Program Reviews

Before I provide my review, I would like to highlight that I speak Japanese well, which made my life in Japan easier than for others. My study abroad with the IES Nagoya program was enjoyable. Since it involved direct enrollment at the Japanese school (Nanzan University), I really needed help filling out tons of applications. However, IES guided me through filling out all of the applications, and there weren't even many things to do at my level. Even though I could speak Japanese, I was definitely worried about adjusting myself to the new places. However, IES provided field trips to its students, which was actually an awesome experience for me. I took thousands of pictures on those field trips and even experienced many authentic Japanese places that I couldn't visit just in Nagoya. Adding more here, Nagoya is just the perfect place if you are first visiting Japan. Nagoya is a city with good authentic Japanese food, historical sites, and even a well-managed downtown area where you can enjoy East Asian culture with your local friends. In terms of learning, Nanzan offers great language classes where you can actually improve your Japanese skills. They also have a program where you can meet other Japanese students and exchange your own culture with them. Since you cannot meet local Japanese students in class, that program was really helpful for me to make some Japanese friends with whom I could practice the Japanese that I learned in class. I chose the homestay program while I was studying abroad, and I would say that was the highlight of my stay in Japan. You can engage with your host family who are willing to exchange their culture and help you practice your Japanese while you are at home. That helped me to understand Japanese society and people more deeply. I learned lots of etiquette that I need to know to live in Japan.

I decided to study abroad to gain exposure to a different country. Despite never having been to Europe before, I decided to take the leap and travel independently to London. At first, it was intimidating, but the IES program was extremely helpful in providing crash courses and webinars that covered all the dos and don'ts of traveling abroad. I enjoyed meeting the people and found it easy to acclimate to the British culture. I was able to travel to different countries during my time abroad and the program emphasized the importance of safety, in and outside of the country. If given the opportunity, I would definitely study abroad again!

As part of the IES Abroad Milan Business program, I was immersed in the Italian culture while receiving an impressive education. I became friends with the locals and had one of my favorite professors throughout my whole college experience at IES. I traveled every weekend while still experiencing everything the beautiful city of Milan has to offer. It truly was the best time of my life. The administration is responsive and accommodating allowing for a supportive experience during a semester-long adventure.

Last semester, I had the incredible privilege of embarking on a transformative journey in Milan with IES Abroad. This experience profoundly broadened my perspective, enabling me to immerse myself in a new culture and forge meaningful connections. Studying in Milan proved to be a pivotal chapter in my life, reshaping my outlook and fostering a deep appreciation for the diverse experiences I've been fortunate to encounter, courtesy of IES. My heartfelt gratitude extends to their program for the invaluable opportunities it has provided.

Residing at the Collegio di Milano offered me the chance to engage with both Italian and international university students, enriching my educational venture. Throughout my time there, I delved into various disciplines such as Art History, Italian history, and Transcultural Psychology, while also delving into the intriguing rehabilitation model at Carcere di Bollate. The vibrant local culture further enhanced my academic pursuits, creating a truly immersive experience.

Beyond academia, my time in Milan allowed me to hone my Italian language skills and deepen my understanding of global history through travels to nine different countries. Each journey enriched my love for world history, leaving an indelible mark on my personal growth. As I reflect on this remarkable chapter, I am profoundly grateful to IES Abroad for facilitating this life-changing opportunity. The memories, friendships, and mentorships I've acquired serve as treasured souvenirs of an unforgettable experience.

I spent Fall 2023 studying in Milan through IES Business Studies and it was the best experience of my life! I took two courses through IES Abroad and two courses at partner institution, Bocconi University. IES Abroad did a great job facilitating an easy transition for all students to their new home in Milan. It was an amazing opportunity to meet different people from various parts of the world, some who have become my closest friends. This was my first time away from home, which was one of my biggest fears regarding studying abroad, but IES made the adjustment very easy as I was constantly surrounded by support and any assistance if I needed it. This experience was the most amazing way to meet different people and diversify your perspectives in many different aspects. I gained a new sense of appreciation for cherishing the simple things in life, which is a big part of Italian culture and am so happy I could bring that new perspective back home with me. I became much more independent through navigating my new life abroad, but of course had the support of advisors and IES Abroad staff to help me along the way.

I think the most unique element of studying with IES was the location of the school that I got to attend every day of the week. It is right off of Plaza Catalunya, and was so easy to commute to and from class, and also so much to do right around there in between and after classes. It was a really big program, which was honestly fun to make so many friends that I could run into all around the city.

I would say that the academics could be a bit stronger, but I recognize there are students from such a variety of universities that it is probably at a realistic level. The professors were super nice, and not having a ton of homework allowed me to explore Barcelona and freely travel on the weekends without worrying too much about my workload. Overall, I love Barcelona and would recommend this program to anyone.

