I studied abroad last semester in Barcelona, Spain and seriously could not have asked for a better experience thanks to CISabroad. I was recommended CISabroad over any other program by my school's Office of International Education because of the high regard students from the past decade had for their programs. I can confidently say that the team and program were by no means "just about the money." In fact, upon arriving we were each given a "cultural credit card" I hadn't heard of beforehand and were encouraged to use the money for any cultural experiences we otherwise would not have pursued. They didn't have to do that, and certainly wouldn't have if they were just about the profit. I ended up going on their Morocco excursion for that very reason, which is now one of my fondest memories abroad. Also they don't hold back at welcome/fairwell dinners, mentor meetings at cafes, or any of the many other complimentary dinners/events - always the best of the best. But what I appreciated most was how relational and helpful the on-site team was. I went into CISabroad's program not knowing a soul and they made the transition unbelievably easy for me. If the other programs are anything like CISabroad Barcelona, you can be sure to expect a team that genuinely desires for you to have a safe, fun, eye-opening, memorable, and life-changing experience. Since studying abroad, I have been a student advisor for study abroad and international education services and have led 7 individuals to pursue studying abroad through that very program. And boy, am I itching to go back!

This program was very helpful to me as I am a Spanish major. Living in Madrid, I was able to use my Spanish every day and this increased my confidence in speaking and writing as well. Spain is cheaper than a lot of other countries which is nice, and if you want to travel it is very easy as Madrid has an airport and a few bus stations. Madrid is a beautiful city and there is always something to do there.

Choosing CIS Abroad overall, was a great decision. I was able to learn about the culture especially with the home stay option. The program hosted activities for us to participate in. If I were to change anything, it would be to hold more culture based activities especially for the price one pays for the program. Besides that, the academic scene was nice and I was able to learn both in the classroom and outside the classroom. Overall, I enjoyed the program and would be honored to go back and do it all again. I met many people in this journey that I hope to keep around for a long time and cherish the memories that were made with others met on the program. If I were to give advice to future participants it would be to go with an open mind and to learn and explore new things and new ways of doing. It is very crazy/amazing how studying abroad can open your eyes to all the amazing things this world has to offer.

Best,
Marisa

During my first 2 years of college, I wrestled with the idea of studying abroad and asked countless friends, family and professors for their advice. Everyone I spoke to told me the same exact thing: Do it. Friends who had previously studied abroad shared stories of their incredible adventures, the amazing food they ate, and the lifelong friends and memories they made. In my junior year, I decided that I wanted to go abroad, no matter the cost or nervousness I may have felt.

I searched through the different programs my university offered and found nothing that interested me or was beneficial for my Spanish minor; that's when I came across CISabroad and immediately fell in love with the locations they offered for the Summer, the amenities included in the program and the reviews were great. The application process was seamless and gave me no problems or concerns while applying. Once I was accepted, the process continued with Webinars and constant emails about pre-departure activities, what to expect and how to prepare before going abroad. That constant communication gave me the confidence in this program and showed me that they truly cared about their students going abroad; I felt safe, protected and excited about going to Madrid, specifically with CISabroad.

From the moment I touched down in Madrid, CISabroad was always there for me, both in person and electronically. My site director was the most incredibly kind-hearted and fun person I have had the pleasure of befriending; she thought of us as her kids that she needed to look-out for during the summer, and we really became a little family throughout this experience thanks in-part to her. While there were a few bumps in the road concerning the actual school part of the study abroad experience, everything outside of school was great. Every week CISabroad provided us the opportunity to travel to different cities together, go on wine tours, visit historical sites, watch flamenco dancing, and so much more. CISabroad made sure that their students got the most out of their time abroad as they could.

It has been almost one year since I studied abroad in Madrid with CISabroad, and I yearn for it daily. I miss the friends I made, the food I ate, the places I got to see, and living in that lively city every day. Everyone told me that this experience would be one of the greatest of my life, and they were correct. Thanks to CISabroad, I had the chance to live my very best life for one short summer and I made memories to last a lifetime. This was easily the best decision I ever made, and hopefully it will be yours too.