Reviews

This study abroad was certainly out of the ordinary for what you would get for a semester abroad. If you’re looking for an authentic experience in countries that are less popular for study abroad, this is for you! This program was incredibly thought-out and well organized and I learned so much that was directly applicable to my studies and work. Please don’t let chatter about safety in Guatemala deter you—I felt safe, even as a woman, and the staff to support you were very prepared about safety concerns. I would recommend this program to anyone willing to experience something unique and that challenges your current ways of thinking. This program is especially applicable to majors in sociology/anthropology, gender studies, Spanish, poli sci, Latin American studies, international relations, race/ethnicity studies, education, journalism and similar things.

I had a really good time in Costa Rica. It was my first time in the country, and probably not the last! The children I worked with were so adorable and I enjoyed every moment of it, when teaching, feeding, putting them to sleep or just disciplining them! I also had some excursions, in the Catamaran and Manuel Antonio Park, and I was lucky enough to get both days very sunny with a clear water. The program in general was so fun, not to mention that I met so many amazing people that helped me throughout the journey.

I really liked this experience and I think than chinese is a really different and interesting language. I really liked Alice’s lessons because she is really kind and she made the lessons interesting even thought chinese it’s really difficult to learn and to understand.

So far, my relationship with SIE has been excellent. All the recruiters have been very supportive and helpful, especially Jenny, the HR manager who hired me. SIE Recruiter has been amazingly helpful; she has supported me throughout the whole process, including visa application, hotel quarantine in China, and even house hunting in Guangzhou. SIE is one the most reputable recruiting agencies in China; they will hire you and place you in the best schools across China. What I appreciate about SIE is that they really care about their teachers; they offer continuous support before and after you arrive in China. For instance, after I landed in China during the pandemic, they called me almost every day to make sure I was safe, and they got me an interview with a high school and prepared me for my online interview with the school directors. In addition, SIE has been very supportive in helping me secure a teaching job in China. Contrary to most recruiting agencies in China, which care only about their interests and put teachers’ interests second, SIE is very professional and supportive of their teachers. I love my position and my work environment. I feel fortunate to be placed by SIE in this school. The school’s staff has welcomed me and helped me settle into my new position. They offered me all the necessary teaching materials I needed to succeed in class. Also, the students are very well mannered and willing to learn, which makes me happier. Yes, I work with 3 other SIE teachers; we are all subject teachers at an international school in Guangzhou. We are all supportive of one another and even meet sometimes for social events such as soccer games, dinners, drinks, or even to chat and catch up. My experience with SIE Shenzhen has been excellent. They got me a PU letter, flew me to China, and helped me secure a great position as a high school math teacher in Guangzhou. Do you enjoy your life? Yes, I love my life. Guangzhou is a great city that has a lot to offer. I live 5 minutes from the school I teach at, and everything is very convenient for me. In addition, I found the people in Guangzhou very kind and welcoming. I have been living here for only four months, but I already feel like Guangzhou has been my home for years. Do you have any tips for teachers due to arrive in China soon? Please do not listen to anyone who tells you that SIE is not a good company; they are a GREAT and HONEST company. Before signing my contract with them, I read a lot of comments on Reddit about SIE. Trust me, most of them are fake written by their competitors. My experience has been excellent with them. Do your own research and discuss with teachers that are actually working with SIE. For instance, you can ask any SIE HR managers to provide you with other teachers so you can ask them questions about their experiences with SIE. If you have any questions or concerns, discuss them with SIE staff, they will do their best to accommodate you if they can. Be open-minded and be friendly; sometimes, SIE might offer you a different position from what you have discussed during your interview. Initially, I was supposed to be teaching English in Shenzhen, and the HR manager, offered me a different position in Guangzhou which turns out to be an excellent teaching position for me. If I was not open-minded, I would have missed this position. When choosing a recruiting agency to work for in China, look for a company that communicates well with you, responds promptly, and cares about you and your wellbeing. SIE staff are very responsive and supportive.

I absolutely loved my time in Florence with World Strides! I had never been out of the country and didn't know anyone else going, so I was terrified, but the experience was amazing. World strides was really easy to work with and offered a lot of free activities in Florence, such as a cooking class and a weekend trip to Lake Garda. The staff were all really kind and welcoming, and I made very good friends in the program. I could not recommend this program enough!

We had a wonderful experience with Expanish! Communication was excellent from the time we enrolled and throughout the entire program. They were always very responsive whenever we emailed with questions, and everything was extremely well organized. The paperwork was easy to complete electronically. We dropped our 14 year old son off and picked him up in person, so we also had a chance to see the facilities and meet the staff. The facilities were clean, modern, and well maintained, and the counselors were very friendly and welcoming in person. Most importantly, our son had a great time. He attended just one week this summer and enjoyed it so much that he’s already asked to go back for three weeks next summer. I think that says it all! We would definitely recommend Expanish!

The moment I stepped into the airport, I felt welcomed and it was easy to figure out where to go to the accommodation. As for my stay, I found that the scheduled routine makes it easier to know what to expect in terms of house rules and what volunteers should be doing.

Beautiful class experience, loved the atmosphere and the attention and education of the teacher Alice, always helping and confronting us during class time, always keeping us stimulated during classroom

Before coming to Cuernavaca my Spanish was around an A2 (fairly basic). I could order food, ask basic questions and understand simple conversations, but like everybody else around that level - as soon as someone spoke naturally, I was completely lost and would want to switch back to English straightaway, and that was always kind of embarassing. After just a few weeks, I left feeling comfortably around B1 (intermediate), and, more importantly, I actually had the confidence to use Spanish every day. By the end of the program I was having conversations with my host family (who were amazing!), ordering in restaurants without thinking, chatting to locals around the neighbourhood and markets, and even making friends entirely in Spanish. It was the first time I'd ever felt like I was genuinely living the language rather than just studying it. Maybe one thing that sort of surprised me most was how much learning actually really does happen outside the classroom, and the lessons were excellent, really nice small groups, smart engaging teachers and lots of speaking—but probably the real magic was the immersion. Living with a Mexican host family, exploring Cuernavaca, visiting local markets, taking part in cultural activities and weekend trips meant I was constantly using Spanish in real situations. It never felt like a holiday with a few language classes; it felt like moving to Mexico for a few weeks. I also think Cuernavaca is the perfect place to learn Spanish. It's beautiful, safe, authentic and far less touristy than Mexico City, so you're surrounded by Spanish from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. That made a huge difference to my progress, and everybody else on the course said that as well. Harry, Harry (the two Harrys!) and the entire Iguana Abroad team (especially Fabi!) genuinely care about every student so much. From the airport pickup to the accommodation, activities and day-to-day support, everything was incredibly well organized, and I always felt looked after. That was really important to me. If you're serious about improving your Spanish, not just memorising grammar but actually becoming confident speaking with native speakers, I honestly can't recommend Iguana Abroad highly enough. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had, and I'd return in a heartbeat!

I studied abroad with Worldstrides in Barcelona during the spring semester of 2026, and it was genuinely life-changing! I was able to connect with professors at my university and my peers and create lifelong friendships. It was easy to make meaningful connections because the academic curriculum revolves around group work. I was able to work with students from all around the world and grow my international interpersonal skills. I can not recommend going with WorldStrides enough! They eased any potential worries I had before and during my time abroad. The team is there to help you and make your experience incredible!