IES Abroad Nantes truly provided me with the experience of a lifetime. Originally, I never wanted to go abroad, despite how one of my majors is in Francophone Studies. I attended multiple study abroad information sessions and turned down each one. Then, hours before the deadline to declare if you were going abroad, I told my college that I’d go.
I looked through all my options, searching for a program that would be similar enough to my home in Maine. I found IES Abroad Nantes and, based on how it was near the Atlantic Ocean, thought I’d give it a try. I filled out their easy application, and IES Abroad walked me through the more complicated Visa application process. When it came down to a month before departure, they sent me plenty of information on what to do once I arrived in France.
Upon arrival, IES Abroad Nantes faculty met me at the train station and made sure I made it to their centre, and then home to my host family. My host family was so wonderful and understanding of the shock that comes with experiencing a new culture and language without the support of people you know. I quickly grew very close with my host family. I ate dinner with them each night, and they left breakfast out for me in the mornings. My host mother and I drank tea by the fireplace each night before bed, then I’d watch the news with my host father. When they weren’t home, my youngest host sister and I made dinner together and chatted into the night, exchanging stories about our lives and cultures. I was even invited to my host brother’s fiançailles (engagement party), and I hadn’t even officially met him yet! That night spent in celebration with my five host siblings is one of my best memories of being abroad.
As for the IES center, I took three classes there. The classes were small and consisted entirely of exchange students, yet they were all entirely in French. The small class sizes allowed me to get close to the professors, who were natively French. Additionally, there were tutors at the center who hosted events which encouraged us to immerse ourselves further into the culture of Nantes. A few examples are study sessions in local cafés, seasonal festivities happening throughout the city, weekly karaoke at a local bar, and a weekly Conversation Club that invited French university students to come chat with and then go out to dinner with our group of exchange students. On top of all this, IES Abroad Nantes provided us to go on excursions to visit other parts of France. As a group, we would leave for a weekend and IES Abroad Nantes provided us with room and board, as well as transportation and guidance. A few of the 12 places we visited in France outside of Nantes through IES Abroad were Guérande, les châteaux de la Loire Région, and Caen.
I also took two classes outside of the center at the local French university, Nantes Université. My self-confidence improved immensely during this experience, as I realized I could excel in a classroom setting that was designed for native French-speakers.
Outside of France exploration, we were given a week-long fall break. During this time, I was able to explore the countries of Austria and Scotland. I enjoyed immersing myself in these cultures that I originally knew very little about, as well as learning that I am capable of organizing a successful trip on my own.
Because of this experience as a whole, my fluency in French skyrocketed. Not only that, but I also now have connections with people in France, as well as some exchange students from Lithuania and Germany. I also have a new knowledge of and love for a city I would not have discovered otherwise. I hope to return soon to my second-home and reunite with my host family and friends.

The IES staff, my host mom, and my professor were all so lovely, caring, and attentive to me during time abroad. When I got sick one weekend, my program advisor replied to my messages immediately and was constantly asking what he could do to help. My host mom was also so caring during that time - it felt like being with my mom whenever I'm sick at home. She really included me in all the family activities, which allowed me to learn about traditions like guaguas de pan and colada morada. I always felt that there was a lot of help + support if I had any issues. The IES staff was very welcoming and provided us with plenty of information and opportunities to feel immersed in the culture.

Additionally, the opportunity to enroll directly at USFQ was great for both improving my Spanish and also being able to pursue courses in topics that were more unique to Ecuador, such as Ecuadorian Archaeology or Andean Anthropology. Everybody was so nice and the food was delicious. Studying abroad was a very formative experience for me and I'll always have an affection for Ecuador because of my time there. The ability to live completely in Spanish was essential to improving my Spanish to basically fluent and giving me confidence in my language skills.

The excursions also allowed me to see places I never would have otherwise thought much about visiting. For instance, in my Landscape Archaeology class we took a day trip to Quitoloma, which was an old Incan military lookout. From there, we were able to see the entire valley of Cumbayá and Quito which was really neat. The Galapagos was also one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. My photos from one beach we went to almost looked fake they were so gorgeous. It was such a special moment in my life. I would 100% recommend the program to other students.

I had the time of my life in Milan! I met some of my best friends and I am still in contact with them today. I took classes that were engaging and immersed me into the culture. I connected with IES Abroad staff and am still in contact with them. I had some of the best food and I took a cooking class to learn more about what ingredients/recipes are popular in which regions and why that is. Milan also has a big airport within a 1 hour train ride so I was able to travel every weekend (besides a couple I stayed in Milan) for pretty cheap. Hands down the best time of my life!

As a student in the IES Milan program, I have some insights. First, the structure of the program was great. I arrived in Italy a few days before the program start day for fall 2023 with my family, just to get a feel of Italy. On the actual program day, I was met by two IES advisors at College di Milano (where I resided throughout the semester). They helped me put away my luggage, get integrated into Italian culture by taking my group out to different restaurants and set up my class schedule. I was also introduced to a group of other IES students that would become some of my closest friends throughout my stay in Italy. So when I say these mentors helped me throughout my stay...aaahhhh I appreciate them so much. I also like the way most classes were set up so that we had more free time to shop, go to museums, meet other IES students and explore Milan and beyond.