Cannot recommend enough...seriously

To be fair, Madrid in and of itself is enough to ensure that almost any long-term stay will be rewarding. That being said, CIEE took care of so much of the nitty gritty stuff that can normally impede people from taking the plunge into this kind of an international adventure. By the time I arrived they had already helped me with understanding the visa process inside and out, as well as provide cultural and teaching guides. The staff -- especially during the critical first weeks of acclimation -- go above and beyond to make sure that everyone feels comfortable with adjusting to a new country, and they make the otherwise dreadful task of completing your immigration paperwork easy and seamless. They also had a lot of activities throughout the year that connect you with other teachers and staff. In short -- I would recommend this program to anyone and everyone. If you have lots of travel experience: you'll appreciate that they take care of the annoying tasks that come with moving so you can begin to immerse yourself in the country's culture and history. If you're a novice traveler: you'll get the kind of guidance and support than not only answers questions, but is intended to empower you to focus on your primary objective of relishing in a beautiful exchange of cultures! Sorry if this seems overly romantic. I just had a damn good time...