CEA CAPA Internships in Madrid, Spain

This was my first time visiting Europe and studying abroad, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. I went with other people from my school, which made the experience feel less daunting because we were all together. This is a great opportunity for students hoping to study abroad. I learned so many new things and tried many different foods, way different from what I was used to, but overall, every experience allowed me to grow as an individual. Exploring the different neighborhoods and learning about their histories was extremely insightful, especially when comparing Spain’s history with America’s and identifying parallels. I also had the opportunity to practice my Spanish and was met with patience and understanding by many of the natives there. I truly enjoyed my time and hope to go back to Europe soon to learn more.

Academically and culturally, the program provided an ideal balance. Living and learning in Madrid meant that the city itself functioned as an extension of the classroom. Whether we were analyzing local economic structures or examining historical architecture, everything felt immediate and tangible. Beyond formal academics, the cultural excursions organized by the program were absolute highlights. Exploring the magnificent royal heritage and art of Toledo and wandering through the majestic gardens and palaces of Aranjuez brought centuries of Spanish history to life far better than any textbook ever could.

One of my favorite surprises was how seamlessly I was able to integrate everyday passions into my routine abroad. I joined a weekly co-ed soccer league, which turned out to be one of the most rewarding ways to connect with locals and international students alike. Playing on a local pitch week after week broke down cultural barriers instantly and gave me a genuine sense of belonging in a massive European metropolis. Additionally, taking a traditional Spanish cooking class allowed me to dive hands-on into the culinary heart of the culture - mastering flavors, ingredients, and techniques that I will carry back home with me.

I loved Madrid. I do not think I can make it more clear than that. The first day I stepped off the plane I was super nervous. I was feeling like I might not like this city that much and that maybe I made the wrong decision. I felt so lost and foreign. I had a great guide who showed me to my apartment and showed me around the local area. The food scene was fantastic. I was not the most keen on Spanish food but god did I love tierras. Tapas were something else I indulged in too. Overall I think you really cannot go wrong in this city whether it is the world class schools or the great nightlife scene or the general safety of Madrid.

Through Atlantis, a subprogram of CEA CAPA, I was blessed with the opportunity to shadow doctors in a hospital abroad in Madrid, Spain for two weeks. This experience was so unique and special to me because I got to explore my two passions - medicine and Spanish. In University, I major in Psychology and minor in Spanish on the pre-medical track. I've dreamt of going abroad but knew that if I spent a whole semester away, I would be off track, especially with the way my specific university schedules classes. Therefore, this shadowing internship was the perfect way for me to achieve that dream of being abroad while also staying on track with my education.

My time abroad was one of the best experiences I have had. It made me grow as a person so much more than I thought I could ever. My best advice for anyone going abroad is to stay optimistic and open-minded. Also, do as much as possible with the little time you have there because you may think it's forever, but it goes by faster than you think, and no one is exaggerating when they tell you that. You are doing your abroad program because you want to do something different; embrace that. This is meant to get you out of your comfort zone and have the best time of your life. This also means that you do not have to do something every day. It may look like that, and when you are there, you might feel burnt out from the weekend, but you need some rest and downtime because it's a part of life. I took many days where I just relaxed and went to class instead of trying to do something fun every day because, for a few months it is your life, and you normally aren't doing that many things when you are home or at school. Secondly, my honest opinion is that if your Spanish isn't that great either, you will be just fine. Lots of people speak English but are also willing to speak Spanish if you want to try. The best part of my program is what CEA Abroad did for me. They planned 2 day trips, a weekend trip (which was one of the best trips I went on during my semester), a flamenco class and a show, a cooking class, and so much more! They were always there, sending weekly emails if you ever needed assistance with anything medical, maintenance for your apartment, finals, how to leave, and how to check in once there. They were more hands-on than the programs that I had other friends in, where they did not help them with almost anything. When talking to them they wished their program did more and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to do this.

Going abroad with CEA CAPA in Madrid was the best decision I’ve made. From the culture and language to the food and social scene, living in Spain for two months made this summer the most transformative experience of my life. CEA CAPA gave me the perfect balance between academics and free time, and while it provided students with plenty of opportunities to explore the city through program-sponsored events, I felt I learned the most when I went out on my own and threw myself into living in a foreign city. I undoubtedly had my anxieties about living without my family and having only a basic level of Spanish, but that made the whole experience 10x more rewarding. I believe the best way to acclimate to your new surroundings is to just dive in headfirst and keep an open mind. I stumbled along the way, but I felt that CEA CAPA always supported me, whether it was with my classes, housing, or meeting other students. I would recommend this program to anyone looking for the best two months of their life!

I had a really good time studying abroad with CEA CAPA. I was able to see so many different parts of Madrid because of them. I think they did a wonderful job of really immersing the students in the program in Spanish culture through every aspect. Dance, food, fiel trips and more.

They also did a really good job with housing as well. I loved my Madrid apartment. It was geographically in a good spot and some of my new friends for life were the room mates they placed me with.

In comparison to other abroad programs, this was relatively cheap as well. I would absolutely go abroad again with CEA CAPA.

My experience with CEA CAPA Abroad was amazing both professionally and personally. Though their internship program, I was placed with Constellation Consulting in Madrid, where I gained hands on experience in research and professional communication in an internship setting. Throughout my time abroad, I developed real world skills that I could never have learned in a classroom. I worked on market analysis projects, collaborated with teams, and strengthened my ability to adapt quickly in a fast paced professional environment.