CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL Reviews

I decided to teach abroad with CIEE after studying abroad with them in Paris, France my junior year of college. I had a great experience with the staff both on site and in the US. CIEE Teach was an opportunity for me to gain international work experience while continuing my own education of the world — all with a great support system! I chose to come to China in hopes of learning more about the country and their educational system. CIEE helped me find a great position in Shanghai, that has allowed me to do just that! They were so supportive during every point of the pre and post departure process. I am so grateful for the Teach in China team! Since arriving in Shanghai, I have had an experience of a lifetime. From learning a new language, to trying new food, to making new friends, China has so much to offer. I was fortunate to have amazing coworkers and students; everyone was so supportive of me and the learning process. The CIEE staff was there throughout my entire contract and beyond. The team is full of people who genuinely care and want to help you make the best of your time in China. I am so thankful for all CIEE teach in China team has done. I whole heartedly recommend them!

From when I started the TEFL online course, to when I was searching/waiting for a job, to when I was placed and started my job here in Korea, the CIEE and it's staff have been right there with me every step of the way with the patience of a Buddhist monk. I never once felt like I was alone in the dark with no direction and no guidance.

Now that I am here, my job has been very difficult, but the CIEE have continued to give me other options and support to deal with my struggle with the new school. This has allowed this job to seem more like a healthy challenge than an unfair predicament. The CIEE in addition to providing online support also allows us (foriegn CIEE teachers) plenty of opportunities to meet with CIEE staff in person in Seoul to have healthy discussions and to have a good time unwinding and relaxing.

Ultimately, I'm glad I joined the CIEE teaching abroad crew in South Korea.

I've always wanted to come back to teach in Spain after having studied abroad here. CIEE offered a clear path to move here and they assisted me every step of the way. They went to great lengths to explain each step like securing a visa, getting a metro card, finding an apartment, and they even set up several in-country appointments for us so that we got off to the races after arriving in Spain. They have also offered fun events like free bike tours and other types of workshops that I have found to be fun. The staff are all very kind and knowledgeable, and I've enjoyed spending time with them. Definitely recommend CIEE's Teach in Spain program.

Without the support and guidance of CIEE, I can honestly say I would not have been willing to embark on this adventure. Prior to coming to China to teach abroad, I had never before been to Asia and the visa process was a complete mystery to me. I highly recommend that anyone considering teaching abroad - especially in China where the government requirements can be confusing and stressful - do it through CIEE. My program coordinator went above and beyond in her generosity with her time. She made herself available to me in phone calls and email and was so quick to answer any questions and concerns I had during the application process as well as in the months leading up to my departure. Whether it was working with me to ensure that my visa paperwork was completed accurately or taking my countless questions regarding life in China, what to pack, how to prepare, what to expect, etc, she was ready to help and made me feel as though she was personally invested in my journey which eased any anxieties I might have had about embracing this entirely new and unfamiliar experience. I have the highest regard for CIEE and their continued commitment to me even as I am now currently abroad. CIEE does so much more than just set you up for your time abroad; they have remained in touch during my time here and have proven that they are available to help with any concerns that might arise even after you are settled in China. I have taken advantage of the in-country CIEE staff on multiple occasions and it is incredibly reassuring to have them as an option to contact should I encounter an issue that I couldn't handle on my own. As someone who does not speak the native language, it is a comfort to know that CIEE staff in China are just an email or phone call away and willing to help with any questions.
When it comes to my decision to leave home for a year and commit to teaching overseas, my only regret is that I did not investigate the school I have been placed at very much at all. In the excitement of being offered a contract, I didn't look into the location or school as much as I probably should have. I would urge anyone who is about to accept a position abroad to take some time to really study their contract and the information provided about their school. Make sure you are fully aware of what you are committing to - the number of hours you will be expected to teach per week, any other responsibilities you will be given, and what your living accommodations will be. Don't be afraid to ask questions before signing the contract. Ask to be provided the email addresses of any previous CIEE participants who taught at the school and get their take on the job. Try to seek a firsthand account of what life at the school will be like as a foreign language teacher. What the school tells you about the living accommodations and work expectations will likely be vague and it would be extremely beneficial to hear what you are about to get into from someone who you can identify with. Do not hesitate to ask specific questions regarding living conditions. The CIEE participants currently employed by the school or who previously worked at the school will be able to give you a more accurate picture than the CIEE staff who are mediating the contract. Take the time to get in touch with these participants - CIEE will be more than happy to put you in touch with them.
Also, be sure to do research on the location of your school and make sure that the setting will be a good fit for you. My city turned out to be much smaller than I had anticipated and I do wish I had taken the time to read up on the city ahead of time. I know fellow foreign teachers who prefer the smaller population setting, but personally, I do feel isolated at times and would rather have accepted a teaching position in a city with more to offer in the way of an expat community, subway system, and perhaps access to some western or recognized stores or restaurants. These things might not be priorities for some, but personally I find myself traveling to larger cities on the weekends in order to escape the bubble of my smaller city.
So far my experience teaching abroad has been the most challenging, but also amazing time in my life. Every day brings new discoveries and cliche as it may be, I can already attest, three months into the adventure, that this experience has been life-changing. It's difficult to put into words the impact that teaching abroad has had on me - I am constantly learning new things about those around me and also things about myself that I never knew. Living and teaching in China is shaping my worldview and my self-esteem in ways I could not have predicted. To be living a world away from everything and everyone that is familiar to me and to be fully immersed in and engaging with a foreign culture day after day, has taught me invaluable lessons and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be here and to CIEE for making it a reality.

