College Study Abroad Blog

By: Chloe Nutor During my study abroad in Spain with CIEE, I got to go on an overnight trip to Cuenca, a small but beautiful town about two hours from... keep reading

By: Sophia Liott When most people think of Spain, their minds go to cities like Barcelona and Madrid, and while those places are great, there is no place quite like... keep reading

By: Everett Masterson To future study abroad applicants, Seville is the best place to study abroad and it's not even close! I have experienced so much since being here and... keep reading

By: Jacob Beyer Sydney is a fantastic city, there is no doubt about it. You have beautiful beaches, great food, and plenty of historical places all accessible by foot or... keep reading

When getting ready for your study abroad there are many resources that CIEE provides that can help you figure out what to pack. However, I thought that a more personal... keep reading

When you study abroad, there will typically be some traveling involved during your semester. Before leaving for Seoul, I had family and friends tell me to travel out of the... keep reading

It’s that time. I’m haunted by visions of my bed at home as I lie in my mattress-topper-less bed at SK Global. I have started to crave the familiar flavor... keep reading

By: Meredith Black Studying abroad in Barcelona has been the best experience of my life, but it’s really easy to feel overwhelmed by everything this incredible city has to offer... keep reading

Through CIEE, I had the opportunity to teach English to a young student for five weeks, during which I also took on the role of head teacher for one week with two other students. Initially, the experience was challenging due to my limited Korean and my student's minimal English skills. We relied on translation help and body language to communicate, and my student was quite shy at first, making our interactions awkward. However, over time, my student became more comfortable and began to open up. I was amazed by her progress, as she grew more confident in speaking English and revealed a playful, observant side. Watching her improvement was incredibly rewarding. Reflecting on the experience, I gained valuable lessons in patience, flexibility, and cultural empathy. It taught me how to adapt my teaching methods to different ages and language levels, while also learning the importance of persistence. On our final class together, I hoped she would continue to build on the English skills we worked on during our time together.

At the Yonsei Club Fair, I stumbled upon the Lacrosse Club table, and instantly decided to join, despite having an ACL injury that prevented me from fully participating. Along with a friend, I signed up, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made during my time in Korea. While I couldn’t fully play, the team offered me the chance to interact with a diverse group of people—Korean students, international students, and fellow exchange students. The team leaders communicated in both Korean and English, and our American coaches helped bridge any language gaps. It became a true cultural exchange where we shared traditions and bonded, especially during post-game dinners, which became a cherished tradition. Our final meeting and dinner on November 27, 2024, was bittersweet, as we knew we wouldn’t be there for the upcoming year. Many members were graduating, and several were leaving the team, making the changes feel even more significant. We said our goodbyes with promises to stay in touch, hoping our paths would cross again, whether in Korea, the U.S., or wherever life may take us.

The experience of studying abroad, in and of itself, can be rather emotionally intense. These complex feelings are only magnified by choosing, as I did, to study in a completely... keep reading

What is an ARC? In Korea, if you are a foreigner visiting for 90 days or more, you must register for a Foreigner Registration Card. If you have a single-entry... keep reading

During my first week in Seoul, I went to a baseball game with my friends. We had a good time and whatnot, but that's not what's important here. We got... keep reading

Dongmyo flea market is maze-like, huge, and has just about anything you can imagine. Here's why it's worth a visit (or three).

The Seoul Design Festival is an exhibition that is held annually and features professional illustrators, creative agencies, and young Korean designers who specialize in fashion, packaging, furniture, and graphic design... keep reading