CIS Abroad

Studying abroad in Costa Rica changed my life and it will change you yours as well! I went to Costa Rica with the goal of learning Spanish and it got so much better. I took all advanced Spanish classes due to my minor and because I tested into the advanced classes. They were hard, not going to lie, but it I learned so much. Also there are no tests so that is obviously a perk! The first month maybe a little frustrating adjusting to the language barrier but embrace it because it is a great challenge to learn! Practice your Spanish with other natives because they love when foreigners try to learn their language and culture. If you are not trying to learn Spanish, that is okay to because there will be other international students that speak English and some people in Costa Rica speak English as well so you can still get around. San Jose is also a great city to study abroad in.The area which I stayed in had 24hr security and I felt safe. I will say, downtown during the nighttime can be a little sketchy because there is a huge homeless population there but if you stay with a group of people during the nighttime you should be there. However, there was so much to do in the city and at the school whether that be from events downtowns, sporting events, or parades. I would say get involved in any event you see online or around the city. That is the best way to be immersed in the cultural and also meet new friends. If you just stay in the school and only talk to American people you will not get the full experience of being an abroad student in my opinion.

While in Thailand, I completed my Political Science minor, taking courses such as Thai Foreign Policy and Fake News, Censorship, and the Politics of Truth. Studying politics, media, and governance while living under a constitutional monarchy offered a depth of understanding that no classroom at home could replicate. Community is central to who I am, and I often associate belonging with a shared language. While I was nervous about navigating a language barrier in Thailand, I was drawn to a culture rooted in collectivism, respect, and care for others. Through CIS Abroad, I found community across cultures and backgrounds. I am endlessly grateful to David, Ann, and Jenny, who made us feel at home, answered our questions, and reminded us that belonging can exist far from familiarity. Choosing to study abroad was not easy as a first-generation college student. That is why I am especially grateful to those who believed in me and encouraged me along the way. Traveling and studying in Southeast Asia deepened my understanding of the region’s history, economics, and political climate in ways I will carry with me for the rest of my life. This experience challenged preconceived notions and reaffirmed my belief that studying abroad is not just an escape from reality, but a meaningful rite of passage.

My chapter in Florence has become a highlight in throughout my college years. This time kept me grounded yet challenged me which reshaped how I take on the world. Florence holds so much beauty and history to see everyday giving me chance to slow down and take in the moments. These moments also required me to adapt to a whole new speed of life. This city wasn't just a place I came to for an education, but a place that built my independence and confidence in handling a new culture. Right at the start, my daily life required problem-solving. I had to adapt to the new responsibilities at hand, navigating public transportation, and mainly the cultural differences. Some tasks I would've thought were easy sometimes came with unexpected challenges, teaching me how to stay calm under pressure. Being away from my family which is my support system, forced me to depend more on my own judgment, becoming one of my stronger skills that I will continue to use after this experience. Never being so far from my support system, Florence created a deep sense of independence. I had to make big decisions on my own, academics to traveling. I built trust in myself to move forward and getting comfortable with uncertainty. Gaining this new feeling, I felt empowered and building confidence through my daily actions. Every moment navigating this foreign city reinforced my trust in my own capabilities. Outside of every day life, being in Italy gave me a chance to explore Europe. From Florence, I was able to go to places such as Paris, London, Morocco, Barcelona, and many other cities across Italy. Traveling to these places grew my view of the world and exposed me to different ways of living. Each location offered new moments, lessons, and memories. Returning to Florence was a great place to come "home" too. It was such a grounding place, where I could reflect and process what I've taken in from the countries right next door. The biggest lesson Florence taught me was resilience. Of course it was experience of a lifetime, but there were moments of discomfort and uncertainty. I dealt with those moment by turning them into a chance to grow. I looked back at the challenges I faced as an essential part of my personal development. Rather being scared of discomfort, I recognize is as progress. At the end of my time, this experience was transformative. It gave me room to grow while gaining lifelong skills. Florence was not just a place to study abroad, it became my second home. The lessons I learned, the challenges I had to over come built my mentality today. Reminding me that if I want to grow, I have to step beyond comfortability and allow myself to evolve.

My study abroad experiences in Stirling, Scotland through CIS Abroad was one of the most transformative and unforgettable experience of my life! I truly loved every single second of my time abroad, from the incredible people I met along the way, the memories I made, the places I traveled, the things I got to try, and the tremendous growth I experienced. Stirling is a smaller town situated between the bigger cities and the Scottish Highlands, which made it an incredible place to travel from to see other places in Scotland. During my time, I grew to love Scottish traditions, culture, values, and ways of life— I really enjoyed how they viewed work-life balance. I also thoroughly enjoyed how easy it was to use public transportation to get around to other places in Scotland and travel to other countries, it truly enriched my experience and has made me yearn for when my next trip will be already!! CIS played an immense part in making this experience one I will never forget. The amount of support and friendliness from the staff, the lifelong friendships I gained, and the cultural immersions put on through the program were absolutely amazing and made me feel like I was getting the most I could out of this experience.

Overall, I would highly recommend Limerick, even though it is a place in Ireland that not many people have heard of. It is a huge site for Erasmus (European Study Abroad) students, so you will get to meet a lot of people from places you may have never even been to and get to share cultural experiences. My roommates were from all over, and it was so nice getting to know so many people during my time there. On the academic side, my experience was overall pretty good: my professors were nice, and their classes were engaging; however, the grading system at UL is different from what I'm used to in the States. At UL, specifically in the English and History departments, there were not many assignments that made up your grade; there were only 2-3. This wasn't too much of a problem for me since I just needed credits to take what I wanted, but if you have major-specific classes you need to take, this is something to keep in mind. The professors are happy to help, though, if you need extra assistance, but just keep in mind you will need to make sure you're keeping up with the assignments, as there are so few per class, the major ones can creep up on you if you are not careful. Other than that, though, I do not have any other complaints, and I honestly wish I were back there now with all of my new friends.

My study abroad experience at the American University of Rome through CIS Abroad was one of the best experiences of my entire life! The school, program, and all the people I met were incredible. I met some of the best people I have ever known, thanks to studying abroad, and got to experience a life that I would have otherwise never known. Rome is such a beautiful city, and I am so glad I was able to explore it every day. From the food to the art to the architecture to the culture, my slice of life was heaven for the four months I lived there. There was never a dull moment in the city, whether I was going to Vatican City for their first-ever concert or just running around and learning about the hidden historical sites all around the city. I truly felt like a local and was so sad that I had to head home after a semester, but I cannot wait for the day that I can return to this wonderful city again! When applying to the program, I was super nervous and hesitant to go through with my plans. Now, I cannot imagine my life without it! I would rather be sad missing it than be sad and dreaming about the "what-if" possibilities. I highly recommend and encourage the same to anyone considering the possibility, and pick Rome! It truly is the best city!

My fall 2025 semester abroad was wonderful. I was based in the wonderfully beautiful and lively city of Florence and I got to travel all around Europe, to places that I have always dreamt to visiting. CIS Abroad is a great program to go through. The team here in the states and the on-site directors were so helpful. They always answered the questions I had and walked me through the process of applying to the program, applying for my visa, and so on. As on on-site, the directors did a nice job at making us feel welcome and helping us settle into our new home for the next four months. Going abroad gifted me a new perspective on life that I will forever hold in my heart, and in my everyday life.

Studying veterinary science in Thailand was an unforgettable and eye-opening experience. I gained hands-on skills working with elephants, livestock, and small animals while learning from incredibly dedicated veterinarians and caretakers. Every day brought new challenges, field clinics, lab work, and real-world problem-solving that pushed me to grow both academically and personally. Outside of class, I explored temples, tried amazing food, and connected with locals and fellow students. This experience expanded my perspective, boosted my confidence, and strengthened my passion for global animal health. I highly recommend it to anyone pursuing veterinary medicine!

My experience going abroad for a semester was better than I could have ever imagined. From the day I set foot in Barcelona until the night before my plane to go home, there was always something to do. I can't say that there was ever a moment I was bored or felt like there wasn't a new activity to do or a place I wanted to go back to. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona was in such a beautiful part of the city, located near many shops, cafes, and essential sight sees, such as The Sagrada Família. The professors at the university were extremely engaging, very outgoing, and extremely supportive. I always found myself feeling challenged and learned so much from my courses. No Friday classes was also a huge plus because it gave me more time to travel to new cities or explore Barcelona more. The transportation system in Barcelona was also extremely reliable and accessible, making it super easy and affordable to get around the city to all of my favorite spots. I felt as though there was always something to do in Barcelona when I wasn't in classes, and CIS was amazing with setting up all of the students with plenty of activities to do, whether that be weekend trips to Madrid, day trips to wineries, tours of must see spots in the city, and so much more. I had things planned every weekend, whether that be from my own travel plans, CIS Abroad's weekend activities, or exploring more of the city. The program itself was extremely supportive. With their onsite staff, I felt extremely supported and secure through all of my questions, worries, and emergencies. They were always there to help and helped me make Barcelona feel like home. They truly are your biggest support system out there and I couldn't have asked for a better on-site staff team. CIS Abroad also made the application process so easy. It can seem super overwhelming at first, but they truly were able to answer every question or doubt I had, and were extremely quick to respond to me. I felt as though they actually cared about me as a student, and not just a name on an application. The housing that I had was also amazing. I lived in Aparto, which was very close to the metro, buses, and the tram. The rooms were also great sizes with ample storage. I went with a random roommate, and CIS Abroad paired me up with a great roommate. If there was ever a housing issue, the CIS onsite staff were quick to resolve it and communicated throughout the entire process. Although I did go with two friends from my home university, I ended up meeting some of my best friends while I was abroad, and still keep in touch with today. There were endless things to do during the day and at night. Barcelona is truly for everyone. And the food there was some of the best I have ever had. It was also super easy to travel from Barcelona to other countries for weekend or week long trips. My and my friends were able to visit Austria, Germany, and Italy.

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

Korea quite literally had to be the best experience of my life, not only was it so thrilling and exciting to become immersed in a new country. Even with all the challenges, I had a lot of time to self-reflect, and I grew a lot. I've become more confident, more independent, more reliable, and I truly value what I have. Being in Korea helped me better myself hoenstly, and i also made so many wonderful friendships out of it that i will forever cherish for the rest of my life, weather it was us going out ot eat or going to to enjoy the nightlife or a movie night or maybe even just debunking the night being able to form a bond with some absoulte amazing epople was absouletely my favorite part of being in Korea.

Studying abroad in Sorrento with CIS Abroad completely changed the way I see the world. The program gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone and experience life in a whole new way. From classes overlooking the coast to sharing meals with new friends, every day was unforgettable. Living in Italy taught me to slow down, appreciate the little things, and embrace new cultures. It wasn’t just a summer abroad—it gave me memories and lessons that shaped my outlook on life.

When I decided to study abroad in Rome with CIS Abroad, I had no idea just how much it would change me. I signed up on my own, far from family, but from the moment I arrived, I knew I was stepping into something extraordinary. What I found was not just a semester abroad, but the most amazing experience ever. I attended The American University of Rome, where I took courses for my film degree. The school that CIS provided for us was very high quality, but a lot of the learning during study abroad also came from being in the city of Rome. Every cobblestone street carried history, every piazza became a stage of daily life, and every plate of pasta was a lesson in Italian culture. CIS Abroad made this journey feel both adventurous and safe. Their staff was encouraging, supportive, and always there when we needed guidance. The group trips, cultural activities, and check-ins reminded me that even though I signed up for this study abroad alone, I was never truly on my own. The most educational and important lessons in my life have come from moving abroad, and having done so several times in the past, my theory has proven to be true time and time again. Moving to Rome taught me Italian cultural norms, Italian political standpoints, religion, history, and I learned so much from the people there. I made friends in unexpected places, and my friends at CIS Abroad have become family. What I carry most from this experience is growth. I discovered courage I didn’t know I had, independence I never thought I could embrace, and a confidence that will follow me everywhere. Rome taught me not to be afraid of new beginnings, but to celebrate them. To anyone considering studying abroad: do it. Say yes, even if you’re nervous. The world has so much to teach you, and you’ll come back with stories, friendships, and memories that will stay with you forever.

Semester in Seoul - Sogang University I studied at Sogang University with CIS Abroad in the spring semester of 2025 as part of a requirement for graduation in my degree plan. I was extremely hesitant about the trip at first, especially since it was my first time traveling abroad alone, and I would be living and studying in a completely new culture in a country where I didn’t know the language. But CIS Abroad made it so simple, easy, and fun. Before I even applied for the trip, CIS Abroad’s advisors and coordinators were there to answer any of my questions in a detailed and timely manner. Once I arrived in Seoul, my on-site program coordinator was there to help me every step of the way, arranging airport pickup and even a hotel to stay at with others on the CIS Abroad trip the first night, after such a long flight and jet lag, so that we could be fully rested before checking into our dorms the next day. Our on-site coordinator also helped us exchange currency, get an e-sim card, and provided dinner and breakfast while we were settling in. We all had a barrage of questions, but she was very informative and friendly. The next day, when we arrived and checked into our dorm, our program coordinator stayed nearby in case we needed anything. We had several welcome events and orientations, both by CIS Abroad and Sogang University, in the next few days to help us adjust to life in Seoul. Everyone was extremely helpful and friendly, while letting us maintain our independence and explore the city on our own. One of my favorite parts of my study abroad was how quickly I made friends with other exchange students and other CIS Abroad members. It’s tough making friends in college, but our cohort was small enough and we had enough events together that we all got to know each other really well. I always had someone to explore a new restaurant with or walk through the streets of Hongdae. Although we may live on separate sides of the U.S., we still text and call every day. Because I was studying abroad in Seoul, I expected to meet lots of Korean students, but I was surprised at how many friends I made with exchange students from across the world. Some of my favorite cross-cultural exchanges were learning Swedish drinking games from two students from Stockholm, working on a group project with a student from Kazakhstan, and learning the colloquial differences between Spanish in Mexico (being from Texas, that’s most of the Spanish I hear) versus the Spanish in Spain from a classmate from Valencia. CIS Abroad arranged several excursions and trips specifically for CIS Abroad students. These excursions never felt rushed or done on a budget; they were the perfect mix of cultural education and fun. Some of my favorite excursions were the Seoul scavenger hunt, hanbok rental experience and visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace (a classic Seoul must-do), an overnight trip to Yangyang Beach where we got to surf and visit several incredible Korean Buddhist temples, and the farewell dinner in Namsan Tower overlooking Seoul at a fancy restaurant with a four-course meal. Often after class or on the weekends, I would explore Seoul on my own. I loved eating at a solo BBQ restaurant and then going window shopping in Hongdae. One of my favorite activities was hiking famous trails like Inwangsan and Bukhansan. Hiking is a popular pastime for many Korean retirees, so I got to practice my basic Korean skills and share some snacks with locals, while also visiting temples and learning about Seoul’s history while traversing the mountains. One of the things I miss most about Korea are the traditional bathhouses, or Jjimjilbangs, with saunas, cheap massages and body scrubs, and various cold and hot baths. Korea is also known for its drinking culture and nightlife. Although we always made sure to practice basic safety tips like watching our drinks, avoiding clubs with bad reputations, and staying together in groups, we never felt unsafe or harassed while walking the streets, even at 2 or 3 a.m. Because I was there for a semester, I was able to take it easy. If I felt like laying in bed all day (I rarely did), I could, and then hit the ground running the next day exploring. I got to see a lot of things that on a one- or two-week vacation I would never do, like visiting the Seoul Botanical Gardens, taking a trip to Jeju with friends, or exploring the underground shopping malls in Gangnam. I loved my study abroad, and Seoul will always be in my heart. I am forever grateful to CIS Abroad for making it possible.

I studied abroad in Stirling, Scotland, and it was an incredible experience. The town is beautiful, with Stirling Castle at its center and quick access to both Edinburgh and Glasgow. The University of Stirling campus is just as stunning, with Loch Airthrey, walking paths, and even a castle on the grounds. Hiking Dumyat Peak at sunset with friends was one of my favorite memories. What stood out most was the people, everyone I met was welcoming and kind, from strangers on trains to my flatmates who made my 21st birthday unforgettable. Joining the archery club also helped me make local friends and feel part of the community. Stirling is the perfect balance of a close-knit, residential town with easy connections to larger cities. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone considering studying abroad in Scotland!

I had a great time in Rome this summer. I spent time from May to June taking archaeology and art, both on-site classes. The professors were friendly and informative, and classes were enjoyable. After I flew into Rome, the university res life personnel met me at baggage claim. I was taken to my apartment where I stayed with six other girls. My only disappointment with my housing was that it had no AC, so I was always hot as well as the other girls. The neighborhood was Trastevere which was very safe and had grocery stores very close to my apartment. The university was around a 15-20 minute walk but you can take a bus there if you don't like big hills. Public transport is easy to use and Google Maps updates schedules. Overall, the experience was fun and I really am grateful. I recommend CISAbroad as they were easy to ask questions to and were helpful for preparing for Rome.

This was my first experience leaving my home country and I don't think I could have had a better experience. With the help of my program and my group of friends, I was able to have so much fun while still feeling safe and having a stable help network to rely on if I need it. The onsite program staff was very helpful for anything that me or my friends needed, as well as any questions we were concerned about as well. I definitely felt safe travelling in this country and with this program. I also think that this is a great way to start travelling to other surrounding countries in Southeast Asia!

I had the best time ever in Limerick this summer with CIS Abroad. While I was there, I met incredible people, both from America and from Ireland, whom I treasure. The structure of the program with preplanned trips was a great bonus, which allowed us to have fun experiences without having to plan everything ourselves.

I had the most fun during CIS Abroad's Summer in Greece program! It included both excursions from CIS and from the university, the American College of Greece. Greece is beautiful and the area surrounding the college is safe and takes less than one hour to get to downtown Athens by metro or bus. There is so much to do in Greece - outside of the included excursions, I would recommend going to an island or doing a guided tour, and there are so many options for these! The program's staff were always extremely helpful and supportive, as well as my professors. The grading system was different than what I'm used to as someone from the U.S., as your final grade is usually split between two exams or projects, although I didn't find it too bad. Overall, I would recommend this program, especially if you love islands/beaches and history!

Studying abroad at Meiji Gakuin University through CIS Abroad was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. The classes were well-structured, and the intensive language course was especially effective. Having studied Japanese for two years before the program, I noticed a huge improvement in my skills thanks to this course. The International Center on campus was also an invaluable resource—whether I had questions about clubs, classes, or just needed extra support. They regularly hosted cultural experiences on campus, which were fun and a great way to meet Japanese students. Outside the classroom, the program offered countless opportunities to experience everyday life in Japan. Living in Totsuka, Yokohama, was incredible. I stayed in a dorm with both Japanese and international students, which made it easy to build friendships and feel part of a community right away. The friendships I formed there are ones I know will last a lifetime. The dorm’s location—just five minutes from a major station—also made it easy to travel to Yokohama, Tokyo, and even beachside towns, so there was always something new to explore. CIS provided amazing support throughout the entire journey. From the moment I arrived in Japan, they were there to greet me at the airport and guide me through my first days. Their cultural excursions took us to amazing places and gave us the chance to see sides of Japan we might not have discovered on our own. I always felt reassured knowing I had their support when I needed it. Overall, my semester at MGU with CIS was eye-opening, challenging in the best ways, and truly unforgettable. I came into the program hoping to grow as a person, become more confident, and learn to be more independent—and this experience gave me all of that and more.

I'm really glad I got to go abroad with CIS. The program was rather affordable and allowed me to experience going abroad for the first time. I was able to immerse myself in a new culture and language even when I was off campus and spending time on my own. When I was on campus in Japan, the program had plenty of events for us to partake in and learn more about the culture, like yukata wearing and a tea ceremony. My class was fairly challenging with the professor speaking almost all the time in Japanese, as it was a Japanese language course. The program staff were really friendly and provided me with guideance regarding acclimating to the train system, daily life in Japan, and traveling between cities. I felt very safe and not lost during my time on the program.

It was my first time ever traveling outside of the country. I was so nervous and unsure, but my home and host universities were so supportive. They walked me through every step of the way. I met amazing people, tried new food, and experienced culture in a way I never could’ve in the United States. The connections I made while there have changed me as a person. I still talk to my host mom, my Mama Tica, to this day. Even with the language barrier between us, we built such a close connection in such a short time. When it came time for me to leave for the airport, we were both crying. This is an experience I would reccomend to anyone, especially those who are scared to take the leap.

I had the opportunity to study abroad in both Japan and South Korea through CIS Abroad, and the two experiences were very different. 🇯🇵 Japan (J.F. Oberlin University) – ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ The sustainability class at J.F. Oberlin was excellent—engaging, informative, and definitely a highlight of the trip. However, there were several downsides: our housing was an hour from campus, no transportation stipend was provided, and CIS staff on-site were not very helpful, especially when I needed a TB skin test (which was not mentioned before the trip). The hotel conditions were poor, and overall, the experience felt disorganized. 🇰🇷 South Korea (Sogang University) – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (10/10) South Korea was amazing from the moment we arrived. The CIS staff greeted us at the airport, brought us to our dorms (right next to our classrooms!), and gave a proper orientation along with Sogang University. We got welcome kits, participated in fun group activities (including a night at the beach!), and were surrounded by Seoul’s top attractions. Free food from both CIS and Sogang was a huge plus. The entire experience was well-organized, fun, and immersive.

I had such an amazing time in Florence. The food there was better than any other city I visited. I also found that the people in Florence were so helpful when it came to local sports, and also helpful with the language.

On this program made amazing friends and memories that I will hold close to my heart. I loved the school in Japan as well as in Korea. Professors were always very helpful and understanding. The program leaders were not always the most helpful they tried their best but felt they were lost half the time. I would recommend 10/10 just be ready to also be flexaible and be able to embrace change .

Every day since I got back from my semester in Barcelona I am replaying all of my memories from my time there. From the very first day I arrived to my last night before my flight back home. A larger reason why my semester is filled with so many memories is because of CIS. They provided day trips, a weekend trip and fun activities for us to meet new people and immerse ourselves in the culture of Barcelona.

I had the time of my life in Florence with CIS. As soon as I got there, the program staff helped us get to our housing and were incredibly accommodating and kind. In my spare time, I got to travel to multiple different countries around Europe that I had never been to before, which is something I have always wanted to do. I even went bungee jumping in the Swiss Alps, which I was not expecting! While I was in Florence, I was surrounded by breath-taking architecture, incredible food, and beautiful music. I got to take part in multiple activities throughout the course of my time there that not only immersed me in Italian culture, but also helped me make friends early on. I most definitely recommend going to Florence with CIS!

This semester in Sorrento, Italy was truly the best time I have ever had in my entire life. The school and dorms were located right onto the Amalfi Coast, with views of Mt. Vesuvius and the sparkling blue ocean. The classes were super interesting, with options like History of the Italian Mafia, History of Italian Cinema, Food and Culture, and so much more. Every morning I would attend class, then walk the beautiful streets of Sorrento to visit local pizza, sandwich, and coffee shops. Living in Sorrento truly felt like living in a movie with the amazing location and best people all around. Because of the close-knit school environment, I was able to make lifelong friends with other students and locals. It also gave students many opportunities to be involved in student life, like being on the communications team or as a campus ambassador. I truly recommend this school to anyone who is looking to go abroad.

During my 4 months abroad in Greece, I was immersed in the culture, traveled the world, met lifelong friends, tried wonderful food, and gained a good education that will help me later on in my career. I was able to gain a global mindset, which helped me grow so much personally and will follow me throughout my future career. I genuinely had the best time abroad and would do it again in a heartbeat.

My summer abroad in Sorrento was such an amazing experience and I could not recommend it more! From the people I met in my classes to the welcoming locals, Sorrento felt like home as soon as I got there. CIS provided a variety of excursions and immersive opportunities for students to take part in, making me truly embrace the Italian culture and grow not only in my academic life, but also in my personal life. My favorite excursion was the cruise from Sorrento to Amalfi, which is definitely a day that I will never forget. This program has left me with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime, and none of that would have been possible without CIS!

I had an amazing expierence during my time in London! I cannot reccomend this program enough, if you are on the fence about it, JUST DO IT! I was only there for a short period of time but I feel like it was enough time to make frienships and see all the sights I wanted to see. Personally, any longer and i might have gotten homesick. Support staff at the university and through the program are great and will answer any questions you have! I will say the program could do a little better in facilitating communication between international students, so don’t be afraid to start group chats and ask people on your level to meet up. The accomadations were not as described in their initial description, its more like a hotel so better in my opinion. The campus is not in London its more out of the city but it wasn't hard or took a lot of time to get into the heart of London. I took history of London as a course and really enjoyed the expertise of the different tutors and every week we had 2-3 field trips where we would go to different places in London, that I don’t think I would have seen on my own. Overall, it was really great and I still talk to a lot of people that were in my program term. Advice I would give future students is take every medicine you can think of that you might need (tums, advil, tylonel, allieve, etc) because finding medicine was hard. I would also say food is expensive and not very good so do your reserach beforehand to make sure its something actually good (search tiktok best fish and chips or ask a local).

Spending a summer in Sorrento was the experience of a lifetime. From swimming in the clear blue water to wandering the narrow streets filled with lemon trees and shops, every day felt special. The program created the perfect mix of culture, fun, and travel. Weekend trips to places like Capri, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast gave me memories I’ll never forget. I built great friendships, enjoyed amazing food, and felt at home thanks to the staff and housing. It was truly unforgettable.

From the moment I stepped onto Sant'Anna campus, I was greeted with friendly faces immediately welcoming me home for the next 5 weeks. Quickly, I got to meet some of my best friends with whom I spent the rest of my time there. Being a part of the CIS program gave us opportunities to explore the area around us, like going to a mozzarella farm and getting to taste their homemade food. Along with the mozzarella farm, we had the opportunity to kayak to the beautiful Bagni Regina. I can confidently say that my time abroad was truly one of the best experiences of my life, and I truly believe that this is because of CIS Abroad. They ensured that each student was getting the full experience and enjoying every second of it.

While completing the Maymester on the Italian Coast, I was fully immersed in Italian culture while living in an apartment in the heart of Sorrento. I strolled through the city every morning, taking in the breathtaking views on the way to class. I was also able to visit many other parts of Italy via train as well as many parts of Europe. I took a class to learn Italian which was helpful, but almost everybody I met spoke Italian so it was not necessary. Some of the best experiences included visiting big cities like Rome, Venice and Florence, but also getting the chance to explore smaller residential communities and partaking in Italian activities getting to understand their way of life. The food was very diverse everywhere and differed by region but it was very fresh and delicious.

