IES Abroad Reviews

I was extremely nervous about studying abroad, since this was my first time out of the country. Many of my friends and family told me that adjusting to a different country may take weeks. Fortunately, that was not my case. When I arrived in Dublin, I was greeted by two IES Abroad staff at the airport. They were able to answer all of my questions and sorted me into my apartment with ease. I quickly bonded with my 4 other roommates in Dublin and with other students in the Irish Studies program and Acting program. The first couple of days in Dublin was a lot to take in. IES gave the students many informative presentations on Dublin and adjusting abroad, which were extremely helpful. IES also hosted a couple events at restaurants and pubs, which helped the students interact with each other. I took Irish History and Celtic Mythology, which were both interesting and fun classes. Both of my instructors were very informative and helpful throughout the program. Over the course of the summer I had the opportunity to travel around the majority of Ireland. One of those trips were provided through IES, which was the Northern Ireland trip. I was hesitant to go on this trip since it was optional and cost a little extra money, but I did not regret it as this trip was one of the highlights of my time abroad. If you're deciding on whether or not to go on the Northern Ireland trip, GO! You will not regret it. The staff at the center in Dublin were very easy to talk to and were able to help me out whenever it was needed.

Studying abroad is undoubtedly one of the best experiences I have had while in college. From the beginning, it was important to me that I find a program that would provide a solid academic foundation, while enabling me to immerse myself in the culture of my host country. IES exceeded these expectations. My classes were rigorous, yet not overbearing. My professors were intelligent but helpful, and the administration constantly had the best interests of the students at heart. The living amenities provided were of good quality, and made adjusting to being in a foreign country very easy. I immediately felt at home in my apartment provided by IES.
Being in a city like Barcelona, where so many cultural activities and events are occurring, I really tried to explore and do things that I would not have the opportunity to do in the United States. Through course excursions, as well as program trips (such as the one to Tarragona), I was able to immerse myself in Spanish culture and make memories that will last a lifetime. I highly recommend IES to students that wish to study abroad in the future.

I studied abroad in Cape Town during the seven week summer Health Program. This program was amazing because along with taking classes about the public health care system in South Africa, I got to experience it first hand. The 6 credit hour course is supplemented by two separate service learning opportunities. The program enables you to volunteer in both a tertiary health care clinic in Cape Town along with a primary hospital in Nelspruit. During these service learning programs you can see the many different aspects of healthcare in South Africa from watching surgeries, shadowing doctors, working in pharmacies, to even helping local communities understand how to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDs and TB. IES abroad also scheduled lots of interesting field trips to places like a TB clinic and the hospital where the first heart transplant was performed. Along with academic related field trips IES planned so many exciting and wonderful excursions including a safari, a three day tour to some of the most beautiful places all over South Africa (which includes the ability to ride an elephant and stand on a beach with penguins), Robben Island, a brief homestay with a family, a wine tour and much more. Cape Town has so much to offer including hiking, surfing, paragliding, visiting local markets, rugby games and so many other wonderful things, that it really did make it the most memorable and amazing experience. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone thinking about any type of health care field and wants to stay in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I got the opportunity to study overseas in Japan, thanks to IES Abroad and I can say that it was a wonderful experience. The immersion and activities that this program provide were amazing. Everything from spending a weekend in Kyoto, to watching the incredible TAO drums which took my breath away and more. One of my favorite things that I got to do was making souvenirs, I loving things and this program gave me the opportunity to make a furoshiki (something like a traditional japanese handkerchief) and my own chopsticks with a little carrying case. There was the added benefit that I knew that even though I was overseas and away from my friends and family, that I had a group of fellow IES students who were there to help me out and join me on my adventures. The program coordinators were informative and ready to answer questions and were some addition peace of mind while overseas. All in all, I had a great time with this program and would recommend.

I was the person going into college who said I would never study abroad. My junior year of college I decided I really wanted to travel and I decided the best outlet of doing so would be to study abroad. However, studying in Ireland with IES Abroad shattered all of my expectations. Studying abroad was no longer purely an outlet to travel, it was an experience all of its own. It included academic, social, and personal growth that I never could have achieved without studying abroad. I lived in Rathmines, Dublin and absolutely loved it. It was a close walk to the city center and it had the Irish charm I was looking for. The classes were amazing and I truly learned not only about Irish history, but also about Irish Culture as a whole. The professors were incredible and all had a genuine interest in their students and would go out of their way to help us with classes and acclimating to being abroad. The entire staff would make sure we were comfortable and safe. They also planned some incredible trips that help me see Ireland more and to get to know my classmates better as well. My classmates also became more of a family than just classmates. My classmates made my trip so amazing and helped make the transition easier. I was afraid that being so far away from friends and family would overwhelm me, but I honestly forgot that I was so far away because of all of the welcoming staff and people in the program. I am now a senior so before studying abroad I was getting very anxious about having to potentially move away in a year for a job. Studying abroad helped me realize that trying something new doesn't have to be a scary experience, and that there are amazing opportunities everywhere, you just have to be brave enough to go find them. I couldn't have asked for a better six weeks with IES, and if I could change anything about my experience it would be to have more time in Dublin!

