Program Reviews

This experience was unique because of the location. Sorrento is a small town unlike any other with the breathtaking views, and the community is supportive. I could walk to the beach every day before or after class and easily walk to the grocery store. It was my best pick to have the easiest transition from home to abroad. I felt safe as a woman even walking alone at night. The professors loved the classes they taught, and I got to take an Elementary Italian course which really helped me learn more of the language. One of the best moments of the semester was finally learning enough Italian to be able to order at a restaurant. I could tell the locals were happy that I was trying to fit into their culture. It was AWESOME! This program is great because it checked off all of my boxes. It is very easy to get around and had all the benefits of a big school with a small town authentic Italian feel.

A semester in Thailand was an incredible experience. From the cultural immersion to the nearly-every-weekend travels, I learned so much and worked past challenges that led me to grow as an individual tremendously. If I had never studied abroad in Asia with a program then I am not sure if I ever would have discovered all of the countries and activities that I have after college. CIS Abroad was visibly the best program to be a part of during the semester with the planned trips and amazing staff. I would do another semester abroad if I could!

CIS Abroad made my experience incredible. From a few days after we arrived abroad, we had an orientation before classes started where the taught us some of the local culture and language, brought us to the mall to explore and purchase cell phone plans, as well as assisting us with any questions we had right off the bat. Throughout the program as well, staff were always willing to answer questions and were available to help most of the time. They helped organize various tours and programs during our time abroad which was a great way for us to enjoy the experience even more without being burdened by the pressure of planning all o f our own trips. I would highly recommend CIS abroad to anyone looking to study abroad especially in Thailand. They really made our experience great.

Sorrento was one of the most beautiful and amazing places I have ever been. I am so happy that I decided to go there because it was a small, immersive town, where we knew all the locals, could practice Italian comfortably and got treated like family there. Sorrento was unique because a lot of people don't know it exist! A lot of my friends who studied abroad picked big cities like Rome or Florence but I think Sorrento was perfect for me because it made me feel safe and comfortable. The view outside your window is a million dollar view and makes you never want to leave. CISabroad was a very good partner program that provided me with a lot of support, especially being someone who has never left the country before and who has a lot of traveling anxiety. They were a great support system and guided me through my journey in Sorrento without being overbearing.

Not only do the program coordinators make you feel comfortable, the people that assisted me from day one to even today, several months after leaving Ireland, make it their priority to help each and every student so they have the best time abroad. The academics at UL were top notch and it felt like there were hundreds of clubs and organizations on campus to join! I ended up playing rugby for UL and my previous experience playing didn't matter, they want everyone to play, no matter their skill set! Regardless of the anxiety I felt before leaving for Ireland and coming home, I knew I was in good hands. The onsite coordinator, John, is the BEST person for the job. He is absolutely delightful and has so much knowledge about traveling to other countries in Europe and throughout Ireland. I honestly was worried about studying abroad because of my financial situation, however, the staff at CIS Abroad assisted me in figuring out how to fund my study abroad experience. AND!!! I was able to receive scholarships from them!

If you are considering studying abroad through CISabroad, do it! I went to Edinburgh from early January to late May of 2019 and it was the best decision I have ever made. CISabroad is an amazing program and we had all the support we needed throughout the entire process, and even now as CIS alumni. Edinburgh has SO much to offer and it is a great location nearby the airport, main train stations, and has a really amazing bus transportation system to help you get around. If we needed anything, CISabroad staff were more than willing to help in any way possible! This program really makes you feel comfortable wherever you go. With a director on-site, we had easy access to assistance and we always knew we had someone to go to when our families were often across the ocean.

This summer I spent eight weeks participating in a Public Health Internship. I was able to get hands-on experience in my career field. In addition to shadowing and observing, I was taught how to give physical exams and was even able to assist! This hands-on experience in the medical field is unparalleled to my participation in the US! I was able to do things I didn't think possible.

I was also able to travel on the weekends and experience things I have never done before! I went scuba diving, visited temples and tried new food all while challenging myself and learning so much about not only my host country, but myself as well! My host family allowed me to have the ultimate cultural immersion. At the end of the summer, I wasn't homesick! I got everything and more out of my abroad experience.

I cannot say enough good things about this experience and this program! CIS Abroad was the perfect fit for me and what I wanted out of my study abroad experience. I made the decision to study abroad on a bit of a whim, and CIS Abroad was there every step of the way to help me along. First, the staff at CIS Abroad's home office in Northampton, MA is absolutely amazing. The people there who helped me were there for me for the entire thing - beginning the process of applying, getting accepted, and all the steps of preparation up until going to the airport and arriving in London! The on-site CIS Abroad staff were amazing, as well. Everyone at CIS Abroad was there to support me, and they all were so genuinely excited to help me on my journey! They even reached out to me multiple times during my program, and even after my program ended, just to chat and hear all about my experiences and see if I needed anything. The University of Westminster was also amazing. The opportunities I had in my classes there were unlike anything I have at my home university. I actually still keep in contact with some of the professors I had abroad (one is even writing a recommendation letter for me!). I stayed at the Marylebone residence hall, and it was amazing! It couldn't have been more perfect for what I wanted. It was right in the heart of London, within walking distance to all of my classes, and the nearest tube station was right across the street! Not only did I have a great experience due to the CIS Abroad staff and the University of Westminster, I also made amazing life-long friends and made irreplaceable memories - and you will too! I cannot express enough how thankful I am to this study abroad program for shaping me into the person I am today. I always thought I knew who I was as a person pretty well, but studying and living abroad taught me things about myself that I never would have discovered had I not gone abroad! So, get excited!!!! By picking this specific program, or another CIS Abroad program, I can guarantee you will have one of the best experiences of your life. :)

I recently went to the Czech Republic this summer with CISabroad and I had an amazing trip! The team of staff members in the United States were incredibly helpful with making sure I had all the paperwork in on time. While I was abroad, my onsite director was very knowledgeable about the area and the lifestyle that people live in the Czech Republic. I also went on a few excursions with CISabroad that were really fun and I don't think I would have been able to go on otherwise! The Czech Republic is a very beautiful country with an incredibly rich and fascinating history. I would recommend this study abroad company to any college student considering an abroad experience, not only because they are really nice people, but also because their programs are super affordable!!

Honestly, every day in Peru there was a reason to smile and be ready for the day. I woke up at 8 AM every morning (very early for me) and never once had a complaint. Each morning I looked forward to my walk, grabbing fruit from a local market, or grabbing a drink with friends while watching the soccer games. CIS allowed me to make my study abroad my own, but made sure I was safe throughout. I never once was afraid for my safety while abroad, admittedly I had a small panic attack when arriving to Lima, Peru after not sleeping for 20 hours and arriving in a different country by myself for the first time ever, but after getting some food and water, I calmed down and realized that I could do it. That moment was when I started my own personal change, I hit the reset button on everything I knew in the United States and embraced everything that was coming my way, and that was the greatest decision I could have made. Study in Peru, end of story. It turned into the best time of my life.