Studying abroad in Barcelona with CIS Abroad was an incredible experience that pushed me to grow personally and culturally. From exploring the city’s beautiful landmarks to participating in immersive cultural activities and traveling to other spots in Spain, every day was an adventure. I gained confidence navigating a new city, tried new foods, met people from all over the world, and fully immersed myself in a vibrant culture. This program challenged me, expanded my perspective, and created memories I’ll never forget!

I spent the best 4 months of my life studying abroad in Rome, Italy. It truly felt like I was living in a fairytale. I met the most incredible people and made the most special memories. It truly is hard to put into words how much the experience has changed my life. That city will always hold a special place in my heart.

From the moment I learned about study abroad, I knew I wanted to participate in a program once I started college. The opportunity to not just travel to another part of the world but learn and earn credits while doing so was incredibly appealing. When I learned about the CIS Abroad Summer in Asia - Japan & South Korea program, I immediately applied, since visiting Japan was on my bucket list. Thankfully, I was accepted into the two-month program, which resulted in one of the best summers of my life. I met so many unique, smart, and kind people - some of whom I still keep in touch with today! | experienced new traditions, activities, music, and fashion; tried new foods and navigated my way around using public transportation. Studying abroad also helped me gain new knowledge, not only at the academic level, but on personal one as well. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and see the world through a different global perspective.

I had a great time in Florence with CIS Abroad! The support staff was awesome, my class (Magazine Editing and Publishing I) really immersed me in local culture, the activities planned for us were so fun, and the food was so delicious. You should definitely study abroad in Florence with CIS!

One of my favorite experiences and most beneficial was living with a host family. It was super helpful not only to be fully engaged and immersed in the culture, but also be able to practice my Spanish (which I was able to greatly improve due to the help of my host mom). Living with a host family is a truly unique experience.

Studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy, changed me more than I expected. I knew I’d see cool places, make friends, learn about history, and eat good food, but I didn’t realize how much it would shift the way I think, live, and handle life in general. The city of Sorrento itself was perfect; it was compact, relaxed, and packed with sights and history. It was easier for me to settle in and feel like I actually lived there because it wasn't as touristy as some of the larger cities. I became familiar with the neighborhood stores and restaurants and saw the same people every day and strolled down the same streets. It was genuine. One of the most important lessons I learned from this experience was how much simpler travel is once you're in Europe. Weekend travel to other countries and cities was made easy by trains, buses, and low-cost airlines. I visited locations I never would have imagined visiting at this stage of my life, like Zakynthos, Greece; Split, Croatia; Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Rome; and the Dolomites, and it made me want to stay longer. In addition to the amazing food and travel, I also went through significant personal transformation. I grew more self-sufficient. I developed my ability to solve problems independently, get around in new situations, and become mature; I have more self-confidence now, grew my global network, and adjusted when plans didn't work out. I grew more comfortable going it alone, whether it was ordering food in broken Italian or touring a new city. Another highlight was getting to know people from around the world.I'll keep my global network of classmates, roommates, and locals with me. After my trip to Sorrento, I felt more capable and excited about the world. If I could, I would return right away. Go ahead and study abroad if you're still unsure. It will test you in unexpected ways and shape you in ways you weren't aware you needed. You'll discover how to solve problems independently, adjust when plans don't work out, and accept discomfort. Somehow, you'll learn something from encountering people with different perspectives, eating foods you can't pronounce, and getting lost in unfamiliar places It goes beyond simply visiting interesting locations. It's about developing the ability to live in the world with greater confidence, independence, and a broader outlook. Studying overseas is a reset, not just a vacation from your daily schedule. When you return, you have a slightly different perspective on everything, including yourself.

I'll just go in order of the 6 categories of academics, living situation, cultural immersion, program administration, healthy and safety, and community. Academics - I found this study abroad because I was interested in the program for health professionals. As it turns out, you can only choose session 1 or session 2 if you do that specific program, but if you want to do both sessions, apply to the double session program and then just choose health-related classes. There were lots of different course offerings, some in English, some in Spanish. I took 4 classes total, 2 in English, 2 in Spanish. I thought the academics were too easy. For some people, that sounds perfect, for some people, that sounds boring. It just depends on what type of person you are. Living Situation - Genuinely the best part of my trip. I love my Tico family so much. I had a wonderful room and support system, and ate some amazing food. I know that other people in the program didn't have as much of a great experience as I did with my family, but you can also always talk with the program staff if you ever have any concerns/needs. Cultural Immersion - The program had some really amazing experiences for us to do together, and if you participate in both sessions, it will be different experiences for you to try in the 2nd round. Probably my favorite was going to La Fortuna to swim around a waterfall, but we also hiked a dead volcano (Irazú), and tried fresh cacao. In terms of really learning the language and culture, explore the city, and really get to know your host family. Program Administration - The program staff were wonderful. All of our questions were answered, they learned everyone's names, and really wanted to provide us with the best experience possible. There are pre-departure sessions for students and for parents, which I think is a great idea and also helped my parents feel more comfortable with me leaving. Health and Safety - If you follow the recommendations of the program staff, you will be safe and comfortable. Avoid walking around at night at all, but if you have to, do it in a group. It's pretty basic things like that to be aware of, and everything will be good. For medical insurance, you pay for it before you leave, and if you get hurt or sick while there, you pay in-person out-of-pocket but then get fully reimbursed afterwards. Community - I'm not a party person, so when I rate the social scene, I'm not including that. (Although I have friends that had lots of fun going to bars and parties while there.) What I am including is the people on the trip, the local places to go, and the offerings on campus. I absolutely loved the weekly dance classes that are offered at no additional price. For fun local places, I explored book stores, weekend markets, and cafes. I definitely recommend Feria Verde that's open every weekend. You can find good food, gifts/souvenirs, and art.

These are three descriptors I would use to summarize my time in Costa Rica. On this trip, it felt like my 3:00pm class was just a fraction of my overall experience. What was truly exceptional was my time spent white water rafting, going to the beach, taking an afternoon to enjoy live music in the heart of the city, and hiking up one of the many mountains that loom over the capital city. Travelling far away from home does not just bring about a change in the way you learn, but also in the way you live. Surely, you learn plenty about history, cultural norms, environmental conservation initiatives, and much more, but the way in which those lessons impact your outlook on the world influences what beliefs you take back home with you. Regardless, travelling to Costa Rica will be a lot of fun, no matter what. There is something for the thrillseekers, the researchers, the athletes, the extroverts, and anyone else you can think of.

My experience in Costa Rica truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There wasn’t a day that didn’t go by where I wasn’t mind blown by the scenery I was surrounded by on my walk to school, the adventures and possibilities to be planned, among so many other things. If there is an opportunity for anyone to branch out, experience something new, and step outside of their comfort zone, I would encourage it.

I spent a semester studying abroad at Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy, through CIS Abroad. I had the chance to truly immerse myself in Italian culture. As a marketing major, one of the most impactful experiences was taking an Italy Tourism class, which gave me a firsthand look at how the country promotes its rich culture and beautiful destinations to the world. From exploring local businesses to learning about regional branding strategies, I gained a whole new perspective on international marketing. Living and learning in a new environment also helped me grow personally becoming more adaptable, curious, and confident in navigating different cultures. Going abroad opened me up to so many new opportunities and new people. I got to visit 9 countries and do things I never would have done like paragliding in Switzerland. Doing this pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me in so many ways. Choosing to go through CIS Abroad was the best choice. They offered me with the best site director who made the transition so seamless and helped with every little question I had. Also having an on the phone doctor really helped, whereas students who didn't use CIS had only an Italian doctor. Studying Abroad was the best decision of my life.

I had the incredible opportunity to spend a month in Tokyo this summer through CIS Abroad, studying at JF Oberlin University. From start to finish, the experience was both rewarding and fun, and I can honestly say it exceeded my expectations. The housing was comfortable, well-located, and made me feel at home during my time in Japan. The excursions were a highlight—each one gave me a chance to experience Japanese culture firsthand and create memories with fellow students. The staff were supportive, friendly, and always available to help, which made the transition to living and studying in another country smooth and enjoyable. JF Oberlin University itself was a fantastic host; the classes were engaging, and the environment fostered both learning and connection with local students. If I had one recommendation, it would be to offer even more excursions, since they added so much value to the program. I found every outing to be enriching, and having more would only make the experience even better. Overall, I would highly recommend CIS Abroad to anyone considering studying overseas. My time in Tokyo gave me not only academic growth but also personal memories that I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.

CIS abroad not only brought me to the exact country where I needed to be, but it also showed me the real Thai way of life. From northern Thailand, inhabited by 80-year-old Elephants, to its southern coastal islands, I saw Thailand in all its glory and beauty. A country that has so much to offer, CIS made sure I maximized my Thai experience in the short amount of months I stayed there.

I got to experience for a short time what it would be like if I lived in Japan myself. It was an experience that allowed me to grow as a person, meet new people, try good food, and see all sorts of different cultural differences.

Limerick was a beautiful, welcoming city where I never felt like I was truly on my own. The University of Limerick was the same way— and full of new experiences, challenges, and people who played a huge part in my study abroad experience. I met amazing friends, found ways to get involved, and had the opportunity to see some amazing sights around Ireland. I quickly found my footing in Ireland and used the experience as an opportunity to greatly increase my independence. I feel as if, thanks to this program, I changed so much for the better in such a short period of time. I would 100% recommend!

Alexis Cohen: Studying abroad with CIS Abroad at Universidad Veritas in San José, Costa Rica was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, if not THE best decision. I knew I’d be immersing myself in a new culture, meeting new people, and navigating a different academic system, but I just had no idea just how much I would grow on a personal level. This experience didn’t just change where I was; it changed who I am as a person. To be honest it was not all easy, the first few days were kind of overwhelming. I was in a brand-new country, surrounded by a language I wasn’t fluent in, trying to figure out everything from how to get to class to what bus to take to get places. But pretty quickly, I started to feel more at home, and it all became worth it. Costa Ricans (aka Ticos) are some of the warmest, most laid-back people I’ve ever met. Everyone was so patient and kind, even when I messed up my Spanish or had no idea what I was doing. That welcoming vibe made it easier to just be myself and not stress so much about standing out or not fitting in perfectly. One of the most important things I’ve taken away from this experience is just how much more confident I’ve become. Before studying abroad, I sometimes second-guessed myself or played it safe, and I was not happy with being myself. But here, I had to figure things out on my own—from navigating public transportation to handling classes in a new system to planning weekend trips with friends. I felt like I could be my fun and comfortable self because of all the things I was achieving, and the supportive friends and staff I was surrounded with along the way. Each time I pushed myself, even in small ways, I could feel myself growing. Whether it was ordering food in Spanish without overthinking it or making new friends from around the area, I started realizing that I can actually do this. And that I really can do anything I put my mind to. And that mindset started to carry over into everything I did. If there’s one phrase you’ll hear all the time in Costa Rica, it’s “pura vida.” It literally means “pure life,” but it’s really more of a lifestyle. People here just get how to live in the moment. They don’t stress over the small stuff. They take their time, enjoy life, and focus on what matters most, which is connection, nature, and peace of mind. Before I came to Costa Rica, I was used to being constantly busy, always chasing the next assignment, work, event, or goal. But in Costa Rica, I learned to slow down. I started to let go of the pressure to be “on” all the time. I learned that it’s okay to relax, take a breath, and just be. Honestly, that’s a lesson I really needed. Looking back, I can see just how much I’ve grown. I’m still me of course,I still love meaningful conversations, trying new foods, and dancing, but I feel more grounded now. I’ve learned how to trust myself more, handle challenges better, and embrace uncertainty instead of running from it. I don’t think I realized how strong I was until I came here and had to rely on myself in ways I never had before. Now, I feel like after leaving Costa Rica I left not just with amazing memories, but with a stronger sense of who I am and what I’m capable of. If you’re even thinking about studying abroad, do it. Seriously. Costa Rica, especially with CIS Abroad and Universidad Veritas, gave me more than just an academic experience. It gave me confidence, clarity, and a fresh outlook on life. You’ll come back with some crazy stories, but more importantly, you’ll come back with a stronger version of yourself. And you might just pick up a little pura vida along the way, actually, you definitely will.

Life during my semester on the Italian coast was truly sweet. The thing I loved most about my experience was the whole town and ambience of Sorrento. Living just 2 minutes away from a beautiful, warm beach and getting to know several Sorrento locals, I fell in love with the town, food, people, and way of life. I loved how friendly everyone was and how much the Italians loved Sant'Anna students, as well as the Sorrento culture of rest and relaxation. I enjoyed morning runs by the beach, post-dinner gelato, and sunset swims with all of my friends. The Sant'Anna staff and the friendliness of the Italian locals created a phenomenal abroad experience that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for this type of experience. The CIS abroad staff were also extremely supportive with both applying and preparing for the program, as well as adjusting and enjoying life in Sorrento. The program included a cooking class, where I made homemade ravioli and tiramisu, as well as a welcome pool party and farewell dinner. CIS also included multiple excursions such as a boat tour of the Amalfi coast, a food tour in Naples, a kayak tour to Bagni Regina Giovana, and trip to the ancient city of Matera, making my experience abroad unforgettable.

Studying abroad in Sorrento Italy is amazing in itself but studying abroad with CIS makes it a completely different experience. I had many friends in the Sant'Anna program but not in CIS and they were all jealous of the amazing things we got to do. From pizza parties to a boat trip along the almalfi coast CIS truly gave us the full experience. Having an amazing contact like Frankie made my parents much more comfortable about me living in a foreign country. We had access to doctors that spoke english as well as home visits which really made the difference.

this semester truly opened my eyes to how much the world has to offer. I had never been to Europe before this but it was something that I knew I always had wanted to do and I cannot express how happy I am that I did! I never thought I would be capable of doing it and it just showed me that I am capable of so much more than I think I am!

I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad with CIS Abroad in Thailand during the fall of 2024, and I can confidently say that it was an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to broaden their horizons. The on-site staff were exceptional, offering unwavering support throughout the entire journey. Their dedication truly made a difference. The cultural richness of Thailand is something I’ll never forget. Thanks to CIS Abroad, I was able to explore countless temples, enjoy local cuisine, and visit beautiful islands and vibrant cities. One of the program’s standout features is its encouragement for students to travel and immerse themselves in new experiences. The staff not only helped prepare us for academics but also ensured we felt confident navigating the country independently. This experience reshaped my perspective on the world. I had the privilege of meeting people from diverse backgrounds, which allowed me to learn and grow in ways I never expected. I also gained a sense of confidence that I didn’t know I needed, thriving in an unfamiliar environment where communication was often challenging due to language barriers. CIS Abroad goes above and beyond to support its students. From teaching about local culture to offering academic assistance (specific to Thailand), they foster an environment of growth and opportunity. Their consistent communication throughout the semester was invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend CIS Abroad. It’s more than just an academic program—it’s a transformative experience that will empower you to truly live your best life while exploring the world.

Mahidol University International College was a challenging experience for me. I major in Business Data Analytics and Managerial Economics. During my semester at MUIC, I took five classes. I took Econometric, Bus. Data Analytics for Business Strategy, Plant Biology, 3D Art, and Introduction to Drawing Analysis. The education system is completely different from the education system in the U.S. Many courses require a lot of self-studying. I was often overwhelmed because the lessons were taught at a fast pace. A lot of information was given weekly. The course was hard but it challenged me. I learned a lot of new information from the professors and my peers. There is no tutoring center or office hours to meet with the professor (apply to U.S. students). At MUIC, it was very easy to socialize and make new friends. Thai students are very shy and reserved so please take the initiative and introduce yourself. My social life at MUIC was great, I made a lot of new friends, tried so many delicious and affordable foods on campus, and visited the weekend market on campus every Friday. As a business major MUIC will challenge you and help you improve.

Studying at Sant’Anna Institute through CIS Abroad was an unforgettable experience. I lived in the school dorms, located on the beautiful seaside of Sorrento, Italy. Sorrento has the charm of the Amalfi Coast, with less crowds and tourism. In my classes I studied archeology, volcanology, marine biology, and human rights. We went on amazing field trips such as snorkeling, hiking Mount Vesuvius, and exploring the ancient ruins of Pompeii. In my free time, I swam and read by the beach, which was just a 5 minute walk away from the school. CIS abroad provided incredible excursions throughout the 4 month stay. We experienced cooking classes, kayaking, a street food tour, and even staying in a luxury cave in the third oldest city in the world! Everyone at both Sant’Anna and CIS Abroad was welcoming, helpful, and kind. They truly care about your well being and happiness. I couldn’t recommend this program more. Go to Sorrento, you won’t regret it!

Studying abroad was the best decision I made in my college career. It was such an incredible, eye opening experience that I am so grateful for. I learned so much about my italian heritage and was able to explore and understand the cultures of many different countries throughout Europe. I was in Florence, Italy. The city is truly amazing, it is like walking through living history. The architecture is beautiful, the florentines are welcoming, and there are plenty of other study abroad students and programs that helped me feel at home. CIS Abroad was a great program to be apart of and made this experience so special. My program leaders were very helpful with recommendations for restaurants, cities to visit, etc. and hosted multiple events and activities for the students in our program to meet and bond. I lived in The Social Hub, and overall had a good experience there. It is a dorm style living arrangement with in house laundry, AC (that works closer to what we are used to in the US), a communal kitchen, a meal plan, and some other great amenities like a rooftop bar, a pool, and monthly events/classes to help students get acquainted. FUA (Florence University of the Arts) was a great school with many course options for almost any field of study. I was able to take courses to complete my degree as well as a bread making class, and a street photography class, which I did for fun (and greatly enjoyed). I reminisce on my study abroad experience constantly and can't wait to find my way back!

I have never been challenged this way in my life. Living abroad and studying in Florence was the most difficult thing I have ever done, but also the most rewarding. I learned things about myself that I never thought were possible. I pushed myself way out of my comfort zone, and I am so beyond grateful for the opportunity. I got to travel all over Europe and to Africa! I got to study my major, Hospitality and Tourism Management. I got to live on one of the most jammed-packed streets in Florence. I am forever grateful for this experience and the people I met and the lessons I learned. I recommend this program to anyone and everyone who is considering going abroad.

I studied abroad in Florence, Italy in the Fall of 2024, and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had! Before arriving, I had so many feelings - excitement, nervousness, and much more, but I soon realized after getting to Florence that this was going to be life-changing. I was fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling, I visited eleven countries outside of Italy, and more cities than I can count! Some personal favorites were Barcelona and London! The academics were constructed in a way that allowed me to enjoy my classes, I took three classes that taught me about the food, culture, and society in Italy, including a class where we went on walks everyday! Being able to learn in a hands-on environment in such a cool city was definitely a highlight. My support system from CIS, whether it was my pre-departure contacts or my on-site directors - were all amazing! I felt very prepared before leaving, and I never had a question go unanswered while in Florence. I loved being able to learn so much from my on-site directors, they had so much knowledge to share!

Choosing this program was truly the best choice I ever made. I made lifelong friends with the other students I met in my CIS group as well as discovering the most amazing things about a country I can now never forget about. I experienced highs and lows all while completing challenging schoolwork on weekdays and traveling to different parts of Korea on weekends. I found amazing restaurants in nooks and crannies and got lost in subway stations (more times than I’m willing to admit). If I could go back in time and choose between this program and any other one, I would choose this one again and again, just to relive the amazing experience I had.

I would highly recommend the CIS Barcelona Creative Industries Program. Not only is studying abroad a life-changing experience, but this unique program has only added to the amazing experience. My days were filled with learning and exploring the amazing city that is Barcelona. Classes were open and creative, and even the professors would take us on field trips to further learn. Not only was living in Spain amazing the staff on site were very supportive in the whole experience. There were also different excursions including a winery tour, a tour of Blanes, and a trip to the gorgeous Spanish city of Sevilla. So if you want a life-changing experience and one that is even more unique than others you should check out the CIS Barcelona Creative Industries Program.

I studied abroad with CIS in Athens, Greece in the Fall of 2024 for a semester. The opportunities I was met with were life changing and I am so grateful for all of the people who made my trip a possibility. Meeting new people was easy because of the residential dorms as well as the welcome dinner that gave us all the opportunity to mingle with each other and meet like-minded others. I was unsure of what to expect from Greece, since I had only really seen movie depictions of it in my past. Some of my favorite experiences from the trip were the CIS excursions, especially the one traveling to see the Meteora of Kalabaka and Kastraki which is not something that would have been on my radar without the influence of CIS. Of course I had to see some of the most notable places like the Parthenon, Acropolis, and the Oracle of Delphi, but my favorite places to travel to during the trip were the islands that were only a short of Kea, Hydra, Agistri, and Aegina that were only a short ferry ride from the port in Athens. There are endless possibilities for adventures in this program and I would recommend anyone who wants to have an incredible adventure to take action and get involved with CIS!

I was able to attend 2 sessions during the summer and took the Management in Japanese Corporations and Japanese Intermediate courses. I had previously attended the January program at the same university so I knew what I was getting into. The staff and faculty are extremely kind and accommodating. The excursions were very informative, my favorite being the calligraphy lesson. There is also plenty of time to explore Japan outside of class, some classes even having field trips. If I were to compare the January and Summer terms: - the winter is fairly mild (compared to New Jersey, United States of America) and the summer is fairly humid with temperatures being a little high. - the summer is lot a more lively with a lot more festivals and outdoor events (ex. Firework shows) happening around Japan. There also is a lot more foreign tourists around Tokyo in the summer as well Overall I don’t think I have too big of a preference between the two because they both offer slightly different experiences. It really depends on what you are looking to do in Japan/your travel style. If you prefer a little more lively atmosphere or enjoy the warmer weather then I’d definitely recommend the summer sessions.

I was able to attend both the 2024 and 2025 January programs with CIS Abroad. The staff and faculty are excellent and are very kind and accommodating. Outside of classes, there was ample time for me to explore parts of Japan and Tokyo. The work load was very light for the courses I took (Japanese Language Beginner and Intermediate). The excursions were also very informative, my favorite being the calligraphy class. The winter in Japan is fairly mild (compared to New Jersey, United States of America) and the weather was sunny for my entire trip in 2025.

My experience in Limerick, Ireland with CIS was amazing! The housing that CIS put us in was amazing and they took care of us every step of the way. Our onsite director, Karina, did such a good job making herself available to us. Karina planned excursions for us to help us live the local life and become familiar to Ireland. The experience I had at the University of Limerick was made exponentially better by the dedication given by CIS. I recommend Limerick to anyone. It truly is a beautiful place with overwhelming amounts of culture.

Stirling is truly a special place in my heart. It is seated at the base of the low highlands which makes it a perfect place to explore nature but the town is super accessible as well as the train station to visit cities or other towns in the highlands. Scotland is full of deeply kind people who truly want to make your experience an enjoyable one and are always happy to help or even just have a conversation with you. There is also a rich history in Stirling of many famous battles and Scottish monarchies. It is a wonderful place with equally, if not more, wonderful people.

I was so overwhelmed when I was tasked with choosing a provider, but after further research, I chose CIS Abroad. I did not know what to expect, but I was excited. Upon arriving in Florence, I was immediately met by Martina, one of our site leaders. This was so helpful because I did not have to figure out where to go or what to do, she just showed me. My housing was also amazing. I met my amazing roommate, Julie, and we stayed at The Social Hub. We were surrounded by other people in our program and got to meet more of them during our orientation. Throughout the whole semester, I felt nothing but support from CIS Abroad, especially from Romina and Martina. They made me feel at home during such a stressful time in a new country. CIS Abroad provided so many fun activities, one of my favorite being our spa trip. So relaxing! In the end, I am so happy with my choice of CIS Abroad and encourage everyone to use them!

Studying Abroad was a transformative experience. As I left for Rome, I had no idea what to expect and I did not know anyone else going. Throughout the semester, I was able to build incredible friendships while exploring the best city in the world. Rome has so much to offer and has endless sights to see. Cis Abroad also made my experience so much better. Because of them, I was able to make so many more friends, and learn about the Italian culture way more. In Rome, it can be hard to dive right into the Italian culture as there are a lot of tourists. Cis helps with this by taking many cultural immersion trips inside and outside of Rome. This allows you to explore Italy and widen your perspective.

My study abroad experience with CIS abroad in Florence, Italy gave me valuable personal, academic, and professional growth through experiential learning activities and personal travel. Living and studying in a new country forces students to step outside their comfort zone as they navigate unfamiliar environments, problem-solve, and manage responsibilities independently, all of which foster greater self-confidence and life skills you wouldn't learn in any other way. It took me a while to find myself in this city, but making a personal video to share my daily experiences or growing my creative skills not only inspires others but also serves as a personal reminder of how far I’ve come in embracing a place that once felt unfamiliar. Immersing yourself in a new culture broadens your perspective, allowing you to understand and appreciate different viewpoints, traditions, and ways of life, encouraging empathy and open-mindedness. One of the aspects I cherish most during my time abroad is experiencing the slower pace of life, cultural traditions, and the opportunity to stroll through the city center, immersed in the rich history and vibrant Italian lifestyle.

I love studying in South Korea! It was a bit of a culture shock when I arrived as this trip was a lot of firsts for me, like my first plane ride, time in an airport, and trip outside the country! The sunrises are beautiful, and the Cherry Blossom season is one of a kind. As a picky eater, Korea helped me find more foods to try and experiences I liked. If I had to do something different, I would travel more independently and get lost through exploring. The biggest advice I have is to give it a fair shot and do it. There will be moments when you'll get frustrated with not knowing what to expect, but take those in stride and be patient with yourself.

I completed a social media martketing internship for a Spanish language academy during my intern program with CIS Abroad. I am really satisfied with my internship placement, as CIS Abroad made sure to match me with an opportunity closest to my interests and experience. Not only did I gain on-hand experience through my internship, but I also strengthened my cultural intelligence. I immersed myself and learned about a different work culture, practiced & strengthened my Spanish, and adapted to use different communication styles. On top of that, CIS Abroad supported me and was there if I had any questions, concerns, etc. I would highly recommend completing an internship abroad with CIS!

My experience studying abroad in Rome was unforgettable. Rome is a city rich in history; with breathtaking views of the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, and Roman Forum along cobblestone streets. Apart from the famous and well-known artwork and architecture painting the city, finding the hidden gems of the city was the best part. I can tell you where to find the best coffee, pizza, and gelato away from the tourist hot spots. I can tell you how to connect with the local community despite a language barrier. The best part of studying abroad is immersing yourself in all that the city has to offer; for me, that was stepping outside the comfortable and familiar destinations, and allowing myself to assimilate into the community as more than just another tourist. I said some of the hardest goodbyes to the friends and memories I made along the way, but they will never be forgotten. It truly was a sweet life!

