IES Abroad Reviews

I would recommend this program for anyone interested in studying in Shanghai or China. The housing was better than most of what my other friends in other programs had. The staff was also very supportive and the school was located right across the street from Fudan University. I enjoyed myself thoroughly and the programs IES had set up were great. I learnt a lot of Chinese through their intensive classes and I would definitely go again. Shanghai is a very safe city and the day trips and excursion to Taiwan that IES had organized encouraged me to see all of the opportunities China had to offer. Shanghai is a fast-changing city not just economically but socially as well, and by studying abroad with IES, students are a lot more prone to witness this and understand it. IES was there throughout the whole trip and making sure I was well accustomed to my surroundings. Studying abroad is what you make of it but its reassuring to know the IES staff is behind you whenever you might need them.

I studied abroad at the University of Auckland last fall in 2011 and had the most memorable and enjoyable experience of my life.
The only downside to studying abroad was that I was not able to get my chemistry class to count for credit towards my major. So definitely make sure that you check with your home university for credit transfer.
I stayed in a dorm called the International House and I absolutely loved it! The majority of these rooms are singles and every floor has a lounge space. The rooms were comfortable and bed linens were provided for every student. This dorm was a mix of about 50% kiwi students (mostly 1st year students) and 50% international students from all over the world. I feel that a lot of people who lived in homestays did not meet too many people outside of their exchange program. Apartment living was nice, from what I hear, but I think living in a dorm is the best way to meet a lot of new and different people. In addition, this particular dorm had its own cafeteria and this is how most students met each other and socialized. But, like most campus dining halls, the food variation was not the greatest and there were not many choices for each meal. There was always a vegetarian option though.
In terms of academics, I was completely satisfied with 2 out of my 4 papers. My Spanish and New Zealand Youthwork papers were great and I loved the teachers. My Educational Psychology paper was boring and my Physical Chemistry paper changed professors 4 times for each topic change and I did not like that very much. The class sizes were good though. About 20 students in my Spanish class and about 40-60 for the other three lecture style papers. The work load was not bad at all, but for my lecture style papers, the majority of my grade was determined by one midterm/research paper and one final. Also, I loved having two weeks of spring break and one week of "reading period", the time in between the end of classes and finals.
My favorite part of being in a new country was definitely travelling. Every chance I got, I would rent a car from Jucy with a few friends and go somewhere new. We visited places all over the north island, such as Rotorua, Taupo, Matamata, and Pureora Rain Forest. There are so many outdoor and adventurous activities to do, like bunjy jumping or hiking, but there are also a lot of other, tamer, activities, like a set tour of the Shire (LOTR) or visiting the zoo. In addition to this, for spring break, two friends and I flew down to the south island and rented a camper van for two weeks. We traveled around a good majority of this beautiful island and had the time of our lives! We flew into Christchurch and witnessed the devastating effects of the earthquakes, saw the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park, went catamaran sail boating in the Tasman Sea, took a boat cruise around Milford Sound, jumped off the canyon above the Shotover River in Queenstown, and ate chocolate at the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in Dunedin. So my advice to anyone studying abroad: Get out and explore! I think it is so important to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that each country has to offer.

I started learning Spanish in Kindergarten and ever since I have had the desire to learn Spanish. Not only was it something I was good at, but I enjoyed being able to communicate with people from all over the world. I have had the opportunity to intern at a hospital interpreting for Spanish speaking patients and use my language skills in almost every other job I have ever had. Spanish language skills are definitely useful, especially nowadays where Spanish is widely spoken throughout the USA.

Although I cannot speak for ALL of Latin America, I have traveled extensively and have come to the conclusion that no matter where you study abroad, it will be worth it. It does not matter if it is in Costa Rica, Argentina, or Ecuador - you will NOT regret it! As far as Argentina goes, I have really enjoyed being here so far simply because I feel like I am both in "Latin America" and Europe at the same time. The architecture and cafes tend to have a European influence and sometimes I feel like I’m at a Parisian or Spanish café. On the other hand, Argentina definitely still has the Latin 'flavor' which is displayed in its food, dancing, music, and overall way of interacting with people (they are very friendly here and what I would consider an 'open society').

The best thing about being in Argentina besides everything that comes with the experience of studying abroad is the FOOD! I know that sounds cliché, but really—a month can pass by without going to the same restaurant twice. I consistently find great restaurants at great prices that serve AMAZING food. Argentina is known for its meat for good reason – it’s delicious and cheap compared to the prices of meat in the US. Even if you are a vegetarian, there are a TON of options and grocery stores are pretty much the same as in the US (give or take).