I have bee living in South Korea, Mokpo City for just about three months now. I found out about CIEE through doing a quick internet search for agencies to help one teach abroad and I immediately made contact with them. I'm South African and at first I had no idea that they were situated in the states, but I continued my process with them. During my application process I hit a few bumps and decided(a few months into the whole process) that I want to change agencies due to financial issues. I found a agency in South Africa and started the whole process again. Long story short, my SA agent was the worst! It was already August and I knew that fall term starts from September in South Korea, as a result my new agent just told me he's sorry but I won't be able to leave until next year February and gave me all sorts of lame excuses for this. I was very disappointed and decided to contact my CIEE coordinator again to clarify a few things for me and within one week we continued my application process, I managed to sort out my finances and in September I was on a plane on my way to South Korea.

Leading up to my departure I had the full assistance of my coordinator, Luke Beland. He helped and guided me through everything and I had never had to wait one full day for a response from him irrespective of the difference in time. I was introduced to my SK coordinator (Bradley Brennan) who has been extremely helpful throughout this whole process. I can write a whole new review just about our fun orientation weekend and how much the workshops had helped me to adjust and settle in as a new teacher.

The academy I am teaching at has been exceeding my expectations, both my boss and his wife have been extremely helpful and just very caring in general. We have a good working relationship and I can go to them with anything. My apartment is a small studio apartment for one person. It was neat upon arrival and I have not had any issues with utility bills or noise or anything else.

I'm having a great time so far and have met a lot of new friends through CIEE, which is super awesome considering no one speaks English around here and it's hard to establish friendships due to the language barrier. Thanks to the CIEE orientation. I can't complain about anything from the start of my application process right up until today. I would recommend CIEE to anyone who wants to teach abroad. Mokpo City is beautiful and quiet and has a lot of outdoor activities to do. Catching a KTX or bus to anywhere is very easy and convenient too.

Thank you CIEE.