I had an amazing experience with CIS Abroad! They had the best program, and the advisors were awesome. They truly cared about their students and were always there to help. Everything was well-organized, and I couldn't have asked for a more supportive and smooth experience. I highly recommend CIS Abroad to anyone looking for a fantastic study abroad program!

My time in Italy exceeded my expectations in countless ways! The CIS staff went over and above to make us feel welcomed, supported, and loved. The events they hosted were incredible! We were treated to a welcome and farewell dinner at local restaurants. We also went on 2 excursions: one to Pompeii for a walking tour and one to Naples for a food tour! My class, marine biology, went on an excursion to Ieranto Bay to hike, snorkel, kayak, and swim. This was truly one of the most surreal experiences of my life! Sorrento itself was a safe and beautiful town that felt like home in just 3 short weeks. The locals made you feel genuinely loved and cared for. Overall, exploring the beauty of the Italian Coast with amazing new friends made for the best month of my life!

I can not recommend Barclonea enough! There is so much to do in the city from the beach, to eating tapas, to walking around the gothic quarter and shopping. It is so nice to be somewhere where the culture is relaxed and people take time to be in the moment. I loved reading a book on the subway and you could get everywhere with public transportation! CIS being a smaller program than most others was a great way to meet people!

This study abroad experience truly felt like a dream. Each day of the week, I would take in the mild afternoon air on my short walk from my housing to the Sant'Anna institute, where I would attend the daily lecture for my course on the history of the mafia. I cannot imagine a better way to spend my time there! This region truly offers so much beauty, especially for those who spend enough time to get below the tourist surface. The on-site staff with CISAbroad did an amazing job at supporting us. Both CIS and Sant'Anna offered amazing daytrips and cultural immersion activities. I would highly recommend this short-term program to any undergraduate, especially if your major does not give you time to spend a full semester abroad!

I loved my experience during study abroad and I'm owe a lot of that to CIS Abroad. CIS provided immense support and extra excursions at no additional cost. I took a trip to Arezo, went to a soccer game, Gucci Garden, and more. They had a group chat with our on-site coordinators and I never felt afraid to ask questions. Especially hearing from students in other programs, I saw how CIS Abroad really does go above and beyond. Their communication prior to me arriving on-site, during, and afterwards was above average. I would do it all over again if I coud because of how much I loved my semester.

I was in Barcelona in Spring 2023. I went alone, I didn’t know anyone, my Spanish was rusty and I was super nervous. The second I landed in Barcelona, my on-site director welcomed me with open arms and walked me through everything I needed to do. My 4 months abroad turned into 7. I met so many people who have all left a mark on my life. CIS and my group felt like family. Living, cooking, learning and traveling together really helped me feel comfortable. I never felt unsafe, people were patient with my Spanish and after being in a country consistently for that long, you begin to become part of it. Barcelona is now one of the many places my heart calls home. I 100%, 10/10 recommended studying abroad with CIS.

My study abroad experience in Florence was incredibly transformative, for both my personal and academic growth. Initially, the idea of studying abroad felt out of reach for me, and yet, I had a strong belief that it would work out for me even when I couldn’t see how yet. When I finally made it to Florence after a year of preparation, the beauty of the city and the warmth of its locals affirmed to me that this was the right decision for myself. Finding myself suddenly in a foreign country at 20 years old forced me to be more independent, confident, adaptable, and aware both self and socially. It even acted as a first step, a push even, toward the dreams I had been building up in my mind for years, providing clarity about my future goals and helping me refine them. While I, of course, encountered challenges, those difficult moments added valuable lessons and memorable stories I would never replace. Study abroad allowed me to live more in the present and appreciate each moment, something I have always struggled with. I loved soaking in every bit of Florence, sometimes choosing not to travel around to other places just so I had more time in my host city. Ultimately, my experience expanded my perspective on life, cultures, and the world, making the lessons learned abroad an irreplaceable part of my personal growth.

I would a million times recommend this experience. I did the 10-week program. The first 5 weeks I did a class for my major and the second 5 weeks I did a social media and marketing internship with an art gallery in Sorrento, Italy. Sant'Anna Institution was very helpful in getting me set up with my internship. The staff was so friendly and became an integral part of my experience. I can't speak highly enough about this program. Seriously it was the best decision I have ever made for myself. I was nervous about doing 10 weeks as opposed to 5 but I took a leap of faith not knowing anyone going on the program and leaving my family for the longest I had been away from home. I now look back on this experience with absolutely no regrets. You get to experience things and places some people will never experience in their lifetime. I will forever be grateful for the people I met from all over the world (actually) and the beautiful destinations I visited. One of my favorite parts about CIS was their encouragement to travel outside of just Sorrento. I took full advantage of being in Europe and got to go to Greece, Switzerland, and Croatia. It was very common for students to go to different places for a long weekend and that to me was one of my favorite parts. The dorm life at Sant'Anna was amazing. The rooms were newly renovated and we had a beautiful view of Marina Grande outside our window. I would 100% recommend staying in the dorms. I got to meet so many other students and it was very convenient for class and other activities that the school hosted. The onsite directors Frankie and Emma were AMAZING!! They were so awesome in organizing different activities for CIS students and I learned that was not common with other programs as some students didn't get to do the things we did. Some of these activities include an Amalfi Coast boat tour, kayaking, pizza pizza-making class and a winery tour that were all included in the cost of CIS Abroad. Overall, I could talk about this experience for days and there isn't a single day I don't think about this life-changing experience. It is worth more than the Instagram pictures and crazy stories, but is one of finding myself, cultural appreciation, life lessons, culture shock, independence, and growing into the person I am today.

Honestly my time in Thailand has shaped me into a completely different person than I was before I left. Obviously, there were ups and downs, my abroad trip was eye opening. Starting off the CIS Abroad team was super helpful concerning my application and working with me through the countless breakdowns I had over how stressful the process was. Not only that but the information they provided helped me feel much more prepared for arriving to the country. The on-site support team were so nice and helpful and I absolutely loved talking to them. Classes were interesting and challenging, and the university had a wonderful community with extensive extracurriculars. The choice with various hospitals were also really great (I recommend private for quickness and experience but public if you're ok to wait a couple hours). The program included so many things in the package that I felt taken care of and supported and it allowed me to have the best time.

Encapsulating my study abroad experience is nearly impossible. The time, experiences, people, and places I had the honor and pleasure of meeting and visiting were bountiful. Words cannot possibly capture the human experience however, as a creative writer, this is truly something I attempt to perfect with every poem, essay, and short story that leaks out of my fingers and onto a white pixelated screen. Firenze, Italia was my home for only a few months and yet I know the changes I experienced have taken residence deep within my new persona. In order to fully appreciate Italy, I made conscious efforts to try and eat different regional dishes, visit different cities small and large. Such as Prato, the most important manufacturing town in Italy, as well as larger cities like Rome and Milan. I took an Italian class to make every attempt at conversing with them when ordering a meal or asking for the price of a cute handmade trinket. I made sure the classes I attended at FUA (Florence University of the Arts) were specific to trades or passions of Italy. Why would I take Intro to Management in Italy when I could take Florentine Literary Walks and learn about all the novels and essays inspired by the grand architecture (like the Duomo) and culture, I got to see every day on my way to class. CISAbroad provided me with mentors to guide me, like advising me on which grocery stores to buy food from, where to buy authentic leather, and bars to avoid. Those advisors created activities to keep me busy and introduce me to other study-abroad students in my same program and new experiences, such as visiting small towns near Florence, local pastry shops, and even the Gucci Gardens! Another activity I was super happy to do in Italy was to attend a concert. I saw Pinguini Tattici Nucleari live in Bologna and Alfa in Florence. As someone who has been to over fifteen concerts in the United States, one of them being Taylor Swift herself, let me just say the Italians know how to 'concert' properly. It was the grandest experience to be so wholly immersed with natives and their language and culture at full height, with no watering down so the English speakers could understand. Italy was such a wonderful life-changing experience I cannot believe I was so blessed to experience it.

The experience of living and learning in a different country can be very daunting, but by establishing a welcoming community and organizing group events for the incoming students there anxiety quickly dissipated. There was such a sense of group unity and comfort established that there was always someone to support your decisions and listen to any concerns.

My entire life I have always dreamed of going on a trip like this and through CIS Abroad they made it possible. How much it cost to live in Sorrento for five weeks was honestly surprising as it counted tuition as well. CIS had so many fun events like our boat tour to Almafi with all of the students on the program to nice dinners in Sorrento where we got to meet so many people in the program. I learned so much about the Italian culture, had the best food of my life, saw the most gorgeous places, and made lifelong friends. It truly was the best five weeks I have ever had.

Going abroad for the first time with CIS was the best experience ever!! Even before heading overseas, CIS was very helpful with all of the preparation before the program started. Having an on-site director from CIS in Barcelona with you was amazing. She planned unforgettable excursions that allowed you and your peers to become closer and was always there if you needed her. She also encouraged independence, and you could really tell that she wanted her students to go off and do their own thing and learn as much as they could about themselves during their time abroad. I personally learned a lot about myself this past May while I was in Barcelona. Barcelona is an amazing city with endless opportunities. There is always something to do, it is easy to navigate, and I was never bored while I was there. I would recommend this awesome city and CIS Abroad to anyone!

Studying abroad for a semester in Barcelona was a life changing experience! I grew a significant amount as an individual and was able to fully immerse myself into the Spanish culture. CIS Abroad made this opportunity so enjoyable for me and I am so grateful!

Studying abroad with CIS in Rome was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Going into it, I knew no one and had no idea what to expect. You hear from people who have gone abroad all the time about how it is the best decision they ever made or how it was a life-changing experience, and I was a bit skeptical about just how good it could be. After my 3.5-month experience, it is safe to say they were not exaggerating. At the very beginning, my trip took a tumultuous turn before I had even set foot in Rome. My connection flight was delayed three times, causing my flight to Rome to be pushed back an entire day, meaning I would be missing my pick-up from the airport in Rome. I was stressing out quite heavily. Thankfully, my onsite director Elizabeth Tyrie had set up a WhatsApp group chat and I was able to get in touch and inform her of my situation. This took a major weight off my shoulders and I was now able to just focus on getting to Rome. While I was in Rome, I had a fantastic time. This was due in part to the group excursions set up by CIS Abroad and my onsite director. My CIS Group went on trips to places like Orvieto and Ostia Antica, participated in Italian culture with activities like the Roman baths or Food and Wine pairing, and by the end of the experience, we all knew the city as a second home. Even simple daily life, like grocery shopping or ordering a coffee, I still think about today. The city's rich history pulls you in, with historical sites everywhere; even when walking to class you will see things that could be hundreds of years old. Another great thing about CIS Abroad: A Semester in Rome was the location of the American University of Rome (AUR). Located in Trastevere, our apartment was located right down the street from the train station. From this station, we could take a train to the airport for less than 8 euros and be at the airport in 30 minutes. We could fly almost anywhere in the EU and truly explore Europe. There were also so many great places within Trastevere. The apartment was a 5-minute walk from the grocery store, and further downtown were plenty of great restaurants (It's hard to pick a favorite but PizzaRe was always good). Lastly, the academics at AUR were quite broad despite the school's small size. I was able to complete 3 required classes for my major and take an archaeology class to further my knowledge of the city's history. The grades I received were fair, and many of the professors were happy to share their spots and insights about the city. There was also a rich on-campus life, including club sports. The small school vibe was a major benefit, as not only did I become friends with many of the CIS groupmates, but also my classmates. Overall, I did have a truly life-changing experience. I will never forget my time in Rome, the friends I made, and the places I visited will all have a special place in my heart. If you have the opportunity to participate in this program, I cannot recommend it enough.

My time with CIS in Florence was some of the best times of my life. Florence is the best place to study abroad, so many things to do and see, the food is wonderful, the culture is rich and the list goes on. While studying abroad is great for the history, cultural immersion, seeing new countries and cities and all that fun stuff, study abroad forms characters in so many ways that greatly impacted my life. Being abroad can give you a level of independence that you may not have experienced before! This is a great thing! Without the immediate support of friends and family, it pushes you to rely on your own skills and trust your instincts to make decisions and how to spend your time. Travel plans go wrong, things happen and you have to be able to adapt, make decisions and go forward. It teaches great social skills as you interact with people from all over the US and the world, it may even provide clarity for how you want your future to look. It's not easy, but it is extremely rewarding. The onsite staff in Florence were wonderful, they planned lots of fun events and were very helpful and easy to talk to when needed. I cannot recommend enough doing the semester program in Florence enough with CIS!

I absolutely loved every single second of studying abroad at Santanna Institute in Sorrento, Italy. Through their immersive program, I was able to attend weekly cultural immersion events and really dive into the local community. Santanna Institute has classes Monday-Thursday and encourages students to travel safely on the weekends. With this opportunity, I was able to travel almost every single weekend making my time abroad just that more magical. Not to mention I met some of my best friends and made memories I know will stay close to my heart forever. My best advice to someone who is thinking about studying abroad is to just do it, I can guarantee that you will not regret it.

I have really enjoyed spending my semester abroad in Seoul, South Korea with my provider CIS Abroad. Months before the arrival date I was already in close contact with my program's coordinator and other staff members, so all my questions were answered in a timely manner. Onsite we had an amazing director, who would go sightseeing with us, help with doctor's appointments, recommend delicious cafes near campus and in general would answer all of our questions. I felt that I wasn't alone in a foreign country and could always rely on our onsite director or other staff members working remotely. I made so many fun memories in Seoul, would highly recommend it to other students as well.

I absolutely loved my time studying abroad in Scotland at the University of Stirling. I felt very supported by the University's team as well as Jeanna, the CIS Abroad On-Site Coordinator. There was always something to do through the University as well as events organized by Jeanna. There was also plenty of room to branch off on your own and explore. Scotland was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, especially the highlands. There's something for everyone in Scotland, whether its visiting local pubs, hiking, or historical sightseeing. I would recommend this program to anyone looking to study abroad.

The Summer on the Italian Coast program in Sorrento, Italy was incredible! CIS Abroad organized so many fun activities for students and provided excellent support throughout the program. A highlight for me was living on campus in the residence hall since the rooms were clean, spacious, and close to my classes. I also enjoyed preparing meals in the kitchen which had a terrace next to it. With easy access to the ocean, Sorrento is the ideal place to spend the summer! I had so much fun visiting places nearby like Positano, Capri, and Amalfi. I highly recommend participating in this program through CIS Abroad!!

Studying abroad was a life-changing experience, thanks to CIS Abroad. The University of Roehampton was incredibly welcoming, making it easy to explore the city’s endless opportunities. From fun group excursions to thrilling solo adventures and meeting amazing people along the way, every moment was unforgettable.

When students are looking to study abroad the first thing they think about is likely the destination. However, a foreign country can be as overwhelming as it is exciting without the proper help acclimating. When attending Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy with CIS Abroad I felt their help is what allowed Florence to truly become that place I was so excited to visit. Whether that be included tours that pointed out amazing views like Piazza Michelangelo or the most authentic dining spots, CIS's on site ambassadors will help you become as much of a local as possible within 4 months, making studying abroad a truly unique experience, allowing for insight one would not gain from a normal trip somewhere.

This was an immersive program in a beautiful location! I was able to meet students from all over the United States as well as many locals from the Sorrento Peninsula. Sorrento has a small town feel, but you're never too far away from anything. Sorrento was very safe, walkable, picturesque, and full of things to do -- especially outdoors! My program through CIS included lots of fun activities and the staff on the ground at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento were the kindest people who loved interacting and hosting activities with the students. Spending a semester in Sorrento will always hold a special place in my heart. I certainly recommend this program!

London is a wonderful city with so much to explore! I was lucky to study at the University of Roehampton with people from all over the world. In London, I learned about so many different cultures and the ways of the locals. The program with CIS Abroad was so helpful in getting me acclimated with the school and city, and it was the perfect opportunity to explore new places in the span of 3 weeks. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and can’t wait to return in the future!

My experience abroad was truly one of the most exciting times of my life. I was able to take engaging and interesting classes that transferred back to my university, traveled across the country on the weekends, and was surrounded by peers and staff who cared about my wellbeing. I recommend studying abroad to anyone I can because I truly believe it is a life-changing experience

I studied abroad this past summer of 24' at the institute of Sant'Anna! It's such a great location from where you live either dorms or apartments and near the coast of Marina Grande! There is always something to do after classes like shopping, going to wine tasting, or even traveling to Naples. The staff at Sant'Anna are always so sweet and understanding to you. I would highly recommend taking marine biology and archeology! These were the best classes I have taken and the field trips are so fun! Def. have a chance to talk to the president of Sant'Anna she is very welcoming and loves to chat/learn about you! This opportunity is one of the best experiences of my life and I would love to come back again! P.S. Absolutey LOVE Frankie one of the CIS coordinators in Italy!

I had the most eye-opening time of my life studying in Rome for the semester. The cultural and historical immersion allowed me to open my eyes to really cool and interesting things I didn't even know existed. I learned how to travel independently and successfully and how to navigate life in a different country. It is an experience I will forever cherish!

I had an amazing time during my five weeks abroad in Sorrento, Italy. Southern Italian culture including the food, local life, and way of life was a change from the fast paced American culture that I am used to. CIS gave many resources and assistance for travel during time off from class as well as providing trips in the area including an Amalfi Boat cruise, a local wine tasting, an olive oil tasting, and several group dinners. Both the pre departure and on site staff were amazing and always available for any help needed. Despite the summer heat, there are so many public and private beach options which is an experience within itself. I cannot wait to return to Sorrento one day!

Studying at Bond University is something I will never forget. The school itself had the most beautiful campus I'd ever been on. I was so excited to wake up every morning and walk around campus. It is quiet during the week with so many good spots to study, inside and outside areas. There were many opportunities to attend events and meet other students. I always felt safe on campus whether it was super late at night or just by myself. The facilities and classes are great, and professors are helpful. I would love to go back and finish my schooling there if I had the opportunity.

My experience in Japan was made great by CIS abroad. The housing was comfortable and in a great area with tons of shops that truly felt like a quiet area of Tokyo. The education was great, especially my language class. Finally, the guidance given to us by our on-site coordinators was amazing, as they helped us figure out transportation and answer any questions we had at almost any time. I had an experience I will never forget.

With CIS Abroad, I had the smoothest experience I could have asked for! Florence was great, and I think the activities they planned for us to get to know each other and the city were really well thought out. From a cruise on the Arno, to the hike to the famous viewpoint across the river, to the yummy gelato and pizza, it was a great experience that CIS Abroad planned for us. Not to mention, the accommodation was great; it’s hard to beat rooftop pool and gym!

I truly cannot speak highly enough about my study abroad experience. Sorrento was the perfect location for what I was hoping for. It had all of the beautiful nature and culture that I was hoping to see and experience. It was also a small town, which allowed me to make relationships with locals, become regulars at our favorite coffee shops and restaurants, and really get to feel like I got to experience the community of Sorrento. The program I booked this experience through was CIS Abroad, and they did such a good job getting us involved in the area and making sure we felt supported the whole time. I also LOVED my class, I took Marine Biology which I have always been interested in. We had an amazing professor and got to go on once-in-a-lifetime field trips. I recommend this program highly to anyone who may be interested!

As a girl who grew up in a small town but with a large sense of adventure, studying abroad was something I always knew I wanted to do. However, I could never have imagined how fulfilling the experience would actually be. This past summer, in 2024, I made the decision to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain, at the University Autònoma de Barcelona. The cultures I experienced, the friends I made, and the memories I created are all things I could never have achieved if I hadn't taken the risk to study abroad. While the idea of studying abroad can be nerve-wracking, it has truly changed my outlook on life. I now hold knowledge and perspectives that have broadened my understanding of the world and enriched my personal and academic journey.

My experience with CIS Abroad on the Italian Coast was more than I could have ever imagined. The summer study abroad program provided a perfect blend of fun, engaging classes, cultural immersion, and breathtaking coastal views. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the charm of the local towns, the vibrant culture, and the welcoming community. The courses were taught by passionate professors who truly cared about their students. I was always excited to attend my classes, History of the Mafia and Drawing on Location, as they were immersive and intriguing. My professors were personable, knew everyone by name, and spent one-on-one time with me to help with assignments. They incorporated humor and excitement that made learning fun and enjoyable. They also provided multiple class field trips where they took us to various beautiful spots around Sorrento, including hidden gems that weren't widely known! CIS Abroad did an excellent job of integrating cultural activities into the program. We were provided with gelato and pizza-making classes, wine tasting, Italian dinners, a boat trip to Amalfi, beach club day, and a farewell party including a cultural tarantella dance. I was highly impressed with the amount of activities provided included in the program fee. The program coordinators, Frankie and Emma, attended all events and were fantastic. They were fun and genuinely cared about all the students, always wanting to get to know us better. The support from CIS Abroad staff was exceptional. They were always available to assist with questions or concerns making living in Sorrento feel safe and comfortable. I made a great decision to stay in the Sant'Anna Dorms that were in the school as I loved being able to walk right downstairs to class. Living with other international students made it easy to form lasting friendships and share unique experiences. There was always one or more staff members on sight available to assist us with anything, including a night guard that made me and my parents feel safe. Sant'Anna is located minutes from the town square with a wide range of unique restaurants, shops, and bars, minutes from the beach at Marina Grande, and minutes to the train and ferry stations with popular tourist spots nearby making travel easily accessible. My summer with CIS Abroad on the Italian coast was a transformative experience that exceeded all my expectations. I came away with not only a deeper appreciation for Italian culture and history but also lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a perfect mix of academics, culture, and coastal beauty!

This summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona! During my time in Spain, I was able to full immerse myself in the Spanish culture. To do so, CIS offered several excursions including Spanish cooking classes, dance classes, a catamaran trip up to Costa Brava, hikes, and tours of the city's famous attractions. I would highly recommend CIS Abroad Summer in Barcelona if you want to fully experience all that Barcelona has to offer.

I have no idea where to start because each day of this experience was a new adventure full of challenges, emotions, liberation, laughter, and growth. Through it all, the people that I met there proved to be my comfort. The classmates proved to be just as lost, excited, and adventurous as me while respecting my lifestyle and goals for the trip. I easily made a tight knit group of friends in and out of the classroom to spend most all of my time with to eat, explore, and take numerous side-quests with. The staff members at both Sant'Anna Institute and CIS Abroad were amazing as they gave the best recommendations, guided us on once-in-a-lifetime excursions, got to know us on a personal level, and encouraged us to explore and make conversation with everyone we met. That included the locals. The local people of Sorrento were the best hosts we could have asked for. They were welcoming, kind, adaptive, and the most authentic they could be in such an up-and-coming tourist area. Though I learned many lessons, had amazing food, and went on the coolest adventures, none of it would have been worth it without the people that I met on this trip. No matter if you are nervous or excited to step out of your comfort zone and travel to a new place, these people are willing and happy to help with any questions or encouragement. I am so glad that I decided to go on this trip because it truly did change my life and push me to travel more!

Doing this program through CIS abroad was one of the best experiences I have ever gotten to participate in. Not only were they extremely helpful before departure, but they made sure that we felt comfortable, we’re getting involved in activities, met a ton of people, and really experiences city in the culture every day that we were there. I got paired with the most amazing roommates based off of their choosing, I got to do so many fun activities that they planned and organized for us, including wine, tasting, fancy dinners, boat tours, and even see an olive oil factory! it was truly an amazing experience to not only do the activities that they provided, but also have the time and independence to go off and explore different cities around Italy and Europe. The schoolwork was definitely easy, but I learned so much about the culture and global business in different countries! Would recommend to everyone, was truly a life-changing experience!

I was lucky enough to be a part of the CIS Abroad program with Westminster in the Summer of 2023. I was there for two sessions, taking one class in each that focused on Criminal Justice topics. One of my favorite courses that was exclusive to the University of Westminster was Jack the Ripper, which focused on the aspects of the myth and story of Jack the Ripper and Victorian London. Overall, academics thoughout this program were intersting and not time consuming. The location of the campus is also so central within London, allowing you to travel from place to place with ease. The dorms at the Marylebone campus were very nice and I enjoyed having my own space to reside in. I loved CIS's program and HIGHLY recommend anyone who is traveling abroad for study or for internship to look into their programs!

Edinburgh is a hidden gem of a city, it was like walking into a different time period. There were plenty of opportunities for students to join in on school functions, everyone was very kind and inviting. The transportation was super to figure out and my confidence grew so much from my experience!

I had the absolute time of my life. Between the pre-departure experience, to living in the dorms with fellow 20-year-olds from the States, to going out and exploring the city, nothing will top the amount of joy I had while I lived abroad. I stayed in London for 6 weeks at one of Westminster's dorm halls, Marylebone. Not only was this location so close to the city center and classes, but it was also very spacious and offered plenty of storage and living ability while staying for almost 2 months. My courses were unlike what I have experienced in the States. We were able to dive deep into the content, as the class is 4 hours (with a lunch break included). However, we also did walking tours in both of my courses. We went to museums and city streets where Jack The Ripper made cultural impacts that can still be seen today. We were able to see the neighborhoods in which the Kray Twins ruled the streets. This different perspective of a course allowed me to not only understand the content better but also immerse myself in the culture. If I could study abroad again, I would do it in a heartbeat. It was hands-down the best experience of my lifetime and I wish everyone could experience CIS Abroad like I did.

I studied abroad during the Summer of 2023 in Costa Rica through CIS Abroad and it was an amazing experience that changed my life. The application process for CIS was relatively easy and well-laid out so I was rarely confused and whenever I was it was easy to get in contact with my application advisor to get answers. Once I was accepted, the pre-departure steps and preparation were also easy to follow and I think they prepared me well for my study abroad trip. Once I was in Costa Rica, my on-site directors were super friendly, and helpful, and provided us with so many opportunities to immerse ourselves in the culture. We had two included trips as part of the program and they offered two additional ones we could add for extra payment. They worked with us on prices and what we wanted to do in these places and were great guides throughout all the trips and kept us very safe. I went on both the included trips and one of the optional ones which allowed me to experience various locations around Costa Rica and I wish I stayed for longer so I could see more of the country! Luckily, I had a field trip included in one of my courses as well that was free of charge! CIS and Veritas University offered so many interesting courses to choose from and it was relatively easy to switch classes and get assistance if needed.

