Program Reviews

Going to Italy was an amazing experience not only for the food and scenery but for the adventures and friends that were made along the way. When I first found out I would get the opportunity to go to Italy it was a surreal moment, and my experience abroad was one filled with many memories. While abroad I experienced culture shock because I had never been out of my home state, let alone the US. However, I learned to take it one day at a time and live in the present moment than trying to process everything all at once.

I spent the fall semester of my senior year with CIS Abroad in Florence, Italy. I had a fantastic time and would go back again in a heartbeat. I only took gen-eds, so my coursework was pretty light but I really enjoyed the "walking" classes that focused on seeing different parts of the city through an academic lens. The city is incredibly walkable, and you can find just about anything you need on the same block as you live. I stayed in the Social Hub, a hotel that hosts long-term students. I liked it because of security, utilities, and kitchenware was all provided. There is a restaurant in the hotel that you can get a prepaid meal plan for, but there is also kitchen space if you are more of a cook. Groceries were very inexpensive, so it was easy to get by without being an extraordinary cook. The hotel was also only a 10/15 minute walk from the train station, which made it super easy to travel on the weekends. The on-site staff were super responsive to outreach and had all of the resources you could possibly need.

I recently returned from a semester abroad in Barcelona through CIS Abroad. This experience was truly one of a kind and I would highly suggest going through CIS Abroad if you are considering doing a semester overseas. From group dinners to cooking classes to excursions, there are so many memorable experiences that you will not only enjoy but that will also bond you with your fellow peers. Nicole, the site director for Barcelona, ensured that everyone had all of the tools needed to succeed and was always available to help beyond what was expected of her.

I spent the January Term in Sorrento, Italy in 2023. This by far was my best experience in college! I was able to explore so many different parts of Italy, such as Rome or Positano. I also was able to attend beer tastings, cooking classes, & more. I met a couple friends on my trip that I still keep in touch with as well. There was no problems with transportations, safety, etc. I even had a counselor on site in Sorrento, Italy who I could get in touch with easily to ask questions or voice concerns. I truly loved my experience with CIS, & even decided to pick up an "International Business" minor at my college once I returned. If you're thinking about studying abroad, GO!

My time spent in London was and definitely will always be one of the most special periods of my life. As I attend a commuter university in the States, this program was my first real taste of independence as an adult. London is such an incredible city. I can compare to New York City (which is the closest major city to where I live), and confidently say that I would choose London over New York in a heartbeat. The city is walkable with access to public transportation. It is so culturally diverse and provides countless opportunities to try new things. I learned a lot about myself during my time here, and was also able to enjoy a plethora of free museums in the process.

I came into this semester in Sogang knowing very little about the Korean language and culture and, in general, life outside the US because this was the first time I had traveled abroad. Understandably, I was nervous but also excited, as I had no idea what to expect. However, Seoul, Sogang, and CIS welcomed me with open arms and truly made my experience in Seoul life-changing! I had the opportunity to make so many friends from different places worldwide, exposing me to many new perspectives. I learned so much about a completely different culture and way of living. The people of Seoul were incredibly kind, welcoming, and always helpful if I needed help or clarification. The city is also very safe, almost so safe it's hard to adjust to at first. As a girl, I could walk back to my dorm from a restaurant in Sinchon late at night without fear of anything happening. The buses stop at midnight, so sometimes, if I studied later than that at a cafe, I could safely walk back to my dorm. It's also quite normal to see people leaving their phones on their tables while they go up to order or go to the restroom without any fear they will be stolen.

For students worried about loneliness during the program, which could quickly arise, especially when you aren't familiar with anyone in your schedule, Sogang University has a wonderful program called HUG (hands up for gathering) that works to help exchange students get to know more people on campus. They pair you up with a local student who will be your buddy throughout the semester, and they hold events where you can learn more about Korean culture and meet fellow study-abroad students. This program helped me settle within the college and form friendships with others! Not to mention, CIS provides a coordinator who lives in Seoul and arranges events for students in the program to participate in. So, students also get the opportunity to get to know people in your program as well!

