Program Reviews

Studying abroad in Freiburg was my first time traveling to Europe, and I must say, it didn't disappoint! I absolutely loved the city! It's a cute little college town in prime proximity to France, the Swiss Alps, and of course, the Black Forest.

The program itself is also exceptional, and offers a wide variety of professors, academics, and cultural opportunities! If you’re interested in the environment, then the IES environmental studies program is specially tailored towards giving you the opportunity to experience sustainability though many different perspectives. I learned about renewable technologies and urban studies, which were fields I wouldn’t have had the time or availability to try at my home institution. The classes are also set up into 3-week crash course modules, which means that you have a lot of free time during the day to enjoy swimming, hiking, or just wandering around the city.

Safety wise, I didn’t have any problems; the IES staff was great about being available 24/7 and took their role seriously about helping you get settled in. The housing provided by the program is also unique because you get placed into university owned apartments shared with other German university students and you are not housed together as a program. Of course, there are also other housing options available like apartment singles, but that was just my experience, and I found that it was a great way to make friends and to also practice my German.

Overall, I really enjoyed the program and would recommend anyone on the fence for studying abroad to definitely go for it! If you happen to like the environment, then I would also suggest this program. Living and learning in another culture is really an eye-opening experience, and I will always remember the great times I had in Freiburg!

IES Abroad Program is a very well-organized program that offers student great opportunity to gain a global perspective on everything. It is a very well-organized program that offers student great opportunity to gain a global perspective on everything. A lot of international engagement opportunities ware offered and the program site was very well chosen to allow students to have the best experience possible. The IES center stuff was very friendly and helpful. The classes were mostly focused on getting students to learn instead of sending out hard course materials.

My German improved a lot and I had a deeper understanding of German culture. The German and American friends I get to know and the memories I had with them will be the wealth of my life. It is an experience everyone worth to have!

After four months in Berlin with IES, I can confidently say that I have found a new home in Berlin! Not only was the city itself a lively place to live as a student with countless concerts, exhibitions, parties, and other events going on every week, but my homestay was cozy and comfortable and my host family super kind, generous, and excited to chat and help me improve my German. In the case of any concerns or problems, the staff at IES was always available and willing to help, super approachable and friendly.

From an academic standpoint IES also exceeded expectations. I took only classes with IES (I wish I could have taken classes at Humboldt or Freie Universitat, but due to the German university schedule (fall/winter semester classes end in February) I could not), which worked well for me, as I prefer small seminar-style classes and being able to speak with and get to know my professors. The course load was manageable, and all of my professors were so friendly, funny, and smart. I actually wanted to go to class and learn from them. Above all, they were sympathetic to the fact that all of us were German students, not native speakers, and it was clear that they cared about our success. The student assistants at IES, all students at Humboldt, were available for tutoring sessions to help proofread assignments or simply to provide general advice and recommendations in Berlin. They were a great resource!

All of my classes also put an emphasis on using Berlin as a classroom, which meant lots of "field trips" and excursions to relevant museums and monuments, libraries and archives, or to theater performances. That was definitely a huge plus to being in Berlin, and one of the academic highlights for me.

On the whole, I would definitely recommend IES Berlin for anyone looking to improve their German and interested in really learning and getting to know this beautiful city. I will definitely be back!

As a first-generation latina student abroad, it was definitely a new experience in general. Although the ability to interact with people from all over the world and, therefore, learn about not only Spanish culture, but other cultures as well as I went to school and practiced a Spanish that was different to mine was such an awesome experience.

Salamanca is such a relatively small but beautiful town with a lot to offer for abroad students and IES did a pretty good job in terms of support and guidance for my time in Salamanca. More likely, because I was coming from such a big city like Chicago, it definitely felt very different and kind of odd, but now that I'm back I can't stop thinking about how great my experience was. I do not regret choosing such an amazing location to study abroad and I hope to visit Salamanca sometime soon and see my local friends and the beautiful and historical University of Salamanca all over again.

I studied abroad through the IES Abroad Dublin Irish Studies program. I loved this program because it allowed me to have a flexible schedule both within and outside of academics. This program also chooses to take much of the academic process outside of the classroom. Many classes provided opportunities to learn about Irish culture through first hand interaction with the community as well as providing chances to go on educational journeys on the weekends. The program really places a focus on learning through experience rather than standardized tests and quizzes. The Dublin staff is absolutely fantastic. Staff members go the extra mile to help students adjust to their new surroundings and also to feel at home both in the IES Center and the city as a whole. The IES Staff were such an amazing tool while abroad. Staff were happy to help with anything from advice, to recommendations, to academic questions. The staff truly made a huge impact on my time abroad. IES Abroad Dublin also makes a special effort to provide opportunities to get involved with the community. Housing in Binary Hub gives students quick access to the city center as well as nice, private rooms. If I had to do my study abroad ove, I would definitely choose IES Abroad Dublin again.

