Relationship building changes the world
At CIES, a student joins a community of people from different countries, races and religions. They learn to view people as individuals and see their value as a person, rather than judge them based on their skin color, country of origin or religion. In Tallahassee and at FSU, our students have the opportunity to develop relationships with Americans and learn about our culture. Both groups learn to view each other as individuals and break the stereotypes that we all carry. In the community of FSU, we have the opportunity to change the way that people around the world view Americans and other cultural groups. Our students learn to value people of other cultures here, and then they go home to share what they have learned. At CIES, we build bridges over gaps and misunderstandings that have been taught and reinforced for centuries about other groups, religions and races.
Help us continue to build programs that bind people together all over the world through love and understanding.
About CIES
CIES teaches English to international students who need to improve their language skills in order to enter graduate and undergraduate programs at FSU. CIES also develops the English proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills of professionals who want to become more marketable in the global economy. Our teaching philosophy is that at CIES, “we don’t teach English as a subject to be studied, but rather, we teach English as a skill to be used”. In order for our students to succeed, they must be able to use their English accurately, in the appropriate context, and with the appropriate register. Therefore, a deep understanding of the culture of the United States, Tallahassee, and FSU is vital, and that is why our cultural immersion activities are an integral part of our instruction and development of our students.
We have the unique privilege of spending time with brilliant, influential people from all over the world. We want to put our best foot forward and show them more of the wonderful places that we have in and around Tallahassee. Most of our students tell us that their experience at CIES is one of the best experiences in their lives. They go back to their countries and tell others about the people that they met and the amazing things they experienced here at Florida State University. With your generosity, we will be able to continue, and expand, this critical mission. Visit our website https://cies.fsu.edu/
Yalan, China
"What I love most about CIES is that it makes me feel like home. People from all over the world came together and formed a big family that I will always hold dear. It is a place where I'll always find support and positivity."
Natifatou, Burkina Faso
“CIES taught me a lot that I could not describe in a few sentences. I met wonderful people who were really caring and that was helpful for me to achieve quickly my goals. My English skills improved with the talented teachers I had. Moreover, it is a place where everybody brings his culture to create a marvelous 'firework' of culture.”
Mario André, Brazil
“I went to CIES to just learn English; however I left CIES having also learned how culturally diverse the world is. Today I know how it feels to step out of my comfort zone and embrace other cultures as my own and I owe it all to the unforgettable experience of having been part of CIES.”
Ivan, Colombia
“Studying at CIES was the best decision that I have ever chosen. When you open that door, you don’t open a door for just a simple building, you open a door for one little piece of the world. Sharing classes with people from all over the world didn’t only make me improve my English, also I learned about different cultures and changed my perspective of the world. CIES became my international family.”
For more testimonials go to https://cies.fsu.edu/testimonials