CIEE College Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain

Hi everyone!

As you may have assumed based on the title of the review, this past summer I traveled to Madrid, Spain! I remember first being hesitant about fully committing to the program since there were so many things going on in the world at the time, but I decided to get out of my comfort zone and go for it. I’m extremely glad I went that route because the memories created there were unforgettable.

First comes the people. Going alone was one of the factors that contributed to my hesitation on going abroad. I decided to just stick it out and go. Who would’ve thought that the people I met there would be so fun to hangout with in another country. Conversation came easy and making plans while in Madrid came smoothly. The staff at the CIEE center were really cool and easy to talk to too! If my friends or I ever had any questions, comments, or just wanted insight on where to get the best Paella from, the staff at the CIEE center never failed to provide. As for the people in Madrid, for the most part, they were all pretty friendly and helpful if we ever had directions questions or anything similar to that matter. Of course, being a woman, you’ll receive your fair share of catcalling and long stares, but truth be told, it’ll be like that wherever you go in the world.

Next, comes the sightseeing and scenery. Madrid was honestly such a beautiful place. It definitely had its more traditional parts and old architecture but also provided more urban and modern areas as well. The public transportation - in reference to the metros - was SO convenient. I could literally go from one end of Madrid to the other in a short amount of time, and I honestly liked how normalized taking public transport over there is. However, something to be cautious about is pick-pocketing. Pick-pocketing is extremely common in Europe, including Madrid. In fact, my friend briefly put her cross-body bag behind her, and when she turned it back in front of her, she had her phone stolen from her bag. This was only the second day of being abroad too. On a lighter note, I’m also big when it comes to cafes, so cafe hopping is a MUST here, and I promise you will not be disappointed. Of course, while in Madrid, you have to visit well-known spots such as El Parque de Retiro, Plaza Mayor, The Royal Palace, Sol, and much more.

Now the most important part, is the program itself. The class I took and was getting credit for was called Arts and Activism. Classes were Monday through Thursday, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. My class days mainly looked like: 1) waking up at the dorm and getting ready 2) having breakfast then taking the metro down to sol 3) have class 4) then having the evening to do homework, dinner, and spend time with friends. The dorms we stayed at were really nice and acquiring transportation cards was fairly easy. One thing I wished CIEE could've done better is to reach out in regards to what to pack and bring. I had to ask previous alumni who did the same program I did what to and not to bring, as well as do my own research. I could go on about how cool this program is, but do feel free to check out: https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad/programs/spain/madrid/summer-madrid for more info as well as reach out directly to me!
And remember: bring your Euro-plug and/or voltage converter, a small hand-held fan, and be prepared to walk!!

CIEE's Open Campus program is a brilliant way to experience a variety of cities all within a semester. I chose Madrid, Rome, and Copenhagen as my 3 locations, and I could not be more grateful for the experiences I had in each of these unique cities. I was introduced to so many new foods that I'm still obsessed with today, new scenery, and frankly, a new way of living. CIEE also provided a bunch of cool extracurricular activities that were included in the program's price such as a paella-cooking day in Madrid and a trip to the Tivoli gardens outside of Rome. Seriously, I'd recommend anyone who's thinking about a semester abroad to consider CIEE's Open Campus program -- no regrets, and I'd do it all over again if I could.

My summer studying abroad in Alcalá de Henares outside of Madrid was the most memorable experience of my life, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to attend the CIEE program. I felt incredibly supported by the program staff as they were very encouraging during my studies and always available for advice. I gained a better understanding of Spanish culture and became independent through navigating public transportation which allowed me to explore Madrid, as well as take advantage of the ease of travel to visit places including Granada, Valencia, and San Sebastián. I also improved my Spanish speaking and writing abilities, and gained so much confidence through interacting with CIEE staff and locals in the language; I now feel comfortable using Spanish with anybody and left with new vocabulary. I made many friendships that I will cherish forever, and have developed a strong love for travel. I hope to return to Europe one day, and am so glad to have spent the summer in Alcalá de Henares which is filled with such amazing history, beautiful sights, and easy access to Madrid!

I absolutely loved my time abroad with CIEE. I was ecstatic to find a study abroad program with my STEM courses, even computer science courses. It was so hard to find programs for Engineering and I am so glad I found CIEE. They made it so easy for us pre-departure with a lot of info and handled our Visas and housing for us. Orientation events were really impactful and I got to learn so much on the tours they provided for us. I made lifelong friends with my roommates and got to travel and learn so much!

I attended Summer Session I in Madrid with CIEE which was a 4 week program for college students. CIEE did an amazing job being available for any assistance and help you may need and were always happy to help. Day 1 I was feeling nauseous from jet lag so one of the CIEE staff took the time to walk me to a pharmacy and help me get what I needed, thanks Jon! The class was a lot of fun too, the first half was lecture, but the second half we explored the city in ways that connected to our in class learning. Two CIEE staff even used their free time to give us an unofficial thrifting tour because they knew it was something we were interested in. I plan to study again with CIEE next summer!

I went on the Summer Session 1 trip to Madrid through CIEE. I had an absolutely wonderful time! All of the staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming. They were always quick to respond to any concerns or issues we had. They also gave plenty of helpful suggestions for fun things to do!

I was well informed of events and prep work both before and during the trip. The CIEE team made sure we had the “Know Before You Go” Canvas module, so I could learn about what to expect in Spain.

Finally, the classes were amazing! Both of the professors were very fun and made the class enjoyable. Both classes allowed us to actively go out into the city and explore during class time. It was wonderful to be able to get close to some of the things we were learning about. The classes were never too much though, and I always had time to go out exploring on my own or with friends.

The program at CIEE Madrid was perfect for my semester abroad! The classes there were fun and interesting and greatly contributed to my experience. The class schedule allows you to take 2 classes at a time for 6 weeks so I was able to take up to intermediate spanish language. I was also able to conduct my own research project with great support from CIEE staff. The schedule also allows lots of travel on the weekends! I traveled to 12 other cities while I was there. The other students in the program were amazing and we became such great friends- we would do cultural things like go to museums or parks and explore the nightlife of Madrid (which is incredible). This semester was an incredible experience for me!!

My experience with CIEE's Madrid Open Campus program has been fantastic. All the staff are super helpful and care about not only helping students but getting to know them as well. They really encourage students to explore Spain and get out of thei comfort zones. All of the classes included excursions that related to the class content and helped solidify what we learned in class. The teachers are interesting and willing to work with students. The program also offered lots of cool activities that could appeal to everyone's interests. If at anytime I had a question I knew someone with in the CIEE Madrid office would help me find the answer. The connections and skills that I've developed in this program will benefit me for years to come. Overall a great program that I highly recommend!