CEA CAPA Internships in Madrid, Spain

CEA CAPA gave me such a good housing that was spacious, well furnished, and in a great neighborhood. I was able to host a bunch of friends for a chill movie night or celebrations like Thanksgiving. Everything was set up for us from the kitchen to our bedrooms and we really only had to buy perishable items like toilet papers and food. I loved it so much- so close to the metro and everything was easily accessible in my neighborhood. Multiple grocery stores within walking distance and school/ airport was a metro ride away.

Studying abroad this past fall was one of the most transformative experiences of my academic journey. Adapting to daily life—navigating unfamiliar transportation, shopping at local markets, and learning new social norms—helped me become more resilient and open-minded. The opportunity to practice a different language and connect with locals broadened my worldview and made me appreciate cultural differences. Beyond academic gains, I formed friendships with people from across the globe, creating a supportive community that made each challenge feel more like an adventure. Overall, the semester pushed me outside my comfort zone, enriched my education, and left me with memories and insights I’ll carry for a lifetime.

My experience with trying new foods in Spain played a huge role in helping me feel truly immersed in the culture - it made me feel like I was getting the full experience of living in a new country. Through CEA CAPA, I had the opportunity to take a course called Food and Culture, which ended up shaping my time abroad more than I ever expected. From visiting a local winery and sampling authentic Spanish wines to doing a bread and olive oil tasting in class to participating in a tapas potluck at a local kitchen, each activity added a unique and memorable layer to my cultural experience. The tapas potluck, in particular, was my favorite. Learning how to cook traditional Spanish recipes like gazpacho, tortillas, and churros was not only fun and engaging but also incredibly eye-opening. I gained a deeper understanding of the key ingredients and cooking techniques central to Spanish cuisine and saw firsthand how they differ from the food culture I grew up with.

The company is super well organized. I felt so much better more supported than other times when I have studied abroad. The classes were super good too, they covered the material but allowed to have enough free time to enjoy and travel. They also hosted social events like Flamenco, soccer matches and cooking class which were awesome. Housing was 10/10, they would come clean the common areas and bathrooms once a week to make sure it stays clean and you don't have to worry about it. They also include trips, we went to Sevilla, Segovia and Toledo which was awesome. Also, no classes on Fridays so you can plan some weekend trips!

Choosing to participate in the internship program with CEA CAPA was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The CEA CAPA team was very supportive and helped me so much through the beginning stages. It was a little intimidating having to go through the whole interview process and having companies be able to choose me. After every meeting someone from CEA would check in with me and guide me through the next steps. The internship itself was amazing and I truly learned so much about my field and more about Spanish in general. Acknowledging and working through the cultural differences was one of the hardest parts for me, but after a while my team and I got into a good schedule and we were able to work really well together.

My older sister recommended me to do a study abroad program before I graduated. She said it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She was right. I learned so much about the professional lifestyle in Spain through my internship, I was able to travel to so many places, I made some amazing friends, and I loved the things I was learning at school. Overall, I recommend this program to anyone who is a fan of a life-balance lifestyle. I strongly recommend you look at your credits, talk to your advisor, talk to your study abroad office, and talk to CEA CAPA. We are all here to help you achieve your goals.

CEA did a great job of organizing groups and trips and would help a lot to support students through everything. Things were well done and I enjoyed it. Madrid was a great destination as well for all types of students. There was plenty of things to do, it was safe, easy to get around, and supportive for people who didn't know/ were learning Spanish. I had a tremendous growth during this and felt like it was a safe environment to try new things and learn in so many more ways than the classroom. I definitely recommend.

I had a truly amazing time in Madrid interning (and studying). I was placed at the perfect internship for me, where I gained a ton of new skills. I LOVED my housing. It was right next to the royal palace and had fantastic amenities (a washer/dryer, a dishwasher, AND both AC and heat?!). Madrid is a beautiful city. It is INCREDIBLY clean, and the public transport is extremely reliable. It is also extremely safe. The violent crime rates are extremely low, and I was able to walk home at night alone, without being bothered once (something I can never do here in the US). Just watch out for pickpockets! CEA CAPA facilitated amazing events and excursions, and the entire program, including housing and these excursions, cost less than my university tuition for the semester.