Program Reviews

This semester has been an incredible whirlwind of learning, exploration, and personal growth as an exchange student at Singapore Management University (SMU) through the CIEE program. My adventure kicked off in early August when I arrived in the tropical city-state of Singapore, amazed by its blend of modernity and tradition.

SMU’s campus is situated in the heart of the city, surrounded by iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore River. From the very first day, I was drawn in by the vibrant energy of the university. The CIEE program was exceptionally well-organized. They welcomed us with an orientation where I met fellow exchange students from around the world and local buddies who quickly became close friends.

Academic Life at SMU
The academic atmosphere at SMU was unlike anything I had encountered before. Classes were highly interactive, and professors encouraged us to think critically. My schedule included three captivating courses: History of Asia: Past and Present, Corporate Finance, and Healthcare Management Strategies.

In History of Asia: Past and Present, I explored the complex relationships between countries in the region, delving into topics such as the economic effects of colonialism and contemporary ASEAN policies. A group presentation on the economic structure of Laos stood out as a highlight, with my team’s diverse viewpoints making it truly unforgettable.

Finance and derivative securities was both challenging and exhilarating. We examined case studies on Swap contracts, and I had the opportunity to present a pitch for a fictional company's, which was an exciting simulation of real-world finance.

However, my favorite class was Healthcare Management Strategies. The professor, who had extensive experience in the healthcare sector, enriched the lectures with practical insights. Our final project involved developing a strategy to enhance healthcare accessibility in rural Southeast Asia, which deepened my appreciation for the role of innovation in this field.

Making Friends and Memories
The most rewarding aspect of my exchange was the people I met. My closest friends were a mix of locals and fellow exchange students. Ming, a Singaporean student, introduced me to hawker centers where we indulged in dishes like laksa, chicken rice, and chili crab. We also explored hidden gems like the quaint neighborhood of Tiong Bahru.

Every Friday, our group—consisting of Ming, Clara from Germany, Lucas from Brazil, and Zara from the UK—embarked on adventures. From hiking in MacRitchie Reservoir to cycling on Pulau Ubin, every moment was an opportunity to bond and soak in Singapore’s natural beauty.

Cultural Immersion and Fun
CIEE arranged cultural activities, including a traditional Peranakan cooking class and a day trip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. I also immersed myself in local festivities, celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival by joining a lantern walk in Chinatown.

The nightlife was another highlight. Clarke Quay became our go-to spot for unwinding after long study sessions. Yet, amidst the fun, I never felt disconnected from my academic goals. SMU’s library became my second home as deadlines approached, and the group study rooms were always buzzing with energy.

Living and studying abroad in South Korea at Yonsei University has been an experience that I will never forget. In these 4 months I have made life-long friends, memories, and skills that I will cherish forever. I was able to try so many new foods that I now enjoy, learn a new language and watch my skills progress overtime, and travel to other parts of Asia while being here.

Firstly, Yonsei University is in the perfect spot in Seoul. It is in Sinchon which is a lively city that offers everything you could want from all types of restaurants, cafes, karaoke rooms, arcades, shops, and more. Right next to Sinchon is Hongdae which is another lively city that is known for great shopping, street food, and night life. So, right away, I was immediately presented with endless things to do all within walking or bus distance.

Secondly, I come from the countryside of Maine and am very unfamiliar with public transportation. I was worried about coming here just because I knew it was a big city where I would be dependent on public transit but it took me, someone with no experience, maybe a week or so to be able to use the buses, subway, taxi, etc with no issues. The public transit in Seoul is extremely easy to follow, very clean, and very foreigner-friendly.

Lastly, after my time here in South Korea, I truly believe that it is the perfect location for a traveling student. It is very foreigner-friendly friendly and most Koreans I met spoke enough English to be able to help me if I needed it and they were always kind. There is English on all of the signs in the subway, buses, and menus in restaurants. Seoul alone has endless things to do but South Korea is also so much more than just Seoul. Most people like to also travel to Busan or Jeju Island which are great beach spots. Also, since South Korea is in a great location, I was able to travel to Tokyo for five days and I have friends who also went to China, Bali, Thailand, and more.

