CIEE: Design Your Own Semester Abroad

Going to Sydney for 6 weeks was the best decision I ever made. I had such a blast here and was able to enjoy the summer in January and February, and I'm now leaving to study in Rome, Italy for 12 more weeks! While in Sydney, I was able to be very independent and planned trips with my friends every single weekend. I went to surf camp, to the Blue Mountains (with CIEE), to Cairns (the Great Barrier Reef), and to Byron Bay! There were tons of options on things to do and it was so sunny and beautiful the whole time. I am so glad I got the chance to explore such an amazing place. This program is incredible and I had the absolute best time.

I was nervous about going abroad, but it was the best choice I have made! Studying in Madrid was amazing. From the culture to the social life to the beauty, everything was awesome. CIEE did a great job of integrating the city and the culture into the classes, and I am so thankful I took the leap! From culture and cuisine to masters in Madrid museums, the classes I took used to city and experiential learning to help me make it feel like home. I could not recommend Madrid and studying abroad more :)

I have really enjoyed the CIEE open campus program; it provides an opportunity for students to explore new cities and have a wide range of travel opportunities. The professors are all incredibly kind and personable, and the CIEE staff is friendly and helpful. The CIEE staff provides great recommendations for food, night activities, day trips, and other resources that students may find helpful for exploring whatever region they are in. I have been able to meet so many new people, and make a variety of friends with unique experiences.

Amazing program every which way. Consistent schedule, fabulous academics, great people, and wonderful travels- what could be bad? So many different locations offered with helpful staff and people. Coordinate lots of fabulous group activities and offer amazing educational experiences. Such a great learning and growing experience navigating different cities and new cultures. Met friends that will last a lifetime and travel memories that will last always and forever. If it wasn’t for CIEE I wouldn’t have been to Europe at all

For my CIEE Open Campus Program I visited Rome for my first six week block. This program is perfectly designed for students whose main goal while studying abroad is to travel to multiple locations. The class schedule is Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, so Wednesdays are perfect for exploring around the city and your neighborhood and the three day weekends make traveling to new locations in Italy super convenient! While the classes are each 2.5 hours long, it is necessary in order to complete the course credit hours due to the shortened program of only 6 weeks compared to most other schools which generally last the entire semester (approximately 14/15 weeks). The program offered an included overnight trip to Pompeii and Paestem that was no additional charge for students. CIEE also provided opportunities to sign up for events around the city of Rome like pizza making classes, gelato tastings, bike tours, and more - also at no additional cost for students! These were a great way to explore the host city while saving some money which was super valuable for me as a college student! Also, the courses I enrolled in were based around Rome (specifically the architecture and museums in Rome) and they included numerous On-Site visits to different ancient ruins, monuments, and museums all over the city! This was also a great way to get familiar with the large city.

This is a program for people that want to be immersed in nature and experience the rainforest. There is a lot of downtime where you can explore the area and go on hikes, swim in the river nearby, and hang with the local dogs and monkeys. On the weekends you can travel to other towns to go out and get a taste of Costa Rican nightlife, but there is not much (or any really) nightlife in Monteverde. It is a small town which is great in many ways but can get boring sometimes. The food at the dining hall is amazing (and included in tuition), the housing is very comfortable (think glamping), and you couldn't imagine a more beautiful location.

I recently participated in a study abroad program in Kyoto, Japan and it was an incredible experience! From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in the vibrant culture and rich history of the city. The program offered some interesting classes, I really enjoyed the more intimate structure of them and appreciated how interactive they were.
The support and communication of the staff were great. They were always available to answer questions and provide good recommendations, making the transition to living and studying in a foreign country seamless. The housing arrangements were comfortable and conveniently located, allowing me to explore the city independently or with classmates. Overall, the study abroad program in Kyoto was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to broaden their horizons and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Rome is one of the most amazing experiences that I have had. The city is so beautiful and if you are able to visit other cities you will see the true beauty of Italy. I was able to visit nine cities during my six weeks because of how easy it is to get a train or bus ticket to so many other areas of Italy. Rome has many museums, historical sights, parks, stores, restaurants, you name it. The true beauty of the city lies in the small alleyways and the streets away from the touristy areas. Amazing pastas for very cheap prices, great gelato, and some of the best pastries and deserts. The city has amazing sunrises and sunsets, one of my favourites are in the Roman Forum and on the bridges. There are little pathways by the riverside that are so peaceful and have great views. While it is very important to be with people you know and not travel alone in the dark, sometimes it is great to take some time to explore the city on your own. Campo di Fiori near the Fontana di Trevi is a great little market with lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, juices, souvenirs, pastas, condiments, and limoncello! Alongside it there are some really good restaurants and a few little neighbourhoods. Definitely worth getting lost in some of these areas and simply looking around because that is where you will find some of the best things to explore. Everywhere you look is a mesmerising experience so take it all in. Do not miss out on stracciatella gelato, a classic margherita pizza, aperol spritz, and tiramisu of course!