CIS was also such a fantastic help during my time abroad. My coordinator, Tatum, was so kind and was always there to offer advice on the best cafes or restaurants. It was also very helpful that she was familiar with Seoul and fluent in Korean. Many of my friends in Sogang who had different study abroad programs didn't have this kind of help available. They struggled a lot when problems arose, such as needing to buy specific medicine or visit the doctors.

Overall, I highly recommend this program! It offers scheduled events to attend, but there's so much to do outside of that as a solo traveler or with a group of friends. Plus, the food is amazing and much cheaper than the US! Sogang University is also in such a great location. You have Sinchon, the university neighborhood with so much to do, within walking distance, and Hongdae, the area known for its nightlife, only a few bus stops away. This program is a fantastic opportunity to get to know Seoul and have support along the way!

Florence Italy is a beautiful city full of life and wonderful people. It is a melting pot of other cultures and is the perfect place to meet people from all over the world. Not only did I spend four months diving into the rich art and life-changing food, but I also had the chance to experience life in a walkable city full of history. Florence is also the perfect location to be able to travel to other cities in Italy such as Pisa, Bologna, Roma, Milano, etc. Living so close to the Santa Maria Novella made it so you could hop on the train and make your way over to another beautiful city and their own unique culture. And being a tram ride away from the Peretola Aeroporto made it so we could fly to the other surrounding countries, for example, a trip to Germany!
I stayed in the Social Hub Firenze, where although we had a few struggles with laundry and hotel staff, we had some pretty amazing opportunities. We had access to a rooftop pool and bar with a beautiful view of the Duomo, our kitchen manager Valentina was there to teach us authentic recipes, and access to a dining plan where we could have lunch or dinner and an amazing spread for breakfast, and some amazing events such as Vintage Pop-Up markets and art installations.
I would choose CIS Abroad over and over again if I had to redo my study abroad experience. Our program staff that were in Florence with us, Martina and Romina, were amazing. Not only did they create amazing and unique trips for us to go on as a program, but they also were there to listen to us and consider our ideas. They went above and beyond to make sure that we were comfortable in our living situations at The Social Hub Firenze, and when we were struggling they were right there with us trying to find a solution.
They also made sure we were equipped with a full guide to the city with food, shopping, and museum recommendations, making sure we stayed away from the blue and yellow ATMs! It meant a lot to me and the friends that I made in my program that we had people who were in our corner and wanted to make sure that we could make the most of our trip.
I can't think of any way that my trip abroad could have been more life-changing or life-fulfilling, and I recommend CIS Abroad to anyone interested in studying abroad.

The town of Sorrento was a beautiful place to spend 4 months abroad. Classes at Sant'Anna Institute were relatively easy with little homework, but all had strict attendance policies. I loved waking up every morning to the view of the ocean and fishing boats in Marina Grande. However, the dorms were messy aside from the weekly cleaning and linen change from the staff. Nonetheless, I made lifelong friends with students and locals, especially at Orbit where I got my daily boba tea just to chat with the owners. The CIS director hosted many delicious meals at local restaurants and took us on several excursions both in and out of Sorrento to show us even more Italian culture. The support from CIS Abroad made my first time outside of the United States comfortable and enjoyable.

This was such an amazing and transformative experience. I really enjoyed meeting so many new people from all over the country. It can be taunting going into a new culture but CIS made the adjustment so easy. They were always available to help us with any of our needs and it made everything so much smoother to have such a great support staff. The program includes amazing excursions that really helps you get closer to your peers, and makes you feel more comfortable. I would 100% recommend this program to other students.

My brief summer abroad provided me with the opportunity for personal challenge and growth. This experience encouraged independence and sparked a curiosity to explore beyond the classroom. My favorite part was being able to immerse myself in the culture and connect with students from different backgrounds. This program made me realize that I am more capable than I had initially believed. A special thanks goes to the dedicated staff at CIS Abroad, who supported me throughout the entire process from applying to my arrival in Japan.