My experience studying abroad with IES in Sydney, Australia was incredibly eye-opening. I studied at the University of New South Wales in Kensington, which is conveniently located about twenty minutes from world famous Coogee Beach. I loved studying at this university because my school back in the US is super rural, so it was a huge change of scene that helped me accustom to school in a whole new atmosphere. During my time in Sydney, I met students from all over the world and really gained some great relationships through IES's program. Some of my highlights at UNSW were studying politics and philosophy from an Australian perspective and traveling to nearby cultural heritage sites. This really supplemented my class on Indigenous People and Policy. Exploring my global citizenship inspired to discover my love for distance-running. IES sponsored us to run the Sydney Half-Marathon, so that was an incredible personal feat that I will always be thankful for. I also won a free skydiving trip! In addition, I loved studying in the law library, since I want to be a lawyer, and making friends with legal students from Australia. Overall, the program was run very efficiently, provided me with opportunity for both professional and personal growth, and has inspired me to make exploring my global citizenship a continuity.

The staff at IES are so welcoming and supportive. I loved chatting with all of them about my day. My apartment was clean, modern, and a quick walk to everything (though most of Dublin is). I loved getting to know other students and found that the classes were supportive of my time spent outside of the classroom. The best class was Irish Communal Identity because our instructor took us all around Dublin to teach us the history and culture of the city and how it's changing. I highly recommend doing either an internship or a service learning placement. My time at the Rialto Homework Club was the most beneficial part of my semester. I even had a great time exploring around Ireland. Most day trips are accessible by train or a bus service. The only thing I wish I knew was estimated costs for daily things. Be sure to cook at home whenever you can. Going back home was harder than getting on the plane there!

My program with IES Dublin was everything I hoped for out of a study abroad experience. The housing that was provided, Binary Hub, was awesome and a short walk to nightlife. I really enjoyed my classes. The teaching team recognized that study abroad is more than just academics and made sure to involve field trips. For example, my professors brought us to looking museums and we did a lot of walking tours throughout Dublin. Within the first couple of weeks I knew how to get around almost all of Dublin. Additionally, the IES staff provided many great suggestions for day or weekend trips. Therefore, if we wanted to save money one weekend there were still things to do around the area. Additionally, a bucket list book was provided for us from previous IES students. Overall I loved my time in Ireland and would highly recommend studying abroad with IES!

My trip to Vienna, Austria was nothing short of life-changing. Out of all of the countless insights I have gained, I will say the most important things I have learned through my time abroad would be trusting and believing in myself, and realizing the possibilities for my future are limitless. Unfortunately, throughout most of my Undergraduate degree as a French Horn Performance Major, I had been dealing with a prolonged lip injury. This past Spring semester, I was not sure whether or not I would be able to do the abroad program. Through my persistence and hope, I have continued my degree and had progressed enough to apply for the summer program. Through my program in Austria, I was fortunate enough to take lessons with a renowned horn player in the Vienna Philharmonic. My teacher was generous enough to allow me to watch rehearsals for operas and orchestra concerts and even let me borrow a Vienna horn! Through his teaching and guidance, I have made enormous strides in recovering from my past injuries. This truly was a huge revelation for me that has changed my outlook on my future. I was nearly ready to give up on being a musician all together after finishing my Undergraduate degree. However, through the help of my teacher and being in a city immersed with a love of music and the arts, I have gained more confidence and strength in my abilities than I ever have before. I realize now that possibilities for me are limitless and I am incredibly passionate about returning and studying music further in Austria! Without this life-changing experience, I may have already given up on my dream to be a professional horn player.

The IES program was absolutely amazing. The staff members were incredibly helpful, supportive and kind. I was nervous about not knowing German before arriving in Austria, however, I learned a lot of German through the IES courses and was able to speak at a basic level to natives! Not to mention, everyone in the bigger cities speaks English. Through the program, I was able to visit so many historical sites (such as seeing where some of the most famous composers in the world lived and were buried), and have made lasting friendships. I would recommend studying with IES to anybody! It truly changed my life, the staff is incredibly kind and wonderful, and I had the time of my life!

My first study abroad experience with IES had been a phenomenal experience. As a German major, I wanted to improve my language speaking skills, however, I wasn’t ready to submerge myself into super German Bayern region. I fell in love with the city of Berlin because there was never a moment where I didn’t have anything to do. In addition, IES placed me in a very wonderful home-stay in Prenzlauer Berg. For courses, the IES program offered classes that were exciting and entertaining, such as Contemporary German films and Berlin Literature. With the literature class, I received full immersion to discuss texts verbally and write essays in German. From the beginning of my arrival to Germany, I went from not being able to ask for directions to conversing casually with the Döner stand owner about how his stand was my favorite place to get Döner and how I will miss it when I return to the US.