Arts Study Abroad Programs in Sydney, Australia

Studying abroad in Sydney with CIEE was such an amazing experience. The staff were incredibly friendly, approachable, and always willing to help, especially when I was feeling a bit alone or just wanted something fun to do. The program itself is fantastic; there’s so much to do and explore in Sydney, and being at UNSW made it easy to take advantage of everything. Overall, it’s such an energizing and supportive environment, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to study abroad in Sydney!

My time in Sydney with IES Abroad was a memory I'll keep for the rest of my life. Although it had its hard moments (don't underestimate how much homesickness or a hard class can hit you), there were so many amazing experiences I got to have, like seeing quokkas in person or building a group of friends from all over the world. It was a great opportunity to expand my horizons and learn who I am as a person halfway across the world from the same people and places I've always known.

Studying abroad in Sydney with IES Abroad was the best decision I made throughout my time in university. The IES staff was friendly and helpful—it was clear from day 1 that they really care about their students. The activities they organized for us were both fun and unique, and it allowed us to get to know each other well from the start. If you have a concern, they will always do their very best to help you address it, even if it’s technically not in their job description. I always felt comfortable and well taken care of—I knew I had a support system if I ever needed help, which is extremely important when moving to a new place. IES also works with a kind and highly competent psychologist that can help with the transition and any difficult emotions that may arise when moving abroad (and the fee is covered by our insurance). Attending University of Sydney was also a great experience for me. It’s a big school and they have so many different events and communities, which makes it easier to make friends. They have hundreds of clubs, ranging from academic and professional to niche interests. The classes are mostly high quality, and the professors are helpful and good at what they do. I was also able to take a service-learning class while at USYD, with which I went on a 12 day field trip to Northern Queensland to work with an Aboriginal Corporation. This allowed me to learn more about Australia’s complicated history, and to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real life scenarios—as well as make friends for life! Furthermore, I took an internship class at USYD, in which I completed a semester-long internship placement with a company of my choosing. USYD provides many opportunities for students to excel both academically and professionally. Sydney itself is also a great city! There is always something to do, but you can easily escape the big city feel by retreating to more quieter neighborhoods or the surrounding natural environments (beaches, parks, mountains).

My study abroad experience in Sydney, Australia with IES Abroad was nothing short of transformative. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed into a vibrant, multicultural city that offered endless opportunities for both academic growth and personal exploration. One of the standout aspects of my experience was the incredible support from IES Abroad. The on-site staff were always available to help, whether it was navigating the academic system, offering travel tips, or organizing cultural events. The IES-organized excursions, like trips to the Blue Mountains and surf lessons at Bondi Beach, were not only fun but also helped me bond with fellow students and immerse myself in Australian culture. Academically, studying in Sydney was an enriching experience. My courses were engaging and complemented by hands-on learning opportunities, such as field trips and guest speakers. I was able to deepen my understanding of global issues while exploring Australia’s unique ecosystem, history, and culture. Outside the classroom, I made unforgettable memories exploring Sydney. Whether it was watching a sunrise at the Sydney Opera House, hiking coastal trails, or discovering hidden cafes, the city had so much to offer. I made lifelong friends along the way by saying yes to new experiences, inviting classmates to explore the city together, and stepping outside my comfort zone. One of the highlights of my trip was a spontaneous weekend getaway that introduced me to my closest friends, reminding me that sometimes the best connections happen unexpectedly. Overall, IES Abroad made it easy to navigate the challenges of living in a new country, and Sydney became a second home. I cannot recommend this program enough for students looking for a balance between academics, adventure, and cultural immersion. My time in Sydney has given me lifelong memories, friendships, and a new perspective on the world.

I have loved this experience! Being abroad with a supportive helpful group was such a game changer, I was so nervous traveling abroad alone for the first time and the CIEE staff and other participants have helped it be a super smooth transition and trip:)

I loved my time in Sydney Australia. The city was awesome and full of things to do. The atmosphere was safe and friendly. I made a lot of great friends from all over the world that I still keep in contact with. The academics are challenging but also very rewarding. I would highly recommend to anyone.

