Program Reviews

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.

There's a cliché that study abroad changes your life, and I'm here to say that that is 100% true. The academic opportunities, travel experiences, and connections provided by the IES Abroad Freiburg program all made for a truly life-changing experience for me, and I cannot recommend this program enough.

Academically, this program expanded my interests in a variety of subjects, such as migration and human rights, and inspired me to pursue these interests beyond the end of my time in Freiburg. The course-load was also very manageable, allowing for me to actually engage with the topics and readings rather than worrying about weekly small assignments.

I took part in the EU program offered by IES Abroad Freiburg, which included various course-related trips across Germany and Europe. These travel experiences gave me the opportunity to apply what I learned in the classroom IRL and allowed for me to bond with my professors and IES staff members outside of the classroom. Furthermore, these trips included free time to explore the cities, expanding my worldview.

Finally, the connections I made as a result of this program are connections I will honestly cherish for the rest of my life. The friends I made are some of the best people I have met, and the professors and IES Freiburg staff members were and continue to be great mentors.

Not only did I grow academically because of this program, but all of the traveling and connections I made have taught me an abundance of life lessons that I'll always hold dear to my heart. Study abroad with IES Abroad Freiburg, and I guarantee you won't regret it!

With IES, I lived in the heart of Dublin, which allowed me to not only visit Ireland, but to live in it. The accommodations came with a private bedroom and bathroom which was amazing. I made friends in my program and met people studying at other places in the city. The prime location allowed us to easily walk to Croke Park for a Gaelic football match, or to discover new pubs with traditional Irish music. My classes were just a short tram ride away. Many classes involved exploring Dublin, whether that was visiting the Dail (Ireland's parliment) or Croke Park. On weekends, my friends and I explored Dublin's surroundings. IES really helped me make the most of my time aboard by fully immersing me in Irish culture, introducing us to traditional music as well as Irish literature and history.

My experience studying abroad was life-changing. I think back to all the doubts and hesitations I had initially applying to study abroad. I was afraid of leaving my friends and family in home, I was afraid to immerse myself in an unfamiliar culture, I was afraid that I would not meet any new people, I was afraid I would be homesick...Oh, I would have never forgiven myself if I had given into these fears and did not study abroad. I made an entire new group of friends: we travelled together every weekend, we studied for our classes together, we went out to eat every night and tried new foods together (CACIO E PEPE IS NOW MY STAPLE FOOD), we explored beautiful art and architecture together (I GOT TO SEE THE LAST SUPPER IN-PERSON), we grew and developed together. We are still spending almost every minute together as we all go to Penn State (who knew I would meet new people abroad who went to the same school as me and who I never managed to meet on campus before!) And I can't forget about our guy friends who we met that are back at IU right now - they were always good sports when we would make them take tons of pictures of us.

My younger self saw the Lizzie Maguire movie when she went to Rome, Italy with her class. It was in that moment that I wanted to follow her steps and go abroad to Italy. And yes, I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome! Not only did I explore Italy (which by the way you must go on a gondola ride through Venice & go on a wine tour in the vineyards of Tuscany), but I had the opportunity to travel to 10 different countries in the span of four months (thanks to our 3 day weekends through IES Abroad). I got to live my Mamma Mia moment in Greece, go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, live in luxury at an all-inclusive (that was actually very cheap) in Menorca (an island off of Spain), ate at the oldest restaurant that was built in the 1400s in Vienna, Austria, go to afternoon tea in London, go on a tour in a vintage car through Prague, explored on a catamaran boat in Lisbon, Portugal, and experience so many exciting other opportunities.

Let's not forget about the "study" part of study abroad. I actually got to learn a ton of Italian, which made it fun to converse with the locals. AND, I got to participate in a Language Exchange Program with a local Italian student, who I am still in touch with today. I got to take classes that were not offered at Penn State and were also so exciting (tons of fun field trips). I am SUPER into fashion and merchandise, so I was thrilled to take classes such as Visual Merchandising (all about retail window displays) and Managing Luxury Goods (I got to go to the Armani museum for this class). I also got super immersed with the enriching history and culture through my History of the Great Italian Cities class (because Europe has such an incredibly deep history that America does not have as we are babies compared to the age of other country's cultures). I even still got leadership experience through participating in the IES Abroad Student Council, in which I was able to collaborate with other students and provide my feedback, which was always taken into consideration.

In terms of my housing, it was so cheap (like less than half the amount I pay at Penn State), and it was gorgeous. I was in a very modern apartment (and yes, there actually was AC) with my own bedroom and bathroom. It had a big kitchen and a balcony (also a super fun rooftop). There were also plenty of amenities like a gym at my apartment complex. I ended up making most of my friends at the apartment complex. So don't get too worried about not having a good living situation...Trust me, it will work out.

I grew so much as an individual and developed more confidence and independence through this opportunity. I got to explore so many parts of the world. I would have never been able to do any of this if I had not studied abroad. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (not to sound too cheesy). PLEASE DON'T LET YOUR FEARS STOP YOU FROM HAVING A LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY. I am living proof that studying abroad is absolutely worth taking the leap of faith.

Studying abroad with IES was an incredible and life-changing experience. The support I received from the staff before and after departure was very helpful and they were always there if I had any questions about anything. IES made a great job at smoothing my transitioning into living in a place far away from home for one semester. I really appreciate everything that IES did for me as the process for the Italian student Visa as a non-US Citizen was a little overwhelming, and the staff was very helpful and supportive.

My experience was unique because I went out of my comfort zone and did what I wanted to do. I was not afraid to venture off and try new things. I made an effort to see as much historical sites as I could. I went to the most scenic views around the city, tried different foods everyday that I would not be able to try in the US, and I went to as many sporting events as I could. Going to a European football game is unlike anything I have ever seen.
Through class I was able to practice my Spanish around the city when talking to locals, learn the history behind the city, and indulge in the business of sports in Europe, which is a lot different than the US. I definitely recommend this program to future participants because how much the city has to offer. If I were to say one thing, it would be to go out and try new things. It might sound cliche, but you are only there for a few months, and you do not want to look back and wish you did more. I know did as much as I could, I hope others can say that too.