Program Reviews

We have really enjoyed our time here in Spain. I was an elementary teacher in California for 28 years and took a year leave to come and experience Madrid. My wife and I came to Spain to spend my last year before I could retire from California. Being a Language Assistant has been a great way to get to live and travel throughout Spain all while making money. CIEE has been very supportive and I would recommend them if you are considering coming abroad to Madrid. Knowing some Spanish has been super helpful. I would recommend learning Spanish and being willing to try and communicate with the locals. Even if your Spanish isn't perfect...trying to speak with the locals is a great way to make friends.

Madrid is such a lovely city, and I am so lucky to have gotten this opportunity to move here with the support of CIEE. This city has so much to offer. A few of my favorite things are the easily walkable streets, parks, constant outdoor dining and drinking, and the colorful lights that adorn the city throughout the winter. I am so happy I chose to do this program. At first, I was nervous about coming to Madrid, but with CIEE's support at every moment throughout the application, visa, and travel processes, I was ready to finally arrive in Madrid. Going to school every day to impact children's lives and teach them English and about American culture is so special. The kids truly are so sweet and always bring smiles to my face. At the end of the day, I get to spend time with friends, practice Spanish, go to dance class, and enjoy the weather that, compared to my home state of Minnesota, is nice all year round. This experience is one like no other!

My adventure to Thailand took place in the beautiful province of Petchabun. It was more of a rural placement and that initially had me a little nervous about potential challenges. However, the challenges were not too daunting! I quite enjoy the nature and peaceful area while still being able to travel to more busy areas to do other things. In a short period of time, I was able to enjoy holidays and festivals, hang out with other teachers and explore the local area. In free time I can learn Thai, cook and exercise. The staff at the school always offer their time to support and share with you their culture. So overall, there are many things to do as long as you take the time to plan it. I really cannot wait to explore more and travel throughout the country.

Teaching in Madrid has been an incredible experience so far. Moving to a new country can be daunting, but CIEE provided plentiful resources, guidance, and pre-departure support. They provide an online course which provides a broad overview of Spanish culture and the education system in Spain, as well as resources for things you will need once in Spain such as comparing rent in various neighborhoods, phone companies, electric, wifi, etc. The online course also included information about the visa process and other important documents that was super helpful.
In addition to the pre-departure online course, there is a four day in-person orientation once in Spain. The in-person orientation basically repeated all the information that was in the online course, however, it was an opportunity to meet other people who were also moving to Madrid which I found invaluable. If you are worried about finding roommates and don’t have anything set up by the time you head off to Spain, do not stress, you will definitely find people you connect with during the in-person orientation.
CIEE also offers an online TEFL certificate course with various start dates. If you have no background in teaching it is a great way to feel more prepared before stepping into the classroom. The course relays teaching methodology, has mini grammar lessons, and strategies for teaching. I tend to over prepare and took the course even after receiving my Masters in Teaching in June before leaving in September. If you have a background in education, the TEFL course is not necessary and you will get all the information you need from the pre-departure course. However, I still learned new strategies and have used some of the materials from the course.

I joined the Auxiliary Program with CIEE to take a break from teaching in the States. I was torn between working another year as a teacher in the USA or taking the chance to teach abroad and regain my passion for teaching. It helped that I knew people who lived in Spain and had visited before, so it wasn't an unfamiliar place. Between different programs, I chose CIEE because it was a guarantee that I would be placed in Madrid, where I wanted to work. I also enjoyed the pre-departure help to recieve my visa and the communication on when to do documents where and the exact way to fill them out. It is a bit pricey compared to other programs for teaching abroad, but the help you recieve before traveling and at the 4 day orientation which includes the hotel, food, etc. helps justify the cost. I met some really great friends through the orientation process that help with the adjustment of living abroad and have been able to travel within Spain and in Europe has been great! I think this is a great program for recent college graduates who want to have an experience abroad while building skills and having the opportunity to travel.

Teaching in Spain is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Imagine how incredible it is to be in a brand new place, about to meet a whole bunch of like minded people in the same place as you. I wasn’t expecting so many people to have the same outlook on life. The CIEE support team sets you up for success in the city of Madrid. From the beginning of orientation to the end of your time in Madrid/end of the program, they’re there for you. They’re kind and responsive and understanding. It’s a great program!!

I would do this program over and over! There are many challenges to moving abroad but CIEE helped it go as smoothly as possible. The team is very helpful with visa and moving information. I don’t think I could’ve done it without the extra help. I was able to start the teaching position just fine without any prior experience. The school placements aren’t always ideal but Madrid is well connected and the hours aren’t long anyway. I feel like the pay and benefits are fair and with savings suffice.

So far, I've loved my time in Madrid. CIEE made it so easy to get here with step by step instructions for the visa and everything in between. I definitely think this program is worth it, coming from someone with no travel experience and having never left the states. CIEE sends weekly updates as well throughout the year about things going on in Madrid and even help with Spanish.
Everyone has been so helpful thus far. My school placement is perfect, right in the heart of Madrid, in the Salamanca neighborhood.

Teaching in Madrid with CIEE has been a wonderful experience so far. The program offers in-country support which is invaluable. There will be many challenges in your move abroad and they are there to help you with all of them - from filling out government forms to finding laptop friendly cafes! Support during the visa process was also helpful as the embassy I used was extremely delayed. Additionally, CIEE runs an in-country orientation which is a great way to get settled; you have a comfortable place to stay while you retrieve your transport card, tour apartment, and go to document appointments. The biggest plus of in-country orientation is that it is an opportunity to meet people and start your experience abroad with friendly faces who are facing the same challenges you are. While CIEE Spain does not provide housing, finding an available and affordable apartment is doable, though it can be difficult in Madrid.

I think CIEE website at times was a little bit difficult to navigate. I remember there being twenty tabs open just so I could figure out how to submit my stuff for my visa. If there was maybe a website that had all the information instead of opening up a bunch of different tabs. I think that’s where there was a lot of difficulty. as well it seemed really difficult to find the right information which made it really stressful and difficult at times. If there were major problems CIEE was great about communicating and helping out. I feel like when we got to Madrid the orientation was great but after I felt like CIEE did little to help us get accustomed to Madrid life. I know that’s not apart of the program, but it was difficult to adjust at first without much help especially on housing. I’m grateful for CIEE and all the friends I’ve made through the program and getting to be placed within the community of Madrid was so helpful!