Program Reviews

I will forever savor every moment I had studying abroad in Taiwan. From the intensive Mandarin courses to my internship with Fulbright Taiwan to all of the friends that I made, I am truly grateful for this experience. Although you will experience homesickness or culture shock, the number of positive experiences you will have will greatly outweigh all of these challenges. Don't let the scary things stop you from trying something new - it really is life-changing!

Through the CET Japan program, I had the invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture while participating in an intensive Japanese language course. This not only allowed me to significantly improve my language skills but also deepened my appreciation for Japanese culture and daily life. Beyond academics, I was fortunate to explore the vibrant city of Osaka and travel to nearby areas, all while building meaningful connections with my peers. The program enabled me to meet people from diverse backgrounds, expanding my social network in ways I had never imagined.

In addition, I interned at I-Chat, a language exchange space where I had regular conversations with Japanese students to support them in practicing English. This experience was incredibly rewarding — it sharpened my communication skills, pushed me to become more socially confident, and gave me the chance to form genuine friendships through cross-cultural dialogue. Overall, CET Japan was a transformative experience that helped me grow both personally and socially.

The best thing about this program is cultural immersion. I got a local roommate and two language partners who both helped me improve my Chinese and better understand Taiwanese culture. The Chinese class was definitely intense (3 hours a day, 5 days a week), but the teacher was super sweet and understanding. I also felt very comfortable to practice speaking in class since all my classmates were very nice and supportive. Overall it was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend it to any Chinese learners

Going into study abroad, I was not sure what I was to encounter. I had heard stories from friends who had gone before that it was their favorite experience in college and I was worried that my experience would not be the same. Going into the first day of orientation at CET, I was anxious about making friends, adjusting to a new country, learning the culture, and still being academically focused. Yet, the CET program, staff, professors, and fellow students could not have been better. The program is relatively small compared to most programs which I loved as it gave us a chance to get to know everyone very well through organized events like Czechtivities and traveling seminars. The staff were some of the kindest people I had ever met and were willing to adapt to each student's needs. I was also impressed with the academics. Going into abroad, I wanted to get an international/diverse perspective from my classes that were focused on economics and politics. The professors ensured that we got that experience by emphasizing Europe-specific events and perspectives like the Eurozone crisis and creation of the EU. Lastly, the students in CET were the absolute best part. The close-knit community helped me make some of my closest friends and form connections that I will continue to foster for the rest of my life. I would highly, highly recommend CET Prague to any students looking to study abroad. Prague is a stunning city with a plethora of things to do as a young college student and CET makes sure your semester will be one to remember.

I can confidently say that coming to Taiwan to spend a semester abroad was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Although deciding where to study abroad was a little challenging because of the different options that would benefit my main academic interest in Computer Science, CET's Taiwan program managed to offer me exactly what I wanted. I was able to learn Chinese by partaking in intensive, engaging, and fun high-intermediate level classes while also working part-time for a tech startup, where I learned a lot of technical, professional, and life skills. All of this, paired with great on-site staff, management, consistent support, cultural events, and activities, made my semester with CET an exceptionally fun and engaging one where I grew as a person, met incredible people, and got to experience some of the best Taiwan has to offer.

Studying abroad with CET Prague was an amazing experience. If you're looking for a program that gives you more than just time in a cool European city, CET delivers with great classes, real cultural immersion, and some unforgettable travel experiences.

The courses are actually really engaging, way more than just classroom lectures. I took classes on Central and Eastern European Security and European Fairytales, and they felt super relevant, especially living in Prague. Professors are locals who know the history firsthand, and they make everything feel connected to what’s going on around you.

The Traveling Seminar was a major highlight. Early in the semester, you go on a weeklong trip to cities like Kraków, Vienna, and Budapest. You don’t just see tourist sites, you dive into the political, historical, and cultural layers of each place. Visits to Holocaust memorials, museums, former communist sites, and group discussions that help you process what you're learning. It’s intense in the best way, and definitely brings your classes to life.

Prague is gorgeous, walkable, and packed with cool neighborhoods, castles, cafes, and history on every corner. The Czech Roommate sets CET apart — you live with a Czech student, which helps you break out of the study-abroad bubble. They’ll help you learn the ropes and maybe even teach you some slang your Czech class doesn’t cover.

CET Prague is the full package. You learn a ton, see incredible places (thanks to the Traveling Seminar), and really live in the culture instead of just passing through.

My four months abroad in Florence were the best months of my life. Florence is an incredible city, rich in history, amazing food, and warm, welcoming people. Though it’s small, there’s an endless amount to see and do; you’ll never get tired of exploring all that Florence has to offer. Whether you're walking through Palazzo Vecchio and crossing the iconic Ponte Vecchio, climbing to the top of the Duomo for a breathtaking view of the city, or watching the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence will leave you awestruck by its beauty. Another great thing about studying in Florence is how accessible the train station is, making it incredibly easy to take weekend trips and explore all the other amazing cities Italy has to offer. Spending a few months there gave me the opportunity to truly immerse myself in the local culture and connect with the people who call Florence home. I got to know the baristas at my neighborhood coffee shop and exchanged daily smiles with the familiar faces on my walk to class. The locals are so kind and genuine, you’ll always feel like you belong. Florence didn’t just feel like a destination; it felt like home, and I know I’ll carry a piece of it with me wherever I go.