I was hesitant to study abroad for the first time and CIS Abroad exceeded my expectations. CIS Abroad is there to make all steps in your study abroad journey as seamless as possible. The application process is simple and straightforward, and if you have any questions they are always there to help and respond quickly. During the pre-departure meetings, and onsite orientation I knew that I was going to be okay, and this was going to be a journey I would never forget. Arriving in Florence with CIS Abroad, they truly made you feel at home, and the onsite directors were so friendly towards all of us. Without CIS Abroad there to help, my journey would not been of amazing as it was.

Studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan for a month was the most amazing time of my life. I was quite anxious to go to Japan especially since it was going to be my first time leaving the US and flying by myself, however, I received incredible and immense support from the on-site program directors. Being immersed in Japanese culture through program activities like kimono wearing, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and just interacting with locals overall was wonderful. I was able to make friendships with some Japanese students which was so nice because they showed me beautiful places and foods to try. Not only did I make become friends with Japanese students, I also became close with the other study abroad students so I often went out to explore and have tons of fun with them everyday. Waking up everyday in Japan brought so much excitement because there is so much to see and do so I NEVER felt bored. As for Seisen University, the campus I attended in Tokyo, was beautiful and quiet. It was only a short train ride and walk away from my accommodation, so maybe a 20 minute commute. However, it is on a hill so it was quite a workout to walk to campus from the train station especially with the really hot and humid weather during the summer months. Then, the teachers were great! They were really interactive, entertaining, and passionate about what they were teaching. Since it was a summer program that only lasted a month, the courses were very fast paced especially the Japanese language courses. Also, the Japanese students were super friendly and kind and I always enjoyed talking to them and eating lunch with them. It was truly fascinating learning from them and I learning from them about our lives. Overall, I definitely recommend studying abroad with Cis abroad and choosing one of their Japan programs. It was a decision that I was highly doubting before I went but after experiencing it, I have no regrets at all and am very grateful for it. It is an opportunity that I wish everyone to experience.

Before this trip I was a little worried about going abroad because this would be my first time going somewhere alone, without my family by my side. However, throughout orientations and meeting people through the instagram and Whatsapp group that was made, I realized that this was going to be an awesome experience, and that it was. From the beginning everyone throughout CIS Abroad was so welcoming and very helpful with any questions that I might have had. I always knew that I could contact them at any time and they were there to help me get through whatever I was going through. I will definitely be looking into other programs through CIS Abroad so that I can go abroad again sometime soon!

I absolutely loved my summer abroad experience in Sorrento, Italy! I took Elementary Italian Language and History and Culture of Italian Food. I thoroughly enjoyed my classes abroad. The teachers were very friendly and easy to work with. My History and Culture of Italian Food class even took us to a Buffalo Mozzarella Farm field trip as well as a pasta factory field trip. My classes were engaging and interesting to learn about. There were few assignments and often just a midterm and final exam. The class sizes were small which I enjoyed, which made it easier to build a relationship with the professor and ask more questions. I lived in a local apartment right in the middle of downtown with three other girls. The apartment was very spacious and clean and even had an outdoor patio with a table and chairs. There were so many fun activities to do in Sorrento. I went to beach clubs, paddle boarding, cliff jumping, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, cooking classes, and more. The town of Sorrento is very touristy, especially with a lot of travelers during summertime. The town does feel very safe during the day and at night. There is a nightlife scene with night time bars and fun rooftop bars overlooking the ocean. Sorrento is located in the bay of Naples so to travel to any big Italian cities you must first take a local train from Sorrento to Naples. Then you must transfer to a regional train in Naples to any other cities. This extra transfer can make traveling on weekends to cities a bit difficult, but is easy to navigate after the first time.

My semester in Tokyo Japan was truly the best! There are so many things to do, new foods to try, delicious foods to eat, etc. I also made lots of friends from Toyo University, which was really great! Toyo University offered classes in English and Japanese and almost all teachers, students and staff spoke English which made my experience a lot greater. I'm so glad that I got to study at Toyo and will never forget my time there!

As someone who enjoys learning about other backgrounds and cultures, this was an unforgettable experience for me. The atmosphere of Italy was pleasant and friendly, and there was a diversity of amazing activities for us to enjoy. I had the pleasure of learning what true Italian food is by going to authentic Italian restaurants, I learned Italian history and enjoyed breathtaking sites in places like Rome, Pompeii, and Punta Campanella, and I learned the process of making alcohol by touring an Italian brewery. No matter what background or language skills you possess, going abroad is a must!

Everything about my experience at UL was absolutely wonderful! I met so many amazing people from Ireland, around the world, and even some from my own state that I still keep in touch with. I was also able to fully immerse myself into the Irish culture by exploring most of the country through trips the university itself or CISAbroad planned for me.

Deciding to study abroad is a major commitment and a very different then your typical semester at your home university. Often it is difficult to even get abroad let alone live in a new environment stress and worry free. It requires adjustment and support, something I can say CIS had provided for me in my Spring 2022 semester in Florence, Italy. I knew I wanted to go early on, I began my application in June of 2021. The CIS staff were so supportive of me when it came to completing all the right paperwork and getting my VISA / other documents together. I was able to pretty much have a worry free Fall semester as I had compled my paperwork and application with the very helpful staff prior to the semester even starting. Aside from that, the program itself was truly unforgettable. Flexible classes with many options suitable for my major and any others. The teachers at FUA were engaged and you can tell they cared about what they were teaching. My on-site director was so sweet and helped with any questions I had in a very fast manner. She helped me get engaged in the Italian culture and customs. My housing situation was perfect, CIS helped to pair me up with some of my now good friends based on their roommate survey. Overall my time with CIS in Italy was a life changing experience and I was beyond grateful for the support I received before, after, and during the program from the CIS team. I would recommend anyone this Italy program or another CIS run program.

I studied abroad at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy for the spring semester! I didn't know anyone else going and was very nervous about making friends and moving to another country I wasn't familiar with and couldn't speak the local language. CIS abroad was more than amazing at making sure every question I had was answered and set me up with support systems both abroad and at home before I even left. They helped me feel prepared and confident I would succeed abroad despite my many concerns. Once on site, the staff at Sant'Anna was also amazing at helping everyone adjust to the Italian lifestyle and learn the differences between Italian and American culture. The school also hosted events to help students get to know each other like cooking classes, guided hikes, movie nights etc. All of the classes were taught in english and the professors wanted to see you suceed. The class schedule was also designed to give students the opportunity to travel on weekends. Sorrento was also an ideal location; it was a small town so the experience was more personable, and less overwhelming for me than living in one of the larger cities. My experience was filled with adventures, new friendships, good food, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Studying Abroad in Sorrento was the best decision I have ever made. At first, I was very hesitant to travel by myself, especially to a new country. But once I got there, I made some of my best friends and experienced more than just what America has to offer. Walking to class every day past Naples Bay and seeing Mount Vesuvius was always so beautiful and I definitely miss that view. I learned about myself so much and truly became more self-confident in who I was. I loved being immersed in the Italian culture and at time when I got frustrated and missed home, I would go on a walk around town and just see how people just enjoyed their everyday lives all relaxed. Traveling was also a huge part of my time aboard. I got to travel to 9 different countries and I can't wait to go back!

My time abroad with CIS was everything I could have ever dreamed of! In the weeks leading up to my program, I was given all the information I needed and my extra questions were always answered in a timely manner. Once arriving, I found it easy to transition from being picked up from the airport by our program leader to having a very helpful orientation around the city the next day, I felt confident even from the start of my trip that CIS would always be there for me. There were always dinner reservations made for us as well as other fun things like boat rides or walking tours! Our program leader also always made sure we knew what was going on in the city as well as all over Europe which always helped me feel safe. While being in Italy for 9 weeks, CIS always went above and beyond to make sure that all of their students were being taken care of from the moment we got there until the moment we left!

Sorrento will always hold a special place in my heart. Sant’Anna Institute is right on the coast, and I woke up every morning to the boats leaving the dock along the coast. During the day, when we didn’t have class, we walked the streets and met all kinds of people from shop owners to other tourists from all different countries. Being surrounded by an unfamiliar language and different cultural aspects broadens your perspective, and I enjoyed hearing everyone’s stories from all different walks of life. Additionally, I met some incredible friends in my study abroad program, many of whom I still keep in contact with today! At night, we would sit and watch the sunset and all of its beautiful colors before we went to sleep. Also, take weekends to travel around Italy or fly over to Greece! We went to Capri, Mykonos, Milan, and Venice, and I couldn’t encourage taking the time to plan trips while abroad more! But to conclude, this city and its welcoming, lively environment holds so many special memories that I will never forget. Study abroad and experience the best trip of your life!!

I enjoyed experiencing South Korea with CISAbraod. Sogang University was a welcoming school and CIS made the transition and easy one. The excursions that were both planned by Sogang and by CIS were fun and full of things to learns about Korea.

This program provided me with an opportunity to grow in confidence in my abilities to navigate not only being away from home, but a city with a language barrier. I was able to begin to find myself as a person and learn more about both how big and small the world is. I learned that laughter is the same in every language and the saying “distance makes the heart grow fonder” is true. I wouldn’t trade this experience, pandemic or not, for the world. CISabroad was a wonderful support system while I was in the country, so I am grateful to them.

This Summer in Rome through CIS Abroad changed my life forever. My experience blew my expectations out of the water. I was immersed in Italian culture, learned how to make pasta and how to taste wine, walked the beautiful streets of Rome, talked to locals, all while making lifelong friends. I also became incredibly inspired career-wise by taking a class I never would have. I truly could not have asked for anything more.

Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine! I was unsure if I would ever get the opportunity to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting during my freshman year of college. However, I found the perfect program for me and enrolled in the CIS Abroad: Summer in London at the University of Roehampton. This was a six week program of which I went during the summer of 2022. Although I was nervous, I was so excited to learn a new culture, explore, travel, and meet new people. I stayed on the University of Roehampton's campus, which is located on outskirts of London. I was placed in a dorm with all the other international students, which instantly gave me a group of people who understood being in a foreign country alone and the need for connection. I was surprised to have made such incredible and strong friendships with the men and women I met in such a short amount of time. I attended classes Monday-Thursday for 3 hours; however, we had many field trips to immerse ourselves in the culture and have a hands-on learning experience. This was the perfect amount of time to gain credit yet be a tourist as well. Throughout my six weeks abroad, I got the opportunity to explore all the London landmarks, tourist attractions, historic sites, and places that a typical visitor does not have the time to see. I was incredible to see famous landmarks such as Big Ben, The Tower of London, Borough Market, Wimbledon, Buckingham Palace, and so many more places with my own eyes! In addition, a few friends and I went to Edinburgh, Scotland one weekend and Venice, Italy another. The memories I made will last a lifetime, and I wish I could go back already! Although studying abroad can be intimidating and out of one's comfort zone, it is the best decision you will make. Not only will you get the chance to live in a new country and become a more cultured person, but your confidence, independence, and knowledge about the world will skyrocket. I got to see so much of the world in such a short amount of time. I will forever be grateful for this experience and encourage anyone who is thinking of studying abroad to take the leap. If you are not sure, begin by looking into CIS Abroad Summer in London at Roehampton :)

I LOVED my time in Costa Rica. I truly enjoyed every moment. The CISAbroad staff was so helpful and always just a text away whenever I needed them. My host family was kind and provided everything I needed and more. I enjoyed my classes and the student culture at the Univeristy and felt as my education was truly enhanced by my time. I cannot recommend this trip enough to students who are looking to expand their Spanish language abilities as well as immerse themselves in the beautiful Tico culture!!!

Identities are very personal and unique to each and every individual around the globe. My identity in relation to an enriched global learning experience gave me the opportunity to learn about another personal and unique perspective. Learning abroad and being taught the traditions and history of South Korea and its people put me in almost an infantile state where I had to learn from scratch the rules, culture, and understanding of Koreans. As I was reflecting, I compared and contrasted my experiences and learned more about myself as a whole. Furthermore, by learning about the operations, customs, and traditions of another international identity, I discovered how different but similar we all are. We may have been raised in different cultures and societies, but we connect on wanting to learn about the world around us. The rich exchange of cultural interconnectivity is what I found in this unique study abroad experience.

CISAbroad helped me every step of the way with preparing for my journey abroad. The off-site advisors and on-site advisors were amazing and super helpful when answering all of my questions. I am so glad I chose CISAbroad because I don’t think I could’ve planned this entire experience by myself! Aside from the planning, I thought it would be hard to make new friends abroad, but the other students I met through this program are now some of my good friends for life! I can’t wait to visit them once the holidays are over! Thank you CISAbroad! I will strongly recommend this program to anyone interested.

This experience was so great. CIS was very helpful in getting there and then I had a blast traveling. I got to see so many things and meet so many people. I do wish there were a few more led excursions because the ones we did were super fun and interesting.

Choosing to study with CIS in Korea was the best decision I ever made. The staff was with us every step of the way and ensured we had an experience of a lifetime. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to return to Seoul someday.

My roommates were bullying me and when I asked to get switched out of the apartment, or for something to be done, nobody really did anything. Other than that, I did my best to enjoy my once in a lifetime experience. Although, it was hard because I had to come home to roommates who would tell me that they didn’t want me there

I had never previously been out of my home country, so I was very anxious to be on my own in a country across the world. However, the CISAbroad staff (especially our program coordinator) made sure that I never felt alone and frequently checked up on all of those in my program. Due to the difficulties of traveling during the pandemic and quarantine measures put in place, our coordinator always encouraged us and made sure we were doing fine with every aspect of our life in Korea (academics, integrating into society, etc). In terms of Sogang itself, I was worried I would feel out of place in a campus that was bigger than my home college’s. Thankfully, Sogang’s campus has an atmosphere that reminds you of home with kind and welcoming people everywhere (students, faculty, and professors alike). If you are worried about pursuing a program like this or studying in Korea in general, please don’t be. I worried for nothing as CISabroad made the transition smooth and Koreans are such kindhearted people. I miss it there now and if you decide that go, I promise that each second will be 100% worth it and the only problem you will have is wishing you could visit again.

I had a once-in-a-lifetime study abroad experience at Mahidol University International College in Thailand. The academics were challenging and the culture was so vibrant and unique. Even despite the setbacks due to Covid, it was still very much worth it.

When I first decided to go to Hawaii I was a little worried I wasn’t going to be able to have a typical “study abroad” experience, however, I had an amazing study abroad semester. Even though I was still in the U.S. I was able to learn a lot about cultures that are different than my own. Would 100% recommend this program to anyone.

Deciding to go abroad to University of Westminster with CIS Abroad was easily the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. CIS made it super easy to apply, and was very helpful with everything during pre-departure. Throughout the semester, they organized plenty of free excursions and meals, including several day trips like Stone Henge and Bath. I also loved staying at Alexander Fleming Hall. I met my best friends there and the community aspect was amazing. If I had questions throughout the semester, the contacts at CIS were always readily available to help. Highly recommend

I am so grateful for my experience studying abroad in London at the University of Roehampton with CISabroad. The CISabroad team was incredibly patient, knowledgeable and helpful throughout the entire process. I always felt taken care of, and encouraged in my study abroad endeavor. Onsite accommodations were awesome. I chose standard housing and was placed in Bede House with four other CISabroad students. I had my own room, and was provided with bedding and a kitchen set, making moving into my new space easy. Classes at Roehampton were eye opening, challenging, and engaging. I took part in two "London Studies" courses that specifically encourage international students to explore the city. My two onsite advisors, Anna Bermani and Linda Hallback were absolute inspirations. Both of them worked very hard to customize our experience, and ensured our interests and concerns were always taken care of. Our excursions ranged from market tours on Southbank to a weekend in Edinbrough. I can easily say that these trips with CISabroad enhanced my experience exponentially. Overall I am forever thankful for this life changing experience, which was so much more achievable with the support of CISabroad. The only change I would make is the support and outline of the first few days on campus. I arrived to Roehampton on a Wednesday, where I was handed a packet of information and materials from both the University and Anna from CIS Abroad. Our orientation dinner with Anna would be on the Friday. I wish I had a schedule or guideline of things I needed to do within that time. For example, that Wednesday night I got together with a bunch of international students and Ubered to the local ASDA in a rush because we realized we would not have any food for breakfast. However, after the dinner with Anna on the Friday night many of my questions and concerned were answered, and after that I was much more comfortable.

This trip was easily the best experience I've ever had. Right before writing this review I was going through my old pictures from the trip reminiscing, as I have done every single day since I got back. Not only did CIS go above and beyond while abroad, but they made sure we were all prepared before even stepping foot on the airplane. While applying, I was wary of whether or not my summer work schedule would allow me to go on the six week program, or the three week program. My program advisor reassured me that once I have my application in they can always switch it over–which took a complete weight off of my shoulders. Once accepted into our programs, CIS had an orientation meeting via video chat. This orientation meeting provided me with all of the information I could've asked for pre-departure, and I felt as if I knew everything about the city of Florence before even getting there. This definitely helped ease me into the culture, and mitigated any potential culture shock. I wound up doing the three week program, but I wish I could've stayed for an entire semester. Additionally, we had an orientation once we were settled in to our places as well. The orientation was long, but I don't know what I would have done without it. They described at length what to do, what not to do, which places to avoid, cultural norms we should respect, and even where to get the best mosquito repellant (which was VERY life changing). Once we arrived in Florence, I knew I was in the right place. The city itself is so utterly beautiful and rich in culture and history. Aside from the true magnificence of the city and the country, CIS provided us with numerous opportunities to truly dive into the culture and experience local life outside of the tourist realm. One of my favorite experiences was the gelato tour–where we toured around the city and tried two of the best gelato places in Florence, the kind you only find if you wander far off the beaten path and have a local to help you find it! My other favorite experience was the pasta making night. We all contributed to make a traditional Italian meal from scratch–including making home made pasta. These are only two of so many experiences I enjoyed and that truly made my time abroad feel like I was at home. Our site leaders, Peggy and Alessandro also had a huge impact on our trip. Not only were they there for us if we had any issues or concerns, but they helped to guide us whether we were looking for local spots to explore or needed to figure out how to use public transportation. This totally changed our experience, because we basically had locals we could text and ask any questions! We were able to explore so many cool places that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to had we not been able to reach out to Peggy and Alessandro. In addition, the institution where we studied could not have been more perfect. Florence University of the Arts offered numerous academic subjects to explore, and went above and beyond in ensuring that students got the most out of their experience. What is unique about FUA, is that they offer mandatory excursion trips as part of each course, where you get to travel outside of Florence and take part in activities pertaining to your class. For example, for my Italian class we visited Orvieto, a small town with a bit of a large secret–an entire community of caves under the city that were once occupied years before. We got to tour the caves and learned about the cities' history and why the caves were created. This was definitely one of my most memorable experiences, it was so unique and I would have never visited or even known about that town on my own. Overall, I could write an entire book about how great my experience was. CIS does it best, and they offer everything you could ask for! As a last point, I would like to mention that CIS has included health care while you are abroad. If we ever got sick or had any emergency, we had a doctor available to us that was free to visit, which really made a huge difference for me. Although I never needed to visit the doctor, I had a friend who broke her tail bone cliff jumping and was able to visit a doctor immediately because of this. It eased the students' minds knowing we had somewhere to go if anything happened to us, which really matters especially in a foreign country. The only thing I would say about this program is that the housing in our specific program could have been better. We did not have the best housing, although everyone else on our trip had good apartments. We must have gotten a bad luck of the draw–but listening to the students and their housing complaints is necessary and not to be taken lightly. I would suggest if possible a back up apartment kept open should any of the students have any serious problems with their housing–that would have really helped my roommates and I.

The School for International Studies through CIS abroad was the most perfect program for me. The program is three months long which is a little shorter than most programs however it is great for someone who is on trimesters, is nervous about getting homesick, or like myself- wants to travel for a while before their summer job starts. The academic coursework was challenging in a way that was incredibly rewarding. The professors don't give you hours of studying and homework to do because they understand that you are there to travel just as much as you are to take classes. I took several classes on the history of Spain and Barcelona and I learned more than I have from any professor or school because after learning about things like Gaudi's style of architecture we went out into the city and got a first hand experience by seeing things like casa batllo. My professors were so engaging, entertaining, and helpful, I still keep in contact with many of them today. They helped me to learn the rich and diverse history and context of the city I was living in. The CIS staff on sight at SIS was incredibly helpful in getting students involved in the Catalan culture and making us feel comfortable. It can be frustrating trying to get a hold of them before you go abroad for questions but as soon as you step foot in Barcelona the staff is ready to help out any time of the day. Whether it is a safety concern, you are sick and don't know where to go, or you are struggling in your classes the staff at CIS can help put you on the right track. The trips and activities (which are included in the cost of your tuition) are absolutely amazing and everything is paid for. My semester we went on two overnight trips, Sevilla and Zaragoza, where the food, accommodations, and planned activities were all paid for. We also went to the Dali museum, took a cooking class, and went out to dinner with our CIS mentor- all completely paid for by the initial cost of your program. This was absolutely amazing, especially for someone who wanted to experience Spain on a tight budget. As far as housing, I stayed in a shared room/ shared apartment with American students from other programs. This gave me the opportunity to get to know people outside of just the school I was studying at. The apartment I stayed in was in an amazing location and we had everything we needed (washing machine, dishes, bedding, towels). Our apartment was very close to a metro stop however most days I walked about 15 minutes to class to get to know my way around the city better. The CIS on site coordinators were available 24/7 through a cell phone in case of any emergency. I never felt unsafe in my apartment or walking around the city. I also purchased the international health insurance both through my home university and through CIS. I never thought I would need it but when I got sick while traveling outside of Spain, I was happy that I had insurance. The appointments, tests, and medication I received were completely free of charge and I visited a private travelers clinic where they spoke english and I had absolutely no wait time. Overall I think the CIS School for International Studies program in Barcelona is amazing for anyone who wants to travel a ton and get the most out of what you pay for. The only suggestion I would make is that about 2-3 times throughout the semester we had class on Friday. I had wished that our overnight trips were on the weeks where we had class on Friday because it was kind of difficult to travel out of the country on those weekends with Friday class. I ended up staying in Barcelona those weekends though which was a great decision so that I could take some time to get to know the city I was staying in and experience the weekend night life in Barna.

As I reflect on my time in Scotland I can’t help but get emotional and express gratitude at the fact that I got to experience an amazing culture and people. I decided to study abroad while sitting in my research methods class, which was taught by Dr. Frischherz. Her passion and realness instantly persuaded me to apply for the trip. This was my first time outside of the country so I was a bit anxious, but that was quickly overcome with excitement. I truly believe we had the most amazing coordinator because our CISabroad onsite coordinator, Shandin, far exceeded expectations. She was clearly knowledgeable about the location and engaged in many conversations with us from academics to politics to pop music. She was a pivotal part of why the trip was as great as it was. The hostel was great (minus no hot water initially) and was located perfectly. It was nice being in the hotel for a week because it was right on princess street, had amazing breakfast and sticky bbq wings, and had a view of the castle. I was taken by surprise at how accepting the locals were of different types of people. That was evident in the way they treated minorities in regards to race, gender, ability, and socioeconomic status. One thing that really stood out was the way the homeless were treated. The stigma was gone and they were treated as humans. That was a refreshing thing to see because of how different the homeless are treated in Baltimore. The food was absolutely AMAZING. It’s very clear that they don’t beef their animals up worn steroids. Things were fresh, and minus the deep fried foods, healthier. I enjoyed walking most places and not having the ability to text or talk to people often. I was able to take it all in and appreciate being in the moment. I’m excited to talk about this trip for the years to come. It has truly changed my life.

My semester in Limerick was absolutely amazing, I have so many memories that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. I, like others, was nervous about going abroad, but the support I received both before and during my program was outstanding. CIS Abroad really makes sure that you are doing ok, and checks in often. If I ever needed anything, I didn't hesitate to ask! I am so happy that I chose the Limerick program because it was a more authentic experience in my book. Don't get me wrong, Dublin was really cool, but I personally liked being in a smaller city. I felt like I could really connect with the locals. The University of Limerick was great, I really loved all of my classes. It was a little confusing at first because the Irish education system is a bit different than that of America, but I got the hang of it pretty quick! The awesome thing about being an international student at UL is that you get several weeks to try out your classes before registering for them. I liked this because I could go to a few that I was unsure about to see how I felt before committing to them. There are also a lot of opportunities, both with CIS Abroad and the University, to travel around Ireland. Let's face it, while it is so tempting to start traveling to other European countries right away (although I highly recommend you do) it is nice to get to know your country as well. CIS Abroad has onsite directors that organize meals and excursions around Ireland, so you get an insider's look at the beautiful country. I loved that these excursions were an option for us, because it allowed me to see Ireland while taking away the stress of planning the trip. Overall, this was an amazing program, and I wish I could have stayed longer!

Studying abroad during the pandemic was stressful; however, working with the Hawai'i Pacific University staff and faculty along with CIS abroad made everything go by smoothly. The college had great housing on campus with excellent food and offered weekly student activities that promoted socialization and culture learning! The CIS abroad faculty was amazing and so generous! They were always available to answer questions and the onsite director was fabulous!

Costa Rica was truly the experience of a lifetime for me. As someone who is an environmental science major, this country spoke so near and dear to my heart as they are very environmentally oriented overall and really are striving to keep their forests thriving. I had the sweetest host mom, an absolutely amazing site director, great university staff and I made some of the greatest friends on my trip, not to mention the vast number of breathtaking places I got to visit during my summer in Costa Rica. I have gained such an appreciation for the Spanish language and can speak more now than I ever could before! And I truly fell in love with the Costa Rican culture - Pura Vida!

Since I went to South Korea in Spring 2021, there were still many Covid-19 restrictions, which added a unique element to my study abroad. For example, when I arrived in Seoul, I had to quarantine for two weeks, following the South Korean government's rules. Despite having some Covid-19 restrictions, I was able to immerse myself in the complex culture of South Korea. I was also able to still make some friends despite the added difficulty of having online classes and Covid restrictions. Choosing to study abroad with CIS had many benefits and some drawbacks. One of the best benefits of studying abroad with a program like CIS is having a built-in community. This is important as you enter into an unfamiliar environment. Another benefit of traveling with CIS is that they are essentially the middle-man between you and your host university. Some benefits that programs like CIS provide are organizing your visa process, living arrangements in-country, and group advantages. CIS also provides an estimated cost so that you can budget and fundraise effectively. However, using a middle-man can also be one of the greatest drawbacks if you like going directly to the source and handling issues yourself. By studying through a program, you may at times feel like you are not receiving enough information at one time about certain topics (i.e., times to book flights, when to apply for a visa, or when you will receive your transcripts). If this is so, then going through a study abroad program is not for you. As an alternative, I suggest you become an exchange student directly through the host university or look into an internship with the US State Department. In addition, I do not recommend studying abroad during your last semester of college because you may have to wait a couple of months before your transcript from your host university is completed and arrives at your home university. This may delay some of your after-graduation plans; therefore, plan ahead throughout your academic journey to make your dreams of studying abroad a reality. Overall, I enjoyed my time with CIS Abroad in South Korea very much. I spent most of my time outside of school exploring Seoul; however, I did have opportunities to travel into the countryside of Yangpyeong, visiting South Korea's largest Starbucks and into the southeast corner of the Korean peninsula to the ocean city of Busan. The memories I made on my study abroad trip will stay with me forever.

