CIEE: Design Your Own Semester Abroad

I spent 12 weeks in Amsterdam with CIEE's Open Campus Block program and I absolutely loved it. The city is amazing, as I'm sure everyone already knows. But also the staff were simply amazing people. They all tried to get to know everyone and help us make meaningful connections that will last decades. I really loved my time here and I think anyone else who is considering it would love it to.

Also, don't be scared to take a Dutch Language class!!! That was probably my favorite class and there were tons of activities that helped me get immersed in the Dutch culture.

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.