of staying with them. The meals were delicious and completely different from the Mexican cuisine I was used to at home. The food had less spice, but it never stopped me from cleaning the plate. If you are too go out for meals, the best meals usually were paellas or kebabs. They are usually reasonably priced and are great tasting. Speaking of pricing, having no tax or tip really was a difference from what I was used to here in the U.S., it is kind of a cool thing to not to have to worry about it. The nightlife in Madrid is spectacular and is definitely a way to connect with other Spaniards and have a good time. From bars to clubs, and finishing the night off with churros con chocolate, it makes for an interesting and adventurous night. I would also recommend trying to volunteer at a school and teach English. It is a great way to practice your Spanish with younger children and learn to translate between languages. Furthermore, if you take a course in either dance or music it will give you another perspective on the value of the arts within the culture. I myself took a classical guitar course and performed at the end of the semester. It was great! I even used the guitar to help me teach English at the school where I volunteered. I would day Madrid is the best place to be, since it is at the center of the entire country and is a hub for the arts, fashion, culture, dance, film, and socializing. Also, being at the center it makes it easier for you to travel outside of Spain. I went to Italy for Semana Santa and I had no problems with flying internationally and no layovers. In addition, within the city the metro (subway) is clean and very well connected and can get you from point A to point B without ever opening your wallet for gas. The biggest thing I think is to be open to the experience. Throw away any preconceived notions on what you will accept and enjoy the ride. Trust me you will not regret it. Overall, the program changed my life and made me a strong believer in IES Madrid. I relish the opportunity to return to what I now consider as my second home, and hope that any who choose the Madrid program will also have a positive life altering experience that will open your mind to a new world.

My study abroad program was slightly different than most. Instead of taking classes at university I worked four days a week with a 2 hour class at the IES Centre on Fridays.

I loved my internship placement because I got to experience hands on what I want to be doing after graduation but I also loved the people I worked with and the location. I worked at the Royal Academy of Arts in their marketing department.

I fell head over heels in love with the city from the food to the nightlife to the history. There was nothing about the city I did not like. I even ended up meeting a few celebrities during my time in London which I know would never happen back home. I also felt safer walking around the city than in the U.S. Even at night when I was with friends I felt a lot safer. There is always something to do in London. I was never bored and I never slept in because this city is just too great not to explore!

I lived in Nido Spitalfields which is such an ideal location. It was close to the tube, grocery stores and many food places. The view from the gym on the 32nd floor as absolutely breath taking.

Overall, my experience in London through this program has helped me to realize not only what I want to do in life but has helped me realize that I want to go back and live there again for quite sometime.