Program Reviews

I would not complain about CIEE and never about the staff. Any problems that may be present has to do with the job opportunity you’re signing yourself up for and the staff does the best they can to help you navigate it all. But if you are not prepared yourself that’s where the trouble lies. Finding a place to live before arriving although not advised may eliminate a lot of stress factors when you first arrive. Just be sure you use a reputable site that has insurance on those kinds of things like housing anywhere.

I had a great experience with this course. It was interesting and informative, and my instructor, Alix, was so supportive and present. I've taken a lot of online classes throughout my college years, so I can confidently say that this course is set up extremely well. It made me feel much better about my first teaching abroad experience this summer!

If it's helpful, here are a couple of things I was concerned about going in and how they turned out:
1. Will I have enough time? I worked a full-time teaching job while taking this course, and I was worried about accomplishing everything I needed to do each week. While I did have to stay disciplined with my time management, it was very doable! Just take it day by day :)
2. Will it be worth it? Yes! I honestly gained so much from this course. A lot information is provided to you, but it's in a way that is digestible and interesting. It definitely made me a better teacher!

CIEE has been a big part of my success and preparation as an EPIK English teacher in Korea. From the second I applied to CIEE, they were ready to help me with everything. While applying they guide you on step-by-step application tips, the visa process, and even tips with interviews and so much more as they provide assistance through the staff and as well as a special canvas page with preparation pages. I think if I hadn't applied to teach abroad through CIEE, I would not have gotten as far as I have.

I was planning to become a language assistant for CIEE in Jan. As in I was already there, but due to my health circumstances things spiraled really quickly. I was already in Madrid for my orientation as in paid 2k and have my visa and everything. I ended up getting really sick from not sleeping for 7-8 days straight. I couldn't get out of my bed or walk at the hotel. I was so insanely surprised that CIEE didn't help or ask if I needed help during those 48 hours while I was in and out of the ER in Spain. All they could tell me was the people I reached out to were "contract workers" therefore they could not ask me how I was or help me. The people at the hotel were super rude as well. I knew Spain and the people their weren't my cup of tea within 2 days of being there, but the lack of how the Spain team handled all of it was the worst part.

This a is a very corporate company that will not care about your wellbeing while you're out there. They only care about your money. There are so many other programs that cost less to nothing that will do everything to help you while you're aboard. Asking for a refund was out of the question because programs like this will never have any other options or even want to give you a refund.

Please save your money. It's not worth it. They won't be pay for an uber or taxi from the airport or metro cards for orientation week. They do not care.

Orientation was organized into 2 parts: First, we went over topics ranging from learning/teaching styles to logistics of working/living in China. Then, we worked in pairs and co-taught in an English summer camp. Many moments were tiring and stressful but overall, it's still a helpful experience because you learn a lot and the summer camp experience gives you an example of what your teaching experience could be like during your contract. Within the first month, I slowly started integrating myself more with the school and initiating conversation with Chinese teachers. Now, I play in the teacher's badminton club, I'm invited to weekend hiking/sightseeing trips with other teachers, I join for-fun competitions between teaching departments, and more. Whenever I have asked the primary school Chinese teachers for help, they have always tried to help with ideas, classroom management suggestions, and even sharing their coursebook to help me have lesson plan ideas.

For those considering teaching in China, be aware of some of the challenges you may face. For one, their classes are huge, averaging 35-50 students, and behavior management is crucial. Students can be quite restless, as they have classes all day, every day. That being said, I am thankful for the connections I have made with my students. This connection is quite different from the relationship between teachers and students in the United States, but it is invaluable in its own way. I have to make it clear, that this program is not simply a meal ticket to travel. I have met several people teaching here who treated it as such, and grew to hate their job or shirked their responsibilities. It can be challenging when taken with full sincerity. That being said, it has been a fulfilling experience. When I can teach my students something new or just be someone they can rely on with their troubles; it brings me so much happiness. If you are patient and hardworking, this program is perfect for you.

The CIEE TEFL course is comprehensive - you will learn a lot in just a matter of 11 weeks. The assignments were relevant and challenging, but manageable at the same time (I completed the course while working a full-time job). The instructor was knowledgeable, engaging, and gave great feedback and encouragement. I loved being able to complete the course on my own time, while also being able to interact with the other students on discussion boards and in live tutorials. I was very happy with this course!

I taught in Madrid through CIEE from 2022-2023. I had an incredible experience teaching at an elementary school. While I experienced many challenges along the way, I am very grateful for the growth that this program instilled in me. The team at CIEE was incredibly helpful throughout the visa and orientation process, and the on-site team was wonderful to work with. The team answered all of my questions promptly and accurately, and really made me feel supported while I was there. The visa process can be rigorous and daunting, but the CIEE team had lots of guidance and was incredibly helpful.

I lived in Kalasin, a small town near Khon Kaen in Thailand's Northeastern region, Esan. My one-bedroom apartment was just a 7-minute walk from school, or a quick 2-minute motorbike ride for me! Before I rented a motorbike, my teachers would give me rides—here's a little secret: very few people in Thailand actually enjoy walking! A day in my life wasn't complete without my routine walks through Dinosaur Park or my regular visits to Shabu with the other teachers from school. If I wasn't spending my weekend in Kalasin, I'd ride up to Khon Kaen to explore the city or catch a flight for the weekend, meeting up with fellow CIEE teachers!

CIEE has helped make my dream of teaching abroad a reality. The transition to a new culture was aided by the orientation and all the resources CIEE provided with prior to leaving. Within this orientation, I was introduced to many like minded individuals who became fast friends and my home away from home. My school is very welcoming and the students make everyday that much better. Though there are difficulties in initially finding housing and adjusting to a new culture, I couldn’t be more thankful for this life changing experience.