I went to Thailand during the pandemic in Spring 2021 and I will never forget this amazing experience. I met incredible people from all over the world and learned all about the local community and cuisine. I got to meet ethically kept elephants and go to an amazing cooking course for Thai food. I would go back in a heartbeat if it was possible and I can't wait to travel the world again.

Studying abroad with CIS was one of the best decisions I made. There are a lot of other program providers that are in Prague, but CIS is the most affordable and does so much for you! Zach was my program coordinator and was great at answering all my questions! Leah, the site director in Prague, is fantastic! She’s super helpful and was available if you have questions about the city, traveling, and general info. She has so many activities that are FREE throughout the semester and are great for getting to know other people and understand Prague and it’s culture! The dorms you stay in aren’t anything special, but its great to be living in the same space as other abroad students and local students! It’s right by a tram and is about 15/20min to school and the center. It’s the easiest thing ever and the tram line the dorms are at take you to many of the major parts of the city! The city itself is the most gorgeous city in Europe. I traveled a lot while abroad, but nothing compared to Prague. There’s so much to do and tons of great cafes and restaurants! Prague is also incredibly safe, and I had no problems taking public transit or walking around by myself. I’ve talked so much about the city and program, and my only regret is that I didn’t sign up for a year-long program!

During my four months in Cusco, Peru, I was able to gain experiences and memories I never thought possible. I studied abroad with CISabroad as my program, and the support I received was amazing. Every question I had before leaving for my trip was thoroughly answered, and I felt more than prepared. While in Peru, I loved being able to take courses that were drastically different from those that are traditionally offered here in the U.S., such as Healing and Shamanism. I was able to travel all over the country and experience different ecosystems including the desert in Huacachina, the Amazon rain forest in Puerto Maldonado, the coast in Paracas, the cloud forest at Machu Picchu, and various Incan ruins throughout the country. We also hiked (all the way up to 14,000 feet!), went horseback riding, and volunteered at schools, an animal shelter and an orphanage. I think the best part about studying abroad is learning to love the culture shock and being in new situations you may never have thought you’d be in but are so glad you had the privilege to experience. Overall, studying abroad was one of the best experiences of my life.

I did the CISabroad Semester in Limerick program during the Fall 2019 semester. It was an incredible experience and I loved it so much that I am hoping to go back for graduate school. Some of the positive aspects of going to the University of Limerick through CISabroad was the assistance with pre-departure stuff, advising throughout the semester and after, and having a separate orientation with just CISabroad students. CISabroad made preparing to leave for Ireland so easy. They emailed you many times with detailed instructions and made sure you understood everything that was required before leaving to study abroad. They gave you specific times to book flights, took care of health insurance, paid your deposit, and got on campus housing for you. This was all so helpful and I felt like it made departure a lot less stressful and allowed me to worry less about leaving my home country. They even arranged for a bus to pick us up from Shannon airport and drop us off at our accommodation. I am thankful that we had CISabroad staff available for help throughout the semester as well to help with any questions. It was nice to know I always had a point of contact. The separate orientation was helpful as well, because although it felt like we had learned most of the information at University of Limerick's orientation, it was nice to hear it again in a smaller group setting. Meeting with other CISabroad students also allowed me to quickly find friends and to have more people to contact if I had questions. Where I felt CISabroad fell flat was with the planned excursions. Although the program did provide us with a few free meals and CISabroad dinners, the students in my program were under the impression that CISabroad would plan trips for us. We were told that there were 2 students in Dublin who would come on these trips with us, but that never happened. Granted, our on site advisor got another job, and we can't blame her for accepting a great opportunity, we felt that CISabroad didn't offer a good solution to this. We were provided a new advisor, however, they did not work for CISabroad and were instead a member of the University of Limerick staff. There solution for providing trips for us, was to cover the cost of any trips we went on through the University of Limerick's Student Life. While it was nice that these costs were being covered, it didn't add up to much. Trips typically were around 30 euros and we usually had to pay for our own meals while on these trips. The cost of food wasn't covered so, overall, we didn't feel we got our money's worth. Plus, these trips were open to the entire school, so we didn't feel like CISabroad followed through with planning trips just for us. Aside from the planned excursions, I feel CISabroad did their best in trying to come up with a solution to a problem that arose so quickly. It was an unfortunate situation, and we felt a little cheated out of excursions. That being said, I still was able to travel a lot and saw plenty of places on my own. The planned excursions would've been nice, but sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and adapt. Me and a few CISabroad students ended up planning trips amongst ourselves. It wasn't ideal but it turned out to be very fun. I will always be grateful for my time abroad and I have found a new love for travel. There are so many more countries I want to go to and I don't think I'll want to ever want to stop seeing new places. I didn't get everything I wanted out of CISabroad, but I do think it is a great program. They help a lot with advising, planning, and answering questions. I felt much more comfortable using a third party program than planning on my own. I'm sure excursions have been better in the past and will be better in the future. CISabroad did what they could given the challenges of trying to find a new advisor last minute. Things happen and they tried to offer a solution. I would recommend CISabroad for someone looking to study abroad because of how helpful they were and how easy they made transitioning into life in Ireland. Overall, whatever way you end up studying abroad, you'll have an amazing experience regardless.

Most amazing experience of my life! This program offered extensive opportunities and support for becoming immersed into Italian culture. The professors at the university were passionate and knowledgable about their course matter. I'd highly recommend everyone to study abroad and CIS is an amazing program to share the experience with!

My study abroad experience was more than I could have ever hoped for. It really challenged me and taught me to be independent, while allowing me to see so much of Australia and form so many lifelong friendships. CIS Abroad made everything so easy and stress free. The pre-planned excursions gave me something to look forward too and allowed me to truly experience Australia without all the stress of planning every single thing I wanted to do. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the CIS Abroad staff and for the program as a whole for facilitating so many incredible friendships and memories. Newcastle itself was a dream and being only a short train ride from Sydney, I was never bored. Now i'm just trying to figure out how I can get myself back there!

Before going abroad I was SO nervous about leaving home, my friends and family, normal life... etc. I am eternally grateful that I went because I made such amazing memories and friends that will last me a lifetime. I felt so comfortable in my program, with the people I met, and the advisors I had helping me along the way. It was an experience that I wish everyone could have.

Someone who made leaving the States for four months real hard said my time in Europe would be “magical”. And honestly, I couldn’t say it was anything less than that. Central Europe provided a perfect amount of familiarity to American lifestyle to make the adjustment simple and comfortable, but has so many beautiful cities and regions to explore within just hours from home. Cities like Prague have reliable transit, shopping, and entertainment that makes travel around easy, so feeling out of place while out and about only lasts but a few days. Studying with CIS allowed us opportunity to experience unique parts of our host city. As the on-site director knows far more about places worth seeing, students in the CIS program shared experiences many who directly enrolled never did. Anyone can see cities across Europe with free weekends or breaks, but our appreciation for the home site was greater because of events planned by the on-site coordinator. Finally, to those amazing cities you can visit on weekends. The makeup of Europe allowed us to witness so many different cultures with only hours of travel. Using student fares or planning in advance, many of us left the country to other cities at prices comparable to bus tickets in the U.S. The Czech Republic is extremely central, and our ability to go East or West was barely limited at all. The centrality of it allowed me to stand on four continents in my semester overseas, experiences I will not soon forget.

Overall my experience with this program was excellent. My transition was very smooth and i was always comfortable and safe even when I kept questioning my decision of studying abroad on my last fall semester of college. As I am back on home university I don't regret my decision at all. This program gave experiences that you would never gain anywhere else by giving you the opportunity to engage with the community and also apply what you learned in the classroom to the outside world. It was difficult because we didn't get enough interaction with other Peruvian university student besides those that we had in our tandem session which were for students who were trying to practice there English or Spanish. Maybe it was just my group but we were pretty small with only 10 people which was nice but we lacked the ability to be more diverse in the international and national student. But if you are looking for a program that isnt too overwhelming and that gives you opportunities to interact with outside communities but also still have the ability to learn in spaces with other who are also international student this is a great program for that. I would also want to mention that besides the academics with the program you are able to go on excursions for free or for a reduced price, in my time in Cusco i got a trip to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu included in my program.

I was extremely nervous going on a trip not knowing anyone else who was going but I was greeted warmly by the onsite staff once I got to Japan and quickly made friends. The structure of this trip was AMAZING. I loved the freedom it offered. We, of course, had classes and scheduled events but we were also given most evenings and weekends to ourselves to explore as we wanted to. I found a little group of friends that were interested in the same things as I was and also wanted to hit many of the same sights when we were there. With this connection, my time in Japan was something I will never forget. We explored the shopping distracts, historical sights, we also experienced the traditional side of Japanese culture. Studying at Seisen university was a unique experience because we were in classes with Japanese students, we were not excluded from the group or taking classes with just us. We were immersed in every side of the Japanese student life. We had the freedom to travel to and from school at our own pace and meals were often with our friends from CIS Abroad and Seisen University. If you are looking for a trip that allows you to make connections with students from all across America and in Japan, while working through a university but given the freedom to do what interests you personally. I never felt overwhelmed by the program because they understand that students have varying interests, they provided activities such as a traditional tea ceremony or a trip to a Temple in Tokyo, but most of our time outside of class were our own. This trip is for you if you want a unique experience in Japan!

After living in Athen Greece for about four months, I am able to come back home with a more rich perspective and greater point of view! The lessons, experiences, friendships, and memories will carry through for future days! I will hold on to this time of my life for the rest of my life! There is no classroom that could ever give someone the same kind of lessons than going abroad does. Throughout my time in Greece, I was able to feel like a local at times, and a tourist! Between attending the farmers market behind my apartment, to hiking to the top of Philopappu Monument for a perfect view of the Acropolis, my time in Greece was nothing short from special! There was a time in the middle of my program, about half way through the semester when I had my purse stolen from my own two feet. This very scary and unfortunate event was also very difficult to pick myself up from. I lost everything in there including my phone. Luckily this program, provided me with an amazing assortment of people who all helped get me through. Between friends, and even my onsite program coordinator, were all a huge support during this time. I tried to not let this event impact the rest of my experience abroad, and I instead grew from it. I continued to have the time of my life through the experience of living abroad in another country! There is nothing like living in a different culture, and country. You will gain things that will forever change you as a person and believe me -for the better! I recommend doing a program that is longer, over choosing just a month or a six week program because it can be harder to gain the same cultural influences when you are only there for a short couple weeks. With just a short amount of time that you stay abroad, it sometimes feels like a vacation, while staying a bit longer abroad, gives a better sense of "living abroad". The more you are there, the more you must assimilate to living in this culture, and it can be difficult to gain that same experience through a short couple of weeks. For some who want a taste of living abroad, the shorter program will be perfect and it is as equally as enjoyable! My recommendation is to go for the entire semester in order to gain the full-life experience. No matter the program, no matter the country, going abroad will be as enjoyable for you as it was for me! Greece was amazing, filled with picturesque scenery, outdoor activities, and just the perfect balance of life for a student like you!

This was my first semester abroad and coming from a small town, small high school and small college I did not know what to expect. Once I arrived in Sorrento it felt like home. I was used to people knowing my name, being in small classes, and feeling a sense of community. Sorrento is a small town that quickly felt like home. I was the type of person to quickly and easily get lost and this was a town even I could quickly figure out. It was picturesque with breathtaking sunsets and views. The teachers were lovely and personable. I could not have asked more from the institute. It was small and quaint. If I wanted too, and often did, I could travel to the nearby town of Naples for some of their famous pizza and take an international flight from there. For my first time abroad, I wanted to have a home away from home, to make friends and to find a place where I would be comfortable. I found it in Sorrento.

I spent Fall of 2019 studying at RMIT University in Vietnam. This was an amazing experience for my first time in an Asian country. Vietnam is a place full of culture and history. Being with the locals, going hiking, meeting interns from other countries, and meeting my closest friends is something I will never forget! The cultural experience that I had was unbeatable. School wise, my course at RMIT were not that challenging for me and structured differently than in the States. I recommend taking more classes than suggested if you want a harder course load, or use your free time to really explore Saigon, its food, and interact with the locals just as I did.

I absolutely loved studying abroad in Thailand. I did the summer program and I really enjoyed my time there. CISabroad has amazing staff and really contributed to my wonderful experience. Thailand has so much to offer and learning about the culture there was something that I am really glad I got the chance to do.

Studying abroad in England at Roehampton was probably the best decision I have made so far in my life. I made so many friends from all over the world and someone of these people will be my friends for life. I got to do so many things that I would not have been able to do if I was not in England. I got to travel to a couple other countries in Europe and it was all relatively cheap. Though exploring Europe was great it was even better to be able to explore England/UK. I got to slowly see all of London and see so many things that not all tourist see because I was there for so long. The academics and Reohampton were great, I took classes that I would not have taken and my home university and learned so much from them and they have definitely made me more feel rounded with a different perspective. All of the staff members really care about your success and its not just CISabroad its the university staff as well. Accommodation is good I found that I had just the right amount of room and I really liked that it was a flat and not a dorm building because you become so much closer with everyone. Overall it was so much fun and an amazing experice that I will never forget.

Being abroad gives you time and space to grow as an individual. You are challenged to face the things you fear and tackle the habits you have that may not be the most positive. If you have the opportunity to go abroad then go for it, go alone and thrive on your own while also meeting new people. CIS Abroad prepared me for the challenges that I would face by having a program director who was open and honest about what to expect in Thailand. David was always there when I needed him and in the event of serious occurrences, he would either show up or make sure he handled it remotely. Our activity director Chuie and his team were the second best thing about CIS. They planned trips and excursions that truly exposed us to the Thai culture while also becoming our friend and taking our feelings into consideration. I feel that CIS Abroad supported us in the best way possible for a low cost as well. There were other programs staying at our accommodation and there were things that CIS did for us that they did not receive. I had the time of my life in Thailand and grew immensely as a person, a friend, a student, and a curious mind.

Studying abroad completely opened my mind to so many different ideas, cultures, values, ways of speaking, and ways of life as a whole. In choosing to study abroad in Australia, I initially did not expect it to be entirely different from the United States. However, I was shocked to quickly learn that this was a whole new world from what I was used to! For one thing, "uni" (as Australians call college/university) is very self-paced and independent. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that lectures were recorded and posted online, so if you missed one (or if you learn better by watching the video, as I do), you can still be caught up. I thought that this was really cool- my school at home does not do this, and I feel like it caters to multiple styles of learning. In this way, I experienced a new method of learning at school, which was really exciting. I also became familiar with the Aussie lingo. Initially, I did not think that there would be any language barrier- Australians do speak English, after all! Again, I was surprised. It took me a few weeks to really get familiar with the way that Australians speak, as they tend to speak quickly and use a lot of slang that I had never heard of. This was SO cool, because I felt as though I was almost picking up another language. Now that I'm home, I don't stop using the expressions that I've learned (probably to the annoyance of my family and friends who wish that they, too, could have experienced it firsthand;)). The most important part of studying abroad to me, though, was meeting so many amazing people from all over the world. JCU hosts many international students, so I not only met people from Australia, but I also met people from Germany, Italy, India, Mexico, and Austria- just to name a few. Meeting people from all over the world gave me so much insight that I never could have gained had I chosen to not study abroad. I have definitely found that I have been heavily influenced by the ideas of my international peers. To me, this is a really good thing- I have become a very open-minded person, and I find it easier to relate with other people who are different from me. In this way, I have seen studying abroad as a huge growing experience for me, as I have definitely become a more well-rounded person from it. I highly suggest that you study abroad, because it will truly open your eyes to how big the world truly is, and it will help you to achieve personal growth in ways that you did not even know were possible. Studying abroad is absolutely the best thing that you can do during your college years, so take advantage of the opportunity!

All I can say is this experience is my favorite college memory! When I first decided to go abroad, I knew Italy was the place for me. Between the ancient ruins and the beautiful coastline, I couldn't think of any place I'd rather spend 10 weeks over summer. I initially settled on the historical city of Rome, but it didn't take long for my love for beaches to take me elsewhere. I ended up choosing Sorrento, and I honestly couldn't have chosen a better place! I think it's safe to say Sorrento will always have a piece of my heart and will always be my home away from home. Sorrento is a dream come true! It's exactly what you imagine a summer in Italy to be like: colorful beach umbrellas, boats sailing along the coast, gelaterias everywhere you turn, and lots of lemons! The host university, Sant'Anna Institute, is amazing! One of my favorite memories at the school was watching the most incredible firework show from the rooftop terrace when every color imaginable lit up the night sky above the water. Overall, I don't think my experience would have been the same without CIS Abroad. The staff did everything they possibly could to make the experience go as smoothly as possible. I loved Molly, who was the on-site staff member when I went! She is the absolute sweetest and was always a resource for students! For anyone wanting to go abroad, I definitely recommend CIS Abroad!

I was lucky enough to study abroad on the Gold Coast last fall. Choosing to go abroad with CISabroad was one of the best decisions that I made! The site director Jackie Chapman was incredible! She made us feel at home during orientation and continuously checked in on us throughout the semester! She introduced me to some of best friends who I still keep in touch with today! The program set up trips to Byron Bay, to markets around the Gold Coast and paid for coffee meet ups with other students so we could get to know each other! I did a ton of traveling and the CIS staff was super helpful with recommendations and making sure we stayed in groups! I would recommend this program to anyone considering studying on the Gold Coast!

This summer I spent eight weeks participating in a Public Health Internship. I was able to get hands-on experience in my career field. 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 eight weeks, I wasn't homesick!

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. :)

To anyone considering a study abroad experience, it is one of the greatest college opportunities that can be right in front of you. Going abroad with CIS not only gave me many opportunities that I never knew I had right in front of me but they also provide many opportunities for scholarships to help pay for the program expenses, a new passport and travel expenses. Going from a small town in high school to the University of South Carolina was a big step for me, taking on the opportunity to travel to Greece never having been out of the US before has made my college experience that much greater. The CIS Abroad - Summer in Greece Session II was a three week long study abroad which took place during July of my Junior year summer. Spending time in a place where you have no idea any of your surroundings and getting to know 10-15 new people where everyone is just as long became some of the best bonding time of my college career. I was given the opportunity to room with 5 other people in a town filled with all Greeks to where we were immersed straight into the culture. CIS didn't house us in an apartment in a touristy area. Being straight in the middle of Athens CIS still put us in a local community surrounded by grocery stores, pharmacies, homestyle restaurants, chained Greek restaurants and many other available options right there at our finger tips. CIS also provided us with opportunities to do things as a group included in our program fees to make us feel at home to be guided around by a local working for CIS. I have already considered trying to find a way to do another study abroad program through CIS during my senior year!

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!!

There truly aren't words to describe the happiness I experienced while abroad in Cusco this past summer. I learned so much about who I am while being on a different continent than my family. I learned that I wasn't actually away from family, but right at home with my homestay family. Tania and Sandro took me in and made me feel like one of their own, and almost 4 months after coming back to the states I think I talk about them every single day. The culture exudes from every street corner in Cusco. Hundreds of years of cultures comes off the pages of a textbook we read in the United States and becomes real life while you walk through La Plaza de Armas or down Avenida La Cultura. From Mercado San Pedro to Sacsayhuaman, I could not imagine my experience anywhere else. CISabroad allowed me to foster independence while still providing every support needed to ensure my safety.

In the fall of 2018, I realized I wanted to study abroad. So, after researching a few programs, I decided to study on the Amalfi Coast in Italy! I went through a program called CIS Abroad, who helped me to plan everything - from a basic packing list, to information about the student Visa process, to financial planning! I loved Sorrento, where Sant'Anna Institute (the abroad school) was located, as it was a very authentic Italian experience; bigger cities such as Rome or Florence tend to be more high-density tourist attractions, which hinder traditional Italian culture. For the semester, I lived in a dorm located in the same building as my classrooms. Sant'Anna provided very safe and clean housing as well as access to kitchen spaces and balconies. The staff helped with any travel questions we had, and the teachers cared deeply about our success as students as well as young travelers.

Melbourne is a fantastic city to study abroad in! There is so much culture to experience- sports, festivals, concerts, restaurants, bars, and so so much more. There's also a lot of incredible nature right nearby in Victoria, and many naturally beautiful areas to check out all across Australia and in nearby New Zealand. As far as location, I cannot recommend Melbourne strongly enough! I had an incredible experience that is not available in most other locations within Australia and New Zealand due to the size of Melbourne and its reputation of being welcoming to people from all over the world. The University of Melbourne also offers a lot of fantastic academic opportunities and social experiences. As far as my experience with CIS, I think they did a good job and gave me what was promised. But if you can get into Melbourne with a different program for less, I would say that's fine.

I was not up for leaving the country at all, I'm not sure what made me go finally but I am so glad I did! Bond University has a beautiful campus and very well qualified professors. I took a similar class that I had taken back in the US but learned 10x more! There are many cool places to go in the area like Burleigh Heads, Surfers Paradise, and Miami (their version of our beloved Floridian city). Go a little farther to Byron Bay, Brisbane, and Sydney! I went to all the above places and had so much fun at each. The food, culture, and people were all better than here in the US. My Study Abroad group was involved in lots of the places I went such as snorkeling the great barrier reef, going to a rainforest in Cairns, and going surfing in Byron bay.

I spent this last semester in Dublin with the CISabroad program and I loved every minute of it. The CIS staff was amazing through the process and so ready to answer any and all of my questions. And our on-site program director was absolutely amazing! He was always there to check in on us and if we had any questions he was one phone call away at all times. He also knew so much about Dublin, and Ireland in general. He was like our Irish dad, always watching out for us. The university that I attended was also really nice, they had a large number of international students and a lot of events and clubs tailored towards all of us. I got to meet people from so many other countries through their events. The university also had a variety of classes available for me to take, and it was cool because I was in classes with other Irish students. For a couple classes, I was the only international student there. So I was really able to learn from those Irish students, and see what their courses are like, how their schedules work, and how their programs are set up. The best part of my time in Ireland was definitely the friendships I made with my other CISabroad program-mates. There weren't many of us, but we all became so close. I still talk to many of them everyday and I miss them all so much. I would highly recommend this program, or any CISabroad program, to anyone wanting to study abroad. You will be well prepared to go, well taken care of while there, and you will be with some of the greatest people you will ever meet!

I absolutely LOVED my time in Spain. From the people, to the food, to the city itself, Barcelona was AMAZING! CIS Abroad staff was extremely helpful with all of the pre-departure paperwork and I had no worries at all about my semester abroad. Upon arrival, the on site staff were extremely helpful in facilitating anything that I needed. In addition, the program has many fantastic excursions that really generate a love for the culture of your chosen country. I cannot more highly recommend any other experience. To this day I still talk to the friends I made while abroad in addition to my host parents on an almost daily basis. The connections I made in my semester abroad will be connections that I carry with me for a long time to come. Again, 10/10 would recommend.

I chose to study in Seoul, South Korea, which if I was an electrical or mechanical engineer, would’ve been the perfect marketplace. However, the one section of engineering that South Korea lacks is aerospace, exactly my major! That doesn’t mean it was all for naught; I was still completing the basics of my engineering classes during my semester abroad. This allowed me to transfer back to my home university 9 credit hours towards my major, with 12 credit hours total transferred. You would think that math can’t possibly vary much, right? Of course, numbers are numbers, but the approach to solving a problem depends on cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which you may not even notice until you put yourself somewhere different. Besides the actual content of the classes I took, the different methods of problem solving and reaching a solution is the best thing I took away from my experience academically.

はじめまして、よろしくお願いします！Nice to meet you! Have you wanted to experience a culture where the traditional blends with the modern in a unique environment with a vibrant culture and beautiful language? Well good news, this program is for you! 2 weeks in Tokyo was a dream come true for me. Having the opportunity to not only study the Japanese Language, but interact with Japanese students and local Japanese people was truly a once in a lifetime experience. The campus I studied at was Seisen University, which is a beautiful European styled building and a historical landmark on the grounds of an old samurai family. I learned so much, and have continued my studies on my own after the program. We learned grammar but also wrote Haikus with the vocabulary we learned. My Japanese language sensei was wonderful, and excellent at teaching. I am still close friends with several of the Seisen students who helped teach the class, and was thrilled to be able to see them when I returned on another trip. Now I didn't spend all my time in class, there was plenty of free time to explore the city of Tokyo and surrounding prefectures on my own. I went to the entertainment center of Tokyo—Odaiba, and saw the giant Unicorn Gundam at Diver City. I spent an evening at an outdoor onsen, which was super relaxing. I even left Tokyo and went south to the historic ancient capital of Kamakura, known for it's shrines and temples. CISabroad also includes numerous excursions during the program as well. I got to participate in a traditional tea ceremony, wear kimonos around Takeshita Street in Harajuku and go on a Scavenger hunt in Asakusa around Sensoji Temple. If you're nervous about studying abroad alone, this program is not only a perfect way to dip your toes in studying internationally (it's a nice short two week time period) but you also have the excellent on site team ready and willing to provide any assistance they can.

My time in London and Barcelona was phenomenal. The experience of studying abroad gives a surreal feeling of personal growth right before your eyes. Being in metropolitan cities, I was exposed to the home culture, but also culture from immigrants and refugees all over the world. It is the opportunities like this that will better my character and allow me to make a difference in the future. I encourage students everywhere to follow their interests and study abroad.

While looking into study abroad programs, I knew I needed to choose a program that would give me the support I needed to help fulfil my dream of studying in London. CISAbroad and its advisors were there every step of the way to ensure that the application process went as smoothly as possible. They made sure I had all of the resources I needed before, during, and after my time abroad. I had a fantastic summer and loved participating in the CISAbroad excursions. The on-site staff were wonderful and always so supportive of anything my peers and I needed abroad. I would study abroad again with CIS in a heartbeat!

