Program Reviews

This was a great program! Throughout my semester abroad I got to experience so many cool things and meet a ton of great people! IES organizes field trips to different cities around Madrid where you get to learn about the history of Spain and its culture. There were activities organized pretty much every weekend that gave me opportunities to get to know local students and experience life in Madrid. My housing was in a very convenient location close to a bus stop, metro stop, and lots of stores and restaurants. I definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to immerse themselves in the Spanish culture and experience life in Madrid!

My study abroad in Milan was so so amazing. I got to see and experience that I never dreamed would be possible. I think that if I were to do it all over again and start from the beginning, I would still choose IES Milan a million times over. I actually went abroad by myself and I was so scared that I wasn’t going to make friends but with the orientation that IES held and the way they do housing, by the end of the first week I had made so many lifelong friends. IES has a class schedule where most weeks you don't have class on Friday’s so not only was I able to experience Italian culture, I was also able to travel to many different countries in the three months that I was in Europe. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who loves fashion, big cities, and pasta/pizza.

I spent my fall semester of 2022 in Vienna, and I can safely say it changed my life. I attended the Psychology and Social Sciences program as a psychology major, and I had the chance to take courses that were not offered at my home school, such as Psychology and Society in Vienna and the Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. These classes met usually once a week. I also had an intensive German class that met 3 times a week; I had taken German before so I was placed in a higher German class, but I heard from friends that they benefitted greatly from intro German classes. Classes were held at the IES Abroad Center, in the 1st district, near Stephansdom.
I lived in the 2nd district, in a studio apartment with a shared kitchen. The shared kitchen let me connect with new friends from IES while still having a space to go back to that was my own. The commute from the 2nd district to the 1st for class was about 15 minutes, and the IES Vienna staff walked us through it the first time. I appreciated this as someone who had never lived in a city before.
IES staff were incredibly welcoming and easy to talk to; they helped with everything from housing issues to personal issues, and were a great resource to better understand the culture of Austria.
IES Vienna gave the opportunity to explore not only Vienna, but Austria as a whole. The program offered trips around Austria, such as to places like Wachau and Graz, as well as the legendary ski trip in the Austrian Alps. I also had the opportunity during the week-long break to tour Salzburg, Vorarlberg, and Innsbruck. Overall, I saw as much of Austria as I could, and I grew as a person in ways I could not have imagined. I had the time of my life and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Choosing IES Abroad Milan was the best decision I could've made! All of my classes were super intriguing (I was actually excited to go to class), the organized trips were fun and convenient, and everyone I met was super nice and supportive. Living in Milan was also much more convenient than I thought it would be -- access to other cities in Italy, as well as access to other countries in Europe was super easy. The food, the culture, the IES support system, and all of the fun activities that happen in Milan made my trip super worth it. You won't regret it if you choose IES Milan!

I am so glad I studied abroad through IES London. I had the opportunity to take classes both at the IES Center and at the City University of London, where I had a course with local students. My classes were just the right amount challenging while still being engaging and leaving time for exploring the city and having fun! I got to live in a flat with other study abroad students in a great location right next to a tube stop and multiple grocery stores and coffee shops. The public transportation in London allows you the freedom to explore the city without worrying about how to get back home, and the endless things to do mean that you will never be bored!

I took up an internship with IES Abroad in Rome to study SEO with WordLift. I also took the time to improve my Italian skills and do a little bit of travelling on the side. I got along well with staff & the Italian student companions that were there.

My only real issue was not with the program itself, but the other participants. I was the only person among my group (and maybe at all) that really went out of the way to focus on learning Italian. Other students were outright hostile if I spoke it.

I loved my time in Granada with IES Abroad! The IES programme staff were so welcoming and supportive in all aspects. I feel like they really understood the challenges that can come with study abroad and were well-equipped to address them and help us deal with them. At one point I contracted COVID-19 and struggled a little with my mental health; IES immediately organised for me to visit a mental health specialist and continually checked up on me to ensure I was okay. I felt safe and happy with them!

I studied through IES Abroad in Madrid, and I had a wonderful time, learning a lot along the way! As it was a short term, I took two classes - both of which gave me extra insight on the city and were taught by fantastic profes. In addition to mini "field trips" to notable museums or locations in the city via my history class, the larger program offered day trip excursions and events in the community, such as attending a Flamenco show, learning how to make paella and torte de Santiago, and regular meetings with Spanish students for conversation and fun. I experienced a great balance of coursework/guided activities and time to explore Madrid on my own. I got to tour castles, swim in the mountains, and learn a Spanish card game. I also got to shop local markets, see outdoor concerts, and even play pickup soccer in the park. By the end of the program, I felt that I knew Madrid's city center and a few outskirts extremely well. I'm grateful for my time studying abroad...and I look forward to an opportunity to go back!

I loved my study abroad experience with IES! I studied in Arles, France, summer 2022. IES made studying abroad such an easy process with clear instructions and tons of information provided on their website. My times in Arles was dream-like. Just during my daily walk to class, I’d pass my favorite coffeeshop and bakery, ancient Roman buildings, and so many cute cats. I also really enjoyed our schedule excursions through the program: we visited a lavender field; Gordes, France; an old Roman aqueduct as well as the foundation for an entire Roman city; and so, so much more. It was a truly amazing summer.

I chose to go to Milan for multiple reasons, all which held true. First the food. As an Italian food fanatic, living in Italy was heaven. Only the best and most fresh food every day. Second was the location. Milan's central location in Europe and three major airports makes flying to any other European city quick and easy. Lastly, Italy's diverse geography and culture provided for an amazing new destination every weekend. The IES staff were always very nice and supportive, and ensured that I had the best experience possible.