Overall, I have so much to say about my trip that I could write forever but the best advice that I can give is to just make a bucket list of all the things you want to do, visit, and eat before coming. Once you get to South Korea, you will immediately have so much more to add to the list but it was very helpful to have some outlined ideas. Also, friends here come easily since you all chose to come to the same country because the odds you have something in common are very high, so do not worry about that! I hope you choose to come to South Korea with CIEE and have the best experience like I did and I wish you the best!

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is a wonderful way to learn more, not only about this world and another culture but about yourself! It's also a chance to learn another language which is a huge skill. In my time here I've learned to see myself and the world more clearly. Definitely a great opportunity and experience!

You'll never know what you don't know unless you venture out into the unknown. Getting out of your comfort zone can be scary, but what's scarier is staying in it your whole life. Try new things, be kind, and become a better version of you!

There is so much to do while living in Prague. It is extremely easy to travel to any place you would like to see in Europe and it is one of the most fun cities in the world. There is always something to do and the housing truly makes it feel like a home versus other countries I visited. It is also one of the safest cities I visited. There are also a variety of courses that are interesting that also cross over with requirements from my home college. There are also a variety of attractions to visit in Prague as it contains some of the oldest architecture in Europe that is well preserved.

CIEE was an incredibly well-run program. They care about their students and provide much support. There are weekly guest lectures, activities, and thrilling field trips. It's a great time in the most beautiful city in Europe. The school itself is located within a breathtaking fort on one of the highest hills of the city. There's a great going out/night scene, and being in central Europe makes travel easy. Everything within Prague is incredibly cheap, especially compared to the other Western European cities that are most common for students studying abroad. Best beer in Europe!

CIEE’s Prague program exceeded my expectations for my semester abroad in every way. Not only were classes interesting and relevant to the local area, but CIEE also planned activities and trips to help us immerse ourselves more in the culture. Some of my favorites were cooking classes or the trip to Pilsen. I think everyone would benefit from studying abroad and the broadened global perspective they will leave with, and I think the Prague program is especially wonderful for people looking to have a unique study abroad experience.

This will be my most memorable semester by far. I was surrounded by people I loved while doing and learning about things I loved — I also got to know the city I lived in pretty well through lots of daytime excursions and exploration. Although it was difficult to find time to travel during the first couple of months, I got a lot out of being situated in Europe's center later in the semester. It was also a great opportunity to hone adulting skills (cooking, commuting, etc.) that will be helpful for the rest of my time in college. If I could go back, I would tell myself to document things more (keeping a daily journal, even if I write just a sentence)!

I had such an amazing time studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain! It completely exceeded my expectations and I would absolutely recommend choosing this program to see how you might experience this beautiful, lively city. I chose to live with a host family - which I highly recommend if you actually want to gain a slightly more authentic expereince of how people live in Barcelona - and while it pushed me out of my comfort zone, my spanish greatly improved, I now have un "abuela de espana" to come visit, and it's probably the experience I will miss the most when leaving. Location-wise, Barcelona caters to such a wide variety of people, transportation is amazing, climate is pretty close to perfect, and there is something for everyone to entertain themselves at any given moment. I could write so much more, but prefer to keep my review short and sweet. Whether you like art, music, volleyball, climbing, the list goes on, Barcelona will teach you so much about yourself and the thing you might have chosen to learn here as well one-hundred times fold.

Best place to study abroad: super safe, lots of history, and great energy! CIEE makes sure that your acclimatization is seamless. They host weekly events (some with Spanish locals), organize trips to local cities, and have a large support staff. All the professors are super knowledgable and understanding. I also had the opportunity to stay with a host family, which I was really nervous about before, but it became one of my favorite parts of the program. They give me three meals a day, do my laundry, but most importantly I feel super dafe with them. My Spanish improved tremendously through this experience.

I had a great experience with meeting new people and building connections/relationships with people who are residents of Ireland. At the start of my experience, I felt alone in spirituality in terms of being a Christian since no other Americans that were also studying abroad shared beliefs similar to me. However, my first weekend abroad I searched for a church and community and instantly fell in love with the first one I found. Dublin City Church who are located right next accommodation were extremely welcoming and friendly, and made me feel more connected back to home.