CEA
Programs and Reviews
CEA Global Education (formerly Cultural Experiences Abroad), was founded by Brian Boubek (CEO & Chairman) after a life-changing study abroad experience in Dijon, France. He felt that his time in France was so empowering and insightful that he wanted to provide the same opportunity to everyone. Since then, it has continued to grow. In 2010, CEA enrolled 4,000 U.S. university students in more than 100 academic programs! They've been around since 1997 and their headquarters can be found in Tempe, AZ. CEA strives to create and facilitate opportunities for academic achievement, global competence and personal growth through quality international education.
Programs Abroad
Reviews
80%Overall
Rating
100%Overall
Rating
Awesome program. The staff is amazing and really nice. The classes are pretty easy. The apartments are really nice and in good locations. The city is amazing. They set up day trips and one night trip that is amazing to the south of france. The program is a good size with great people. The metro system is amazing with good hours and we take it everyday. Some of the best people and a great size program.
80%Overall
Rating
CEA Paris is overall a fantastic program for those looking to really learn about the city of Paris. They offer several courses that involve going out into the physical sphere of the city, and using it as a live classroom.
I took Architecture of Paris and History of Haute Couture. Both classes were very interesting and I truly learned a lot about the city. Both professors of the classes were engaging, helpful, and entertaining.
CEA does a great job at providing cultural opportunities for students in Paris. Through CEA, I was able to attend a soccer match, a rugby match, and a cooking class. In addition, the included excursions to Provence, Bruges, Champagne, and Fontainebleau were a good way to experience different parts of France.
Overall, I would definitely recommend the program to other people. The CEA staff is incredibly friendly, accessible, and resourceful, and they definitely take any feedback you say to heart. Paris is a wonderful city and they do a good job to try and help you adjust to it. However, CEA does have a few issues they need to improve on, such as academics and housing, but overall, I had a phenomenal experience.
Critical Feedback:
CEA's classes generally do not meet on fridays, which is nice for travel. However, when it comes to CEA's academics, the attendance policy could be frustrating at times. As a college student, my belief is that the only one who loses when you miss class is you, because therefore you missed important material. However, CEA disagrees and only lets you miss 4 sessions of a class that meets twice a week for the whole semester. While I am not one to miss class most of the time, it is frustrating for those times when I would want to travel for longer periods of time, or miss class for other events such as friends or parents being in town.
Furthermore, CEA is very strict on switching the type of program you are in once you are in Paris, which is hard because sometimes you do not realize the rigor of the situation until you get there. CEA Paris offers several hybrid programs with the Sorbonne, Novancia Business School, and other French Schools that are definitely more demanding than just the CEA program. I had several friends who realized that they were too overwhelmed in these hybrids programs, but were told that they couldn't switch. CEA Paris' Academic Dean could be a bit rude at times when people would request to switch, so if you do decide to do any of the hybrid programs, make sure you are set on it. As someone who did the Sorbonne hybrid program, I certainly improved my French by having it every day of the week for 2 hours, but it hindered my ability to travel and see the city, so I am torn as to whether or not I would do the hybrid program all over again.
Housing is CEA Paris' biggest downfall. That is not necessarily the fault of the program, but the conditions of the city itself. I was fortunate to receive the exact housing situation I wanted (an apartment in the 11th), however, I had several friends who were VERY unhappy with their housing. I had friends who were put in a homestay who did not want that at all, and other friends who were put into housing that was called an apartment but looked more like a dorm room with a hot plate and a sink. I think if CEA were to provide more apartments in better locations, it would be the perfect program. My advice would be to not take the gamble of being assigned housing, but rather opt for independent housing, and try to sublet an apartment for the semester. Not only would you be able to pick the location and your roommates, but you would also be allowed to have guests stay over, which is against CEA policy. (This is especially useful if you have other friends studying abroad who will want to visit you)
10%Overall
Rating
CEA Florence is a horrible study abroad program. They had no concern for the students, the staff was extremely rude and unhelpful, the living conditions were horrible, faulty and covered in mold, and the teachers were extremely unfit providing zero structure for the classes.
CEA's Response to Gabi0119:
We are very sorry about your experience abroad in Florence, and how you felt about your housing, classes and our staff. We always do the best that we can to attend to students needs before, during and after their travels. We hope you were still able to have an enriching study abroad experience, and that you were able to enjoy Italy and it all it has to offer to young travelers.