The summer of 2016 in Dublin was incredible. On this journey, I fell in love with Ireland in every possible way - its people, culture, food, and beautiful landscape. IES Abroad provided me with the opportunity to explore new places, as well as appreciate new cultures and ways of life. I would highly recommend studying abroad through IES Dublin. The staff is incredibly helpful, filled with kind and compassionate people. They were always offering to help – whether that be with academics or weekend travel plans. The classes kept me engaged and the professors were absolutely amazing.

I can honestly say that I have no regrets from this summer! I simply wish I had more time. There is so much to see, explore, and love. The people of Ireland are charming, caring, and diverse. The food is delicious and the views are so stunning that you will be left speechless! If you decide to study through IES in Dublin, it will be one of the best decisions of your life and you will gain so much from the experience. I can certainly say that is the case for me!

I had a fantastic time on the IES Abroad Summer Language and Culture Program in Berlin. The program staff were available to help me with any problems I had and even checked in with me before I left to see how I was feeling. Once there, all the staff were very accessible and available to answer any questions I had. The program has got safety down to a science, there are phone calls to check you can be contacted in case of an emergency and a special website that warns you of any threats present in Germany. Berlin itself is very safe, I never felt threatened or unsafe, just use common sense and you’ll be fine! The home stay experience was one of my favorite parts of the program. I was initially very worried about living with a German family, however my host mom was very friendly and helped me improve my German speaking skills greatly. My classes at the IES Center were also very good and interesting. The professors are very qualified, and also understand that you are there to experience the culture of Berlin. My classes were always interesting and tied to things I could experience right there in Berlin. I went on field trips around the city and saw things relevant to my classes, such as museums and even the buildings where historical events took place. Berlin is a beautiful city which is full of history, and I got to experience that first hand! The city of Berlin is a fantastic city on it’s own. It is full of green space, history, food of all kinds, outdoor markets and events going on everywhere. The public transportation is great, and IES provides you with a pass to get around the city. The center is right in the heart of Berlin and in a very safe area. The center itself is very well laid out and includes a lounge and an area to study in. Overall, I had an amazing time in Berlin with IES and would highly recommend this program!

I always said I could never miss anywhere but my home in Indiana, but Freiburg proved me wrong. I don't know if it's the cobblestone streets, streams lining the roads, or gothic cathedral in the city's center, but Freiburg and its charms captured my heart. I had an apartment to myself, but you can also share an apartment in Vauban, either of which is just a tram ride away from the IES Center where classes are held. The staff at the IES Center was great. They gave us jerseys to wear during the Euros, advice on where to find the best souvenir shops and restaurants, and opportunities to bond with the other program members. We took field trips to three different countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, and Cyprus, and they were all very well organized. The program even provides classes in German for beginners, although the daily courses are in English. My life has forever been changed by this program, and I highly encourage studying abroad, wherever that may be.

I spent 7 weeks in the heart of London this past summer (2016). The overall experience was absolutely fantastic. This past summer, many things were happening in London, and Europe overall, including the Brexit vote, and multiple terrorist attacks. While these things can be confusing or scary to anyone, I never questioned my safety. IES helped their students stay informed on everything happening in the city, and tips and tricks in order to avoid trouble. Studying in Europe allowed for quick weekend trips to wherever I could get my hands on a ticket. I traveled to Paris and Scotland, but many in my program went other places such as Spain, Ireland, Amsterdam, Germany, etc. I was enrolled in only 6 credit hours, two classes, and went to only one class a day Mon-Thurs. While the classes required work outside of the scheduled class time, I was left with more than enough time to explore London and see everything I had hoped to see. Overall, I would recommend 100% studying abroad, and also studying with IES. If I had more time on my clock as an undergrad I would study abroad again in a heartbeat.

My summer spent in Dublin was one of the best experiences of my life, thanks to IES. The classes that I took, History of Ireland and Celtic Mythology, were both excellent. While I was technically there to study, IES made sure that I had fun as well, providing several fun field trips to help us get to know our program peers and learn about the culture of Ireland. My personal favorite was the weekend field trip to Northern Ireland. My accommodations were also very nice and centrally located, and the staff on hand was super nice and very helpful with any problems I had. Dublin is an incredible city, and this program was a great way to experience it. I wish I could do it all over again!