IES Abroad Reviews

While I have been abroad, this was the first time I was abroad for more than two weeks. To be honest, it was nerve-racking at first, but once I got to know the people in my dorm and had a set class schedule, my time became more enjoyable. During the first week of orientation, we visited Ronda. We visited an olive oil plant and an old bull-fighting stadium. We also took amazing hikes into the hills past blooming almond trees and expansive views of open agricultural fields. After the hike, they gave us time to walk around and explore Ronda. I got stuck in a downpour, on my way to find a gluten-free cafe, but even that was exciting! While I did end up at a dominos, it is an experience I won't forget. There are a bunch of great food options available, but I need quick sustenance. Going to show that it took me a bit to adjust to Spain and get a solid footing, but that was okay! This was only one of many trips during my time abroad!

Because of study abroad, I have had the opportunity to learn about a place in class, through books, or from my parents, and then be able to see and experience it myself. I think this is an opportunity everyone should have, or at least consider for themselves.

Through studying abroad, you can learn things outside of the classroom. I had the benefit of knowing the language of my home city before even stepping off the plane, but others I’ve talked to learned language skills through their time abroad. Truly immersing yourself in the culture, language, and customs of a location is something you can't learn from a textbook.

My time abroad taught me a lot about myself. I never considered myself an independent person before living in Berlin, but after solo traveling and discovering towns in my free time, I have grown to do more things on my own, and it is very freeing and gives me a lot of new opportunities.

While studying abroad in Berlin, I was one of the presidency, marketing, and student affairs interns for an international university, where I primarily focused on online presence, social media operations, organization, and analysis. This hands-on experience will help me gain an international position at a bilingual company after graduation.

I was also a part of the student council while in Berlin, where I acted as a co-event planner and marketer, designing posters and graphics for the IES Abroad Berlin Instagram page and the education abroad center where classes were held. Throughout my time abroad, I acted as a social media correspondent for my study abroad program, IES Abroad, where I posted photos, stories, and videos throughout my time and travels abroad.

Studying abroad gave me a sense of independence I never would have gained by staying in my hometown. Living in a new country challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, adapt quickly, and rely on myself in ways I hadn’t before. I learned a lot about who I am while in Berlin, which is why it was one of the most rewarding and transformative parts of my college years.

Recently, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Vienna with IES Abroad this past spring semester of college.

At first, I was a bit skeptical as everything was happening so quickly. I was adjusting to a new environment, meeting new people (and repeating the same introduction over and over), and on top of that, beginning to learn a new language - German.

As the semester progressed, I became increasingly grateful to be in Vienna. I met so many wonderful people, many of whom I still stay in touch with, and gained a fresh perspective on many aspects of life. The IES staff were incredibly supportive and fun, and I genuinely enjoyed most of my courses.

One of the highlights of my experience was how much I was able to travel - far more than I could have back at my home university. I would absolutely recommend Vienna as a study abroad destination.

IES Barcelona did an amazing job of walking us through all of the tasks we had to complete before we flew abroad. From the visa process, to packing tips, to culture and safety modules, I felt very prepared to head to Barcelona for the semester. The classes they offered all transferred back to my home university seamlessly, and most of the professors were very kind and wanted you to succeed. IES staff planned many events to immerse us in Catalan culture and learn about Barcelona history. Overall, I really recommend IES Barcelona for your study abroad experience.

I had an amazing time studying abroad. My classes at the IES center were all in French, which was difficult at first, but the professors were helpful and forgiving. The classes were challenging for me because they were taught in French, so I was learning new material while concurrently trying to improve my French skills. Specifically compared to my friends in other study abroad programs, I felt the classes were harder than average. Although, luckily for me, my GPA from abroad didn't factor into my overall GPA at my home university. The center where my class were was so great! It was in an amazing location with so many restaurants and shops nearby, as well as a metro stop and bus stop. I always went out to lunch during my lunch break and ended up finding some favorite spots on the charming street which the center was on. Also at the center, there was always free coffee, a printer, a mini library, and the offices of the staff. Overall I had a great time, and my French skills improved a lot!

My time in Sydney with IES Abroad was a memory I'll keep for the rest of my life. Although it had its hard moments (don't underestimate how much homesickness or a hard class can hit you), there were so many amazing experiences I got to have, like seeing quokkas in person or building a group of friends from all over the world. It was a great opportunity to expand my horizons and learn who I am as a person without the safety net of the same people and places I've always known. One of the best parts is being able to customize your experience based on your goals abroad, whether your focus is personal, professional, or academic.

My time in Milan and Europe is something I will always remember! Initially, I was overcome with nerves, but by the end, I had made many new friends and had some amazing experiences. While the initial planning was stressful at times, I appreciated how easily I could get help when needed from my advisors. I loved how easy it was to travel from Milan, which isn't something you can say for some other cities. My travels allowed me to gain new perspectives, and I will forever be thankful for these experiences.

I had such a fantastic time being with IES in Sydney. I enjoyed being surrounded by so many people my age, and I could get to know the culture! It was a little tricky being one of the only people of color in the area, but I felt so welcomed and loved, and many people wanted to know about my background, making for a great exchange of culture. I loved traveling around Australia too. Being able to go to places like the Great Barrier Reef, Perth, Melbourne, and even Bali! I was able to understand everything that Australia had to offer!

I spent a semester in Rome, Italy, with IES Abroad! My experience was incredible! As an Italian minor, Rome was the perfect, easy choice for me to immerse myself in Italian culture and the language. I lived in a lovely apartment in a residential neighborhood of Rome, only a ten-minute walk away from the Vatican. I passed Castel Sant’Angelo and the Tiber River every day on the way to class. I had the opportunity to take unique classes: Italian language, Culture and Cuisine, Archaeology of Rome, and Cinecittà Studios to Real Locations. All of the classes have classroom days and field study days, where the class would meet in different parts of the city. The professors I took wanted nothing but success for the students and were so supportive throughout the semester. The staff at the IES Center offered fun trips and programs throughout the semester, like gelato making, wine tasting, olive picking, and more! I was also lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel around Europe on the weekends and visit cities like Granada, Stockholm, and Florence.

I was able to meet great friends from all around the United States, as well as friends from Argentina. The IES abroad staff made the study abroad experience so comfortable, and we all became a big family. I really liked having other students from the United States in my program since we could explore together and go on adventures in a group. Having the support of the Buenos Aires staff from IES to navigate issues such as going to the doctor, getting SIM cards, and other issues made the adjustment process to the city so easy.