The CIEE Teach Abroad program helps young adults achieve their dreams of working abroad. In this CIEE Teach Abroad review, I share my personal experience, what you should know, and how to save $200 on your application.
After I decided to teach English in South Korea in early 2016, I fell down a rabbit hole of online research, trying to figure out how to make that dream a reality. What I found was a mess of horror stories about scammy TEFL programs and bad work experiences.
I learned about CIEE’s teach abroad programs because a good friend happened to be in the process of applying for the Spain program around the same time. I liked that I could trust CIEE and that the program had some pretty decent perks. And it just so happened that there was a CIEE Teach Abroad in South Korea too!
As a busy professional at the time, that was good enough for me. I enrolled in their program, completed their 150-hour TEFL program, and eventually went on to teach English in Korea, Vietnam, and online too!
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Here’s my honest review of the CIEE Teach Abroad Program plus all you need to know about CIEE, their Teach Abroad program options, who CIEE is best for, and how to save some moola, so you can decide if CIEE is for you.
↠ Read More: 20 Best Places to Teach Abroad
What is CIEE?
CIEE is a non-profit organization that has been helping students and young adults move abroad since 1947. Their ultimate aim is to foster global perspectives and create a more interconnected world by, in their words, “humanizing international relations.”
CIEE offers a variety of programs, including study abroad, intern abroad, teach abroad, and TEFL certification opportunities, so there’s truly something for everyone interested in experiencing expat life with the help of CIEE.
What does CIEE stand for?
CIEE is an acronym that stands for the Council On International Educational Exchange.
Is CIEE Legit?
Yes, absolutely! CIEE is an NGO that’s been working with young students and aspiring expats for over 70 years. Initially started in the years after WWII, the company’s aim has always been to grow and foster positive global relations through exchange and educational programs. They also rock positive reviews on many platforms from satisfied participants.
↠ Read More: What is a TEFL Certificate?
CIEE Teach Abroad Programs
CIEE’s Teach Abroad programs help aspiring teachers acquire necessary classroom skills, gain professional work experience, and see the world while getting paid.
CIEE Teach Abroad South Korea
The CIEE Korea program helps aspiring teachers find a job teaching either in public schools through the English Program In Korea (EPIK) or at a private academy called Hagwons. The primary difference is that teachers in the public school system work regular school day hours, and those at private academies teach evenings and sometimes weekends.
Both positions enjoy similar perks, which include rent-free accommodation, pretty decent wages of roughly $2,000/month, and enrollment in Korea’s national health insurance, all of which are provided to the teacher by the assigned school.
Another primary difference between the private and public programs is placement. Private academies allow greater flexibility and choice to where teachers are placed, whereas EPIK only allows applicants one preference, and you’re at the mercy of need.
↠ Read More: EPIK Salary and Benefits for English Teachers
Where else can you teach English abroad with CIEE?
If teaching in South Korea doesn’t interest you, it’s also possible to teach abroad with CIEE in China, Spain, and Thailand. Each program is slightly different as far as the application process, salary, and work experience. I recommend checking out each program carefully.
How much does the CIEE teach abroad program cost?
Each program has a different fee, but you can expect to pay between $1,300 – $1,900+ per program. The fee covers the TEFL course as well as all the additional perks I list below.
What’s included with CIEE’s Teach Abroad Programs?
Before I get into my personal CIEE teach abroad review, I thought I should run down what the program includes because the perks are what attracted me to CIEE, to begin with.
Here’s what every CIEE teach program includes, whether you’re looking to teach in South Korea, Spain, Thailand, etc.
1. CIEE 150-hour TEFL Certification
When you sign up to teach English with one of CIEE’s Teach Abroad programs, the fee includes getting a 150-hour TEFL certificate from CIEE (unless you select one of their “Basic” programs that do not have the TEFL). The CIEE TEFL cost separate from the teach abroad program is $1,100.
The TEFL course at CIEE entails 130 hours of online instruction completed within three months, plus a 20-hour in-person practicum to put your newly learned teaching skills to practice.
The practicum is something you do on your own time and at your desired location. I completed mine by volunteering at the Literacy Network, a non-profit in Wisconsin that helps tutor immigrants in English so they can ace their citizenship test.
Just need a TEFL? Save $200 on the 150-hour CIEE TEFL course with my unique link, available to new/first-time CIEE TEFL participants only.
↠ Read More: 10 Best TEFL Courses for Teaching English Online or Abroad
2. One year of iNext International Insurance
iNext International Insurance includes accident and sickness insurance plus 24-hour emergency assistance when needed. I can’t attest to how good or bad this policy is, as I didn’t personally put it to the test. But I’m always a big advocate for travel insurance for that extra peace of mind while traveling! You never know what can go wrong.
3. Job Search + Application Assistance
One of the added perks of the CIEE Teach Abroad program is that they have an extensive network of schools and can connect you to numerous teaching opportunities. They also offer a second set of eyes for your job application to help you get hired quickly (they really helped a lot when I was putting together my EPIK application).
4. Airport pick up and orientation once you arrive
This was honestly one of the perks I didn’t use myself since acceptance to the EPIK program includes airport pick up and orientation through them, so I wasn’t in need of the service with CIEE.
BUT, if I’d gotten a job teaching at a private academy in Korea instead, or any of the other three countries, having that airport pickup and orientation is a massive convenience – especially if it’s your first time in the country and you don’t speak the local language.