My advice to any student thinking or considering of studying abroad is: just do it! Stop procrastinating and get the information you need! You have to make it happen. With a little effort I was able to study abroad 3 different times in 3 different countries. I have met people that have forever changed my life and changed the way I see the world and what goes on. I have not met anyone that regrets their time abroad. There is something out there for everyone, so take a chance and get out and see things that you never thought you would! Buena suerte! [good luck!]

What has been the best part of your study abroad experience so far?

I would say it has been amazing to have the opportunity to be able to see and experience so many cultures and places firsthand.

What's your favorite class? Your favorite professor? Why?

My favorite class so far is Economics in a Global Market Economy. Although the title sounds daunting, and I myself am not great at economics, I decided to take the class because of my major: International Studies. The professor, Uli Bruckner, has tailored the class to each individual's needs and allows flexibility to explore all aspects of a market economy within the European Union. He also is extremely well connected within Europe and set up 'excursions' to places like the Ministry of Finance to talk about the Euro Crisis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to talk with the desk officer for Iraq, a chance to hear the General Secretary of the UN speak, plus much more. All of the professors are great and each class has interesting aspects and excursions; however, this one appealed to me the most given my major.

What's one of the most interesting things you have seen so far?

I don't think I can pick just one thing. Being able to compare different cities and countries is interesting in itself. The history that is in Berlin and other cities I have visited is just incredible. It is impossible to say which is more interesting: the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. Everything is interesting in a new place!

The best thing about studying in Germany?

As a student, the first thing that comes to mind is low cost of living. In Berlin, it is beyond easy to get
around via public transport and most everything in the city (clothes, food, cultural events, etc.) are cheap, discounted, or even free for students. The country is also a place not only of grand history but also a leading competitor in the world today. Being able to see what this country has become after such a painful history is the best part about studying here.

What would you want to say to students who are thinking about studying abroad?

Go for it! You never know until you try. Putting yourself into a new (and maybe overwhelming situation) could benefit you in ways you could never imagine. It may even make you realize some abilities you have that you never knew you possessed. Aside from visiting interesting places, you will gain life experiences that cannot be taught in books. You will also meet people that will leave impressions inside of you forever; some good, some bad, but every experience is a learning experience that can be applied to everyday situations even back in the States. The world has so much to offer, it is up to YOU to take advantage of it!

Any thoughts on learning German?

Learning German for me can be somewhat entertaining at times. English has a large influence in Germany and there are a surprising amount of English words used daily (especially for store advertisements, etc.). One of my favorite German words, however, is Handschuh (pronounced hand-shoe. Handschuh is the word for 'glove' which always makes me laugh because it is so practical - a shoe for your hand. Much like Germans themselves, the words tend to be literal, practical, and precise. German is a little difficult to learn, but at the same time most of the words are actually really similar to English. Practice makes perfect, and although many people will speak English to you, use your German!

You might not think it is possible to stay focused and concentrated while studying abroad. Honestly, I did not think so. However, I found the perfect study abroad program: IES BIA Paris.

The program incorporates textbook learning into real life experiences. For example, students did not learn art just from books or powerpoint slides. The class went to the Louvre and actually saw the paintings; which is not done in your typical college class. These experiences are not just for art majors. Business,IPE, foreign policy majors also benefit. Our IPE class went on a trip to the World Trade Organization Headquarters and the European Union Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland. We had a tour of the facilites, a speaker talk to us, and even dinner!

Parisians have a bad reputation for being rude, however, the BIA staff are wonderful, helpful and understanding. They have years of experience with study abroad students. All are bilingual, so don't think language will be a problem. If you need to find the nearest grocery store, a landmark, a museum etc. they will help you and give you precise directions. Personally, IES BIA Paris felt like a home away from home, the only difference is I had the magical city of Paris as my campus.

I studied abroad in Buenos Aires from 2009-2010 and it was a good experience. I lived with two different host families and was able to explore two different neighborhoods. I really enjoyed Buenos Aires and its unique barrios. Each barrio has a unique flavor and adds to the color of the city. I love empanadas. As a non red meat eater, I was able to survive as much of the cooking in the city of Buenos Aires has more of a Spanish/Italian flair...if you try the cuisine outside of the city you're sure to be in for a treat. When I was up north almost to the border with Brazil, I had ice cream made out of flowers and when I was all the way south, I had some of the best seafood ever (close second to the seafood of the Gulf Shores).

There are many cultural attractions, festivals, ferias, plays, comedy shows, and events that keep the city alive literally day or night.

I took classes at both IES and at the local universities. I was grateful to have the experience of being with my fellow Americans and getting to know other locals through my classes. I also really enjoyed my internship and learning about the social justice issues. There's a big contrast organizationally between how public universities are run in Argentina versus IES, but the academic staff was great in navigating through all of the paperwork.

I recommend this program and definitely studying abroad in general, it's a worthy experience!

