IES Abroad Reviews

IES Abroad Fall 2015 was the best semester of my life. I highly recommend that everyone go abroad for a semester at some point during their time at college. I was lucky enough to spend a semester abroad in Paris through IES and it is a program that I would highly recommend to other students. I would recommend it for so many reasons but the top three would be their academics, trips and housing.

IES BIA offers many very interesting coursing ranging from Economics, to Art History, to Green Growth. I was unfortunate in that I would not receive credit for any business classes I took while abroad. I therefore took many liberal arts classes such as Art History, Society Today, French History, Green Growth and French. Everyone in the program is required to take a French class in order to improve your skills but there are many levels to these classes and everyone will get placed in a class that suits their French speaking skills and needs. I was a mediocre French speaker going in and got placed in the 301 level class. I had an amazing teacher and had so much fun while also learning a lot of French. The IES classes are not difficult which is nice because I know a lot of people are planning on traveling and do not want to be bogged down by schoolwork. I can say that I never really did any homework and was still very successful in school. However, even though the out of classroom work is not terribly difficult or cumbersome the learning is still present. Many of my classes we would take field trips throughout the city and were able to see the art or culture that we were learning about. I had about 3 or 4 trips to the Louvre for my art history class. I also was able to go and make my own crepes for my French class when we were learning about ingredients and cooking. These kind of experiences will stay with me and I can honestly say that I will remember a lot of what I learned because when you can see or touch the learning it comes to life.

IES runs a couple of school trips which are all well organized and educational. I participated in the trips to Normandy, Vaux le Vicomte and Fontainebleau, and Versailles. These trips are great opportunities to see your fellow classmates as well as teachers in a non-classroom setting while also experiencing French culture. During the trips you also get to eat traditional French meals provided by the program. These were some of the best meals that I ate while abroad and are way better than they sound. IES does a great job organizing these trips so that you have plenty of time to see the history or culture as a group but then you are also given time to explore on your own or with other students. These trips are not mandatory but something that I would highly suggest that every student try to participate in.

The final part of my trip that I would like to share is my homestay. I was incredibly lucky with my host family and my homestay living situation. I feel that I had the best situation imaginable but every student that decided to do a homestay was incredibly pleased with their situation and would argue that theirs was better. My family would allow me to eat dinner with them any night I was home and wanted to eat. I was also able to talk to them and ask them questions about any part of their culture that interested me. As I mentioned before my speaking skills weren't superb but they never made fun of me or laughed and I can say that by the end I could easily communicate in French. My homestay really improved my experience in Paris and is a large part of the reason that I want to go back. I highly recommend a homestay to everyone studying abroad with IES and encourage anyone worried about language barrier or cultural conflicts to give it a try because IES is very accommodating. For those who believe that apartments better suit their needs the apartments provided by IES are also great but their occupants just miss out on the cultural experience.

Overall IES BIA is an amazing program and I hope that many people chose it and have an amazing experience similar to the one I had.

I had a fabulous experience studying abroad in Madrid with IES. I greatly improved my ability to speak Spanish through not only the courses that I took, but the other opportunities that the program offered such as being a teaching assistant and going on excursions with local students. In addition to this, I had an excellent home stay where I got to experience local cuisine as well as really get a feel for what life is like for someone living in Madrid. I felt that I was given ample opportunities to explore not only Madrid, but also parts of Spain with IES.

I don’t think I could have chosen a better program for me than IES Santiago. I am a premed student studying Biology and Spanish and IES was perfect. I participated in a Health Studies program in which we learned about the Chilean health system and did observations in different hospitals and clinics every week. Not only was IES academically ideal but also the staff and my host family helped me find a second home in Chile. Arriving in Santiago, I knew no one, but I made life long friendships with Chileans and Americans while abroad that I will cherish forever. I am incredibly grateful for my experience abroad in Santiago.

I went abroad to Paris with IES Abroad and really enjoyed my experience. The program provided a lot of opportunities to learn about France through fieldtrips, the classes and the option to live with a host family. I was very happy with my family placement and the program constantly checked into make sure everything was smooth. The staff and the professors were friendly and truly interested in the students which, I think, improved my experience significantly. I was there for the attacks of November 2015 and everyone’s response and support was beyond what I was expecting.

Walking to class on cobblestone in a town that is rich in history is something I'll always cherish. Siena was my home for over three months and even though it was an adjustment in the beginning, I met people and saw places that I wouldn't trade for anything. If you study in Siena, you have to go to the cafe in Piazza Del Campo for great espresso. The best part about eating in Siena (aside from the delicious cuisine itself) is that the workers will remember your face and who you are for the next time you go in.

