CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL Reviews

I applied to both the government program (North American cultural assistant program and CIEE. I decided to go with CIEE because I knew I wanted to be in Madrid. With CIEE, you hare guaranteed to be in the community of Madrid. I knew I didnt want to a huge commute and wanted to have help with the student visa application and ongoing support throughout the year. When I went with CIEE, my school was 30 minutes away. The help with the student visa was awesome, everything was super clear and I just had to show up to my appointment that CIEE had set up for me beforehand. Overall, my experience with CIEE has been great. If I need help with something, they are there and there are monthly activities and lots of people that you met in Orientation before the school year starts.

I couldn't say enough positive things about CIEE. The pre-departure support and orientation were so helpful. Staff consistently replied to emails before arriving in Spain and after arriving they have office hours and phone numbers for on site support as well as mobile support. The orientation was a great space to meet my future friends and coworkers. The 10 day stay in the hotel gave time to be in a close space with all the other assistants and we all shared a very unique experience that I won't forget. I would recommend this program to anyone even slightly interested in living abroad. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity and am so grateful I chose CIEE. I have people from home asking me how I manage living abroad alone. The cool thing about CIEE is that I never really feel alone. I have my friends, orientation leader, and support with the staff if I have questions or need anything. My Spanish coworkers couldn't be kinder and more supportive. This has been an incredible experience and I'm sad its coming to an end and I have to go home because this has been the most exciting year of my life. Thank you CIEE.

I was excited to experience a different culture and my stay in Spain did not disappoint . I had a lot of fun doing activities with the students and getting them to become more comfortable speaking English. The cities there are very beautigul. I stayed in Salamanca and had the chance to visit Gijon and Sevilla, which was nice. My host family was very nice and accommodating. My first week there, they took me to the main city to see some sights and try food at their favorite restaurants.
I also did private tutoring for one of the students at the school. My last week in Spain, we baked gingerbread cookies, which was a first for them and they turned out pretty good!
The orientation in the beginning of the program really help to set expectations and answer any questions. CIEE let us know how to have a safe and fun experience and kept the line of communication open for us for continuous support. Overall, it was a very cool experience and I'm glad I signed up for it.

I was excited to experience a different culture and my stay in Spain did not disappoint . I had a lot of fun doing activities with the students and getting them to become more comfortable speaking English. The cities there are very beautigul. I stayed in Salamanca and had the chance to visit Gijon and Sevilla, which was nice. My host family was very nice and accommodating. My first week there, they took me to the main city to see some sights and try food at their favorite restaurants.
I also did private tutoring for one of the students at the school. My last week in Spain, we baked gingerbread cookies, which was a first for them and they turned out pretty good!
The orientation in the beginning of the program really help to set expectations and answer any questions. CIEE let us know how to have a safe and fun experience and kept the line of communication open for us for continuous support. Overall, it was a very cool experience and I'm glad I signed up for it.

So many people want the experience of a life time, right? Skydive, hike Machu Picchu, cross the seas in a submarine. Maybe living abroad? In a place that speaks differently than you, eats differently, acts somewhat different. This place that (until you go there) mostly has just existed in your imagination. But then you hear about CIEE from somewhere, and a portal suddenly opens to that place. For me, Spain was the place and CIEE the portal. After you apply and get accepted they take care of every doubt, every stress, every worry you may have: where will I live? How do I deal with the foreign government? What if I get sick, or lose my phone, or can't understand this strange document? I was utterly amazed with the efficiency and commitment of the CIEE staff, before and still after I'd made landfall in Europe. Those things aside, I had no idea how much FUN they would make our week-long orientation. After a few hours of learning the necessities they packed our days full of tours, restaurants, flamenco, and just plain enjoyment. Not once will you be bored, stressed, or regretful. Now one last thing - because of CIEE I met some of the coolest, most interesting people that I ever have and to today I see on the weekly. You thought you were the only cool person coming to teach? Well, go through the CIEE experience and you'll see your'e not. You'll meet dozens on dozens of other like-minded people who have come to make that experience of a life time right alongside you. That's a promise.