Before I arrived in Australia, we had pre-departure meetings that explained everything to us in detail & got us (in my opinion) pretty prepared for what to expect. We were greeted pretty much upon arrival in Sydney and now that my exchange has ended I truly could not have had a better time. I met the most amazing people and friends, my AIFS advisor Andrea was the best ever (we called her our Aussie mum), we always felt taken care of. AIFS had field trips planned also so we could see some iconic tourist spots and we went together with our program which made it more fun too. Our living was nice in a safe building with lots of security and super close to campus but also near the light rail which made public transport so easy. I could not have had a better experience and I’d do it again 100x over if I could

Before coming to Sydney, AIFS had meetings with us so we’d know just what to expect which definitely made us all feel better. Once we got here we met eachother & our advisor and from then on it was nothing short of the best experience. The trips we all took together & friendships we’ve made I couldn’t have asked for more

Tremendous staff. Environment is like none other and they accommodate well. For Seville, the city has been tremendous and CIEE gives you a proper introduction to this magnificent city. Whether an intern or a student during one of the sessions, you can get along with everyone and overcome the anxieties of a new city

I would be very likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend because this program gives you many opportunities to explore the city you are in as well as the surrounding areas. All of the employees are very kind people who will be their to uplift and support the students who are abroad.

I studied abroad in Spring 2020 and so my experience was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic but I wouldn't change it for the world. I was able to take classes and intern abroad and I still had the time to explore Sydney. I loved being directly enrolled in the University of Sydney because I felt like any other student on campus. My classes were with students from all around the world and the campus was beautiful, some relate it to Hogwarts! I was able to take interesting classes that got me more involved with Australia and learn more about their culture. One of the classes that I took as an elective had field trips to sports games! I also got to gain real-world experience at my internship on campus at the Sydney University of Fitness. Although I did not think that my classes would turn online in a few weeks, I am so grateful for my experience in Sydney. I miss the sunny weather, the city life and 'my mates!'

I was inspired to study abroad because of my love for the country of Australia! I have always loved the idea of moving away and experiencing a new culture and lifestyle! In high school, I was lucky enough to have the experience of being an exchange student there and had been dying to return since then. When it came time to begin the process, I looked for programs that offered experiences to Sydney and felt that IES University of Sydney offered the best experience for me! My favorite part of Sydney was truly how big it was. There was so much to explore and learn about Sydney and the public transportation system in the city easily allowed my friends and I to experience all of it! I also was so lucky to have so many students from my home university in this program with me! While it was sad to be sent home so early due to COVID 19, I am so grateful to be able to see so many of those people frequently back here and further our experience!

I have had a great experience, it is organized and comes at a good cost. The staff on-site is very supportive and helpful (as well as Brooke in Portland), but we had an emergency situation and the Portland higher-ups didn't handle it well, nor did anyone answer the emergency number provided to us.

I feel that CIEE tries to have activities for us and I really do feel that I am learning a lot here. Also everyone here seems really nice and I feel that though we are different a lot of the students seem to have the same mindset and its a good chance to network.

The whole idea of studying abroad was one that I had held for a long time, yet I never thought that I would walk away as the individual that I am after spending a semester in Sydney, AU. The sheer joy of being surrounded by new friends constantly built bonds that will last me a lifetime. Additionally, the bliss of having the accessibility to one of the most coffee, food, and drink centric cities in the world elevated my taste for authentic experiences within the cultural melting pot that is Sydney. I am truly grateful for the spirit of adventure that led me to embrace the call of Aussie living because it gave me my greatest semester of college, alongside branching me out of a place of comfort that I never knew existed. Studying abroad is much more than simply living in another part of the world for a short time, but it is about embracing the newness that surrounds you and allowing yourself to embark on a journey that is bound for greatness. Praises upon praises for this program and for the Land Down Under!

CIEE is very well-staffed and they do everything they can to make sure you have the best experience possible. Everyone is friendly, the rules and guidelines are laid out for you, and the excursions CIEE plans are a blast!!

This has been the best summer of my life. Everything about CIEE has blown me away. Virginia Niera has been an extremely attentive and helpful program director. She and Antonio Romero were both quick to offer help with any issues I might have. The professors, Amador Fernandez and Antonio Rodriguez, taught with enthusiasm and care. Each class genuinely excited and intrigued me. They graded fairly and truly cared about students understanding and learning. We took informative, fun, and interesting trips. They were all well-planned and extremely enjoyable. The tour guides we had, Adrian and Alicia, were knowledgable and made the tours very meaningful. The trip to Morocco really opened my eyes to other cultures and ways of life. Finally, my homestay could not have been better. I really got close to my host family, and I felt like I had a place in Seville where I could be totally comfortable. I have already recommended this program to two of my friends, and I plan to encourage more to do it if they w

My first experience abroad and I love it here. I feel that CIEE tries to have activities for us and I really do feel that I am learning a lot here. Also everyone here seems really nice and I feel that though we are different a lot of the students seem to have the same mindset and its a good chance to network.