When I decided I wanted to teach abroad, I had no idea how to go about it. I had just graduated from college and it was first time going into the work force so finding placement let alone obtaining a work visa had me feeling overwhelmed. The study abroad coordinator at my university recommended CIEE to me and I am all the grateful for it. CIEE gave me the support that I needed to be able to accomplish my teach abroad goals as well as secure me a teaching position in China. The main highlight of my experience with CIEE was the preparation they gave before my trip. This goes from offering two detailed orientations: An online as well as a live one. Best of all, CIEE also offers comprehensive TEFL training so lack of teaching experience should not be a cause of discouragement. A major plus for the CIEE tefl course is that for online course it is hands-on as well. Like your typical online Course, it is broken down into modules: each divided into sections in which require you to do quizzes, write essays as well as take tests. Each module separated over the course of a week. Students are each divided into groups that are each headed by a an experienced tefl teacher who serves as the groups mentor with whom the students meet with once a week so as to ask questions and discuss each weeks module. What sets apart CIEE’s tefl from other courses and what makes it truly hands-on is that each student is required to to complete a a twenty-hour internship period in which the student may choose to observe tefl classes, shadow an ESL teacher or conduct classes of there own. Most other tefl courses only offer online modules and since teaching is a hands-on job, no matter how well the material is explained all of it is useless unless you step into a classroom and put the theory to the test. CIEE gave me that push I needed to be able to take the first step to becoming a teacher which greatly reduced the stress of my first days of teaching in China. Even though living in a foreign country comes with many challenges and can feel overwhelming CIEE’s support system will help you pull through any tough situation. The coordinator for the teach in China program, Kelvin is extremely helpful and easy to talk to. He can help you resolve any issues that occur with your school, while helping you get accustomed to life and Chine while securing you a good placement. CIEE was the ship that helped me sail the world and I recommend you let them be the same for you because in the tough seas of the world no one else sails smoother.

I signed up with CIEE back in July, 2015. I have now been in China for almost a year at a school that CIEE set me up with and I couldn't be happier with the decision. They have been incredibly supportive both before and after my departure. Having them manage all visa related issues and provide a pre-departure course was so helpful. And upon arriving in China they have an event to introduce you to other CIEE english teachers in your area. They are also always just a text or an email away if you need any support. I am very happy with their service and am planning on a second year in China. Highly recommend these guys!

I spent the first three months of my 2016 living and volunteering in a small town in Castilla y León, a central north region in Spain. My town was quiet (except during the week of Carnaval!), and I volunteered in two local high schools with the bilingual classes. The experience was one that you can't really explain unless you have experienced a similar situation, because so much growth and progress happens both internally and externally during that special time abroad. Three months feels like a short time, but you come back totally changed with a new perspective on the world. Strangers become family, unfamiliar cafes become regular hangouts (you know you're a regular when your wifi connects automatically!), and unfamiliar streets start to feel like home. CIEE does a great job of making initial connections for you, and following up with you during your time there. If you're on the edge and unsure, take the leap! Going abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made, and has led me to so many more wonderful opportunities!

I chose CIEE because I wanted to teach in China, but didn't want to go through the process without a support network. It is possible to do so, but you expose yourself to risks like being scammed by your school, especially if you don't speak Chinese. The fact is, having foreign English teachers in China is a business maneuver by schools to increase student enrollment, so having CIEE in your corner provides you with leverage. These schools rely on CIEE to provide them with teachers that have TEFL certification, so it is in their interest to make sure you have a good time at their school. The program director, Kelvin, is great at his job. I never had any serious emergencies and so cannot attest to CIEE's assistance in such a scenario, but whenever a coworker or I had issues or questions that our school could not handle, we could reliably turn to Kelvin for assistance.

Teaching experiences in China will vary widely, based on student age group and teaching location. China is a very different place to live and do business in if you are coming from a western country, especially if you aren't proficient enough in Chinese to get by on your own. Having a support system to rely on for serious problems allowed me some peace of mind to more fully enjoy the challenges and differences of living in China.

One year ago, I decided to make a bold life decision and go to Spain to teach abroad through the CIEE Teach in Spain program. Other than one semester in England as an undergrad, I had never done anything like this before. CIEE helped me through the arduous task of getting a Schengen visa, and helped me get settled in. Their orientation process was fun and informative, and throughout the year they had kept me informed of developments in the program and invited me to various dinners and meetings that they held. I made friends for life through the CIEE program. I also received my TEFL certification through CIEE as well. I stayed a second year in Spain, and continued with CIEE through their alumni ambassador program. I even contributed back by working as an orientation leader for the next generation of auxiliares.

CIEE was a great experience for me and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in traveling and teaching abroad. They prepared me very well for teaching English to students, living in Spain, and getting accustomed to Spanish culture.