Program Reviews

My J-Term Social Psychology course in the Czech Republic was my first time studying abroad, and I'm glad it was. I was initially nervous about the extended stay in a country I knew little about, but after settling in, I fell in love with the local charm. It's very easy to get around, even if you're a bit underprepared -- you can use English and credit cards at most places, you can navigate Prague using tram, bus, or subway, and if you're missing any necessities, you can definitely get it at a local store. The academics and classes were great, though not the most challenging. They were wonderfully bolstered by the day trips to neighboring cities, which provided a more comprehensive look at the country. CIEE also offered numerous amazing after-school activities, of which I attended and thoroughly enjoyed all. This was a great experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in studying abroad!

General Tips
- Make sure to bring 220v adaptors.
- Pack some warm coats (and maybe some boots).
- Bring some cash to exchange into Korunas (or Euros), as you will likely accrue an international fee withdrawing from ATMs and using debit/credit cards. If you don't mind the extra fees, you can get around using only card.
- If you do exchange money here, make sure to find a bank or exchange office that doesn't tack on fees.
- Feel free to visit local pubs and clubs with friends for a nice night out. Czechia is generally a safe country for tourists.
- BUT always be wary of pickpockets. While I didn't run into any, many do.

I absolutely love Prague and the city is very easy to navigate. The CIEE staff are very welcoming and happy to help or answer any questions you might have. The city is overall very safe and there was rarely any time where I felt unsafe. The excursions CIEE provided allowed us to immerse ourselves into the culture and also have fun while also learning. The class, social psychology, is very interesting and informative, I loved the field trip we took to the invisible exhibition, it allowed me to immerse myself in what it would be like if I had lost my sight. It was very informative and a fun experience. The class overall is easy for those who have had no prior psychology classes and a nice refresher for anyone who is already a psychology major.

From someone who had never traveled alone, it was my one goal in college to travel abroad at least once. When choosing a destination, I was only focused on being somewhat close to a beach, and being surrounded by nature. I am so grateful that I picked Monteverde, Costa Rica for my destination. During my stay, I was completely immersed in the beautiful biodiversity of the country, and always felt safe. This location is special because the housing is on campus, food is provided as well as cleaning and laundry. There is truly nothing to complain about. I stayed for a total of 18 weeks and never had any problems with the program! I was able to visit the beach multiple times, one paid excursion and one special trip I took with friends! I was constantly learning about relevant topics such as climate change and agriculture. My favorite class was Global Change and the Environment, taught by Mariano Soley. This class gave me so much important knowledge about current topics and learning skills that will truly last me a lifetime. I also got to participate in a weekend - long homestay and a service learning project. The homestay was completely immersive and a good experience - although it was very different from life on campus as that is a little more secluded from the culture of the country. It wasn't my favorite experience because I don't think I was very prepared to be in a completely immersive situation. The service learning project was such a good opportunity to help the local community while gaining helpful and relevant skills. I worked with a local bio reserve and helped them by painting signs for their property, helping in the tree nursery, and even conducted measurements of the trees on the property for their progress reports. I loved my time there and it helped me put new skills on my resume as well! There were also multiple paid excursions that I was so grateful to go on!

Overall, this program allowed me to be more confident, traveled and experienced! I would recommend this to anyone who loves nature, and wants to experience a smaller - knit community.

Studying abroad in Barcelona has been an incredible experience, blending academic growth with cultural immersion. I’ve enjoyed exploring the city’s rich history, iconic architecture, and vibrant local traditions while adapting to a new way of life. Interacting with classmates from diverse backgrounds and engaging with locals has broadened my perspective and enhanced my cross-cultural communication skills. The program’s challenging coursework has pushed me to think critically and apply my knowledge in practical settings. Overall, this experience has not only enriched my education but also inspired personal growth, fostering adaptability, independence, and a deeper appreciation for global cultures.

Highly recommend! This program made my study abroad semester amazing! The program pushed me outside my comfort zone. They do a great job of providing you the space to travel and make the semester your own while still ensuring you have all the resources you need to succeed. Specifically, during the first week, the program hosts onboarding events. These really help you slowly integrate into life in Madrid. It also helps you meet people before school starts, which is really helpful in making you feel supported.

I did the CIEE Advanced Liberal Arts program and I really enjoyed it. The classes were really great and we did a lot of Spanish writing which I felt fulfilled the "advanced" part of the program. I enjoyed the CIEE courses and the partnership with UB, the courses at UB were a little more challenging but again, it fulfills the "advanced" part of the program. In terms of housing, I stayed in a standard residence which was great, got my own room/bathroom with lots of space and big closet. Sharing a kitchen wasn't too bad and the distance wasn't bad with a close metro down the street. My program advisor was great and felt she provided all the necessary support!

I had a great time studying abroad in Singapore with CIEE. The housing accommodation was incredible and located near campus. Singapore itself was a great place to study abroad as such a safe, clean, modern city in the heart of Asia. The university we enrolled in did a great job during orientation where I met all of the other exchange students from around the world and made lasting connections. The coursework was rigorous and entirely lecture-based. It felt like everything came straight from a textbook and lacked creativity but the professors were incredibly distinguished. Was a great experience- highly recommend it.

Not to sound cheesy, but studying in Amsterdam truly was a life-changing experience. As an international city, it gave me the chance to befriend people from all walks of life. The city itself is breathtaking, and its rich history and deep roots make it unlike any other place I've visited.

One of my favorite aspects was the biking culture. It made my experience unique compared to friends who studied abroad in other countries. Biking around Amsterdam is incredibly liberating and transforms this medium-sized city into an accessible, digestible space.

Another highlight was the professional and personal connections I built. The network I gained through my host university, the CIEE program, and its staff played a huge role in shaping my experience. The program did a great job fostering bonds among students. While at times it felt a bit like high school, I honestly found it refreshing and endearing. I wouldn’t have chosen to study anywhere else—it was truly the perfect fit.

That said, here are a few tips I wish I had known before starting the program:

Plan your travel later in the semester. Spend the early weeks exploring Amsterdam while the weather is nice. Later, when it becomes rainy and cold, it’s a better time to travel. This also gives you more time to settle in, make friends, and focus on academics first.

Stay on top of your academics. The university does not hold your hand. In many of my business school classes, a large portion of students failed the final exams, which accounted for the majority of their grades. While resit exams are offered, many international students have to fly home before they can take advantage of that option.

Budget for public transit. It’s expensive, so make sure to plan accordingly.

Definitely go on this program if you get a chance. The school is extremely well located with great professors and administration. Aside from that Barcelona is awesome city. It has an amazing food scene with really good restaurants at an affordable cost. They also have some of the most well regarded restaurants in the world that might cost you a bit more. The nightlife scene has something for everyone from bars, American style clubs, or techno raves. Barcelona is also accessible for travel to almost anywhere on the continent by train or plane.

CIEE provided all the support needed to navigate the streets of Paris (quite literally with their intensive metro lessons). I did not think I would need this family-like environment when moving across the world. As an Italian-American, I have spent a lot of my life in Italy. The culture shock was not apparent to me in Paris as it very much reminded me of Italy minus my family and friends. The students and staff at CIEE were what made my experience the best four months of my life. They are now all people that I hope to keep in my life forever no matter where we are!