CEA CAPA Education Abroad

I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent my first semester of college abroad in London with CEA CAPA. If I could relive the experience, I would do it over and over again. I truly cannot recommend it enough. CEA CAPA provided outstanding accommodations: my housing included a private bathroom, kitchen, and a modern living space shared with just one roommate. It was far more comfortable and updated than a typical college dorm. One of my favorite aspects of the program was the excursions, which were included at no additional cost. I had the chance to visit iconic sites like Stonehenge and the Roman Baths, attend soccer games and plays, and explore many other unique experiences around the UK.
London is an incredibly diverse and global city, and I was able to fully immerse myself in the culture. From the endless food options and museums to nightlife and local markets, there was always something new to discover. I’ll be returning to London this summer to study abroad again, a decision largely inspired by the incredible experience I had with CEA CAPA.

I loved living in Aix-en-Provence. The small town consists of a decent student-aged population and the people are so friendly. Everything was within walking distance, and Marseille was just a short bus ride away. Aix is also close to the Côte D'Azur, and I really enjoyed traveling to Nice and all the small beach towns surrounding it.

The food in Aix and in the region of Provence is really good. I truly got to experience the Mediterranean diet in its fullest. CEA CAPA took us wine tasting in Cassis, as well as olive oil tasting in Les Baux de Provence.

I had an awesome educational experience at IAU. This university is a great option if you are looking for classes that will be approved for your Liberal Arts degree or General Education requirements – they offered several classes that were pre-approved by my home university. They also have a French Honors Program, which is a language immersion program that requires students to take multiple upper-level French courses that all focus on learning about the region of Provence. I felt lucky to be a part of this program because it provided me with a built-in support system of caring and passionate professors, as well as a small cohort of 7 girls who made the program extra fun. My classes were a safe space to make translation errors – many times our errors made us laugh. Overall, this program really aided my immersion in Aix.

One thing I recommend if you are looking for ways to immerse yourself into Aix's culture and to meet locals is to consider living with a host family. Since most of my CEA CAPA peers and my classmates were American, I was not regularly meeting French students. I am so grateful to have been paired with a lovely host family, who provided me with lots of support and fun times throughout my experience. I ate dinner with my host mom every weeknight. She really helped me improve my French, made me feel comfortable in her home and in Aix, and also always made me laugh. I miss her a lot.
I really recommend this program to anyone who is looking to experience the lifestyle of the South of France! Living in Aix really deepened my understanding and appreciation for French culture.

From the moment I arrived, the salt from the mediterranean and the bricks lining Old Town caught my attention. If there was a place to spend a semester, it is definitely in this small French town. If you are a foodie like me, then rest assured, there is an abundance of quaint cafes and bakeries, or boulangeries. If you have a free day, then you can head over Billionaires Bay and go cliff jumping the clearest blue water I have ever swam in. If you want to travel, keep in mind that the airport is in the next town over - Nice. Truly, the French Riviera is an absolute dream!

I studied abroad in Prague in the Czech Republic during the fall semester of my Junior year. I went with CEA CAPA and I attended classes at the Anglo American University, which CEA CAPA partnered with. I had the most amazing time abroad, and would recommend any students who are considering going abroad to check out this program! I met so many wonderful people, tried new foods, explored new places, and had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture. CEA CAPA was always very supportive of students and planned great excursions!

Studying abroad in Madrid with CEA CAPA was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The program was incredibly well-organized and supportive from start to finish, and the staff were genuinely helpful, which made adjusting to life abroad feel so much smoother. They also planned incredible programming events designed to help us immerse ourselves in the local culture, from Flamenco shows to cooking classes and dance lessons. Academically, the courses were engaging, with professors who truly cared about our learning and cultural immersion.

Living in Madrid was nothing short of amazing. My student housing was in a convenient and lively neighborhood, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and easy public transit. Exploring the city was effortless—whether I was strolling through Retiro Park or admiring the art at the Prado, there was always something exciting to do. And the food? Unbeatable. Tapas, churros, and everything in between—Madrid is a foodie’s dream.

The city’s central location also made it easy to travel throughout Spain and to other European countries, which added even more value to the experience. Overall, I couldn’t recommend CEA CAPA Madrid more highly. It gave me the perfect mix of academic growth, cultural enrichment, and unforgettable adventures in what has become one of my favorite cities in the world.