I was the only black girl in my cohort, which was challenging at times because no one could fully relate to that aspect of my identity. Making friends was difficult at first, as I was the only one in a homestay alone. Despite this, I was able to get out of my comfort zone and make a group of amazing friends with whom I am still in contact today. On the weekends, we traveled to other cities, which helped me learn how to travel independently. I lived in a homestay, which I liked a lot. This experience helped me immerse myself in the culture. While adjusting was not always easy, I learned how to advocate for myself regarding my nut allergy. There were times when I accidentally ate nuts. However, my CEA Capa program helped me with note cards listing my allergy in many languages, so I was able to advocate for myself.

Studying abroad in Granada, Spain was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. I spent the spring semester there through the CEA CAPA program, earning credits toward my Spanish minor at the University of Utah, and the experience exceeded my expectations in nearly every way.

Before arriving, I was most nervous about making friends and keeping up with the language. Both of those concerns disappeared quickly. The social environment of the program, combined with daily life in a Spanish-speaking city, made it easy to connect with others and grow comfortable using Spanish in real situations. By the end of the semester, my confidence in the language had grown immensely, and I feel very close to fluent.

My daily routine helped me feel grounded and truly immersed. On a typical weekday, I would wake up early for classes, spend time studying or grabbing breakfast between sessions, and return for afternoon courses. After classes, afternoons were usually spent relaxing or working, followed by meeting up with friends for tapas, dinner, or exploring Granada’s nightlife. This balance of structure and freedom made the semester feel sustainable and enjoyable.
Living in a hostel with one roommate and shared meals was a huge part of what made my experience special. Eating meals together gave me a built-in sense of community and made it easy to meet others in the program. It also removed a lot of daily stress, allowing me to focus on academics, exploring the city, and enjoying my time abroad.

Granada itself was the perfect place to study. It is a small-to-medium-sized college town, set against stunning mountains, with a historic Arabic castle overlooking the city. With a large student population, Granada offers an ideal mix of affordability, nightlife, rich history, and welcoming people. It truly felt like a place designed for students and travelers alike.

One of my favorite daily routines was visiting a breakfast spot near Calle Las Flores between my morning classes. For just four euros, I could get a coffee, orange juice, and two toasts de jamón. On other days, I would grab churros and sit in a nearby park. These quiet moments became some of the most meaningful parts of my experience and helped me realize the value of spending time alone and being present.

Academically, the program was seamless. I completed a full semester of necessary college credits that transferred easily toward my degree, which made studying abroad feel both enriching and practical.

Overall, I had an incredible experience in Granada and would strongly recommend doing it exactly the way I did. From the housing setup to the city choice and program structure, everything worked together to create a truly unforgettable semester abroad.

Granada was the perfect mix of immersion and support. When we first landed, not a lot of people spoke english, which was a stark difference from my later experience in Barcelona. That was perfect because it immediately dropped me into this new culture. As soon as we settled in we had a plan for each day. Our days were a mix of classes and excursions, some were tours and others were overnight. This schedule allowed us to see as much of out host city as we could while also getting the opportunity to explore on our own. Our CEA CAPA ambassadors accompanied us on excursions, and gave us advice for international jobs, suggestions for sightseeing, and help with travel plans. The city felt slower than a larger city might, but it felt very alive. That was perfect for my study abroad experience because I got to know a few locals while immersing myself in a new way of life. It was a beautiful way to get to know my new city while also learning and exploring at a comfortable pace.

Studying in Granada, Spain through CEA CAPA was the perfect fit for me! The academic load was much lighter than back home, which was a breath of fresh air. I felt incredibly safe in Granada and enjoyed living with a host mom. Although I naturally faced struggles during my time abroad, the onsite staff was so supportive and genuinely cared about me. It was comforting to know that in a city full of strangers, I had people who saw me. One of my favorite parts about living abroad was becoming a regular at local coffee shops/restaurant and some of the hardest goodbyes were to those waiters that treated us like family. Granada is the perfect size and location for exploring, while still feeling like you belong.

I studied and volunteered abroad in Granada, Spain with CEA CAPA in Spring 2025. As a Marketing and Spanish double major, I was able to incorporate both areas of study into my experience. I took five classes in total, one during the January intensive session and four during the semester (February-May). All of my courses were taught in Spanish, though English options were also available. My favorite class was International Marketing, since it allowed me to view my major through a global lens.

Outside of class, I volunteered once a week at a local high school, helping students practice their English through conversation and activities. This was a meaningful way to connect with the community and learn more about the culture.

I lived with a host mom in an apartment, and I highly recommend a homestay. It helped me fully immerse in the culture and improve my Spanish skills.

My program also offered excursions to several destinations in Spain, including Sevilla, Córdoba, and Ronda, as well as a trip to Morocco. Beyond those trips, I also traveled to Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Flights within Europe are relatively inexpensive, so I encourage anyone studying abroad to take advantage of that. You’ll rarely be this close to so many incredible destinations again, so travel as much as you can!

I got so much fun from my experience studying abroad at CLM through CEA CAPA. The classes provided me with enough cultural insight and history to really appreciate the city. Through CEA, my group went on weekend trips out of town, which was a great way to hang out with everyone and travel. The teachers at the university were very passionate about teaching and so sweet, and the staff was always around and willing to help. I really encourage anyone who goes just to talk to people and put themselves out there to see what they are able to get out of studying abroad. I also volunteered with a soup kitchen and stayed with a host mom through CEA, which both provided me with great opportunities to connect with the locals, gain confidence in my Spanish-speaking, and get recommendations for places to go eat and sight-see.

A little about Granada itself outside of the program. The city was considered small, so it was very walkable and easy to get around. It was great for shopping and sightseeing: there were so many restaurants, a main shopping street, and lots of cool alleyway shops, small vendors, cathedrals, monasteries, and parks all within 30 minutes walking time of each other. Granada is the last major city before the coast and has a lot of Muslim, European, and Jewish influence, so there is something for everyone, whether that be food, history, or walking around. The lifestyle is extremely laid back, and many restaurants are open late into the night, so people can socialize and relax. It is also a good city to slow down in before moving onto the beach, mountains, or surrounding larger cities.

My favorite parts of this program were the excursions planned by CEA CAPA and the personalities of the onsite staff. I traveled to several surrounding cities such as Sevilla and Rona, went to a mountain town for the day, and saw the most important parts of Granada, such as the Alhambra and Albycín as well. We took an overnight trip to Sevilla and Ronda, which was the most magical little town I never would've been able to tour by myself! Jorge, one of the staff onsite, was so funny and love to check in on how I was doing.

I really enjoyed my time in Granada, Spain and CEA definitely had a lot to so with it. I enjoyed it from the second we got picked up at the airport to when I had tears streaming down my face on my flight home. The excursions, the people and the city were everything I would have ever dreamed of and more. Granada felt like home after I left and every time we would leave the city to travel around it felt like a breath of fresh air to see Granada again. From the people to the mix of cultures and the people in the program, this study abroad experience was unbeatable.