100%Overall
Rating
Going abroad was the best decision I have made in my life so far, especially going abroad to Granada with CEA. Granada is absolutely breath taking. The city is small and easy to travel without having to take a cab or bus. Walking around the city was one of my favorite parts. There is something to discover every day, either meeting new people or finding a new place to admire. During my semester, I stayed with a host family. I absolutely loved it! My host mom was incredibly sweet and caring. She made delicious food. I rarely eat out side because of her magnificent taste in cooking.
One of the best things about Granada, besides being the greatest city in the world is that is very affordable. Going out to eat, traveling to the beach or nearby cities was reasonably affordable. Granada is a unique city. It has a stunning architecture, a mix of cultures and a warm friendly atmosphere. The CEA staff I consider to be one of the best. They helped me so much with every little request I had. They made us feel comfortable right away. Overall, the program was well organized. The staff knew all of our names and they were friendly, easy to talk to whenever we needed them. Studying abroad in Granada was the best investment in my life and for my future career. Now, Granada has a part of my heart and is definitely a place I recommend to anyone out there to visit.
Alumni Interviews
Staff Interview
Leah Breeze, an associate Admission Counselor with CEA, recently chatted with me about what CEA has to offer, her time studying in Costa Rica, and the growing need for internationally-minded people in the future workforce. An Arizona State University grad, it didn't take me long to feel Leah's contagious excitement for not only study abroad but also for life!
Megan: Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Leah: In college, I was lucky enough to backpack around Europe a few times, but I actually chose to study abroad in Costa Rica! I was inspired to go mostly from my passion to learn the Spanish language as well as my love with the Latin American culture. (It also didn't hurt that Costa Rica is full of amazing beaches, cloud forests, and such unique animal and plant life! !Pura vida!
Megan: What advantages do students have studying with CEA programs versus other study abroad program providers?
Leah: The number one thing that I think sets us apart is our knowledge of study abroad and ability to guide and support students through their journey. Every one of CEA's admission counselors and site specialists have studied abroad - a few of us more than once - and all continue to travel internationally. We also have amazing CEA Global Campuses (serving 9 different countries!) that allow us to truly take the international experience outside of the classroom. Many of the courses we offer really cater to the international student and supply them with the tools to truly take advantage of what each international city has to offer!
Megan: A recent report suggested that up to 50% of incoming freshman stated that they intended to study abroad during college, but then only 3% actually did. What's going on here?
Leah: I can't answer for the students who choose not to study abroad. I can tell you, based on my conversations with students who are researching study abroad by calling CEA, their biggest fears are leaving friends behind and not being able to graduate on time with their peers. But to them I say, you will make new friends, really, and if you do your homework and work with your university and provider, we can help ensure your college credits transfer - keeping you on track for graduation.
Look, at the end of the day, we'd love it if you studied abroad with CEA. But the most important thing you can do for yourself is NOT overlook study abroad. Start talking about it with someone - today. Go to your campus study abroad office. Find someone who's gone and ask them for advice.
Megan: If in the near future we were to produce a TV show titled, "When Studying Abroad Goes Wrong!", what do you think our first episode should be about?
Leah: Being flexible in adversity is one of the most important things you can learn about yourself during study abroad. Things aren't always going to go according to plan, but that's what makes study abroad so valuable, especially on a resume. Are you the kind of future employee who's going to throw your hands up at the first obstacle and say, "It can't be done!" or are you a problem solver who's experienced at "thinking outside the box" and finding your own solutions?
Megan: Any exciting programs with CEA you'd like to share?
Leah: One of the most "up and coming" CEA destinations is Buenos Aires, Argentina. In many ways, it really is the best mix of Europe and Latin American culture in one location. It has so many different influences and is definitely becoming the next big thing for the current generation of college students.
Leah's enthusiasm for study abroad extends beyond that which CEA offers - she encourages all students to take that initial first step and just GO! Studying abroad with CEA will give students an experience of a lifetime (just ask the 4000+ students who did it over the last year alone!)
In the end, it might not matter as much exactly which CEA program you choose to go on, but rather that you took the leap to go on the adventure in the first place!
i'm very glad i chose cea paris as my study abroad program. the staff is nice and helpful 24/7. the teachers are experienced and passionate. the school's neighborhood is awesome and is in a perfect location. cea helps you get situated in the city well and takes you on trips in france & other places europe (price of trips included with tuition!). make sure to be specific with what you want for housing. some people weren't happy with their housing (dorms mostly). you can't slack and skip classes with cea, you need to go to school and turn in homework. but the teachers are fairly relaxed and you don't need to stress out at any point during the semester about school work. they want you to enjoy your experience abroad! i recommend cea to all who want to see, live, and study in paris! (best city in europe!)
Critical Feedback:
less focus on mandatory class time and strict attendance rules.