I am so glad that I chose to study in Granada with IES. This program helped me become immersed in Spanish culture and experience it authentically. Granada is a wonderful place to study abroad, since most destinations are within walking distance. Granada has so many unique charms, so don't be deceived by its smaller size. The program staff is incredibly welcoming and sincere, and they help make your transition into Spanish culture easier. Granada will always have a special place in my heart, and I will never forget my experience in Granada. I'm thankful IES helped to make it truly exceptional!

Studying abroad in Buenos Aires has been an experience that, at the risque of sounding cliché, changed me and made me grow as a person. Argentina is an amazing country, and since the first day there, I feel like I had found my home away from home.
My first night in Buenos Aires, my roommate and I decided to go out for a little exploring adventure. After walking around for hours and being fascinated by everything around us, we finally settled to go have dinner in a small yet charming restaurant. It turns out that this restaurant was also a Jazz club, and so our dinner was beautifully serenaded by a Jazz band, who were incredibly good. This is just one of many examples of the things you can encounter in Buenos Aires while not expecting it. While you may think you are going to a nice walk in the street, you will encounter ferias and street shows as every corner. While you think you are simply going on a run around los Bosques de Palermo, you will end up having a conversation with a stranger.
Argentina has been a way for me to open up as a person, and grow in ways that I would never have suspected I would have. Thanks to IES, all of our courses were supplemented by field trips that allowed us to engage and get discover more of the cultural aspect of Buenos Aires, but also that gave us a better overview of the country that I grew to call my home away from home.
Without a doubt, I would do it again tomorrow if it was an option!

I improved my language abilities greatly during staying with host family and studying in Nanzan and passed N1 level in Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Field trips were great, and dinners provided were just beyond my expectation! The courses provided by Nanzan were satisfying that Japanese Traditional Art was offered, which I took Ikebana (The Flower Arrangement) and it was amazing! Language courses were pretty intensive but helpful if you truly want to improve your Japanese. Teachers were humorous,kind, and always love to help students when they have problems. IES staffs in Nagoya also helped me a lot. Host family was very friendly and I got a lot of care and love from them. Living with host family will be a good choice if you want to have more chances to practice spoken Japanese. Love 4 months with IES, Nanzan and Nagoya! Sincerely hope to stay for 1 year in Nagoya rather than 1 semester.

I think we all go abroad with expectations, whether lofty or minimal, and I was no different. I was hoping to live with a family and I imaged us sharing breakfast at the family table and going for hikes on weekends. I had just learned who my voice teacher would be and I imagined rigorous lessons and excitement. I guess my most far fetched idea was that I imagined that thing they call "cultural immersion" to just happen; all I would have to do is be in Italy and BAM, I'd immediately be immersed in Italian culture.

Well, let me say now that I was clueless. Going abroad taught me that although expectations can foster excitement and anticipation, they come nowhere close to ones actual experience. I didn't just eat breakfast and hike with my family; I learned how to make pasta and I went to my homestay brothers rugby games. My voices lesson pushed me to a new vocal level and showed me what it really takes to be successful in the performance field. Finally, through meeting incredible friends and traveling all over Italy, I was blessed by Italy's culture. But, as you can see from all of my experiences, it took me venturing out and embracing my circumstances, no matter how foreign they appeared to me, to exceed my own expectations. The most important thing (as cheesey as it sounds) is to get out there and make your experience happen. (example: You'll never get to marvel at the crystal blue waters of the Cinque Terre if you never buy the train ticket)

The one thing I did not expect when I went abroad is that my life would change forever; no joke! Now that I'm back, I know that all cappuccinos are not treated equal and you should never pay 1 euro 40 for one, that wifi is important and you should check if restaurants who advertise it actually have it before you sit down, and that you only stir bechamel in a clock-wise motion or else you'll ruin it (per my homestay dad). Back in America, I see life though a different, more relaxed lense and that's all because I went abroad.

My study abroad through the IES program was an amazing experience. From the beginning, IES Chicago and Tokyo sent regular emails, regarding all predeparture information and tips. If you choose to do so, there is also an E-pal program through IES and the university you'll attend in Japan, which lets you get in touch with a Japanese student before arriving. This makes for an easier transition into school and friend-life once in Japan- and something I highly recommend! My home stay family was caring and supportive, which helped greatly with immersing myself within the culture and to develop language skills. Academics aren't exactly difficult, but some classes may take more time than others. Most importantly, choose a Japanese course that's a good fit for you, so you can learn the language well enough to have fun! No matter what you take in school- there is plenty of time to explore, go on IES sponsored trips, and participate in your own interests (nightlife, shopping, touring, etc.). But make sure to take time to immerse yourself in the culture individually as well, and go out there! IES does a great job guiding you, as well as giving you freedom.