Program Reviews

Throughout my time spent in Berlin, I have encountered many new experiences, countries, friends, and relationships that have all strengthened my character and have directed me on the path toward personal growth. I completed my studies at the CIEE Berlin campus, however, it surely was not the only place I began to frequent while in Berlin. The recommendations from the campus staff and the hearty smiles from my professors were nothing short of kind and endearing. I thoroughly enjoyed the structure of the program as well. With the 6 week blocks, I was able to collect more class credits than a typical American semester, while also completing the requirements for my writing minor.

Berlin is a place where I was able to truly experience independence and freedom for the first time. It is such a unique city with endless opportunities for self-discovery. It has been the perfect way for me to explore life outside my comfort zone, and it's great for any first-year student looking to get a feel for the beauty in finding yourself. Whether you spend your time exploring the city with friends, communicating with your loved ones from a distance, or simply window-shopping while listening to your favorite podcast, Berlin is the perfect place to admire the little things in life. My advice for anyone exploring the city would definitely be to have a picnic or two, try out as many cafés as your wallet will allow, and definitely get out for walks, because you will most likely stumble upon your new favorite coffee shop.

Before coming to Rome, I had never travelled abroad. CIEE made this transition into a new country and culture easy. Through weekly activities such as cooking classes or spritz socials, CIEE made activities to help their students become more comfortable and involved with their new community. I was also able to gain a large portion of credits through the classes CIEE offered. Not only was I able to talk classes such as "Culture & Cuisine" or "Contemporary Italy" which taught me about Italian culture and way of life, but I was able to gain credit at my home university while doing so.

Studying in Rome gave me the opportunity to pave my own path. Being in Rome, there are so many things to do from history, nature, food, nightlife, and so much more. I had the chance to engineer my own day and be independent, prioritize what was important to me. There were long school days but for the most part, you did not have to worry about school outside of the classroom, so you are free to explore with a clear mind. Not to mention, Rome is a great and central place to travel from. I would recommend studying in Romr with CIEE.

After studying abroad in Paris for a semester, I have memories that will last forever. When I started to get settled in during my first month, I realized that my experience was going to be whatever I wanted it to be. I feel like everyone has this overall perception of students going abroad and just traveling and partying. However, that isn’t what I wanted my experience to be. I wanted to come home from Europe having learned new life lessons and a different understanding of a part of the world I have never discovered before.

I came to Paris all alone not knowing anyone in the program, flew all the way by myself, and had random roommates. This situation worked out great for me because my roommates ended up being two of my best friends abroad and I actually got to meet new people who also go to the same home university as me. It was definitely a lot to soak in upon arriving but I think my openness and extroverted personality helped me a lot through the process. Something I was worried about when coming abroad was not being able to have a routine but surely after a few weeks I was able to get into one. I have also never experienced the level of independence that study abroad gives you. It was so liberating walking through the streets of Paris, soaking it all in and thinking to myself “Wow I’m fully just living in Paris right now.” But like I said, you choose how you want to live your life. I know some of my friends in different countries are always with people because they hate being alone. I personally have always been an independent person so I chose to be alone sometimes. This has definitely made me more mature and open to new experiences. Overall, some advice I would give to a student that is planning on studying abroad is that you don’t have to do what everyone else does. You get to choose your own experience so make it the best that you can for yourself. Try not to do the same things you would be doing back in the US when you are abroad. Get out of your comfort zone and explore.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad through CIEE via the 3-block open campus semester, and I couldn't have made a better decision. I have spent my first six weeks in Rome, Italy, and then I head to London for six weeks then Madrid for a final six weeks. CIEE Rome is full of helpful staff who assist in navigating the new cultures and guide your experiences so that you have the best time possible while abroad. They create endless opportunities to connect with other students and immerse yourself in the local environment all while providing meaningful education.

Overall, this is a really good program. The staff are super nice and work hard to make sure you are comfortable. I felt very heard whenever we brought situations to the staff. The classes were engaging and great for Australian culture immersion. My only negative is the housing. There were more people than expected, so some people got incredible last-minute housing in a super nice luxury one bedroom studio apartment complex with free A/C and breakfast, while others were in a crappy house with no A/C crammed in with 18 other people. However when we voiced this concern the staff handled it well and gave us free transportation vouchers for it. Overall would recommend this program!

I absolutely loved the time I spent in Rome through CIEE's study abroad program, and I'm sad to be heading home shortly. The reason I chose CIEE was because their program was so flexible, accommodating, and worked in accordance with my home university to ensure that I would meet all graduation requirements as a senior graduating in April. Study abroad shaped and changed me in so many ways I never thought possible. Exploring the city of Rome has been a dream, and I hope to never forget all these experiences! I enjoyed the location of Rome because it was a great middle point for other travel plans.

I had an amazing experience studying abroad at CIEE Monteverde. The staff was extremely friendly, and I had a great time getting to know everyone on campus. They were also very accommodating and helpful if students needed anything, as well as provided information about fun activities to do around campus through newsletters and announcements. The campus was also extremely beautiful and there were an endless amount of things to do, such as hiking, checking out the coffee plantation, and more. I would highly recommend this campus to students who are looking to study abroad.

My study abroad adventure in Barcelona was transformative. Engaging in intellectually stimulating courses at CIEE and immersing myself in the city's vibrant culture made for an enriching experience. Overcoming the language barrier, I formed meaningful connections with a diverse group of students. Living in a homestay provided unique insights into local life, and exploring Spain and neighboring countries like Italy only added to the experience. Barcelona not only broadened my understanding of cultures but also equipped me with valuable personal and interpersonal skills. Grateful for unforgettable memories and lasting friendships, my time in Barcelona was truly a highlight of my academic and personal growth.