Study abroad is something that everyone needs to be apart o at least once in their lifetime, and CIEE was a great way to do it. I think I would recommend this because we’re given a place to reside in a foreign country with people who have no problem helping you at the drop of a pen. The CIEE community becomes your family and makes you feel like you’re at home and always offer things to do for free or at least help to make your study abroad experience as great as it can. It’s also nice that you can choose from different programs and either be a student for half and an intern for the other half, be an open campus student and stay for an entire semester, or every 6 weeks choose a new home. It’s an amazing experience for a reasonable price but an opportunity and of a lifetime.

I cannot say enough good things about my experience studying abroad in Sydney, Australia last semester. From the amazing people I met to the incredible places I explored and unbelievable experiences I had, my time down under was everything I hoped it would be and so much more, and my decision to study abroad was one of the best I have ever made. Before embarking last July, I had never even stepped foot in the southern hemisphere, so Australia was a giant leap beyond any adventure I had ever lived before. I knew little about the culture, the geography, or really anything about the country for that matter beyond what I had heard about kangaroos, koalas, and surfing paradises. So when I hopped off the plane in Sydney, I was ready for anything. Meeting my program mates at the airport, driving through the center of Sydney on the way to University of Sydney's campus, and an amazing harbor cruise later, within just a few short hours I felt like I had already gotten to know Sydney, and it already felt like home. The first few weeks were spent exploring everything Sydney has to offer, and it didn't disappoint. From lazy beach days at Bondi and Manly to thrift shopping in Chinatown and experiencing Sydney's incredible nightlife, it didn't take long for me to fall in love with a city I had only dreamt of a month earlier. IES organized hikes for us in the Blue Mountains and Royal National Park, allowing us to get a glimpse of the stunning scenery and landscapes set just miles outside of the contrasting concrete jungle of Sydney's downtown. Once we had settled in to our new home and gotten in to a rhythm with our classes, it was time to venture beyond and explore what the rest of Australia had to offer! Our first big weekend trip of the semester was to Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, a true tropical paradise that makes for a relaxing weekend of pristine beaches and unwinding. Not to mention we got to hold a Koala, something you can't do in most parts of Australia! This first trip started a run of weekends on the go, from the amazing landscapes and hiking in Tasmania to learning (somewhat) how to surf in Woolongong and ending up in Fiji for mid-semester break. Fiji was the kind of place I had always heard about and I thought it would be super cool to go there, but the thought never even crossed my mind that I would actually go there. So to be jumping off the rooftop of Cloud 9 into the crystal clear Pacific Ocean only 2 months after arriving down under was one of the most surreal experiences I have been lucky enough to ever have. After returning back from Fiji, it was really nice to be able to have a few weeks back in Sydney. I found that no matter where we traveled, I always looked forward to being back in Sydney and being able to make the most of my time there. Walking around Circular Quay, taking the ferry to Watson's Bay, stopping through the Botanical gardens: there really is anything available to you that you could want. Next up was a trip to Melbourne for the weekend, an equally unreal city, and a viewing of the Melbourne soccer derby between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory. We unknowingly purchased tickets for the Melbourne City away section, but ended up making the right decision as City came out with a hard fought victory (no pun intended). With the weeks flying by, and our trip to Melbourne complete, before we knew it classes were over and Study Vacation rolled around, which we used, instead of gearing up with finals, to road trip around New Zealand's South Island for the week. And believe me when I tell you there is no more beautiful place in the world than New Zealand. We had planned out the destinations we wanted to hit, but just the driving there was in some ways more amazing. Rolling hills set against towering mountains in the distance turned into serene glacial lakes and dense forests. Hiking to the top of tall peaks in Wanaka and checking out the nightlife in Queenstown, we saw as much as we could in our short time there, and before long it was back to Sydney for exams. Studying hard for the next few days, I didn't really have time to reflect much on my semester, but once I walked out of my last exam, it hit me that my time abroad was coming to an end. I had seen so much, yet it felt like it had gone by in the blink of an eye. In my last few days, as I started saying goodbye to the people I had grown so close to over the past few months, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness that I would have to leave my favorite place. But as I prepared to depart back to the US, I left a piece of myself on campus, in the sands of Bondi, and everywhere that I was lucky enough to call home for those few months. As sad as I was to leave, and as much as I miss Australia every single day, I know someday I'll be back, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to Study Abroad. I would encourage absolutely anyone to make the same choice I did, as there really is no other experience like it. It was the adventure of my lifetime, and it could be for you, too.