I would definitely recommend this program. Studying in Dublin was the best semester of my life. The City is beautiful and the people are so nice. There is so much to do. Dublin City University was a really close community of students. There were constantly fun events going on on campus such as a Summer Ball were they turned the dance floor into a beach, or a seminar with the Guinness Brew-master, or even a Vanilla Ice concert. The IES staff was very friendly and helpful and while they were located in the city center and DCU is north of the city, there came to campus often to check up on us and see how we were doing. We had frequent coffee dates with some of the IES staff members and become pretty close with them. Over all a great experience.

I studied at the University of Auckland with IES in Fall of 2010 and had a life-changing experience that I would not trade in for anything. I arrived in New Zealand as a shy and constantly stressed girl, but I quickly learned that there was a better way to living.
I met so many new and different people and had to put aside all of my biases and close-minded views so that I could immerse myself into a new culture and benefit from it.
Studying at the university was a lot different than my university back home in Texas. Students were not constantly worried about their grades and GPA, but rather looked at education as a learning opportunity instead of a resume and statistics booster. In this way, students were more able to relax and enjoy life outside of class. I found myself studying during the week, and taking relaxing trips to the beach or countryside over the weekends, something that I would never do back home since I was always sitting in a library studying or catching up on sleep. I definitely absorbed this mentality towards education and still use it today. It has made my academic life so much more enjoyable and I am grateful for that.
I lived with four other students in a student apartment, which was quite an experience since we were all from different countries. I learned a lot from this housing situation and become even more accepting of other cultures. I would recommend student housing since you will be able to meet more students from all around the world. I did have a mate who chose to live with a host family though, and her experience with her Kiwi family was also amazing, so the choice is up to you! I think both options are great. As long as you are an outgoing person, you will be able to meet other students.
The country itself is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and it has so much to offer. The Kiwi people are absolutely wonderful and friendly and they are always willing to help you throughout your travels. There are also so many outdoor activities to do, so make sure that you take advantage of them even during the semester. I myself even stayed in New Zealand for a month after finals ended so that I could travel and enjoy the country. I would definitely recommend doing this!
Overall, I truly enjoyed my time in New Zealand, made unforgettable memories, and made some amazing friends who I still keep in touch with frequently. I miss it so much that I am actually going back at the end of this year to work there for 8-9 months!

I heard about IES study abroad programs through the international studies center at my university. I had always dreamed and hoped I would be able to study abroad sometime during the duration of my undergraduate career, but senior year came along, and I was concerned that, as was the case with many other study abroad programs offered at my school, that I wouldn't be able to find a program that was organized to work with my credits and time frame. Unlike many other programs I was considering, I found IES to be the most flexible and accommodating, and I was able to completely fit the program into my academic plan. The classes offered through this London program were AMAZING, and there was such an array of categories that allowed me to take classes that would actually count, towards my degree, instead of simply taking classes abroad that would fulfill 'extra' or 'fluff' credits. I was able to pick classes I was not only interested in, but that counted, and was additionally able to pay for these credits as in-state, instead of having to pay for credits considered international or out-of-state. The professors for my classes were top-notch. One was a teacher at Oxford, and the other literally took us everywhere around the city to teach us in a more hands on way. The classes are at an accelerated rate, but you do not feel completely overwhelmed. You do have to put in the work, but it is so worth it because of the subject matter and cultural content you are able to come in contact with! The accommodations were fantastic, and I never once felt safe. Rather our dorm rooms, despite being small, were comfortable, and cleaned weekly. We shared completely finished (and furnished) kitchens and living areas, and the borough we were situated in was fabulous! It was so chic, and safe at the same time, and was located in such a way that getting across the city was only a matter of a 20 minute tube ride. But, again, with London, you can get ANYWHERE in a matter of minutes. It's such an amazing city! If I had to do it over, I would pick another IES abroad program to participate in! The IES team, both in the US and while you're in the UK is constantly available, 24-7. You are completely prepared for your excursion abroad before your trip, and you are completely taken care of while you're living abroad. There were optional weekend excursions every week, and during the week, the IES team always took the time to take us out to a different area or restaurant. We explored so many different aspects of London both on our own as tourists, but also with the native Londoners who took us around as friends. My time with IES Abroad London went by too quickly, and I am so glad I participated!

I went to Christchurch in order to become familiar with a different culture and to study Biology. I was not disappointed in either of these goals. I lived in student housing surrounded by students from all over the world and studied with mostly Kiwis. Through community volunteering experiences I was able to get connected with the citizens of Christchurch and to learn about the culture of New Zealand.

I also had many opportunities to travel the country through program sponsored field trips (which were great!), a week long field course for a class, and lots of independent travel. The country is simply breath taking and the people you meet along the way are always friendly. We had a lot of great fun camping and hiking in the mountains and on the beaches.

Christchurch is a beautiful city and IES has great on-site support staff are always available.