Review Overall Rating
A review on CISabroad - The Grand Tour: Art in Europe
Reviewed by Elizabeth Reynoldsstudent(University of Maine - Orono) on
A Haphazard Study Abroad
Before leaving for the program I was confused as to why I never knew what was going on, but now I understand. CIS isn't running everything-they go through about seven other organizations, so each individual and organization handles something different but no one every REALLY knows exactly what's going on. I had to call the main administrator before the program to ask all of my thirty of so questions that they failed to answer on their own and then I didn't really get concrete or accurate answers. The website was also rife with false information regarding the program. It was also clear that no one really knew what was in store for the program at the final leg of it in the UK. It would have been really nice to have been handed a overview of what would happen throughout the 10 weeks at the beginning, but now I see why that couldn't be possible: no one KNEW what was going to happen. The professors were still planning our class in the UK the week before it began and it STILL didn't seem very concrete.
On another note, we got to see amazing places and had some great excursions (in Italy especially), but the students were basically jipped during the last part of the program in the UK. No one can get to know London in only 3.5 days, especially when they have class 7 hours a day, and why stay in down-troddened Glasgow when Edinburgh has so much to offer? It's clear that CIS was just trying to save money by taking us to the cheapest cities. We REALLY don't need a whole week in Glasgow. Unnecessary.
Review Details
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Academics
One of the teachers that traveled with us throughout the program didn't seem to know what he was doing. He didn't really instruct. Other than that it was pretty good, although my French teacher never really had any quizzes or evaluations throughout the term. The course in the UK was enjoyable for me but you could tell it was haphazardly put together and didn't really feel like a real class either.
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Program Administration
In Florence the staff at FUA just felt really disconnected, and in Paris the staff of IESA was just all over the place and I never knew who to talk to if I had an issue.
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Living Situation
My personal accommodations in Florence and Paris were great building-wise, but they tried to squeeze too many people into one apartment. I had to share a bed with another girl and then yet another person was moved into our apartment because her living situation was abysmal. She had to sleep on our pull-out couch in the living room leaving no good common area apart from the kitchen, which was small. I always felt like there was no place for me to just get away and relax. The hostels in the UK were iffy, in London the room was so small that we could barely open our suitcases, in Liverpool we stayed in a six person room with barely any room either. The Guest House in Glasgow was great, however! I would definitely stay there again. You feel like a guest in someone's home.
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Cultural Immersion
The part of the program was EXCELLENT in Italy. I really felt like we got to KNOW the country, but that was not the case in France. It felt like all cis cared about was the beginning of the program and then left us to fend for the rest of the time. Class schedule was so full in the UK that we didn't really have time to see or experience anything in the cities. Should have taken us to cultural landmarks like Buckingham Palace or The Tower of London. I didn't have enough time to even have a glance.
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Safety
One student missed the train from Paris to London and the staff seemed unconcerned.
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Food
When we DID get food all together, it was very good, but that didn't happen very often. I mainly cooked for myself.
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Social Life
No comment
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Health Service
Wasn't really health services associated with the program, but it was pretty easily accessible through pharmacies, etc.
Other Reviews on CISabroad - The Grand Tour: Art in Europe
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CISabroad - The Grand Tour: Art in Europe Be Organzied
Reviewed by Brittany Lee Garcia on .
cis abroad needs to be more organized
all of the students never knew the actual and correct itinerary until the event was actually happening or if it was too late -
CISabroad - The Grand Tour: Art in Europe Slightly disorganized but all in all a great course.
Reviewed by Janet Carey on .
The programme in the end was a major success but there seemed to be a haze of disorganization covering the entire trip which was quite disheartening while traveling to new places with people you don't know. The academic side was excellent and I feel like I learned a lot about Art and Art History (ultimately the reason I chose this programme). I think in a few years this course will be seamless but as of now it is still a little rough around the edges.
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CISabroad - The Grand Tour: Art in Europe Eat, Sketch, Love: A Grand Tour through Europe
Reviewed by Timothy Luecke on .
The Cis Grand Tour: Art in Europe is the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in expanding their artistic horizons and enhancing their artistic skills over the course of an unforgettable summer. The program itself offers excellent drawing, painting, language, and art history courses---but the real treat is the endless inspiration you'll find around every corner in the cities you visit. Free time spent sketching in the piazzas of Florence or painting on the banks of the Seine in Paris is invaluable for anyone who is serious about their artistic growth. The program offers enough freedom to make such experiences a regular part of daily routine, while also ensuring that you learn a great deal about the culture and history of Europe through organized excursions, city tours, and more. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough for anyone who is pursuing artistic dreams. Pack a sketchbook and some pencils, and you'll be set for the adventure of your life.
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CISabroad - The Grand Tour: Art in Europe Not pleased overall
Reviewed by samaneh Rohanimanesh on .
The academic program is not as strong as it can be and the housing and classes are not very well planned.
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CISabroad - The Grand Tour: Art in Europe Good exposure.
Reviewed by Jordan Segal on .
If you want to just see Europe, this is good for you. The program itself is bad.