Program Reviews

I have really enjoyed using CIEE to travel to Thailand as a teacher! They have been so willingly helpful since I started my application process back in 2020, and they continue to provide full support for me during my time abroad. Everyone in the staff is very kind and attentive. They are always looking to do whatever they can to make this experience the best it can be for us. I would absolutely recommend using this program to travel abroad because they have made every moment easy, fun and worthwhile!

I recently graduated from Louisiana Tech University in March 2021 and began teaching science and English to secondary students (7th through 12th grade) in Thailand in October of 2021. I was lucky enough to be placed in Phuket. CIEE is a little pricey but totally worth every penny. They help with all of the paper work and over seas communication. They helped me feel safe and secure traveling alone to live in a new place. I always knew I had the correct documents when traveling and to work as a foreigner. I would have been lost if I'd tried to move to a new country alone for the first time. They also follow up with you and make sure your doing well once you are settled in to your new position. The transition is of course challenging but CIEE helps ease that. The work load you have a teacher varies greatly depending on the subject and age you are teaching, but that has nothing to do with CIEE.

I really loved my experience in the TEFL course provided by CIEE. The course was easy to navigate through, my peers and tutor were helpful and engaging, and I learned a lot from the course material. I also very much enjoyed gaining my practicum hours for my TEFL teaching certificate by gaining teaching experience through Project Boomerang. I would teach high school students in Puerto Rico via Zoom calls, which was extremely convenient and flexible. My tutor and director of the course were all great helpers.

I completed the 150 hour certification course. CIEE did an outstanding job of preparing me before the course, supporting me during and after the course. There’s a lot of excellent and interesting material but requires the students to move very quickly! They were always helpful and encouraging. As soon as I was ready, they set me up with a dream placement that was maybe the best experience of my life. I’m preparing to go to a different country soon which they also coordinated. I’m signed up to take a 30 hour specialized certification course and looking forward to it!!

After graduating from Temple with a degree in Chinese, I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do. Add in the complications of a worldwide pandemic, and I was stuck at home with a degree I didn't know what to do with, and a part-time job at my university that could and probably would end soon.

Even in the before times, before the pandemic, I was interested in becoming a teacher. Possibly a Mandarin teacher in the United States, or maybe an English teacher in China. As I thought about what to do, I came to the idea that I should get a TEFL certificate. That way, I would have the certification to at least teach English, and I could potentially get a job being an online teacher, both to save up some money and gain experience so that when the world opened up again, I would be able to be a teacher.

The decision to pick CIEE was an easy one. I had already went through CIEE to study abroad in Beijing in 2018, and I had an amazing time. It also helped that as an alum, I got a discount on tuition. So, I signed up for CIEE.

The course itself was entirely online, with weekly video meetings, and assignments that were due on certain days. This is where I began to run into problems; I have ADHD, which makes it quite difficult for me to regulate my time and stay on task. I began to fall behind.

To my immense relief and eternal gratitude, CIEE was more than helpful. After emailing and discussing my situation with the professor, I got accommodations to assist me in my work. I know it's often said that places of learning "want you to succeed," but it's never been more obvious with CIEE. They truly went above and beyond to help me, and I will always recommend it!

Of course, I did have to put in the work. None of CIEE's accommodations would have helped me if I didn't put in the work myself to catch up. They will help you get to where you need to be, but they will not help you float by with minimal effort.

The professors were kind and always answered any questions we had about the material. The material itself was easy to understand, if a bit tedious to work through. The course is designed so that wherever you end up teaching, you will have the tools needed.

I feel that I learned many things that will help me in my journey to become a language teacher, and for anyone considering the same, whether it's a passion for language or a resume builder, I recommend getting certified through CIEE!

I came across CIEE through a simple Google search knowing little about it. After exploring the website I decided to apply for their Teach in Thailand program. I didn’t know much about traveling abroad or what that process would look like, but I decided to apply. After submitting my application I anxiously awaited to hear back about my acceptance. When I heard back from CIEE, they were quick to send me a timeline of steps I needed to take to begin my journey in Thailand. The process of traveling and teaching abroad is not an easy one, and it was much harder than expected. Everything is time sensitive and going through this process alone would've been very stressful. I am so thankful that CIEE was there every step of the way. My coordinator, Shanice, was available by phone and email whenever needed and was quick to respond back. With the amount of questions I was constantly asking I was so thankful I found such a supportive organization that was so willing to help. Even after I had arrived in Thailand and started my teaching, CIEE checked back in with me to make sure all was well. I couldn’t be more happy with my decision!

My experience has been incredible in some ways and a challenge in others. It has been challenging to step out of my comfort zone and adapt to a new culture that has so many facets to engage in, e.g. language, customs, etc. However, my school has been a blessing and a great place to work at. They have proffered a mountain of support and genuine care, from teaching me the ropes to checking on my well-being.

As for the CIEE, I have received a plethora of resources and support from the team. I have also recently had an amazing trip meeting with fellow CIEE teachers and staff. It has been one of my favorite memories in South Korea thus far. Overall, I am grateful and happy with my experience— thank you, CIEE!

For me, the best part about this program has been the application process and the support from CIEE. It is very hard to apply for jobs abroad - there are so many uncertainties and questions. You don’t know who to trust, you can’t be sure if there will be transparency. It is always best to go to teach abroad through a reputable organization like CIEE. For me, the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are in safe hands and that things will be taken care of, can’t be overstated. CIEE was upfront with me about every aspect of living and working in Thailand. Their organization helped answer all my questions and their partners in Thailand, OEG, prepared us for working in Thai schools. I feel safe knowing I can reach out to CIEE anytime, with any questions. I am hopeful, that after my job in Thailand comes to an end, I can work in other programs in other countries that CIEE offers.

I’m really glad I chose to teach abroad with CIEE. Not only is the staff super friendly, they’re also here to help every step of the way. I never had an issue or doubt when it came to being part of CIEE. They give no false expectations/promises of what they offer. On top of that, before even getting to Madrid I felt comfortable in knowing that I had already connected with people in the program. There are a ton of resources given to us which are at our disposal throughout the entirety of the program. The option to prioritize age or location for your school is pretty awesome, too. I highly recommend it, especially if this is your first time going abroad.

I was lucky because all of my teach abroad preferences were able to have been met (placement/student age/etc.) and the support from many of the teachers at my school has been very helpful while trying to acclimate. I didn't go to school for teaching and hadn't really planned to teach, but the nature of Thai schools and my workload have both helped build lots of confidence in that area. As far as pre-departure preparation, CIEE was extremely helpful and I don't think I could have navigated this on my own