Program Reviews

Studying abroad in Nantes with IES Abroad was nothing short of a life-altering adventure, an experience that has profoundly impacted my personal and academic growth. From the moment I set foot in this picturesque French city until my bittersweet farewell, IES Abroad orchestrated a study abroad program that was both intellectually stimulating and culturally enriching.

Academic Excellence (5/5):
The academic facet of the program in Nantes exceeded my expectations. The curriculum seamlessly interwove the French language and culture, enabling us to not only master the language but also deeply understand the local way of life. The professors demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our success, ensuring that we were intellectually challenged and engaged throughout our studies.

Cultural Immersion (5/5):
Residing with a host family was undoubtedly one of the program's highlights. It granted me a unique opportunity to interact with Nantais locals, refine my French language skills, and gain profound insights into the fabric of French culture. IES Abroad thoughtfully organized cultural excursions and activities that allowed us to explore Nantes and the surrounding regions, providing us with an authentic taste of France's rich heritage.

Supportive Staff (5/5):
The dedicated IES Abroad staff in Nantes were our pillars of support throughout our journey. From guiding us through administrative processes to offering invaluable advice on adjusting to a new environment, they demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our well-being. Their warm and caring approach fostered a sense of belonging within our diverse student community.

Safe and Inclusive Environment (5/5):
Nantes proved to be a safe and welcoming city, known for its amicable residents and secure surroundings. IES Abroad took additional measures to enhance our security, ensuring that we could focus on our studies and exploration without concerns. The program's dedication to inclusivity created an environment where diversity was celebrated, and all students felt valued and respected.

Life-altering Experience (5/5):
My time in Nantes with IES Abroad has indelibly changed me. Beyond linguistic proficiency, I gained a global perspective, forged lasting bonds with locals and fellow students, and underwent significant personal growth. The memories and lessons from this transformative journey will forever shape my life.

In conclusion, the opportunity to study abroad in Nantes with IES Abroad was truly a dream come true. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone seeking to discover France, deepen their language skills, and embark on a voyage of self-discovery. It is an experience that not only enriches your academic and cultural horizons but also leaves an indelible mark on your personal growth. My heartfelt gratitude to IES Abroad for crafting an unforgettable study abroad experience in Nantes!

The European Union semester that IES Abroad offers is very much worth the time, money, and energy spent to get there. The IES staff was extremely helpful in making us feel welcome, heard, and understood as students and as people in a wholly new area. The courses offered were enlightening and brought such an amazing perspective on the European Union and European politics/history in general. It has enabled us to think critically of what's in front of us, which is wholly important when you are speaking with a staff member within the European Union's institutions. Most of all, the trips that IES Abroad offered were simply amazing. It has offered us a healthy mixture of studying and actually immersing yourself in the new environment you're in. I have no regrets choosing IES Abroad for my study abroad experience.

I am a classical vocalist, so I already knew that Vienna was THE place for me to study abroad. What I didn't know was how absolutely wonderful the program I would study overseas with would be! The cultural and musical education I received with IES Abroad Vienna was top notch as I expected, but this experience was truly life-changing in a personal context. I absolutely fell in love with life in Vienna, so much so that I hope to at least look into getting a masters degree in Austria, with the intent of pursuing a career in opera there one day. The faculty involved in the IES Abroad Vienna program are all wonderful and reliable individuals. They were devoted to every students’ personal health and mental well-being, but they also fostered an environment where we could venture out on our own in a safe and informed way. In addition to networking and professional connections made through IES Abroad Vienna, I formed many wonderful life-long friendships through program social events. If you are considering this program for study away, you should definitely do it!