CIS abroad is by far the best bang for your buck. the cite director was attentive and informative. she programmed meaningful and super fun activities for us to get the most out of our experience. I had a great time and felt I was totally prepared to live in Prague after our welcome activities/ orientation. CIS abroad was helpful the entire time and I cannot recommend them enough (plus they're cheaper then the same program run by ISA and AIFS)

I loved my experience abroad and with CISAbroad. All of the staff was always willing to help. It was easy to schedule a phone appointment with staff before I left and the on-site staff was so supportive and always there to help if we needed her. My host mom was the best . Carmen had 3 dogs which made it so much fun! She was a great cook and was always there to talk if I needed her. While I was there, she had two other students from other programs there as well, it was fun because we would all speak together in Spanish and talk about our days and weekend plans! The only thing about my experience that was questionable about my experience was the university I attended. I loved my professors and my classmates, but the university itself was a little unorganized. They are a young university, but sometimes it took 30 minutes to an hour to begin an off-site activity because they were not organized.

Barcelona is an amazing city in itself, but exploring it through the immersive classes alongside the CIS staff made it twice as good. We did so many cool activities, went on awesome excursions, and got a real inside view on what life is like in Barcelona through all the program events that were included, almost all at no extra cost. Everyone from CIS was so nice and personable, I think we all felt like we had become friends by the end of the three months. I never felt like my money was being spent on unnecessary things and was surprised over and over by how much was included in our program. Some of the coolest things that we did, like staying with host families in Morocco or exploring hidden tunnels in Barcelona, really wouldn’t have been possible to do without the help of CIS. Also, the classes were the perfect level of difficulty to take while studying abroad - they were interesting, but there was plenty of time left to travel and explore the city. Although it would have been cool to take classes with more local students, having the curriculum geared toward study abroad students was a lot less stressful and let the classes be a lot more relevant to what we were interested in - I always looked forward to going to class and really loved my teachers. The only thing I really wish I had done differently was figure out a way to stay longer.

I've gone on several study abroad trips before (Greece, other parts of the Mediterranean, Latin America, Asia) but the Europe and the Islamic World January Seminar was very EYE-OPENING in many aspects, and not in the best way. Looking back, I think this experience was necessary in order for me to truly learn the ignorance that exists amongst the jokes that call themselves a "civilized society" but I was just surprised at how fierce my lesson was. If you are a minority student, you may want to avoid study abroad groups that give any indication of not having a significant percentage of ACTUAL minority students (and no, Stepin Fetchit's and brown-nosers do NOT count); but if traveling with bigoted Neanderthals is your thing then by all means, GO FOR IT! Interestingly, most of the bigoted losers in my session seemed to come from the same private university in Minnesota. While I didn't necessarily appreciate dealing with rude comments, ignorant behavior, and retarded micro-aggressions, I was nonetheless simultaneously amused and disgusted at how truly stupid and hypocritical some *fill-in-the-blank* Americans are when traveling abroad with those who differ from them, regardless of how polite and open you may attempt to be towards them. More specifically, this experience only CONFIRMED to me that some "cultures" (or groups with a thin veneer of culture and civilization) will NEVER change their ways and should just be ignored or exposed for the jokes they are. Oftentimes, you are simply wasting your time being polite as you cannot coexist with backwards barbarians who do not even want to believe you are equal to them (delusional). Numerous experiences other than this trip have only justified this theory, and you don't have to look much farther than the current social climate of America to realize this dirty little secret has not gone away (not just America, though!). As long as these "cultures" remain as unevolved as they are, this world will never be more than the tribalistic dim place it is. Lol, these are the same idiots looking to the stars and fantasizing about going into space when they would likely practice racism/discrimination against the first alien species they'd encounter. Get real, you're not evolved enough to go into space anytime soon if you can't get past your Neanderthal prejudices. Ironic that in traveling to "see the world," they truly revealed just how blind and short-sighted most of them are. I hate to get specific but if you plan to go on this trip, there are certain people you need to watch out for. First of all, several of the program assistants are fake as all get out. One girl named Arianna Zabriskie has a penchant for making ignorant left-handed comments on others' personal/social habits despite her polite (yet phony) facade (typical duplicity that is common in their culture). Another, named Rebecca Coyle, shares the same tendency for making intentionally direct and rude remarks about particular students; the only thing more lackluster than her skin's elasticity is her ability to hide her evident bigotry. The same goes, I believe, for the Indian female (I forget her name) who also served as a chaperone and assistant throughout the majority of the program, another irrelevant yet annoying indicator of the stupidity that is the planet "Earth." Wasn't entirely sure about the IAU President. He seemed relatively friendly at first but I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of the staff were secretly racist. Jubran later may have been foolish enough to agree with the stupid behavior of the students, lacked the conviction to act outside of his culture's ignorant norms, and/or been reluctant to appear to "take sides" and thus anger the fools. Nonetheless, the energy I perceived from many of the students there did not settle well at all with me and their subsequent behavior only confirmed this. These are the same idiots that will seek positions of administration and "power" within the US and its pathetic institutions of pseudo-justice and diplomacy while carrying the same stupid mentality with which they were indoctrinated, and thus perpetuate another generation of backwardness (I may mention names if I can edit this review later). I might have only encountered like 1 or 2 truly genuine individuals, and they proved not to be a complete waste of my time as I hate exerting energy with fake people. Nonetheless, yes, of course I definitely enjoyed the cultural immersion and seeing the sights of France, Morocco, Gibraltar, and Spain. I don't necessarily consider this planet we live on to be the most enlightened (least, if anything) but there's nothing wrong with educating yourself on how various countries, governments and systems work. My increasing knowledge only works to propel me towards REAL causes I actually deem worth my energy and personal investment, rather than those that will ignore yet exploit me. Morocco and Spain were definitely my fave sights, aesthetically, and the pictures I took were awesome. Hey, on the bright side...next time, I will definitely travel with more reasonable individuals but at least I got some insight for future travels.

My study abroad experience on the Semester on the Amalfi Coast would not have been as amazing as it was without CisAbroad. Everyone was so helpful and made sure I was very comfortable with everything. My on-site coordinator, Romina Marchionne, made sure we were engulfed in the Italian culture. I stayed with a host family and it was life-changing. You can't live like an Italian unless you live with an Italian family! I loved the university, Sant'Anna Institute, because it offered so many engaging courses. I took Marine Biology and we went snorkeling in a marine protected area. Also, I took Archaeology and we went to places like Pompeii and Herculaneum on our field trips. The people in Sorrento and all throughout Europe were very friendly and helpful.

I would not trade my experience in Edinburgh for the whole world. I truly believe I had some of the best few months of my life while I was there and I would return in a second if given the opportunity. The housing offered was great, I lived with seven other girls in a flat with a shared kitchen and living space but we each had our own bathroom and bedroom. The location was a bit far from campus but I was able to experience taking a bus everyday which I actually came to really enjoy (just some extra time to find new music)! The flat was also close to many great sites. There is so much to do in Edinburgh that it is practically impossible to be bored. Princes Street, Georges Street, and the Royal Mile offer so many shopping opportunities and cafe spots. You can also be active by visiting Arthur's Seat or walking to Calton Hill and experiencing the beautiful views of Edinburgh. The site director for the semester in Edinburgh is so lovely and kind and will make you feel at home immediately. I made some of the best friends as well and will cherish my time in this amazing place with them for years to come.

I believe that a way to find yourself is traveling and experience different cultures, it opens your eyes and you watch your life having a turn and making sense in every task you do. I put my heart and effort in this things so I become a better person every day by learning and spreading a little bit of my knowledge. If you are doubting to get abroad just follow your instinct and you will see how everything falls into place.

In the Spring of 2018, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Quito, Ecuador. Needless to say, I had the time of my life. I got to travel every weekend and try all kinds of new foods. CISAbroad provides planned trips with the program and those were my favorite kind of trips because I was able to spend time with the onsite director Diana and other people in my program. We all became very close and it helped a lot with that community feeling. I loved learning about the history of Ecuador because it has so much! All of the students in the university were so welcoming and kind to the abroad students. I stayed with the most amazing host family. They took me in as I was one of their own. I attended many family events and hung out with them regularly. If you're thinking about studying abroad, you should do it!!!

While spending six weeks studying in Florence in Summer 2017, I felt so supported by the CIS staff in-country and back in the states. They were with me every step of the way as I was getting signed up to make sure nothing was missed. I knew everything I needed to know beforehand about living arrangements, in-country resources, and what to pack. CIS's arrangement with Florence University of the Arts gave me an opportunity to explore the city given that classes took place throughout Florence. CIS's programs and dinners were a wonderful way to meet more of my fellow American students. I felt so free to explore my exciting new city because I knew that, should I need them, the kind and helpful CIS staff were there for support.

Thanks to CISabroad, I was able to spend 4 amazing months in Australia! Getting the chance to study abroad is an opportunity of a lifetime. CISabroad has a variety of different destinations, and there were so many places I had considered before choosing a semester on the Gold Coast. My advisor helped me through the process, provided scholarships, and made me even more excited for the journey I was about to embark upon. The team is dedicated to making sure you are safe, happy, and getting the most out of your experience. So, in the Fall of 2018, I left to Gold Coast, Australia, and had the best time of my life. The program includes many excursions that immerse you into the new culture, and they made me feel like a true Aussie! I made so many new friends at Bond University, and many new memories that'll last a lifetime. CISabroad made the transition to Australia, and back, as smooth as possible. I would go back to the Gold Coast in a second. Choosing CISabroad was the best decision I've ever made!

I had the most amazing experience abroad in AIx-en-Provence, France! From the moment I received my acceptance into the program until the end of my program, the CISabroad and IAU staff were friendly and helpful with answering any questions I had! The city of Aix-en-Provence itself is stunningly beautiful, and the people are friendly and eager to help you learn. In fact, my favorite part of my experience was my homestay because my host mom treated me as if I was one of her own. Often, I would sit in the kitchen and chat with her as she cooked dinner so that I could practice my French! I also loved all of my professors at the IAU, which made it hard to leave. I will never forget this experience and how it helped me grow into a more independent and confident person. I highly recommend this program without any hesitations.

I cannot say enough amazing things about CISabroad. Headed to Rome, I was initially nervous. However, I have never had my initial emotions changed so fast. CISabroad had immersed us in the culture, educated us on the food, people, politics, you name it. Within the first week, Rome felt like home to me, and what a blessing it was. I gained the confidence to speak the language, meet the people, and I even ended up playing for a football club during my stay! By no means am I exaggerating when I tell people it was one of the most unreal experiences.

If you are thinking about doing a study abroad program, make CISabroad your top pick! This was my first time living in a country other than the United States, and CIS made the transition easier than I could have ever imagined! The Barcelona onsite staff were always available to help or give advice, and they really made me feel at home. Not only this, but CIS also placed me in a centrally located and safe area of Barcelona which allowed me to really explore the city and acclimate to the culture. Overall, this was the most amazing experience ever and I made lifelong friendships and grew as a person. I owe it all to CISabroad!

My experience abroad started off being star struck in the Great Barrier Reef in early September of 2018. After a few months at Bond Uni, the Gold Coast and Australia were feeling more like home and less like a dream world, but still just as beautiful and opportunistic. That pretty much lead me to one of my biggest takeaways from the whole trip. Now that I am back home where I have lived my entire life in New Hampshire, I'm realizing all the beauty around me right here, that I hadn't for the first 20 years of my life! Studying abroad brought a tremendously positive light into my life that allowed me to see the true beauty around me and makes me eager to chat with everyone and learn new stories, go on new experiences and live life to the max! It made me realize their is more opportunity in this world then I have time, which just motivates me to go for it and take the adventures and opportunities when their presented. I had no idea what I would get out of this abroad experience, but now looking back, I wouldn't trade that semester for the world. I grew and developed so much as a person and have been given such a wonderful opportunity from CISabroad and Bond Uni. I'm hope to continue traveling, learning, and creating relationships for many decades to come and it's all in thanks to my abroad experience!

My semester at the University of Limerick was absolutely amazing! The University is great, and all of the lecturers are so nice and always willing to help. The really cool thing about being an international student at UL is the fact that you don't have to decide on your classes right away! You get the first 2-3 weeks to test out your classes before actually committing to them. This way, if you have to potential classes that you can't decide between and they meet at the same time, go to the first on one day, the other the next day. This is really cool because you get to be 100% sure before you sign up. In terms of student living, there are multiple options to choose from! There are several on-campus​ apartments that you can rent for the semester/ year. You get your own room, 6-8 roommates, shared kitchen/ living area, and either a shared or personal bathroom depending on which one you choose. Limerick is a city full of history and culture, so don't write it off without knowing a little more. Don't get me wrong, Dublin was really cool, but I really enjoyed staying in Limerick because it was smaller and more intimate; I felt like I could really connect with the locals, while also experiencing the best Ireland had to offer. I highly recommend studying at the University of Limerick, it has impacted my life for the better and I loved every second of it!

The fall semester of 2018 I CISabroad gave me the experience of a lifetime. I studied at the University of Roehampton in South West London, and loved every minute of it. From the beginning stages of the application process to being guided on an excursion to Scotland, the CISabroad team was supportive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Phones calls with Maggie always answered my questions, and onsite adventures planned by Anna and Linda enhanced my time in London more than I can explain. Everything from a free city bus tour ticket, to a weekend in Edinburgh made me feel confident to explore the city on my own. My "standard" housing was perfect, including my own bedroom, a kitchen set, and bed set. I had a comfortable home-base to return to after a day of exploring. The location of Roehampton, in my opinion, was the best of both worlds. It was just outside of central London, in close proximity to the national common of Richmond Park which quickly became my favorite pass time. However, the landmarks of London were a quick bus and tube ride away. CISabroad helped me accomplish my dream of living in my favorite city, and doing it successfully. They equipped me with the tools I needed to navigate the new experience of living on my own, and the city itself. I never felt like a tourist in unfamiliar surroundings. Instead I obtained a sense of accomplishment and independence as I sucked up every opportunity this journey brought me. Thank you thank you thank you to CISabroad, I look forward to working with you in the future!

Dublin itself is an amazing place to be. Everyone that I met across Ireland was extremely welcoming and friendly. The people are very sociable and will talk to you forever if you let them. DCU offered a rather relaxed college experience, to me, which was refreshing compared to school back home. The university has three campuses that range from a very modern feel to thinking you're having class in a castle. The university had different student nights on campus that really allowed us to meet more people around campus and see how the social life works there. CISabroad was extremely helpful with making sure that we had everything in order before we left, when we arrived, throughout our trip and helped us re-acclimate to being back home. The on-site advisors that CIS provides in each country are so helpful. Mr. John is the on-site advisor for Ireland and he showed us around Dublin, made sure we were okay throughout the semester, and threw us multiple pizza parties. Throughout the semester we took cultural excursions across Ireland to places that we may have not traveled on our own. I highly recommend studying in Dublin through CISabroad, it truly is life-changing.

The program was there 24/7 if you had any questions. The site director in Scotland was one of the kindest individuals I have ever met. She was always available and approachable regardless of the circumstance. The program included a group Highland trip at the start of the semester. This trip was probably one of my fondest memories of my experience. My site director had a wealth of knowledge of Scotland, only enhancing the amazing tour guide we were provided with. The program built an approachable sense of community and the trip was a chance to strengthen our relationships. My flatmates went with another provider and did not have as many outings, lacked a sight director and did not receive much support. Many of the basic information CIS had provided before even leaving our hometowns wasn't provided to them until weeks into the experience. CISabroad made the application process and transition to a new country extremely easy. You will not regret working with this program, it really is worth the money because of the lasting support you are provided. Throughout my time in Scotland I found out more about myself spiritually and physically. My ancestors were from Dundee, Scotland, northeast from where I was positioned. I found fascinating history about the clan my ancestors were apart of and even was able to see the grave of a famous member of my descendents clan, Rob Roy Macgregor. Another very awakening experience was swimming in Loch Ness. I was with a tour group of 13 people with only 3 other individuals willing to take the plunge in the 35 degree weather. It was an invigorating experience to swim in a body of water that contained as much water as all of the bodies of water in the UK combined, not to mention the obvious threat of the lochness monster. Stirlings small town environment allowed me to feel like I was apart of a community and enriched my experience. I was happy to be an hour away from both the largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh. It made day trips on the train to the city easy, while being able to return to the quietness of Stirling.

Studying abroad in Stirling, Scotland was the best decision I ever made. The people there are so kind, and the Scottish land is stunning. I felt so supported while there, and I made so many great friends from around the US and the world. The University itself is gorgeous, and the international student staff was great. I would recommend Stirling to anyone who wants to go abroad!

During my time with CIS, their biggest impact was the whole hearted involvement they had with our whole study abroad group. From the moment I stepped off the plane, finding my apartment to leaving the county and everything in between, Stirling’s advisor was there for us every step of the way. Maggie showed us potential trips, took us to lunches, and kept us up to date on events and activities. If you want a program that really is available for you whenever you need, choose Stirling.

This program was a lifesaver! My university requires Japanese major students to study abroad for at least one semester, however, I learned that due to complications that they would be only allowing two students to go through the school. Since my best friend Jenny and I wanted to be placed in the same school we decided it would be best to look for a third party program; and I am so glad we chose CISabroad! From the get-go the program was super organized. They had a portal set up so that I could see what paperwork I had to get done and when. Also, I was immediately set up with an advisor that I could get in contact with super easily throughout the whole process (this was extremely helpful when it came time to do visa applications!). Once I got to Japan, they gave us a fun orientation in Tokyo where we got to browse all of the local hotspots and get to know our site director, Jeff (he is amazing!). The whole time that we were there we could contact Jeff at literally any hour and he would get back to us super quickly. He also took us on excursions throughout the trip, like getting to see a Shinto ceremony at a shrine (that was closed only for us!), or feeding deer at Nara! It was absolutely amazing!

I've been a traveler at heart for as long as I can remember, and have always wanted to study abroad before I graduated college. CIS was able to make that a reality when I stumbled upon them in my school's study abroad fair last year- before I knew it, I was studying at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies in Kyoto, Japan! From orientation in Tokyo to adjusting to life in beautiful Kyoto, this experience was really once in a lifetime. Classes are intensive and challenging regardless of what level you're placed in (I knew none of the language before arriving), and on top of other classes, you take 3 hours of comprehensive language every day. Despite the initial frightening language barrier with professors and basically everywhere else, the payoff was completely worth it- after 3 months, we went through an entire text book, and learned about 2 years worth of material in that time! The experience completely changed me, as I now want to continue studying the language post graduation, and maybe even work in the country. Overall, the site directors put in their utmost effort to get everyone in the program involved in the local culture, and I had some unforgettable experiences and excursions through CIS and the school (Arashiyama, Nara, and even a dinner with a Geiko!), and enough time to take some major solo trips of my own. :) CIS Semester in Kyoto was hands down the most special experience I've had in university, and recommend it to anyone who's up for an adventure of their own!

I studied at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies in Kyoto Japan. During my time there, CIS helped with anything and everything I needed. If they couldn't help, then they found the people that could. The school itself was the best I've ever attended. The facilities were up to date, the staff were helpful, the teachers were patient and knowledgeable. The dorms that I was placed in were more like small apartments, complete with their own bathroom and kitchenette. They were small, but very comfortable. As for fun time, there was a lot to do. There were plenty of things to discover, plus CIS prepared their own excursions for us. I met many different people, natives and foreigners alike, and made a lot of great friends. Overall, this was singlehandedly the best experience I've had, and I look forward to the spring semester.

My time in Spain was eye opening. Living amidst such culture and history was something I wish I could do forever. My program taught me a lot and gave me hands on experience with confronting new situations with urban design.

Over the summer, I visited San Jose, Costa Rica for 8 weeks. I took 3 classes, lived with a host family and visited all 7 provinces in the country. Costa Rica has to be one of the most beautiful countries I've ever seen, the study abroad experience I had was absolutely amazing from the trips to multiple beaches, living with my host family, the food, and the classes I took at the university. In two of my classes I honed my Spanish skills and I now know so much more Spanish than I did before and in my third class I swam with giant sea turtles and caught sting rays and saw dolphins, it was absolutely amazing. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and showed a simpler much happier way to live and I am grateful to have had this experience.

The beginning of my adventures started when I was approved to go to Japan under CISabroad. From the moment I landed and met with my program advisor and coordinator Jeff Sinding, I knew I was going to have a great experience in Tokyo. Because of CISabroad, I was able to be located in a quiet neighborhood called Nakanobu, Tokyo. My school was located in Gotanda, which was just two stops away. My school was beautiful and my apartment was cozy. Everything was so convenient because CISabroad placed us by multiple restaurants and grocery stores that sell affordable produce. There’s really nowhere else where I can get such a great deal of a program that provides housing, guides you to multiple transportation options, education, and a phenomenal experience. If I could study abroad again, I would sign up with them in a heartbeat.

I really recommend CISabroad because of the structure they provide. For my program, everything was set up when I got there, and I was always in contact with administrators. I never felt like they had dumped me off in a foreign country alone. Aside from that, I loved the location, being right in the heart of Tokyo at a highly esteemed university. The girls at Seisen University are so nice, and love to talk to the exchange students. The classes were also nice, knowledgeable teachers giving the lessons. The only complaint of mine being that it felt like the school day was a bit too long, I was always out late trying to fit in everything I could into the day. Overall, it was a great program which allows students to experience Tokyo.

My experience in Madrid was amazing. I came to love the hustle and bustle of Madrid city life. Culture was rich and adventure was always around the corner. There was always an opportunity to try something new; new places to explore, new cuisine to try, new activities to participate in. Madrid is a city that surprised me every single day. CISAbroad was extremely helpful in making me feel as comfortable as possible during my stay abroad. The onsite advisor was almost always available to answer my questions or resolve possible issues. The activities that CIS organized helped me build relationships with the other students in the program and helped me learn more about Spanish culture. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to study abroad, especially with such an organized, helpful, and caring program, CISAbroad.

Interning abroad in Wellington NZ was the best decision I've ever made! I fell in love with the city and my job and really didn't want to go home! This experience was so eye opening and I can't wait to go back to Wellington!

I was only in Sydney for 3 months... But it felt like home immediately! I knew every nook and cranny of that city. Every day after work I'd schedule a trip around town via Public Transportation and truly felt like a local within weeks! Not only did I feel completely safe any time of the day, but I also made incredible friendships. It's been almost a year since I started my three month adventure and I still talk to my foreign friends every day! I also gained professional experience that I know I'll be able to use in the US as well. I honestly feel spoiled, my internship fit every need I had and the company was so supportive. CISabroad is amazing!

I studied at the University of Sydney through CISabroad. My experienced started out in Cairns with everyone that was studying abroad through CIS for the semester, which meant there were students not only on my program but studying in different places on within Australia. This was one of favorite things that happened during my time abroad, even though it was the first thing I did. The orientation program in Carins was a great introduction to Australia as I got to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and went to a wildlife park where I got to see, pet and feed kangaroos, hold a koala, and learn about the indigenous people and other animals within Australia. Not only was I introduced to Australian culture but I got to meet some amazing people through CISabroad, some of which remain my good friends even today. After Carins, I made my way to Sydney, where I settled in and explored the city before classes started up. I really enjoyed the classes that I took as they opened up my eyes to what Australia had to offer, especially through my Australian culture and sports class. In addition to going to classes and doing school work, I did a lot of traveling on the weekends. I made my way to the south island of New Zealand for my midsemester break; I went to Melbourne to visit some of the friends made during the CISabroad orientation up in Cairns; I went to Tasmania; I went on a two-day boat tour to explore Whitsundays; and took a road trip with one of my friends in a campervan up the east coast of Australia. Overall I had a great experience traveling with my friends. However, one thing I would have done differently with my travels is that I would have planned a trip by myself so I could experience a part of Australia on my own, even if it was back to some place I had gone with others beforehand. You experience things differently when you are with a group vs. when you are by yourself. Another suggestion is that I booked most of my trips with the same few people and it definitely would have been refreshing to have traveled with different people just to change things up a bit and it can get a little tiring being around the same people all the time. On the weekend that I didn't travel, I made the weekend into a staycation. This meant that I tried to explore places in Sydney that I hadn't yet been before, relating to restaurants that I wanted to try and sites that I hadn't checked out yet. However, overall I had a great experience in Australia and I made friendships that I know I will have forever all thanks to CISabroad and the experience they allowed me to have!

CISabroad in London was the best thing I ever did. I was so nervous about going away, but the team at CIS helped me throughout the entire process of getting there, and still went above and beyond while was there. I had experiences that were once in a life time, and made friends that I will have forever. Going abroad has only made me want to travel more. I am so glad I chose CISabroad, they made handling payment, housing, insurance, transcripts, etc., so simple. There were fun trips and excursions included in the price of tuition that were amazing. The small group of CIS students I met while abroad became a small family. I'm so happy to have been apart of it!

Going with CIS Abroad to Australia was the best decision I've ever taken. I was able to go to an Aussie uni and get the true experience instead of just being another tourist student. I loved the campus and there were tons of activities to participate in. CIS Abroad also provided excursions which were amazing such as snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. Since all this was paid for in my program fees, I was able to experience the more "touristy" things without breaking the bank!!

Being a student at one of the best universities in all of Thailand (seriously, it's nationally ranked and it's known as "the Harvard of Thailand' gave me a lot of confidence to travel all throughout South East Asia. I made friends with many of my Thai classmates and asked them for travel and life in Thailand advice. Mahidol University even set me up with a buddy program so I could meet a student who has been at the university. Going to university is such a part of my normal life in the United States (in fact, it is my life) so doing it in Thailand really made sure I was living a local experience. Yes, it was different! The classes meet for either 2 hours or 4 hours. The grades are really heavily influenced on how you do on your finals. You wear a uniform every day. But the differences made me excited. I was able to even customize my schedule to only have classes until wednesday which made it easy to travel on the weekends. Mahidol University gives you such a wide range of classes, I really believe its a good programs for all majors.

