Program Reviews

I signed up for this program back in March 2024, have spent the summer preparing for it, and now have been in Spain for almost 6 weeks. I think CIEE does a good job of helping you prepare for the travel experience and completing tasks/errands necessary to work/live in another country. The most helpful part was the Visa guide they provided. I would have been extremely stressed and confused without it. I also really enjoy them having advisors that you can text and/or call with personalized questions and they will get back to you in a timely manner. However, I think the upfront fee that we paid was quite expensive (I believe it was more than the value of the help we were receiving from them). But they are still the program that helps guide you the most through the whole process which I appreciate.

Teaching abroad in Madrid has been a life changing experience that I will value forever. The job is reflectively low stress, however I still feel the difference in each student’s life that i’m making every day. CIEE was so helpful in finding a placement in Madrid, and answered every question I had along the way, from visa questions to advice on what area to live in in order to have an easier commute. I felt more than ready to start my new life in Madrid thanks to CIEE, and now I don’t see myself ever wanting to leave!

Choosing CIEE to help me teach abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Everyone at CIEE is incredibly helpful, caring, and knowledgeable about the city. Before I even arrived in Madrid, I felt fully prepared for the experience. CIEE provided a detailed Canvas course that outlined all the appointments I needed to schedule and everything I had to do. They also offered several webinars leading up to the in-person orientation, including sessions on housing, healthcare, and pre-departure tips. It was a great opportunity to hear from people who had taught in Spain in previous years, sharing their advice and personal experiences about where to live and what to expect.
One of the biggest benefits of choosing CIEE was the seamless health insurance enrollment. We were automatically signed up with ASISA, a great provider with a large network and helpful support available at any time. Another highlight was my school placement—I couldn't have asked for a better one. My coworkers and students are amazing; it is truly a dream come true.
CIEE also organized a week-long orientation in Madrid before school started, which was such a valuable experience. It gave everyone in the program a chance to meet and make connections, and we were paired with Orientation Leaders who guided us throughout. My orientation leader, Lauren D., was fantastic—well-informed, inspiring, kind, and incredibly helpful. She made my group feel at home and showed us some of the best spots in the city. The friendships I made during orientation have been so meaningful, and I’m grateful to now be part of such a wonderful community.

Through the whole process, CIEE has been responsive and sent several emails reminding about important dates for applying for your visa, etc. They also provide excellent online materials to help you through the different things you need to take care of before in Spain and while in Spain. The school placement was great. It's a newish school in a good area with access to the metro system. Being an auxiliar (language assistant teacher) is an interesting experience that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Being in Madrid gives easy access to tons of destinations both in Spain and Europe on weekends and holiday breaks from school.

That said, there are some things to keep in mind: the immigration processes are long, illogical, and bureaucratic, e.g. applying for the visa requires an appointment which may take weeks before an appointment shows up on their website only to be snatched up by someone else, the same jumping-through-hoops exercise with applying for the residency card (TIE) while in Spain, and then the same thing to make an appointment to pick up your residency card which for some reason takes the Spain government 30-45 days to make -- why can't they just mail it to me? These aren't issues with CIEE but rather the Spanish government. I think CIEE does everything in their power to share clear instructions and share insider information that they've learned over the years and for the current year from other applicants in your shoes which makes things easier -- but it's still a pain to go through it all. Definitely worth it though for the whole experience. Recommended.

Teaching abroad in South Korea has been such a great experience! I’ve only been here for two months, but I already love it. The culture is amazing, and it’s been really fun to be part of it both in and out of the classroom. The students are eager to learn, and while teaching English has its challenges, it’s so rewarding. My coworkers have been super supportive, which has made adjusting a lot easier.

What really surprised me is how much easier daily life here is than I expected. That was something I was worried about. Things like public transportation and recycling are so organized and straightforward. Most things here are convenient and easy to figure out.

Outside of work, I’ve loved exploring the local food and culture. There’s always something new to experience. Overall, teaching in Korea has been even better than I imagined, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time here brings!

If you are thinking of teaching abroad in Ireland, do it! I didn't expect to fall in love with the country as much as I did. The whole process of moving abroad was made easy by CIEE staff. I had the best time teaching and met some lovely people during my stay here. My students were also amazing! I hadn't taught before, but I learned a lot from my TEFL course and practicum as a first-time teacher. I was super nervous my first day, but the lesson plan is very detailed which helps a lot during your teaching! I was also able to travel on my free time which was great! The only thing I struggled with a little bit was housing, but I would recommend looking into facebook groups. Overall, I had a great experience with this program and would definitely recommend for anyone who wants to teach abroad!

My experience has been great so far! The only disappointment I got was that my recruiter could have definitely told me that with my certifications and experience that I’ve had prior to traveling and working in Korea could have gotten me a better salary. Everything else is good. Location is great! The people I work with are also great!! Next year I will be trying for a better position and hopefully it will work out and have better benefits because now it’s unfortunately a no go. I hope better opportunities will come.

Commiting to this program was the best decision i've made. They hold your hand through the visa process and make you feel at ease with your transition. They are very helpful with navigating you through the TIE process when you land. The orientation week is a great way to meet so many people in such a short amount of time. I teach five and six year olds. Everyday I go to work im excited. The first few weeks in Madrid can be tough for some because you are still getting settled. Try to take everything one step and a time and everything will fall into place :)

CIEE guides you through the entire process. From getting a visa, to applying to be a Spanish resident they assist you through emery thing. Even advice on being a successful teacher! I recommend this program is you want the best support socially and logistically throughout the entire year! The support team, orientation leaders, and fellow participants are here for a great time and the energy is always positive! I know of other auxiliares de conversación who applied through NALCAP and the ministerio and they all always say how they are jealous of CIEE participant for the support and social aspect.

If you are looking for a great quality course you should definitely consider this one! I enjoyed learning from both the teacher and my classmates. The program is also very helpful when it comes to getting a placement for your practicum hours. I was having trouble finding a place and the staff worked to help me find somewhere online that would allow for a similar experience. Leaving this program not only will you gain your certification but you will also gain various connections with people and more confidence as you move to teach.