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The 9 Coolest Things IES Abroad Students Did This Summer

When it comes to making the most of your summer, studying or interning abroad is your best bet. Embark on an international adventure and earn academic credit or professional experience while you’re at it – what could be better than that?

Our summer students show you how it’s done. Check out what they’ve been up to during their summer abroad.

1. Traveled with Friends to Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations While Studying Abroad in Ireland

Our Dublin blogger Allie Lawrence certainly made the most of her summer of study abroad in Dublin. She and her international pals embarked on a weekend of exploration in the Irish coastal town of Dalkey. “Our adventure was so much fun that I haven’t stopped dreaming about it,” Allie wrote.
Sure sounds like a summer to remember to us. Check out the rest of Allie’s post.

2. Explored the Great Barrier Reef

When our students aren’t attending class or interning abroad in Sydney, they spend their time soaking up the sun on Sydney’s famous beaches, taking in a show at the Sydney Opera House, and diving into the vibrant local music scene – can you picture it?
Our Sydney blogger Haley Straub can help. “Last weekend, about eight of us decided to take a weekend excursion up to Cairns to get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Great Barrier Reef. We booked an all-day snorkel and dive tour through ‘down under dive’ that took us out to the best spots in the reef that visitors are allowed to go to.” Read all about Haley's summer adventures in Sydney.

3. Put Their Chinese Language Skills to the Test with an Internship in Shanghai

Our summer blogger Keriann Reeves took her summer to the next level by interning abroad in Shanghai, and she’s talking all about it in her blog posts. From practicing her Chinese with local students about food, weather, transportation and more, Keriann dishes on her summer of study abroad in Shanghai in this post.

4. Learned About the History of Photography in Arles, France

Who said summer school has to be boring? Not us! At IES Abroad, we’re all about providing study abroad courses that take you outside the classroom and immerse you in the history and culture of your host city.
While studying abroad in Arles this summer, our blogger Aine Dougherty took a history of photography class, and learned themes and techniques and visited the world-renowned photography festival, les Rencontres d'Arles – for class credit! Check out what she has to say about it in her blog post.

5. Participated in an IES Abroad Field Trip to Fes & Meknes in Morocco

Visit a fabric market, tour the architectural masterpiece that is Al-Attarine Madrasa – these are just a few of the activities our students studying abroad in Rabat dove into during their field trip to the cities of Fes and Meknes. Our Rabat blogger Alex Ennes describes the field trip in this post, saying, “If you ever visit Morocco, these are cities you shouldn’t miss.”

6. Tried All of the Spanish Food in Barcelona

What better way to spend your summer than tasting new and delicious international foods? Just take it from our blogger Lauren Anderson. In this post, she talks about (and shares mouthwatering photos!) of the best meals she’s had while studying abroad in Barcelona.

7. Met & Conversed with Well-Known Political & Cultural Figures in Cyprus

Did you know that when you study abroad on our European Union Summer Program, your courses take you on a 16-day journey through Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, and Cyprus, where you have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet and converse with political officials, learn about the Cyprus conflict from both the Turkish and Cypriot perspectives, and more?
Just ask our Summer 2016 European Union students, who met and engaged in discussion with a number of Cyprus’ top political and cultural elite during their visit to the divided island. Within a day and a half, students met with the former Minister of Finance Dr. Michalis Sarris, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou, and the nationally-acclaimed poet, author, and active peace activist Nese Yasin. Learn more about their visit.

8. Rocked an International Internship While Exploring the Ins & Outs of Their Host City

Our blogger Patrick Houston has been living it up this summer while interning abroad in Santiago –  from visiting the beautiful Cajón del Maipo to climbing Cerro Santa Lucía for sweeping views of the city center, and trying the authentic Chilean dish pastel de choclo.
Did we mention that Patrick is boosting his résumé and gaining invaluable international work experience in the finance field in Santiago? Read all about it, and learn more about Patrick's summer intern life in Chile.

9. Explored Paris, Rome, & Madrid

Spending her summer studying abroad on our Multi-location Summer – Museums & Beyond: Art & Culture in Paris, Rome & Madrid Program, blogger Kyra Bean’s summer is an ultimate goal for the wanderlust traveler.
From taking a cooking class in Rome to walking along the Seine River in Paris and embarking on spontaneous adventures to Segovia while in Madrid, read all about Kyra’s summer adventures.

Did you study abroad with us this summer? Tag us in your photos @IESabroad and keep up with our Top 10 Instagram Photos of the Month – you just might see one of your photos be featured.

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