Program Reviews

I have loved my experience with CIEE so far. What I've loved most is how helpful they are with the application and getting my visa. This was the most stress-inducing aspect of applying for me. At the time, I was working a full time job and did not have hours each week to try and figure out the visa process. Because of the knowledge and guidance that CIEE provided, I was able to get my visa on time and arrive in the country when I needed to. The consulate changed their visa process in the middle of me applying and without CIEE's help, I would have had no idea how to navigate it. Even though there are several different programs that are available for teaching English in Spain such as NALCAP or BEDA, the cost of CIEE was well worth it.
In addition, CIEE offers orientations when you first arrive in Spain. This was almost as valuable, if not as valuable as the guidance they offer with the visa process. When you move to a new city, you have to start from scratch with making social connections. Almost all of the friends that I have in Madrid are through CIEE. I do have a few friends who went through the NALCAP program and some of them really struggled to make friends and find people to live with. Overall, I would recommend CIEE to anyone who wants to teach in Spain, ESPECIALLY if you want to teach in Madrid!

I feel like my experience has been wonderful! I am in a great school, I made friends with the bakery lady by my metro stop, and I have been in love with the city since I stepped off the plane! I think the initial presentation and steps leading up to the first day have been very informative and educational. Knowing that people like Lauren, Luke, and the "Lauras" are there for you while you start this next chapter is amazing! I feel like I have my very own safety net and support system all wrapped up into one. With the comfort of feeling safe I have been able to travel outside of the country, let my foodie flag fly, and even get an opportunity to share my stories on the CIEE Blog page. I have enjoyed my experience so much that I am planning on renewing for next year!

This has been an amazing experience. I’m so glad I have had to opportunity to do this. I have met so many cool people and have been able to immerse myself in a new culture. I have learned so much, and seen the coolest places. My school and my kids are awesome and the support I have from the programs are incredible. I am so glad that I chose to do this after college as a way to get to know myself and see more of the world. I recommend this to anyone who doesn’t know which career path they want to take.

This program equips you for a successful year teaching abroad, providing essential tools. I'm immersed in diverse cultures, languages, arts, and history, learning extensively. The welcoming people make this experience memorable. I'll definitely use this program for future teaching abroad endeavors. The comprehensive tools in this program ensure success in teaching abroad. Immersed in diverse cultures and languages, I learn about arts and history. The warmth of the people enhances this memorable experience, and I eagerly anticipate using the program for future teaching abroad endeavors.

I chose CIEE mainly because they provide a lot of support throughout the visa-applying process and continued support once you arrive in Spain. It was very reassuring to know that I could always call/email them with any questions I might have about my stay here or Spanish bureaucracy issues.
The only thing relating to my placement is that there has been construction going on near my school so occasionally we have not had water nor internet. The internet is not a huge issue, but the water can be. Clearly this is not the fault of CIEE, but it is just something I was not expecting.
But overall, I've had a very positive experience with CIEE and would recommend this program to someone who wants to work abroad!

Teaching abroad was a great experience, it gave me such an amazing insight into possible careers while allowing me to learn and invest in other cultural practices. CIEE is the best support system living abroad. They provided assistance through the VISA application back in my home country all the way to ensuring I had all the help available when applying for my TIE in Spain. They sends weekly updates with current events as well as a support line with any questions one may have throughout the year.

My time abroad through CIEE has been so rewarding and fulfilling, and they have truly made the difference in my experience. They helped me along the way as I prepared and submitted all of my paperwork for the visa, and they had a great orientation for all of us when we arrived. I still meet weekly with the friends I made at orientation! On top of all of this, the Spanish culture is incredibly fun and the people here have been so welcoming. I could not recommend this experience more for someone who is looking to spend time abroad in Spain.

The CIEE Teach in Spain program was amazing. I would highly recommend it. It is a lot of work getting to Spain (I.E. Visas, Background check, Money) but once you are here it is awesome. CIEE provides an orientation which is EXTREMELY helpful. I know friends in other programs who did not have this perk. They explain everything from getting a metro card to a TIE. I would of been lost without this. They also have people in USA and Spain to always be of assitance all year round. I would highly recommend doing this program. I have met lifelong friends through CIEE.

I recently completed the TEFL certification program with CIEE, and I must say it has been a truly transformative experience. From the comprehensive curriculum to the dedicated support team, CIEE TEFL has exceeded my expectations.

The course content is well-structured, covering a wide range of topics essential for effective English language teaching. The modules are thoughtfully designed, providing a perfect balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application. What sets CIEE apart is the emphasis on real-world teaching scenarios, enabling me to feel confident and well-prepared for my future as an English teacher.

The CIEE TEFL course created a wonderful platform to meet with like-minded, motivated, and intelligent individuals as peers under kind and patient, qualified teachers. The instructors were always quick to answer any and all questions and provided ample feedback with all assignments. The course prepared me well for the classroom by outlining challenges I could anticipate and hadn't yet thought of. The only complication I encountered was issues with Canvas at times but this was not at the fault of CIEE. Overall a great experience!