This trip was easily the best experience I've ever had. Right before writing this review I was going through my old pictures from the trip reminiscing, as I have done every single day since I got back. Not only did CIS go above and beyond while abroad, but they made sure we were all prepared before even stepping foot on the airplane. While applying, I was wary of whether or not my summer work schedule would allow me to go on the six week program, or the three week program. My program advisor reassured me that once I have my application in they can always switch it over–which took a complete weight off of my shoulders. Once accepted into our programs, CIS had an orientation meeting via video chat. This orientation meeting provided me with all of the information I could've asked for pre-departure, and I felt as if I knew everything about the city of Florence before even getting there. This definitely helped ease me into the culture, and mitigated any potential culture shock. I wound up doing the three week program, but I wish I could've stayed for an entire semester. Additionally, we had an orientation once we were settled in to our places as well. The orientation was long, but I don't know what I would have done without it. They described at length what to do, what not to do, which places to avoid, cultural norms we should respect, and even where to get the best mosquito repellant (which was VERY life changing). Once we arrived in Florence, I knew I was in the right place. The city itself is so utterly beautiful and rich in culture and history. Aside from the true magnificence of the city and the country, CIS provided us with numerous opportunities to truly dive into the culture and experience local life outside of the tourist realm. One of my favorite experiences was the gelato tour–where we toured around the city and tried two of the best gelato places in Florence, the kind you only find if you wander far off the beaten path and have a local to help you find it! My other favorite experience was the pasta making night. We all contributed to make a traditional Italian meal from scratch–including making home made pasta. These are only two of so many experiences I enjoyed and that truly made my time abroad feel like I was at home. Our site leaders, Peggy and Alessandro also had a huge impact on our trip. Not only were they there for us if we had any issues or concerns, but they helped to guide us whether we were looking for local spots to explore or needed to figure out how to use public transportation. This totally changed our experience, because we basically had locals we could text and ask any questions! We were able to explore so many cool places that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to had we not been able to reach out to Peggy and Alessandro. In addition, the institution where we studied could not have been more perfect. Florence University of the Arts offered numerous academic subjects to explore, and went above and beyond in ensuring that students got the most out of their experience. What is unique about FUA, is that they offer mandatory excursion trips as part of each course, where you get to travel outside of Florence and take part in activities pertaining to your class. For example, for my Italian class we visited Orvieto, a small town with a bit of a large secret–an entire community of caves under the city that were once occupied years before. We got to tour the caves and learned about the cities' history and why the caves were created. This was definitely one of my most memorable experiences, it was so unique and I would have never visited or even known about that town on my own. Overall, I could write an entire book about how great my experience was. CIS does it best, and they offer everything you could ask for! As a last point, I would like to mention that CIS has included health care while you are abroad. If we ever got sick or had any emergency, we had a doctor available to us that was free to visit, which really made a huge difference for me. Although I never needed to visit the doctor, I had a friend who broke her tail bone cliff jumping and was able to visit a doctor immediately because of this. It eased the students' minds knowing we had somewhere to go if anything happened to us, which really matters especially in a foreign country.

I was skeptical of studying abroad since I never had any experience going to a foreign county especially on my own. I was also a little nervous because I had no one I knew join me for the first time. Yet, the program made me feel welcomed since they prepared field trips and activities that made everyone feel welcomed. I remembered after that, I got to meet new people from different part of the U.S. and even students from Australia. I never felt alone when I was there since I also went sightseeing with these new friends and always got some help with understanding the culture and learning the language as well. The staff was surprisingly helpful since they made sure that we were safe and having a good time in our time abroad as well as recommending places to visit and ensured that we understood the material. This first travel experience made me want to future study abroad programs and made me feel confident that I can do anything I set my mind to.

I always knew that I wanted to travel to Barcelona, so I was excited when I made the decision to do an internship through CISabroad. My experience ended up being the absolute best that it could have been. I am an international business major worked for a company that worked with solar energy technology, and it was a great experience because the company I worked for had partnerships with companies in many different countries. I was able to learn a lot about an industry I had not considered before which was really enjoyable. I enjoyed my internship experience very much. The CIS onsite staff provided support for all of the students in case we ever needed help with something or had an emergency. They were also really great about letting us know about different events going on in the city - we received a weekly cultural agenda with different activities to do every weekend in the city. There were also multiple day trips outside of Barcelona included in the program, as well as a week of intensive Spanish classes. Overall, my experience in Barcelona was absolutely incredible, and I hope that I can go back again someday. I would recommend this program to anyone!

This past summer I spent four amazing weeks in Scotland all because of CISabroad. Out of all the programs that I googled, CIS had exactly what I was looking for: affordable, accommodating, good safety record, and interesting classes. The staff here in the US and in Scotland were always there when I had a question or concern. Through CIS I made life long friends on my trip and I’ll forever be grateful. I definitely recommend any CISabroad program to anyone especially Summer in Scotland: Stirling!

CISabroad Summer on the Italian Coast at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento was an incredible Italian experience. Coordination with CISabroad during the application process and closer to the departure date was always super easy, and I felt as ready as I could be for the new culture. In Sorrento, I never felt unsafe, which helped because I had quite a long walk to school (25-30 minutes). I would definitely recommend staying with a host family or on Sant'anna's campus, because apartments could be between 15-30 minutes away, and Sant'Anna is located just a few steps away from the heart of Sorrento or the beach. There are plenty of excursions organized by both Sant'Anna and CISabroad, so I rarely found myself without something new to see. Sorrento is an amazing location with easy connections to the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Naples, and many of my friends used the proximity to Naples and its airport to go on trips to Spain, Amsterdam, or other locations in Italy. The classes were mostly laid-back; I never spent late nights doing homework and had plenty of time with friends to go on local excursions or cook dinner during weekdays. My only issue with classes came just before I left for the trip: many classes were not offered in the summer term so many of my peers (including me) had last minute class changes. This greatly complicated the transfer credit process at my home university, but was not necessarily the fault of CISabroad. The bottom line is that Sorrento is the perfect location in Italy to spend a summer, and the CISabroad team is exceptional during the pre-departure stage as well as on-ground assistance in Italy. I miss Sorrento so much!

I had the time of my life interning in Sydney, Australia. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I could have asked for. Everyone is kind and welcoming when I arrived and made me feel at home. Highly recommend, I will cherish my time there and the friends I made forever.

Not knowing what to expect and being nervous about living abroad for 4 months, I could not have fallen into a better program than the CIS semester in Rome. From the time we were picked up at the airport and taken to our apartments situated in authentic heart of Rome, I knew I was in for something special. The program with CIS was especially great because of all of the excursions that were included–– Gelato walks through the eternal city, food tours in the Jewish Quarter, a trip to Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii and Capri–– gave me a real feel of the beauty of Italy. School was surprisingly enjoyable, and I learned things that I could never have learned at my home University because of the international vibe that was always present. Meeting new friends, exploring different places, restaurants, and monuments every single day left me constantly having reality checks to make sure I wasn't dreaming. The experience left me more independent, culturally aware, and overall in a better mindset of the world.

Being thrown into a culture where I don't know the language and my way around was extremely humbling. I realized how much I relied on my phone, family, and friends. Going into studying abroad not knowing anyone was pretty difficult, I had to make new friends, teach myself to cook, budget, get around, and try to fit into the culture. After the first week I felt like Florence was my second home. Once I adjusted to my schedule I was able to add extra trips and explore more. I loved Peggy from CIS, she was very welcoming and was great at giving advice, she loved going out of her way to meet students for coffee or take them on trips. Overall, I would recommend CISabroad to everyone, their planning may not be the best in the world, but they are affordable and do their best to accommodate their students and interns.

This was by far the CRAZIEST and most exhausting 3 weeks of my life, but also the best! The Taste of Italy program is by far the best way to truly experience Italy and all it has to offer! The food was delicious, the people were friendly, and the places were absolutely incredible!

Before checking out my options for study abroad, I always knew I had my heart set on going to Japan. CISAbroad provided me with the most well rounded experience of Japan, and made it so I felt like I also had the freedoms as an adult while there. Going with CISAbroad solidified my decision to eventually move to Japan, and spend my life there.

I had the chance to study in the beautiful Sydney Australia this past summer (2018), and had the time of my life. I was able to live right in the heart of the city, walking distance to Central Station. The transportation systems were so easy to use, that I spent almost every day on a bus or train exploring the city. From the Opera House, to Bondi, to the Rocks, there was never a day that went by that I didn't know what to do. CISabroad provided me with other students that shared the same interests I did, a University (USYD) to take classes, and incredible excursions set up to help immerse me into my new home. Our adviser in Sydney was so warm and helpful throughout our time; we're still in contact today! While I was only there for 6 weeks, my classes were all within the first three weeks of the trip. I had the last three weeks to travel and enjoy my time there. I took a train to Newcastle where I kayaked in the Hunter Wetlands National Park and took a plane to Cairns where I had the chance to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, swim in waterfalls, and ride motor scooters around the sugar cane fields and rain forests. Studying abroad was one of the best choices I've ever made, and I'm confident that my time in Sydney is not over. The 20 hour long plane ride was definitely worth it, and I'd be lucky if I could do it again!

Spending a semester at the University of Westminster in London was easily one of my best decisions in college! I absolutely loved the city, London is a place that you could spend a lifetime in and never be bored. There are so many different cultures that all come together there, so there's a huge variety as far as food, activities, languages, and people! I made friends with people from all over the world, which was a huge bonus. As far as living situations go, you're right in the heart of the city which makes it convenient to get to touristy places, as well as being in a good location to get to transportation and smaller, out of the way places. CISAbroad is awesome because the program coordinators plan excursions and cultural activities, which takes the pressure off of you to try and do every single thing. Some things we did in my program were take a weekend trip to Scotland, go to afternoon tea, and see a West End show. CIS also takes care of paying rent and applying to the university for you, which is a huge burden off your shoulders. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better program with better people in a better city!

The CIS abroad program with School for International Studies in Barcelona gave the best bang for my buck! At a very affordable price housing, overnight trips with accommodations, transportation, and meals included, cultural and language exchanges, a cooking class, competitions for tickets to cool things to do around Barcelona- were all included. The trips to Sevilla, Zaragoza, and Figures were definitely my favorite part and they were included in the cost of the program so there was no added last minute cost. These trips gave me the opportunity to explore more parts of Spain and get the insider scoop on where to eat and what to do. The teachers at SIS are absolutely incredible and many of the classes are related to the history of Barcelona so we go to go on a lot of class trips to see the history we were talking about. I formed very close relationships with my teachers and I still talk to them after returning home. The courses that we took were fascinating and the language classes that were offered helped many students, some who had no Spanish language knowledge to communicate with locals. The only thing I can think of about the classes was that since it is such a small school with very intimate class sizes there aren't as many options as are offered at my home university. I stayed in a shared apartment with a few other roommates. Two of my roommates were interns which meant their program was shorter than mine and 2 of them were in a different program. This allowed me to meet more people outside of my classes and I still talk to my roommates and try to get together with them on school breaks. The communication with the CIS team was not instantaneous before I left which caused me to be a little nervous however, the CIS team in Barcelona is absolutely fabulous and they really help you with any situation you could encounter. They also try to help prep you and integrate you into the culture and they do a great job of it. I did have to use my travelers insurance once and it was such a lifesaver. I did not have to pay any out of pocket cost for the visit or the medication that I needed. Overall I highly recommend CIS abroad and particularly this program. It is only a three month program which is a little shorter than some of the other programs offered which is perfect for anyone on trimesters, who feels they might get a little homesick, or if you want to travel after your program is over but still be home in time for a summer job (if you go in the spring).

I absolutely fell in love with Scotland. I loved the culture, the people, the way school was set up, literally everything. I had class three days a week, Monday-Wednesday and on Thursdays we traveled somewhere with the other people in my program. On Friday's we either had excursions for our classes or we were free to do whatever. This allowed me to not only travel all over Scotland but I got to experience London and Belfast as well. My favorite trip was to tour the Scottish Highlands. It was on that tour that I fell in love with the most beautiful site you could ever imagine, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. I instantly got tears and realized traveling is my passion and that I was on the right path. Our living situation was different than from my time studying abroad in Paris. I lived in what they called "flats" which was a hallway that were full of one bedroom rooms then a kitchen. We spent a lot of our time all hanging out in each others kitchens all over our building. I prefer this accommodation over my previous one. I absolutely loved Scotland and cannot wait to go back there.

I had the time of my life in London studying at the University of Roehampton! I gained so much confidence in myself as a result of my trip. I was able to live on my own for 6 weeks while in London, making new friends and visiting amazing places the entire time. My classes did require some work, but the professors seemed to understand we were there primarily for the study abroad experience. As a result of this, we often had class field trips or in-class time to work on our homework. The dorm rooms we lived in on campus were small, but weren't any different from living on campus at my home university. The on-site support team at the University of Roehampton were all great - if you had any problems they responded promptly with a solution. The CISabroad coordinators were fantastic as well! Our excursions were always fun, and the CISabroad staff we toured the city with had a lot of local knowledge and showed us some great places I never would have found on my own. I highly recommend studying abroad, whether it's in London or not. Find a place you're interested it and go! It's worth it!

CIS Abroad helped me in many ways in choosing the right program for me. I lived with a host family which was an amazing way to learn and be a part of the culture. Also, CIS Abroad is one of the most affordable programs to study abroad.

I learned about CISabroad through a friend of mine who went during the summer the previous year. I couldn't stop thinking about how she had such an amazing time and I decided to look into it myself. I realized CIS had SO many programs, and offered a lot of cities and countries that my home institution did not offer for the summer. Before even applying I already felt so much less stressed because the deadlines to apply were extremely manageable. I at first signed up for the six week program, but due to work conflicts I got nervous I would have to do a shorter program, but had already applied for the six week. My abroad advisor (Molly) was so accommodating and nice she simply switched me over to the three week program no problems at all. Before arriving everyone had to attend a pre departure orientation via video chat–I was actually really shocked and pleased at how thorough everyone was. I felt like I was an expert on the culture of Italy, what to pack, and what to do once I got there before even stepping foot on the plane. This was a lot more important than I realized at the time, but I really think it helped neutralize any potential culture shock, because they informed us so well before leaving. Now onto the actual trip....I could write essays about how great of an experience it was. I went on this trip not knowing a soul, and wound up becoming inseparable with all of my roommates. The institution CIS chose for us to attend was incredible, and had excursion trips to go on with your class, to immerse yourself in the culture. One of my favorite experiences was this trip because I got to see what a community outside of the big city of Florence was like, while participating in local life. In addition to that, CIS had so many fun activities set up for us. My favorite activity was when we learned how to make authentic Italian pasta from scratch (it was amazing). We also got to attend an authentic Italian Opera which was incredible. It was in an old church, and we were apart of about a twenty person crowd, and the singing was unlike anything I've ever heard. If I ever needed suggestions on local restaurants or hangouts, we were able to contact our on site leaders Peggy and Alessandro and they gave us great suggestions. Whether it was finding a good gelato place, or a rooftop bar, we found something new to do every night. One of my favorite things to do was simply being apart of everything in the sense that oftentimes my friends and I would just sit by the Ponte Vecchio and people watch, imagining what it would be like to live there and be apart of the culture. We simply had the best time we could have ever imagined. We still will text each other reminiscing and talking about how we wish more than anything we could go back. The city of Florence is unlike any other, and although I was only there for three weeks, I felt that I had gotten everything I could have out of my experience thanks to CIS.

Through my time in Ireland and Scotland via CISAbroad, I had the time of my life. Although the trip was short, I was able to do so many activities and see so many parts of the countries due to the scheduling of CIS. There always seemed to be an activity planned to get us around, and even if there was not, our site directors and professor gave fantastic suggestions. The course work also helped in understand the culture, both pre-arrival and while abroad. The professor did a fantastic job in teaching the material while also making it fun and interactive. Most of all, however, it was the people I met abroad that made the trip. CIS organized the trip in a way that you could truly connect with others and di not have to go in blind even if you were traveling alone. CIS promoted a friendly environment that made the trip that much more enjoyable. Overall, I could not have picked a better company to study abroad with, as everything was safe and easy. I would definitely recommend going, and I will certainly consider going again.

Hello! I’m from San Antonio, Texas. Currently residing in Colorado. I have a mission to make a difference in the world in my lifetime, while I still hold my youth. I hike as much as I can and with what time allows me. I would love to take a year off to help others and myself. I would also like to develop an established philosophy to inspire others through my wisdom and stories. To uncover the inspiration for others, I would have to discover it through adventure. Let my adventures begin!

I overall enjoyed my time in CIS Abroad's January in Japan program. As the title states, it was indeed my first time in Japan! The advisors were really cool people, and thanks to both the excursions we had, and their advice to us students about various aspects of the country (how the public transportation system works, many different places of interests to visit, etc.), I'm more knowledgeable about the country, so the next time I visit the country on my own, I'll have no trouble getting around!

I studied abroad through CISabroad in Paris, France last summer. Paris, France has always been my dream and I am so fortunate that I got the opportunity to explore their culture. I had so much fun going on trips during the week and the weekend. The exclusions and food was the best part! I hung out and got to see the city in further depth with two of my roommates. They made the experience that much better (mainly cause they spoke some French and I barely knew anything), just kidding! I had tons of fun with them. I loved my apartment, it was so super cute and homey. I got the chance to live along the Seine River; just almost outside of the city. Going abroad inspired me to go abroad again with CISabroad this upcoming summer. I also applied to be an Alumni Ambassador as well as finding the career path I want to pursue. I want to help others who want to travel either domestically or overseas. I highly recommend going abroad; you won't regret it!

It was overall a great experience! CIS builds in cultural activities which allows you to do things that you wouldn't do on your own! The advisors and mentors are always there to help. At the international school, you will never meet a local. It is definitely difficult to immerse. Overall, a great experience though!

Studying abroad with CIS was the best decision I have ever made. From the moment I applied, their program was thorough, clear, and simple, and their team is responsive, passionate, and caring. Over a year ago, I showed interest in studying with CISAbroad. I was almost immediately contacted by the representative that specialized in the area I was interested in to introduce herself, see if I had any questions, and invite me to phone call conversation to discuss my options. She was so personable, caring, and patient, and had a clear answer to every question I asked. I immediately knew that this was the company I wanted to study with, and now only had to choose my location. This representative was happy to engage in another phone call and help me decide on the program best for me, after weighing my options, we decided Edinburgh was the place for me. From then on, the process only got less stressful. Their team members were welcoming and enthusiastic and made me feel as if I was a part of a community before even setting foot on the airplane. Their information packets were thorough, comprehensive, and detailed. I knew exactly what needed to be done, by when, and how. Any questions that popped up were answered in a timely, professional, and enthusiastic manner. Then, the pre-departure orientation explained nearly every detail of what to pack, what to do, and what to expect. It also introduced us to our wonderful program coordinator Jeanna. If I could write an entire review on how incredible Jeanna was, I absolutely would. She was so caring, kind, and motherly. Every person in our program cherished her and agreed that she helped us to feel at home in such a new country. Maggie, our program coordinator in the states was in frequent and personal contact with us to make sure that we were adjusting well and enjoying our experience. When we arrived in Edinburgh, we were instantly taken care of, with rides from the airport provided, on-site orientations, and recommendations about where to buy necessities, I never once felt lost or overwhelmed during my first week in Scotland. Jeanna brought us out for dinner that night to help us get to know one another and discuss what we should expect coming up, and then took us for a walking tour of the city. I can still remember the things I learned on that tour because of how personable, knowledgeable, and kind Jeanna is. I felt as if I was moving into my new home. Jeanna made sure to meet with us often and check in frequently, from coffees to Facebook messages, she went far above and beyond to help us have the best semester possible. I genuinely believe that she is the reason I did not feel homesick, and I could never have enough words to thank her. The best part of my study abroad experience by far was the infamous CIS Scotland Highland Tour! This excursion, covered in our tuition and fees, took us on a tour of the highland to see the most beautiful, memorable, and incredible views I have ever seen. I will never, ever forget the experiences I saw on this trip from famous landscapes (including the Harry Potter Bridge), bonding with my fellow students, and, of course, eating Haggis! CIS was not only affordable, but so beyond worth the money spent on the program. For less than I pay a semester at my home institution, we were provided extremely comfortable student accommodation, a fantastic education at a Scottish Institution, and experiences that I will never in my life forget. I absolutely loved my classes at the institution. I learned so many interesting things from extremely knowledgeable professors and was both intrigued and challenged by the subject matter. Likewise, there were so many course options to choose from that it was nearly impossible for someone to not find something they were interested in. I loved collaborating with Scottish students, and creating bonds with people from the institution on group projects and outside of class time. To CIS, I can only say “thank you” for giving me the semester of a lifetime.

This program opened up a large portion of the world that I had not explored. I have been to many places around the world and this program allowed me to immerse myself in the culture of Japan and make connections with new people. I loved my program and I recommend it to everyone I talk to. I work with a lot of first year students so I always tell them about going abroad. I hope to encourage and inspire more people to do a semester abroad to help open their eyes to parts of the world they could never see. This is the time in our lives where we can explore (with financial help) the world and see places we have always wanted to go. Although I had some problems at the beginning of the program with the language barrier and not knowing that I had to know certain things ahead of time, I was very happy with our on-site coordinator who took us on some memorable excursions.

I chose to do the study/intern program in Aix-en-Provence, France with CISabroad because I wanted to learn and also gain experience in France. My internship was an amazing opportunity. I learned new skills like digital marketing and even how to operate the French bus system as I traveled to and from my internship. My schedule worked out perfectly and my host family was so welcoming. My semester abroad is one that I will never forget.

Rome was the most amazing city to live in all of Europe. It has everything a city should offer for a study abroad student. It is also very international and you'll meet people from all over the world. Everything from the food to the culture was amazing. CISabroad is a good program to facilitate my experience abroad and I think having an amazing advisor, Romina, while I was there was rewarding because I came to her with any of the problems I faced. Aside from that I learned a lot in my major and networked with a lot of people who are going into the same field as me. I definitely recommend studying abroad in Rome!

I lived in Beijing, China for three months. I spoke some Mandarin before I went, but when I got there I felt like I knew nothing. When I arrived someone was waiting to pick me up at the airport and take me to my apartment. There were some problems with the apartment, but ImmerQi and CISabroad worked to quickly fix the problems that I contacted them with. (They are partner companies and ImmerQi will work with you in China.) Some of the problems were with fixtures in the apartment and bugs, but all problems were promptly taken care of. I was, also, really scared using the subways in China to find my job. I was afraid I would get lost or not be safe, but I found a few other interns to show me the way and after about three or four days could navigate myself all around China. Work was a little far from my apartment, but it was doable. I did, however, live very close to my language school. When I came home from China I could understand my boyfriend and friends conversations much better and can hold my own in a conversation, too! Perks: The internship was designed around my interests. Problems were promptly taken care of. It was very independent and I could travel or do whatever I wanted in my free time. There are SO many things to do and places to see in China. I was never bored. The medical insurance was great. The people are very nice, the city is super safe, and the food is FANTASTIC (taste, amount, and price!) If you try to talk to someone in China, more often than not they are going to be ecstatic that you tried and will try their best to communicate with you. Many of the places I went were beautiful. I traveled to some of the most famous and gorgeous places in Beijing- Great Wall, Summer Palace, Tienanmen Square, the Forbidden City, and so many more! Disadvantages: If you cannot speak Chinese you will have a hard time getting around and doing things you want to do. If I could not speak the language I would not have been able to go to the places I wanted. There were a lot of problems that needed to be fixed; in order to get them fixed, you have to be very pushy and persistent. If you aren't careful people will try to take more money than a product or service is worth. (Scammers) Taxis tend to not stop for foreigners; if they do stop they might try to charge you too much for your trip! Be prepared to use the subway for most travels. The internship is very independent. While I loved this about the internship, other people may not. You need to be very self-sustaining and confident. You will not have people helping you with everything or with you all of the time. A lot of the time you will be on your own (you may or may not have a roommate while you are there). The best way to have fun in China is to make friends with the locals. I made so many friends and this helped my language skills soar! Going out and really seeing the city and fully immersing yourself in the culture is the only way to get the most out of your experience. Beijing became my second home. Everyone is asking me when I will be back, inviting me to events and their homes, and so on. If you immerse yourself you will be happy with your experiences anywhere you go.

My time abroad in Cusco, Peru was absolutely life changing. I learned so much about the culture and myself. I grew as a woman and I cannot be more thankful for the experiences I had abroad. My program was through CISabroad. CISabroad was an absolutely amazing provider. I felt safe knowing they had an onsite director in the city I lived for four months. I felt secure about the insurance that was provided within the program cost, so when I got sick I knew I could go to a local clinic. CISabroad offered three trips, including a trip to Machu Picchu, within the program price, thus I did not have to do a lot of personal planning for those three trips. I really enjoy that CISabroad offers an alumni program afterwards, where alumni can get paid for doing activities. The program has allowed me to better understand the workings of study abroad programs. The culture shock was definitely a thing. In Cusco, you cannot drink out of the tap water, thus I had to become accustomed to paying for water all of the time. Luckily, water was very inexpensive. The way of life was much more different than in the United States and it took me a couple of months to get used to it, nevertheless, once I became accustomed to it, I felt I was at home. Some of my greatest memories while abroad was when I spent time with fellow CISabroad students and our program site director. We went out to dinner and talked about our experiences, concerns, and needs. Overall, this program was an amazing experience for me and I know that for many others, it was a great opportunity as well. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is searching for adventure, learning, and growth!!

I have nothing but high remarks for CISabroad. From the very beginning of choosing a program, they were very welcoming and extremely helpful. They were able to answer all of my questions I had. This was one of the main reasons why I chose to go with CISabroad. They were eager to help and very affordable compared to other programs. Although the process to get all of the necessary documents was very stressful, CISabroad was very responsive and helped in any way they could. The pre-departure activities were very helpful to prepare me for a semester in London. Arriving in London I was very nervous, to be so far away from home. But the CISabroad on-site staff were very warm and welcoming. My homesickness went away very quickly thanks to them. The housing situation was great for interns. We were given a flat, we lived just like anyone else would have lived in London. I felt very independent having to buy groceries and cook for myself. All of these correspond perfectly with being an intern. It was like being in the real world with a job and everything. There was a grocery store right down the street from our flat which was very accommodating. There were also several restaurants as well. I think it was a perfect location in a nice residential area. We lived about 15 minutes from Big Ben, so the location was perfect, right in Central London. My internship placement was really good as well. I had a marketing internship for a health and wellness company. The commute to and from the office was easy. There was a tube station located right next to our flat which was a bonus. With CISabroad there were also social programs that allowed us to meet other students in London as well as do new things in London. One for example was attending the evensong at Westminster Abbey. There was also a social program trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. I was very grateful for this opportunity to see other parts of the United Kingdom. All in all, choosing CISabroad was one of the best decisions I could've done for myself. It allowed me to achieve my dream of seeing the world. It gave me friends that I will have for the rest of my life. And it allowed me to experience things I would not have been able to otherwise. If you are reading this and you are deciding whether or not you should go abroad with CISabroad. I say go for it, you will not regret it.