I have found that throughout the years, my education has lacked diversity. I wanted to see what it was like to fully experience different cultures, and ethnicities and religion and how much I could learn from immersing myself in a country so rich with that for 5 months. IES Abroad's Health, Culture, and Development Program did an amazing job at teaching me and my classmates about South Africa and letting our curiosities spark to be able to learn as much as we could. We took numerous field trips around the city and country to learn about the public health system, the inequities the country faces, and the way that South Africa is grappling many epidemics. I have said it over and over that this experience was the best academic experience I have ever had. The staff in Cape Town are so wonderful at their jobs and care so deeply for the students that the relationships I formed with them are so much more than just advisors. When people ask me what my favorite part about my study abroad was, I freeze. I want to say the friendships and relationships I formed, but I also want to say the safari in Botswana, and going bungee jumping in Zimbabwe, and seeing Nelson Mandela's house in Johannesburg, and eating at the local markets with food from all over Africa, and cooking classes and the hiking and beaches. It's so hard to choose; however, it was not hard to choose South Africa to study abroad. And I would choose it again and again!

If you want to be immersed in your destination's culture, language, and people, this program will do all of that and more. With daily Modern Standard Arabic classes, you will make leaps and bounds of progress in mastering this language in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. The weekly cultural activities will give you an inside view of the diverse cultures present in Morocco and encourage you to explore various artistic, athletic, and academic interests. Finally, while the homestay will be overwhelming as you get used to using three different languages all the time, you will actually be able to dive into your new home and its community.

My time in Rome was the best 4 months of my life. The IES program did a fantastic job of immersing us in the culture by providing fun activities relating to Italian culture. We enjoyed pasta making, olive oil tasting, pizza making, honey tasting, and art-related projects with the Italian students. Essentially, the courses provided us with tours and information on the main attractions of Rome, but also the niche ones I would not have found any other way. Exploring the city was my favorite thing to do and I would find myself wandering around until I found something new and explored it. I was glad that the staff brought us to some of the most beautiful churches and I feel like I know a lot of Italian history. I made incredible friends and made memories with people I had just met just to enjoy this experience to the max. I was thrilled to have met such amazing people including the Italian mentors who gave us great insight being our age in Rome. We learned the dos and don'ts of the culture and I felt confident in myself to be independent in a new place. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who is still deciding. You won't ever regret it.

I studied abroad in Milan to learn more about fashion. I love how I had the opportunity to be immersed into a hands-on environment to truly see what fashion is like. We went on field trips to Florence to see the Gucci Gardens and Feragamo Museum. We as well did field studies in Milan to see a variety of window displays and store interiors. It was a very exciting and educational experience.

I also met many friends abroad. I enjoyed traveling with them and going out each night. We loved to visit the Navigli for apreitvo (An Italian specialty).

Studying abroad will always remain one of the best decisions I have ever taken during my college career. It was an opportunity for me to learn about myself more. I am already an international student in the USA, and at first, I did not know I needed to expand my horizons by participating in the Study Abroad Program as well. The IES Abroad Vienna Team is very organized and super interactive. It has been nothing short of a blessing for me. The classes were awesome, and the professors are excellent, they remain part of my connections today! My experience in Vienna has been rewarding, educational, transformative, and most of all, FUN! They really make sure that every participant is well cared for and has all the resources needed to thrive!

I had an amazing time studying in Barcelona during the Spring 2023 semester. A ton of preparation happens before you even board a plane to study abroad, and IES was extremely helpful in this process. Info sessions, advisor meetings, and thorough emails all took place in the months leading up to my abroad experience. Once I was in Barcelona, I had a ton of resources to make sure I was comfortable and enjoying my time abroad. One thing about IES that other programs do not offer are the multitude of events and experiences available to students. Weekend trips, fun local excursions, and opportunities to connect with other students in the program were constant. In addition, we were still given plenty of freedom and encouragement to travel and explore Barcelona on our own. Overall, I was able to visit so many cool places and made more new friends than I ever could have imagined.

When I signed up for my program I didn't know how much literary influence the city of Dublin has had on the rest of the world. Big-name writers from Oscar Wilde to James Joyce wrote about the life they lived in Dublin and being able to have that same experience was special. I left for Dublin with a strong interest in non-fiction writing but left with a new perspective and interest in short stories. There is something so special about the professors at IES Dublin, the way they believe in your abilities and support your learning. I felt so inspired after each class I had and encouraged to write about everything I experienced during my time abroad. I encourage anyone who wants to continue to expand on their creative endeavors to apply for this program, you won't regret it.