My Review of the CIEE Teach Abroad South Korea Program
Before I taught English in South Korea with the EPIK program, I worked as a project manager/account executive at a marketing agency. While my schedule at the time was 8-5, my days were pretty busy, and I often came home with my work, which meant I had little headspace to devote to my dream of moving abroad.
Not only did I have limited time, but I was also frustrated because there were (and still are) thousands of TEFL providers and teach abroad job boards online to sift through. Not to mention the countless horror stories from others about TEFL scams and bad job experiences abroad.
So feeling a little overwhelmed, I ultimately chose to go through CIEE for several reasons:
- As mentioned, my friend had just gotten a job with the CIEE Teach Abroad Spain program, so I knew that CIEE was legit.
- I needed a TEFL certification and the program includes CIEE’s 150-hour course with a 20-hour in-person practicum which is a resume booster.
- I was working full time and wanted the convenience of someone helping me with the tedious EPIK application process and
- I liked that if EPIK had rejected me, I would have access to CIEE’s job search assistance to help find another teaching job in South Korea.
Now that I’ve shared my personal reasons for going with CIEE let’s look at some more general pros and cons.
Benefits of Teaching English with CIEE
- Get TEFL certified from a reputable and internationally recognized provider.
- Access to an expansive network of hiring schools and teaching positions.
- Help from experts who know the application processes inside and out, no matter which country you’re applying to.
- Additional resources that include teaching tips and guides plus testimonials of alum sharing how to move abroad / what to expect.
- Visa assistance before you move.
- Airport pick up, in-country orientation, and support the duration of your teaching contract.
Disadvantages of Teaching English with CIEE
- It may be too expensive for some budgets.
- It added a middle man to my job application with EPIK (not a biggie but worth mentioning)
↠ Read More: How to Teach English Online and Earn Money Anywhere
How to Apply + CIEE Application Requirements
If everything sounds good so far, this section details how to apply. It’s worth mentioning that CIEE’s programs don’t have unlimited spots so it’s recommended to apply as early in the intake period as possible if you’re in a rush to get abroad. However, the CIEE job acceptance rate is pretty high so if you’re accepted to the program, you can rest assured you’ll likely have a job teaching English abroad in no time.
How to Apply to a CIEE Teach Abroad Program
- Sign up for a MyCIEE account here.
- Select your program as well as the details like the destination, the duration, and intake period
- Fill out application fields which may include:
- Basic personal information
- Educational and professional experience
- Passport documents and photo
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement
- Placement preference
- Etc.
- Pay $50 application fee
The CIEE Application Requirements
The requirements vary based on which specific program you’re applying to, but in general, applicants need or will need to have:
- Bachelor’s degree
- TEFL Certificate
- Current passport with an expiration date of at least six months after the program end date
- Current passport photos
- Professional resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Native English speaking ability
- Application fee and the program fee to be paid in two installments, $500 or $1000 with TEFL paid within ten days of applying, and the remainder due once you have a job placement.
You don’t need to have previous teaching experience to apply to teach abroad with CIEE and you’re also welcome to apply if you haven’t quite finished your bachelors’ yet but are in your last year!
Do I recommend CIEE? My Personal CIEE Teach Abroad Review
Yes! I recommend CIEE for people who have the money and who may be nervous about moving abroad, whether because you’re worried about scams, it’s your first time moving to a new country or because the process can be overwhelming in general.
It’s also a great program for those who aren’t TEFL certified yet. The CIEE teach abroad program is an all-in-one package that gets you TEFL certified, helps you apply to jobs, and assists with the moving process. And it’s definitely for people who are serious about getting abroad because the CIEE staff work with you as soon as you finish your certificate to find a job. Most TEFL courses only award you a certificate, and then you’re on your own for the rest, making it easy to drag your feet or never make it over the pond.
I also appreciated that CIEE paired me with one dedicated person that I could reach out to with any questions and who essentially held my hand the entire time when I was taking my TEFL Course, filling out my job application, and applying for my South Korea resident visa.
So, who is CIEE not for?
I don’t recommend it for those who need/want to save money or already feel confident about moving abroad independently. There are cheaper TEFL courses that’ll work just fine for thousands of schools abroad. However, cheaper TEFL courses typically don’t have additional perks like application and job search assistance. But it’s 100% possible for everyone to manage it on their own.
Ultimately, it’s up to you and your personal preferences/budget!
↠ Read More: 8 Best Cheap TEFL Courses Online
More CIEE Teach Abroad Reviews
You can check out what others are saying about their experience applying to teach abroad at CIEE via the links below! Here people share their thoughts and experiences not only with the teach abroad program but also the TEFL program.
GoAbroad: 9.26/10
GoOversees: 8.85/10
CIEE Discount: Save $200 on the CIEE Teach Abroad Program
I have the privilege of offering my readers a $200 discount off a CIEE teach abroad program with my special referral link! Just click through, sign up, and the rest is up to you. You’re free to sign up and nab the discount without any obligation to check out if you still need time to think.
The link above will take you to a log in or register page, but don’t worry. After you’ve created your account and selected your CIEE teach abroad program, your discount should appear at checkout.
Disclaimer: The discount is only available to new/first-time CIEE Teach Abroad applicants.
I’ve just been accepted into a CIEE teach abroad program. Can I still use your $200 off?
I just submitted my application for the CIEE, and was wondering if you were successful with getting the referal link to work. When clicking on the link it asks me to create a new application rather than updating my current application.
Thank you!!