My experience was unique in that, unlike many of my friends in other cities, I was not ready to leave Florence at the end of the semester! This is truly a testament to my experience, which could not have been more positive, formative, and exciting. Living in Florence helped me to grow personally and professionally: not only did I develop a greater sense of independence, but I also nourished helpful skills, such as budgeting, planning, and, above all, assimilating to an entirely new environment.

I absolutely recommend CET as a program. I attend a small liberal arts college, and I found that CET coursework was interesting yet manageable. I am accustomed to small classes, so I appreciated the seminar style of many of my courses. My professors met and/or exceeded my expectations, and I enjoyed taking courses specific to Italian studies, such as my language course, my Italian history course, and my class on the Medici family. Professors were helpful and accommodating, always happy to meet with students and offer support. I also loved site visits with my classes: we went to many museums, palazzos, and churches, which helped me to get to know and love Florence all the more.

I was initially concerned that the small program size would inhibit my ability to get to know new people, especially from other colleges, but I found that there was actually an opposite effect. The small program size encouraged our entire cohort to become friendly, and I was happy to become close with friends from other universities.

I also recommend CET because of the housing. While many of my friends in other cities and programs were in dorm-style housing, I was fortunate enough to be in an apartment, which made my experience authentic. What's more, my apartment was in the city center, allowing for a truly immersive semester. Though there are many study abroad students in Florence, which can make it challenging to interact with Italians as frequently as one might expect, my neighborhood consisted of many local families.

Lastly, I recommend CET because of the staff and the activities. The on-site team is incredibly supportive and helpful with any and all student needs, from arrival to departure. In August, the staff met us at the airport and provided taxis to our apartments. We then went on short walking tours of the city, followed by a detailed, comprehensive orientation the next day. They also supported students by providing tips on travel and even explaining how to use unfamiliar appliances in our apartments!

In terms of activities, CET offers various excursions throughout the semester, with meals and transportation provided. We visited Rome, a beach, and an Etruscan site. We also learned how to make Tuscan cuisine in cooking classes and went on hikes.

I had a fantastic semester in Florence -- it wasn't just my "home base" for classes during the week, but an incredible city in which I never ran out of things to do and sites to see. I'm grateful to CET not only for great classes, but wonderful activities, immersive housing, and supportive staff.

Studying abroad in Taiwan was an incredible experience that allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture while applying years of Chinese language learning. While adjusting to a different environment was initially challenging, joining activities like a local gym helped me build a routine, and taking boxing lessons allowed me to learn a new skill in Chinese, overall improving my language skills and maintaining my well-being. Although English was accessible in many places, pushing myself to use Chinese, especially in everyday interactions, while requiring more discipline, was rewarding and contributed to my growth.

The CET program staff were very welcoming and proved helpful when you needed extra resources, assistance, etc. For example, the first week with language placements was probably the most stressful for me, and they were very supportive throughout that entire process. Academically, while intense–the 3-hour classes five days a week and an elective (or internship), balancing studies with exploration/free time was still manageable. I also found myself learning a lot of vocabulary/grammar that was applicable! I would also highly recommend participating in at least some of the cultural activities this program offers.

Please also take advantage of Taiwan’s convenient transportation (MRT, HSR, buses, U-Bike) to explore Taipei and beyond, including its beautiful natural landscapes. As a vegetarian, I was delighted by the abundance of delicious and affordable food options.

Being a person of color who had a darker skin complexion than most people there, I sometimes felt out of place because I did not see a lot of people who looked like me. Overall, however, the people there were welcoming and curious about my background and journey with the language.

When I arrived in Jordan, I came with an open mind and a hunger to get better at Arabic. I don't think I would've made it through the semester without both of these, though. While I actually didn't ever experience a whole lot of culture shock, the first few weeks were disorienting because I couldn't *quite* have real conversations with anyone. The Language Pledge is no joke! It's really straining on social relationships, especially between students at different levels (and really for anyone who's not nearly fluent) but I will say it really does help you get better insanely fast. I noticed huge differences when I would spend weekends having a bunch of conversations with the Jordanian Neighbors in the program or studying more.

Anyway, if you're coming to learn about culture, politics, and language, you will not be disappointed in the slightest. You just have to really want it for yourself, otherwise the staff will be dragging you along and the difficulty of the classes won't feel like an exciting challenge--just a stressful one.

Also shoutout Ustaaza Dania, if you're in Intermediate High for MSA class you're in for a real treat! But each and every staff member is always ready to work out a solution, plan, or generally be flexible and helpful if you come to any of them, especially early on in the semester.

All in all, this past semester was the hardest of my 7 semesters of undergrad by far in so many ways, but I also wouldn't have traded it for the world. I'm actually headed back as I write this for my second semester in Spring 2025!!