First of all, I really loved the price tag of this program. It's one of the most price-conscious programs I could find anywhere from any provider that still included housing, excursions, and on-site support. Prague is a beautiful city, with a really cool history and tons of stuff to see. It's also really cheap. Most everyone speaks English, which is helpful as well. I also loved our on-site coordinator. Leah was so helpful, she never skirted around anyone's questions, which is really important when you're in a new environment like this and really need something. She went above and beyond all the time. There was nothing to complain about with academics, the teachers are all very professional and knowledgeable. The Buddy System events and benefits on this program were phenomenal. There are so many things in place at VSE to make sure you interact with local students and have fun social stuff to do with your friends. I highly recommend this program.

Living in Edinburgh was the best time of my life, and CISAbroad made it all possible. Everything I need to have a smooth semester, from getting to Scotland, actually living there and attending classes, was all taken care of by the CIS team. I made life long friends through my program, who I will cherish forever. I’m so grateful to CISAbroad, and would recommend it to anyone.

Contact:I was an Intern in Ecuador during Fall 2017 for a month. The advisors (Brian, primarily) from CISAbroad stateside were great in helping me figure out the finances and what kind of internship I wanted. Since CISAbroad's presence in Ecuador with Diana, who heads local partner organization that arranges internships for other agencies than CISAbroad, they were able to meet my peculiar timeline (smack dab in the middle of the fall, mostly October) and knew of an organization that could fit my interests (youth development, community development, education-focused approaches). Program: I was given the choice of a homestay or living with the volunteers in the organization. CISAbroad provided healthcare reimbursement option, orientation to the Ecuador and walking tour of downtown Quito, and a local phone, and even provided some activities with other interns/study abroad students. My host families were wonderful, and I felt safe and welcomed in the house. Challenges: I didn't really know much about my actual internship site when I went down, as my internship site talked to Ecuador CISAbroad, which than relayed info back to stateside CISAbroad, who then talked to me with fairly limited information. Once I was at my internship site (outside of main Quito), I worked more with my intern organization than CISAbroad simply due to proximity, and as such was more independent of CISAbroad than I'd originally thought. Also, I had to arrange my return transport to the airport independently. Excursions: Quilotoa and meetings in Quito and Cumbaya were included (myself and another intern organized two more trips independently, but with contacts made through CISAbroad). Diet: Everyone was very careful to look out for my diet, as stateside CISAbroad and Ecuador CISAbroad both talked about food safety before I left, and directly after I arrived. Both host moms hammered home the importance of drinking only boiled water. I carried a bottle of it around with me everyday. My home meals were excellent, and we were able to find some great places for almuerzos and snacks. Lots of chicken, rice, potatoes, and bread options, which was just fine with me! Overall: Brian and Diana helped me design an internship that really helped me grow in ways I couldn't have imagined! Be prepared to initiate communication, to have some dietary adjustments, to use public transport and to explore! Keep in mind that Quito and the surrounding areas are high altitude (body adjustments, and adjustments to heat). In my opinion, you really need to have some Spanish skills Finally, be prepared to have some adventures and some misadventures along the way. Overall, this was a positive experience that I would recommend checking into!

Rather than write paragraphs about the experience, I am just going to divide the experience into two lists: Things I liked: *An internship is much less stressful than a 'study abroad' internship because you don't bring work home with you. This means that you are free to do whatever outside of work hours, and on weekends. *There were many planned cultural and social events planned by CISAbroad, but they were purely optional, meaning you could take advantage of them or do something else if you'd prefer. Of the ones I took part in, the weekend trips and the cooking class were the most fun. *It varied by person, but the housing that I was placed in was probably in the best location we could have been in. It was in the middle of a tourist-y area so most of the restaurants and such spoke English. *Staff members were always available if there was every an issue of any kind. *My school (UT Austin) had several dozen students in the program, and all the guys were placed in the same apartment complex, so there was never a time where I felt I did not have someone to do things with. (this didn't seem to be true for the girls, and most other schools didn't have enough students in the same program for this to matter) Things I didn't like: *The weekend trips that required extra payment. While they were fun - I felt as though the prices they charged were somewhat high compared to going to those places on your own, especially considering the price of the program itself. *I felt like the program was not very specific on what I should bring with me. I was unsure on whether I would need to bring towels or bedding with me. *This is an issue specific to the country, but I had trouble adjusting to a lack of A/C

I couldn't have been happier about choosing CISabroad ad the program to help me find my way while studying in a new country. The process was smooth and easy and they set up everything so that I could start my journey stress free. They had a program coordinator in the host country who was the nicest and most helpful person to guide us on our adventures. Living abroad changed my life and I couldn't have had quite the experience without the housing, advising, and guidance that this program provided.

CIS has amazing advisors that help you through the entire program, pre and post departure. They have the most amazing on-site advisor in Sydney that schedules and take you, and your group, on amazing excursions. The class choices I was given are awesome and I loved my professor and subject (Learning and Outdoor Education). The University of Sydney was the most beautiful campus and only a short walk from the student accommodations. The University looks like a castle (most say Hogwarts) and the professors are very nice and love teaching abroad students. The student accommodations are beautiful and very clean. I had four other roommates, that were also in the CIS program, and each of us had our own bedroom and bathroom with a shared kitchen and living room. The rooms even had amazing views and the staff of the student building also put field trips and excursions together for everyone to get to know each other. The accommodations also are right in the middle of everything and across the street from the main train station that takes you everywhere. Such an incredible experience with an amazing staff and support. I do not have enough words to explain how amazing this experience was. I am even planning on moving back to Sydney because of this program and the incredible time I had, and now I have friends from all over the world! Highly recommend this program!

Best experience of my life, Leah our site director makes it even better and makes you feel so welcome and goes above and beyond to help you with anything you do! Very easy to travel to other countries from Prague for very cheap!

I could not imagine a better way to study abroad. The program leaders were extremely knowledgeable about the area and wanted you to live like a true Italian. I feel like even in the short time I was there, people were mistaking me as a local, rather than a tourist. The living situation was incredible. A true Italian apartment in the middle of Florence, just a two minute walk from the Duomo. Schooling was excellent as well. A new school, a multitude of class choices, and the teacher knew both English and Italian fluently making the class non stressful and interesting. The classes were interactive and it felt more like a class I wanted to take rather than a burden. We were briefed about the area through many sources, and were prepared to take on any type of situation if it ever arose thanks to the staff that was always available. I would recommend this program to anyone and everyone who wants to go abroad

I chose to do a 6 week internship during the summer in Barcelona. I completed an internship at Barcelona well women center. I had the best time due to my amazing boss. I lived in a homestay and it was a great cultural experience! CIS offered a lot of great events to go to and group hangouts. One of my personal favorites was the cooking class where we learned to make traditional Spanish food like paella and pan con tomate. Barcelona is one of the best places I've been and I cannot wait to go back.

While studying abroad in Prague I made friends, memories, and experiences that I hope will stick with me for a lifetime. My program was amazing, and most of that is because of my onsite coordinator. Leah Takata made sure that all of us students were happy and safe during our stay as well as going above and beyond in showing us around the city without smothering us. She planned so many fun and interesting cultural events for us, and her extensive knowledge of the Czech people and their culture truly made my experience more educational. Prague is in an awesome centralized region of Europe which made it easy to take weekend trips to different European cities. I would highly recommend the city of Prague to anyone visiting Europe, and I will continue to recommend CISabroad to anyone looking for a study program!

Studying abroad through CISAbroad was a great experience for me. I really appreciated how easy and organized the application process was through the portal online. Once you get accepted be sure to find or ask for the Facebook group as the information posted in there is often very important as soon as you land in Thailand! I had a positive experience with all the on site staff, they were amazing and answered all of my questions as soon as they could. Mahidol was a little unorganized at times. The campus was beautiful and the teachers were great, but the school's orientation could have actually gave us a tour or told us about all of the services offered around campus. When we had to renew our visas lots of students were confused with the process so just keep asking questions so you don't make a mistake. The on site coordinators helped to the best of their ability but it was really up to Mahidol to help us. Many people said the classes at Mahidol were easier than their home university classes, for me it really depended on the class and the teacher. Many classes (especially science classes) provided paid for field trips, which were amazing. There are also lots of clubs and activities where you might do a day trip or a weekend trip to different places like a sea turtle rehab, or a trip to Ayutthaya. The excursions CISabroad provided were amazing, definitely would've liked to spend more time in Chiang Mai and Koh Chang but if you chose to leave earlier or stay later than CIS they worked with you to pick you up or meet you somewhere when they got there. We got to choose between Baan Suan or Bundit housing. Both had pros and cons. Baan Suan didn't have a van to get to Mahidol like Bundit but CISabroad provided each of us cash for taking taxis to school. The bus system is awesome and cheaper too, but involves walking over a bridge to get to campus. The beds could have been more comfortable, but that is kind of across Thailand. Some other cool things that CIS provided us was a cellphone with about 2gb of data per month. You could also buy more data or minutes if you wanted to. I mostly used my phone for gps when we went into the city and I decided not to use it. If your phone is unlocked you can insert the SIM card CIS gives you in your own phone, which I highly recommend because the phone they give us is understandably poor quality. Everything that they fed us on excursions was always really good, they always had, vegetarian options but you usually have to let them know if you want it. During our last week they took us to a pretty fancy upscale hotel's buffet and we got to gorge on all different foods and desserts, and then we took a bunch of photos and said our goodbyes. Those memories will forever be in my heart. I highly recommend studying abroad through CIS!

This experience changed my life. It was worth every penny and I wish I could go AGAIN! I studied abroad almost 2 years ago now and I miss the adventures and people everyday still! I would go again in a heart beat. The experience opened my eyes to so many new cultures and now staying in the US seems wrong. All I want to do is continue learning about the world thanks to this program. We met so many amazing people that showed us the ropes of their country and the CISabroad staff was extremely helpful and open to do anything. I liked that they gave us options for excursions and the work load was not bad at all. The assignments were more about the experience of travel and new people. I highly recommend this program.

Even the expectations I did not know I had were exceeded! The classes at FUA were unique and engaging. My favorite classes were cooking classes because we ate what we made. FUA buildings are spread throughout Florence, which forces students to walk around and enjoy the city. The travel week class was really wonderful because we were exposed to smaller cities outside of Rome and Florence that I never would have experienced if it were not for CISabroad. The weekend excursions offered during my semester abroad were to Venice and Turin. Traveling with FUA, because I chose to study with CISabroad, was amazing because the trips provided an authentic Italian experience with delicious food, fun locations, and new insights about Italy. If I could study abroad again, I would chose to travel with CISabroad!

Imagine waking up in the morning, and being exposed to freshly baked croissants that melt in your mouth no need for a drink because there not dry in the streets of Paris, France. Taking a nice scroll to the metro with no worries because every 5 minutes one comes. Taking Cheap flights to Italy, and Bus rides that go underwater to London, and another flight to enjoy rich rich streets of Nice. Taking three hour classes with teachers that make you feel like the class has only been an hour. The experience was more than words can express with over 4,000 pictures to share!

I cannot recommend this program enough. My summer at UAB far exceeded my expectations. Going into it, I knew I was going to have a great summer but, I didn't know that it was going to be exceptionally amazing. From the moment I arrived, everything kept falling perfectly into place. My apartment was in the best possible location(and I had 8 roommates-yes, 8, with our own rooms which was possibly just pure luck, but we got along swimmingly and still keep in contact on a daily basis 6 months later), UAB was only 4 metro stops and a 4 block walk from my apartment, the weather was amazing, the culture was diverse, and getting around was easier than I thought. More on the UAB- I am currently a Senior, studying marketing. This program caught my eye because it offered upper level business classes that could most likely count as an equivalent to upper level (3000 and 4000) business classes at my home University(talk to your academic advisor and department head first if you need super specific credits). They have a wide array of classes to take which included Spanish classes(and maybe social studies study classes? I don't remember) and business classes. I ranked the 5 classes I wanted to take and got my first two choices: international marketing strategies and international business. Most rewarding classes I have ever taken- seriously. Both of my professors were amazing and so experienced. One had her doctorate in business and had lived all over the world and was extremely passionate about marketing. The other owned a multi-million dollar global business, retired to teach and had stories rich with experience. In both classes we did a lot of case studies(which I found very interesting) and had exams and homework that resembled actual classes like Universities at home. What made these classes great was that we weren't just memorizing things out of a book- we were learning about real business situations and how to apply business strategies and concepts to them. They were the most rewarding classes I have taken in my academic career. About Barcelona- I am obsessed with this city. before studying here, I had never traveled to Spain, but Barcelona always attracted me. There is something for everyone in this city. The food, the entertainment, the nightlife, the scenery, the culture , the people, the shopping, was just exceptional. The metro system is easy to understand and use and cabs are easy to hail (there wasn't uber when I was there but there may be now). One thing that makes Barcelona so great is the mountains mixed with the sea. One of my favorite sunsets of all time was from the Bunkers, watching the sun melt behind the mountains and then turning around and watching the moon reflect over the Balearic sea- honestly no other word to describe it but magical. If you are worried about not speaking Spanish- don't be, almost everyone speaks english and if they don't you will learn enough Spanish to get by easily( I used to be almost fluent but haven't studied Spanish in 3 years so I was extremely rusty but never had a problem). About the program- they provide several activities including weekend trips throughout the program. I went on one weekend trip to Costa Brava which was included in my program fees so I didn't pay a thing. It was a great way to get to know people outside of your roommates and classmates. There was also day trips, cooking classes, salsa classes, and the like. The on-site program directors were accessible and friendly. When our apartment was a couple hours late from being ready when it was supposed to- they took us out to lunch. When we had problems at our apartment-they helped communicate with the landlord. Knowing that they are there provides a peace-of-mind in case anything were to happen. My ONLY complaint about the entire 6 weeks(its really more like 7 weeks- once you get there you have a week free then 6 weeks of school) is that the wifi went out for an entire weekend and I was home alone(my roommates were all traveling) and my landlord wouldn't respond and I couldn't do my homework or much of anything. I have never missed a time or place like I miss my Summer at UAB. Saying goodbye to Barcelona was my hardest goodbye to date- not that I can't go back but I will never have that same experience again- with the same people in the same apartment taking the same classes with the same teachers. I think about it every single day and am constantly fighting the urge to buy a one way flight back. I made new friends(two of which I am seeing this weekend and have seen several times since being back in the U.S.) new experiences, new perspectives and most importantly, memories I will reflect on and value forever.

Although Hellenic American University had its challenges, Debbie--the program director--was amazing and response to students' needs and desires. For example, aside from answering occasional questions, she accompanied me to the doctor when I was sick and stayed with me there. She is also so open, warm, and I felt very safe during this program because of her.

Studying abroad in Greece was an absolutely incredible experience. The country is not over-saturated with study abroad students which makes it perfect for true cultural submersion. Debbie, the on-site director was extremely passionate and incredibly helpful. The school staff and students were extremely nice and welcoming towards us. We had a couple of amazing excursions with CIS that Debbie curated to our liking. The whole group was incredible and it was honestly one of the best experiences that I've ever had.

My semester abroad in Hawaii was truly the best experience of my life. Not only did I get to meet some of my life long friends, but I learned so much. I learned a tremendous amount about the Hawaiian culture, and with that I learned a lot about myself. I learned to live out of my element, and see things through a new perspective. Im forever grateful of the opportunity to study in Hawaii, and it wouldn't have been possible without CIS Abroad & the wonderful staff.

This trip will go down in history as the best decision I have ever made for myself. Prior to arrival, I thought going to Australia was just a dream that was far too big for my little small town life to handle. Boy was I wrong! CISabroad was so helpful and allowed me to have an experience of a lifetime. My coworkers were fabulous and the work I was given actually allowed me to witness my strengths first hand. Everyone I met there has had such an impact in my life. I wouldn’t be the same person I am today without this opportunity!

This program was exceptional. It is a cheap program in a country that has a low cost of living, it has an unending supply of of places to see and things to do, and it is centrally located, meaning it is cheap and easy to travel. It was very organized, and I wouldn't change a single thing. Highly recommend this program to everyone!

Choosing to study abroad in Hawaii was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Everything from the people on the island to the culture of Hawaii was welcoming and an experience I’ll never forget. Traveling to Hawaii was costly, but worth every penny! Lisa, the program director on the island, was nothing short of amazing too!

It was the experience of a lifetime! I made memories that will last forever and such amazing friendships. The cultural aspect of Thailand was my favorite. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and it was incredible learning how different societal norms can be somewhere else.

Studying with CIS in Prague allowed me to grow as a person. I was able to learn so much about the world around me thanks to programs planned by my coordinator. I felt very taken care of and I never had to worry about anything. This has been my favorite semester of school so far.

As a very adventurous person, studying abroad was just up my alley. Truly, I was nervous about leaving on my own in a new country with another language I was only used to speaking, writing and practicing in school, but I also was the most excited I've ever been to journey a new place. Once I made my travels to CR and arrived at the airport I found my study abroad company waiting outside and a driver drove my new friends and I to our houses and we then settled in. Once walking around your neighborhood and school, you soon learn the routes, shortcuts, and best eating places quickly! Do not be alarmed by the looks or rumors about the capital San Jose, Costa Rica is a third world country, but it beautiful and really is a life changing experience. You will embrace diverse foods, new culture, and beautiful views of mountains, Pacific and Caribbean coasts, cloud forests, volcanoes and rain forests. This high level of biodiversity is what attracted me towards this opportunity - and I most definitely was not disappointed. If you are worried that you'll be so far away from home, I would say that your home-stay family truly makes you feel like a part of theirs, schoolmates become very close friends, and your program will include you in weekend trips as well. Costa Rica not only acts as an incredible chance to learn new culture, make new friends and have stories to tell for years to follow, but it also acts as a self confidence booster and makes you more than responsible and independent than ever before. I found honestly found out more about myself then I ever knew abroad then I ever discovered at home. I highly recommend traveling and studying abroad it opens your eyes to new levels that are beyond the ordinary.

I absolutely loved this program. To be quite honest, I am disappointed it only lasted about five to six weeks. I had small class sizes, so I really got to know my professors and classmates, time to travel throughout central Europe, and an amazing program coordinator who exposed me to things I never would known about before. This trip opened my eyes to the world and I definitely want to go back to Prague because of it. I recommend it to all of my friends interested in this part of the world. As an International Business, Finance, and Russian triple major, I found this location and business school to be an excellent choice. I took highly meaningful business classes and learned a lot about culture and perceptions of Russia and Slavic cultures abroad. I would say this is a trip for people who want more than just academic experience, because everywhere is literally a hours away. In five weeks I went to seven countries and saw more culture than I had in my first eighteen years (I am also incredibly well traveled). By virtue of its location geographically, historically, and politically, the only opportunities to get like those are if you go to the Czech Republic.

The time I spent in Florence was amazing. I felt that everything was organized very well and a lot of interesting activities were included in the trip. Overall, it was a great experience. I met some great people and learned so much.

I decided to do this program on a whim. My parents did not take me too seriously when I told them that I found a program in South Africa that I needed to experience. I went alone, as this was also my first time traveling out of the country. Once I got to the Cape Town airport, I already felt welcomed by the people and by the shuttle driver that the school had prepared for each student to have once they reached the destination. The next 4 weeks included with learning, laughing, meeting amazing new friends, and having fun. We did things from wine tasting, to hiking iconic mountains, to hanging out with elephants. To this day, I think about this experience every day. I look back on my pictures constantly and reminisce. This experience changed my life, I got to see how others live, eat, and even talk. After this experience it has lead me to find a passion in traveling and learning out how others around the world live. I hope to one day go back to South Africa, in the near future, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

I loved my semester on the Gold Coast and would do it again in a heart beat. The onsite staff is one of the best parts of CISabroad. It was so nice to have someone in Australia with us that we could call on at any time (thanks Jackie <3). I would recommend this program because the people are very sincere and you will have an amazing time.

Last spring of 2017 I had the opportunity to go study abroad in Prague for a whole semester. It sounds cliche to say that "going abroad has changed my life" but it really has. I feel more independent than ever and my social skills have improved greatly from being put in an environment where I didn't know anyone. I made life long friends that helped me through the transition of living in a different country and we traveled all over Europe together. The classes I took were engaging and challenging but still allowed me to have time to explore the beautiful country. Since Prague is in central Europe it was easy to travel to the surrounding countries for a low cost. Leah, the site director there, is the nicest person you will ever meet and will help you with whatever you need. While providing opportunities to attend fun programs that she has designed to further emerge yourself into the czech culture. For anyone that has always wanted to go abroad I highly recommend going to Prague, it was my greatest adventure so far.

My summer in Chiang Mai was my first study abroad experience, so I was unsure exactly what to expect. However, I had one of the best summers of my life! Met some really great, adventurous friends who were always down to explore, travel, and have a fun time. Lodging at the Smith residence was clean, safe, and a central location to everything I wanted to do. CIS is pretty hands-off when it comes to involvement, which I personally liked having the freedom to do what I wanted. Sometimes, however, this came across as a bit unorganized with confusion regarding classes and academics and such. The classes were really long and everyday which meant we spent a lot of time at school, but the professors were pretty flexible with our schedules. Overall I would highly recommend this program to others.

CISAbroad's Semester in Dublin gives you the opportunity to see Ireland to the fullest. The program offers trips all around the country from Galway to Kilkenny to Cork and to Northern Ireland. Not only do you get the chance to travel the country, but Dublin City University also gives you the chance to become immersed in Irish culture. The Student Union on campus is constantly planning events to make your experience the most memorable and they allow you the possibility to meet new people at every turn. After a Semester in Dublin you will leave Ireland feeling like you've seen the whole country and feel truly immersed in a new culture.

Met a lot of great people and very much enjoyed my time there. The best part were the Thai buddies. Really helped immersing oneself in the culture. Having to dress up everyday In the heat was a lot, but worth it everyday. I looked forward to getting up everyday day and finding something new. There was always something to do day or night.

I had the time of my life on the Italian Coast in the summer of 2017. In my opinion, Sorrento was the best city in Italy. I could swim in the Mediterranean every day and watch the sunset from the balcony or right from my window. The Marine Biology class that I took was an awesome experience as we snorkeled and kayaked and saw and learned about the incredible marine life that Italy had to offer. I was able to travel around Italy every weekend, but I always felt that coming back to Sorrento was like coming back home. Sant'Anna institute was a beautiful school overlooking the sea, with rich culture and wonderful instructors. And my CISabroad coordinator made sure that we all felt welcome and immersed in the Italian culture by making sure that we had plenty of unforgettable local experiences. My summer on the Italian Coast changed my life and gave me friends to last a lifetime as well as a new home in another country.

The school/courses available were poorly run compared to what I have experienced at other universities. Support from CISabroad was sufficient, I felt that I always had help available. Accessing healthcare as an American (only there for 3 months) was difficult. Living situations were incredibly basic. Because I was living with all international students, immersion into the Scottish community was difficult.

CISabroad provided an incredibly enticing opportunity to study abroad in the beautiful city of Barcelona. My classes far surpassed my expectations. I took an art history class focusing on Dali, Miro, and Picasso and a cross-cultural psychology class. Both classes were engaging and the professors were fantastic. The classes included preplanned "field trips" led throughout the city, which was really refreshing and fun. The program itself included two trips, one to Valencia and one to Girona. These trips were so much fun and very well organized. They were included in the program fee, so there was no hassle with money once we got there, and they were incredibly organized with the transportation and hotels for the trips. Overall I am incredibly happy and grateful to have spent the summer in Barcelona, and would do it again in a heart beat.

Prague was an amazing city to study in! Beautiful, affordable and great public transport. However other programs in the city seemed to offer better set ups. CIS housing is quite far from the city center and the professors are rude and classes are uninteresting. Other programs offer classes with better schedules for traveling and included more experienced based learning. Also they got my paperwork to me after the deadline making it very difficult and stressful to get my visa and passport in time and did not provide any help when I was days from my flight without the necessary documents.

I traveled abroad to Australia through CISAbroad located out of Northampton, MA. I was the only one from my school going through this program so I was nervous to say the least. This program indulged me with new friends right from the start and made me feel welcomed and surrounded by others who were in similar situations as I was. My nerves disappeared as soon as I got off the plane and I was able to create life long friends through CIS. The orientation group was very helpful and taught us ways to learn and dive into the culture in Australia. They were always available for questions and aid and none of us felt like we were alone or in danger. I completely recommend traveling abroad through CIS as it gave me an experience I will never forget and always miss.

Upon leaving the U.S. to study abroad in Florence, just like most other students I felt under prepared by my university and had no idea what to expect. When I arrived in Europe, CIS was there every step of the way. From greeting us at the airport to making sure our visa appointments we in line. I wouldn't have changed a thing! Highly recommend studying abroad with CIS

CISAbroad’s summer in japan program was perfect for me as a soon to be graduating student. I was able to study abroad without having to push back my classes at my own school. They are extremely helpful and informed. They are always ready to help YOU. The program itself is very immersive but they still give you your independence. I loved that my classes had multiple TA’s to help me out when I needed it. CIS takes us on trips outside of school. I got to experience a Japanese tea ceremony and even wear a yukata! It was very special for me to do this because I was able to feel like I was getting a deeper glimpse into their culture. I was happy to have my own room, but still be so near my new friends! I gained strong friendships I don’t ever want to lose while studying in this program. I highly recommend going with CISAbroad, they are the best out there!

Overall, the three months I spent in Ireland were the best months of my life. John Hayes is amazing! The excursions were a lot of fun, and he was a great resource for us while we were in Dublin. He truly cares about the students and interns, and does his best to make sure everyone is safe, having a good time, and taken care of. The excursions were excellent as well!! Ireland is an incredible place, and Dublin is a beautiful city that is full of things to do. I highly recommend a program in Dublin!! Housing was not too bad. We lived in Shanowen Square, a complex in Santry. My only complaint about Shanowen would be the location. Taking the bus to city center was a hassle, but doable. For students attending DCU, the location is perfect. For interns travelling to, and through city center, it was not ideal. My internship was in Bluebell (Dublin 12), so I had to take the bus to city center, and the luas to my internship. Again, doable, but a 75-90 minute commute each way was not ideal. Plus, this commute was expensive. My internship placement was terrible. When I requested a new internship placement, CIS took no steps to make this possible. Further, the group they use to place students with companies did not attempt to check-in with me at all while I was in Ireland (apparently they were supposed to regularly check-in with us). I was extremely frustrated with the process, and very disappointed with the way it was handled. I ended up staying with the company, mostly because I had no other choice, but managed to make the best of the situation. I recommend the internship program, but really do your research about a company before accepting placement. I did not do this, and ended up having a bad experience with my company. I made the best of the situation and was able to gain a lot of skills, but it was not without its cons.

Loved the country and the trips. Our on site director was great and helpful every step of the way. However, it was a little hard communicating with the program director back in the states. There were also some extra fees not previously mentioned that we had to pay like utilities.