Program Reviews

I had a great time in Madrid with IES Abroad. This program was perfect for me because my focus of my abroad semester was immersing myself in a different language and a new culture. IES paired me with an amazing host family, who I am still in contact with. Additionally, they did a great job making sure that I continued studying hard but also exploring the city and country that I was in. Additionally, the group of students studying under IES was big enough that I felt as though I could meet many people like me, but not too large to the point where I didn't know everyone.

Berlin is a fantastic city, and with the proper courage and support, most anyone can have an amazing experience there. IES Berlin did a great job providing this support and helping us students step out of their comfort zone to have the best experience that we could. IES made sure we had the basic familiarity with Berlin and German culture so that we could safely and productively explore. Regular trips and activities around the city and the country encouraging me to see important parts of the culture and history that I might have missed out on otherwise. (Mostly) excellent professors pushed our German language abilities so that I was able to interact more effectively with our surroundings and get the most value out of our time. The classes encouraged me to engage with Berlin, taking me on walking tours and making me interview Berliners. I had plenty of time to explore the things that attracted me once class got out too. Tinder, Facebook, and the like are alive and well for getting to know locals and finding out about events. The student assistants employed by the program were incredibly friendly and had tons of great recommendations and advice as we went out to find our own favorite bars, sports teams, and activities. Whenever I was in Berlin, I felt supported. Staff members were accessible around the clock, and we regularly received emails with notifications about events that might interest students feeling lost or isolated. The program also fostered a friendly environment around the center, so even if we were having trouble, there was someplace comfortable to go. I had to seek out the things I wanted to get out of my time abroad, but IES was there to help and support me the entire way.

I studied abroad this Fall with IES Abroad in Granada and loved every second of it! I was nervous to study abroad and the IES staff was very supportive and helped ease the stress of being in a new country. We spent a lot of time with the staff and I found they genuinely cared about getting to know each one of us. Granada was an amazing location as well. Not too big of a city, or too small and was super affordable and there was a ton to do as well. The classes I took were unique and engaging and I learned a ton while also improving my Spanish. I would 100% recommend studying abroad in Spain with IES and I hope you have as wonderful of an experience as I did abroad! As basic as it sounds, it will change your life!

When I say that this program is the best thing that has ever happened to me, that would be an understatement. Paris, first of all, is the most beautiful city in the world. With such a depth of culture at your very fingertips and an incredible variety of food, how can you not fall in love? The program I participated in was so much fun and I was very lucky to be able to meet many other students from across the United States. I still talk to my abroad friends every day! I stayed with a host family which really helped my language skills and I am almost fluent in French now. I was so lucky to be able to have this experience and I highly recommend it!

Amsterdam is an incredible city to live in. I lived right outside the city center near Vondelpark, and I felt at home very quickly. Naturally, it took me a little while to adjust, but before I knew it I felt very comfortable going about life in Amsterdam! Dutch culture and life in Amsterdam is very unique and something that is easy to appreciate. Even though I have only been back in the United States for 1.5 months, I am already looking forward to my next visit!

I loved living in Amsterdam, and the IES Abroad staff really added to my experience. During our orientation, they educated us on Dutch culture and customs and took us on various field trips around the Netherlands. Even after orientation, the staff were extremely accessible and made sure to check in with us periodically. I had a great experience with IES Abroad and I would highly recommend spending your time abroad with them!

My semester in Morocco with IES Abroad Rabat was rich in culture, language, and learning. It pushed me to think in new ways and step out of my comfort zone. I had the opportunity to take a course at the University Mohammad V in Rabat which allowed me to learn about the university system there, which is significantly more chaotic than in the United States! The faculty at IES Abroad are the top in their respective fields, whether that is literature, language, or religion and they care about their students and welcome them with open arms. My host family was so kind and welcoming, and I was able to foster a close relationship that I hope will last. Morocco contains so much history and knowledge so it was worth the daily exhaustion that comes from living in a very different culture from the United States. We got to see different regions of the country through program-sponsored trips, and I particularly enjoyed the Sahara trip and seeing Volubilis, and ancient Roman city. IES also helped me arrange an internship at an AIDS hospital, which was an incredible learning experience and allowed me to see another part of Moroccan culture. I will take this experience with me through the rest of my time in college and even into my career, as I gained invaluable intercultural skills and understanding.

My time in Chile was one I will never forget. The program was very comprehensive and formative for my career goals. I had the opportunity to observe a variety of healthcare professionals at work, which I had not done a lot of prior to my semester abroad. I had the opportunity to work with a community-based organization, which shaped the way I view the world and respond to health-related issues. Thus, I think that anyone interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and wants to learn medical Spanish should not overlook overlook this program.

The program center had recently undergone some renovations and I think that it provided my cohort with just the right resources and space. My group was small, so we got to know each other pretty quickly and often spent time together as a group. The staff was also very accommodating and planned a variety of field trips and experiences that really helped us engage with Chilean culture. Chile also has a very diverse terrain and I would encourage anyone who has the means to explore it to do so!

Everything in Milan is so much better! The food, style, culture and language are so interesting in a way that made me want to continuously learn and experience more. My time abroad through IES has put me at peace with myself in a way I didn’t know was possible. Give me a couple of years and I’m moving to Milan!

The faculty at IES Milan also played a huge role in shaping my experience abroad. Each of my teachers truly cared about me as not just a student, but also a person. They went out of their way to offer advice, recommendations and helpful tips so that we could have the best possible experience in Milan.

I lived in the Collegio di Milano Residence Hall which gave me a completely different experience than many other students studying abroad. I lived with other Italian and foreign students, and 6 other IES students. The residence hall made my experience so much of what it was because of the incredible people I met. In the Collegio I was exposed to a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds everyday. I can proudly say that I have friends from all over the world now!

I love that IES Milan offers so many different opportunities for students to fully engage and connect with the culture. WIthout the classes, internships, living options and trips, my time abroad wouldn’t have been as successful or as life-changing as it was.

My experience of studying abroad was amazing! My most memorable experiences were the following; the relationship I built with several professors, traveling and the experience. I was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at the age of 7. I remember going through massive cultural shock when I first came to the U.S. Not only was I in a new country where I did not speak the same language as the rest but I also missed my friends and teachers. Studying abroad in a Spanish speaking country really hit home. Having the opportunity to attend classes in Spanish and growing a relationship with the professors was such an amazing experience. It felt like I was back in Mexico learning and speaking in Spanish. Traveling around Europe has always been one of my dreams and IES Abroad Salamanca made that possible by providing us with the right information about where to travel and the time. Overall the experience was amazing if I was able to do it again I would.

I initially chose to study abroad in Barcelona to improve my Spanish, but I got this and so much more out of my experience. I grew so much as a person while I was there and now I feel truly independent and cable traveling, speaking Spanish, and taking advantage of every opportunity. Every time you turn a corner in this beautiful city, there is something spectacular to look at or something exciting to do. IES helped to guide my experience and you can use their resources as much or as little as you prefer! I recommend going on as many of the IES Discover programs as possible because they find the best guides and activities as a discounted price. I would not change a thing about my experience abroad.