CIEE did an excellent job with Visa process, they provided forms and tips to make the process very smooth. Once I got to Spain they were helpful during orientation, once you start teaching most of your communication will be through your school, although CIEE is there for emergencies or anything else you may need.

The CIEE orientation was helpful to get acclimated with the city and meet people in the program. The one con I had about the orientation, is they had you do a pre-departure course, which seemed mandatory but it wasn't. Multiple people didn't complete the course and it wasn't a big deal.

If you are a teacher, this program will be a lot of fun but different. Since you are a language assistant you rely on the other teacher to let you know what they need you to do. I had great teachers who used me and my teaching skills, and other teachers who were not as prepared. I learned valuable skills such as flexibility, working with English Language learners, and connecting with people from different backgrounds. If you are looking for an opportunity to have control and your own classroom, it will be very different.

If you aren't a teacher, do not be stressed out about the teaching. The most important part of the job is having basic conversations in English. The students and teachers will be excited to get to know you.

It was a very nice schedule only teaching for 16 hours, which allowed my wife and I to travel on the weekends.

If you are a couple and planning to apply together, make sure you are specific with what age you want to teach if you want to be at the same school. We were a little frustrated because our number one priority was to be at the same school, but my wife preference was primary and my preference was secondary. As a result we ended up at different schools. It all worked out in the end and we were happy with our placements but make sure you specify.

Overall CIEE is a great organization, my advice is to ask questions, and be in communication with them to make sure it is the right fit for you. Spain is an amazing country and there are a lot of fun places to visit.

I was 100 percent terrified to do this program and move from the West Coast where I have lived my entire life to a new country with a language I have never taken a class for in my life. CIEE was there with us the entire way. Their guidelines were extremely detailed and I rarely found myself asking questions when it came to my Visa, TIE, and living situation. My orientation leader was extremely helpful as well. I was truly impressed with how they set us up. If questions rise during the year, they respond quickly and ask for your feedback so they can help future questioners. I would recommend the Madrid program with my whole heart. I’ve met great friends, enjoyed teaching, and getting to know Spanish culture. I’ve enjoyed it so much I am renewing my teaching contract! Thank you CIEE!

Although this program is expensive, the support and assistance is invaluable. CIEE handles all the most difficult parts of the process such as applying through the government and getting a visa, and once youŕe in Spain the support and activities are great. All of the advisors and coordinators are friendly and very helpful, and they will respond to any questions or concerns very quickly.

They also do a great job of hosting events and programs as well as keeping you in the know about all sorts of activities and events happening in Spain. The assistance with official government things like getting a VISA and a TIE are definitely really helpful for anyone confused or scared by the bureacracy of Spain.

It's also a great way to meet a lot of like minded peole and connect while making new friends.

I highly recommend CIEE's Teach Abroad in Spain program.

When I was first researching how I could live and teach abroad, the thought of figuring out visas and everything that comes along with moving to a new country on my own was overwhelming. But when I found CIEE's Teach Abroad program, my mind was instantly put at ease.

CIEE provides great support when applying for a visa, applying for a temporary citizenship card, and they even help you open up a bank account upon your arrival.

One of the best things about CIEE is the number of people you meet during orientation also in the program. It's a great way to instantly meet a ton of new people and make friends in your new country.

No prior teaching experience is required so I would recommend this program even if teaching isn't a long-term goal. This program gives you the chance to live abroad and easily travel throughout Europe!

I cannot recommend CIEE enough for anyone who has never lived abroad before. I had visited other countries, but this time I moved out of my parents' house and straight into my first apartment in Spain. The insurance has been a financial lifesaver because I have had to go to the hospital twice now (minor issues, but hey, life happens) and the 24 hour support has been great when I just needed professional advise. The fee is a little pricey, but worth every penny for me.
The in-country orientation was very much needed for me and very well managed and executed. I learned so much and met so many people that were going through the exact same adventure. My orientation was in Seville and my placement city was Almeria, in the east of Andalucia. I absolutely love every city that I have been to in Andalucia and I would choose it again and again over Madrid (which is absolutely beautiful too.) Coming to Spain through CIEE has been one of the best decisions of my life. If you really want to come but are still unsure, please do it. You'll thank me later.