Program Reviews

I studied abroad during Spring 2024, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Hungarian is challenging, but they made it really easy to understand their culture. They were patient and open to any requests. They were friendly yet professional, and I felt safe the entire time!
On the other hand, if you are Latino, keep in mind that Hungarians tend to be a bit cold. I'm not saying they are mean, but try to find other Latinos because there is a big difference in how we treat each other and how Hungarians interact.

My time studying abroad in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was truly unforgettable and one of the best experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt supported by the CEA CAPA staff, who made the transition to living in a new country feel so easy and exciting. The program provided the perfect balance of academics, cultural immersion, and travel opportunities. Most importantly, CEA CAPA gave me the chance to grow personally and academically. I left Barcelona with new friends from all over the world, a deeper appreciation for Spanish and Catalan culture, and memories I’ll never forget.

I really enjoyed my semester abroad in Prague with CEA CAPA. I was a very important time for me and my overall college experience. I honestly fell in love with Prague. I was interested in its history, loved its varied and unique architecture, and enjoyed getting to know its people. I loved how the classes that I took with CEA CAPA helped me to experience Prague through educated and unique ways that added to my overall experience. Learning about the city’s history while actually living in it made my understanding so much deeper.
Prague’s history is everywhere! There are medieval towers, communist-era buildings, and modern cafes on almost every street. I took classes that studied the history of everything from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the Velvet Revolution, I also took an architecture class that taught me even more about the culture during those times and then, right after class, I’d go out and see the places we’d just talked about. Visiting historical sites and museums, or even just riding the tram through different neighborhoods, gave me a sense of connection to the city’s past that I’ve never felt in a classroom back home.
Beyond the academics, I loved how easy it was to feel at home in Prague. It’s big enough that there’s always something to do, but small enough that it begins to feel familiar after just a few weeks. The public transportation is amazing, I was surprised how quickly I could figure it out. Within a week, I felt comfortable traveling around the city on my own, which made everything from grocery shopping to weekend adventures feel fun and sufficient.
The people were welcoming too. Most locals were kind and patient, even if there was a bit of a language barrier at times. And the CEA CAPA staff were fantastic. They were always available to help, whether it was with class questions, travel tips, or just adjusting to life abroad. The events and trips they organized really helped me get to know the city and bond with other students in the program.
If I had to pick one thing I wish had been clearer, it would be the structure of the partnership between CEA CAPA and the local university, AAU. I was confused at the beginning about how the two schools worked together and how this would affect my scheduling and grading. It didn’t ruin the experience by any means, but having that information upfront would’ve made the start of the semester a bit smoother.
All in all, I can’t recommend studying abroad in Prague with CEA CAPA more. The city is beautiful, historical, and easy to love. I learned so much and came away with memories I’ll have for the rest of my life.

I studied abroad with CEA CAPA to Madrid my junior year spring semester. They really did make everything super easy, from housing to getting my visa. My housing was excellent, an apartment in the middle of the city. I do think I got lucky with my apartment though, as some of my friends were in apartments a little farther out of the city center. I took one CEA class and three classes at Nebrija University. I enjoyed the CEA class I took, it was sports and culture. The professor was great. The staff was also all very responsive and helpful. Of course, Madrid as a city itself is amazing, and I am so glad I chose it to be my "home base" for study abroad.

I had the most amazing time going abroad through CEA! I would recommend it to everyone.I had super fun and involved classes, got to live in a beautiful apartment with my best friends, and travel to cities and towns all around me. I would say the best thing about barcelona was the easy access and cheap flights to other countries and places. The food was also AMAZING, I ate 5 star meals for under 25 euros every night!! Overall i had a great time and I would recommend CEA as a program as they were so helpful and supportive of my time there.

Would highly recommend this program. There are many activities within the program included that help you immerse into the culture and even go on trips (Madrid, Pyrenees mountains). Everything is very well-organized and the staff/professors are super kind and helpful. I also was on a team for the study abroad soccer league which was really fun. The classes are engaging and help you learn more about your host city, but are not too demanding so you still have time to travel and explore. Housing was very close to campus and in a good neighborhood. Definitely would recommend for college students.

I went abroad in fall of my junior year of college and it was one of the most reqarding experiences of my life. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Prgaue was such a wonderful city to have as my "home base" city while abroad. It is a fairly clean city, people are kind and mostly comfortable with english. Additionally, because the country hasnt switched to the euro, the country and city is more affordable then most of the EU. The city has a ton of parks, like I talking about 30% of the city is nature. You still get the old city experience but it isnt crazy big like london or paris is but still large enough that you will not lack things to do, experience, nor explore. My recomendation is definately visit prague castle at sundown and also to visit vyeshard (translates to the old castle) which is ruins turned park space.

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!