Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

CIEE Open Campus: Madrid, Rome, Copenhagen October 13, 2022

By (Vanderbilt University) - abroad from 01/03/2022 to 05/05/2022 with

CIEE - Multi-city Open Campus Option

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was exposed to different cultures and languages, it allowed me to see the world in a new lens. I learned a lot of things that have stuck with me and found so many new foods/drinks that I am obsessed with. It was worthwhile because being abroad took me out of my comfort zone and showed me that there is so much more to the world than what was directly infront of me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were interesting and manageable

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All the staff was very helpful and always responsive

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the all the dorms I stayed in, especially the dorms in Madrid!

* Food:

International food is way better than anything we have in the States

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I learned a lot of new words and phrases by interacting with locals frequently

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was able to visit the doctor while I was abroad and was refunded for the out of pocket costs I paid by the insurance

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would absolutely pick this program again. I feel in love with all the cities I lived in, it felt like a dream. CIEE had a bunch of excursions and events planned for us in each of the cities, they really cared about making sure students were enjoying their abroad experience.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Definitely keep track of how much you are spending each day, it slips away from you easily!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Class Schedules
  • Dorm locations
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how to finance my money a bit better because I felt that towards the end of the program I wasn't able to enjoy as many things as I would have liked because I had already blown most of my money.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.