CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Program Reviews

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Mia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review

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.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Buy purse locks or pickpocket-proof backpacks and purses for trips, daily use, and nights out.
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Morgan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I loved Prague!!!!!

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.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
The biggest thing I would change is to find more places. I ended up at the end still feeling like I had more to see and i defineitly got complacent in just going to the coffee shop near me or just going to the resturant my friends and I knew we would like, which is fun to do for like a neighborhood place but it meant that i didnt try as many places as I wished to. Guess it just means I'll have to go back!
Pros
  • affordable
  • public transportation and walkable city
  • so much to do and see
Cons
  • conversion can be more complex with travel
  • have to fly to the western travel destinations
  • didn't have enough time to see it all
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Aili
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Way To Start Freshman Year

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.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried a traditional English breakfast for the first time! It included some familiar items like toast and eggs, but also some new ones like baked and blood sausage. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m glad I gave it a try. It’s such an iconic meal, and it was fun to experience something so deeply rooted in local culture.
Pros
  • Excursions
  • Housing
  • Support from the CEA CAPA staff
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Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Aix-en-Provence is a hidden gem in France

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.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I was so surprised and amazed by Aix's transformation during Christmas time. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Aix has a really cute Christmas market down the Cours Mirabeau, which sells locally made gifts, food, and hot wine. It also has rides for kids. I spent a lot of time at this market because it was so lovely. Furthermore, Aix and Marseille are known for their santons, which are small, hand-made clay figurines that are typically placed in nativity scenes. There is a separate market dedicated to this as well.
Pros
  • Small, walkable town
  • Great local markets and food
  • Friendly people
Cons
  • I didn't meet many French students
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Soren
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sun, Study, and the Côte d'Azur

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!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have spent more time laying on the beach enjoying the sun and ocean. I swam most days, but I did not fully enjoy the mediterranean as I should have. I also would have spent a little more time exploring the Old Town of Antibes.
Pros
  • Amazing Pastries
  • Beautiful Sea
  • Walkable Town
Cons
  • Lot of Olives and olive food (I don't like olives)
  • When it did storm, it was very powerful
  • The bus to school was long
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Peggy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fall 2024 CEA CAPA Prague

I studied abroad in Prague in the Czech Republic during the fall semester of my Junior year. I went with CEA CAPA and I attended classes at the Anglo American University, which CEA CAPA partnered with. I had the most amazing time abroad, and would recommend any students who are considering going abroad to check out this program! I met so many wonderful people, tried new foods, explored new places, and had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture. CEA CAPA was always very supportive of students and planned great excursions!

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Francesca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Madrid

Studying abroad in Madrid with CEA CAPA was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The program was incredibly well-organized and supportive from start to finish, and the staff were genuinely helpful, which made adjusting to life abroad feel so much smoother. They also planned incredible programming events designed to help us immerse ourselves in the local culture, from Flamenco shows to cooking classes and dance lessons. Academically, the courses were engaging, with professors who truly cared about our learning and cultural immersion.

Living in Madrid was nothing short of amazing. My student housing was in a convenient and lively neighborhood, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and easy public transit. Exploring the city was effortless—whether I was strolling through Retiro Park or admiring the art at the Prado, there was always something exciting to do. And the food? Unbeatable. Tapas, churros, and everything in between—Madrid is a foodie’s dream.

The city’s central location also made it easy to travel throughout Spain and to other European countries, which added even more value to the experience. Overall, I couldn’t recommend CEA CAPA Madrid more highly. It gave me the perfect mix of academic growth, cultural enrichment, and unforgettable adventures in what has become one of my favorite cities in the world.

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Peyton
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA in Paris!

I had the absolute time of my life in Paris. It was my third time in Paris, I went once when I was 10 and once after I graduated high school but this experience was by far the most exhilarating, abundant, and rewarding. This was unique compared to my other experiences because I had a purpose and reason for going, to learn about everything French culture, from the language, food, traditions, values, and daily life.

Although this program was a short 5 weeks, I did my best to pacl everything I wanted to do plus some, without wasting a day or night. I made unforgettable memories and life-long friends that I can constantly reminisce about the summer of 2024 or dream about the future when we return to France.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment I had was one evening my friend and I were exploring, eating dinner, bonding, and having a great time, but as we were heading home, I realized my phone was going to die. Being in a foreign city, with moderate navigational skills and in a new area, I had to find a map of Paris in a metro station and find my way home. I needed to take three different metros to get home. It was stressful and took me about an hour and a half to get home after one u-turn and a couple of confusing conversations with locals; It was scary but exhilarating and exciting to finally get home without the technological ease that we so often rely on today.
Pros
  • L'excursions autour de la France
  • The large amount of free time outside of classes
  • the ability to explore and see whatever you want in your city &&& my host mom!
Cons
  • time management at excursions a couple times
  • the length of program! Wish it was longer
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Kristen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience Ever

I had the absolute best experience of my life in Sevilla with the CEA CAPA study abroad program. I lived in a Casa de Sevilla, where I got to live with other students in my program, while also having a host mom who cooked us amazing meals, did our laundry, and told us amazing stories in Spanish. I got to explore the beautiful city every day and got to learn so much about the unique culture. In my opinion, Sevilla is perfectly sized as there is plenty to do and explore, while also being totally walkable and manageable. I cannot say enough about how amazing the city is. CEA CAPA itself was the perfect program for me, and they were so supportive and helpful throughout the whole process. The staff on-site in Sevilla was amazing in helping me through my academics and finding other opportunities in Sevilla, like my volunteering at an English school. Overall, I would recommend this program a million times over to anyone looking to have a unique experience, learn more about themselves and a new culture, meet new people, and improve on their Spanish skills!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers is to spend a lot of time in the city you choose and really get to know it in between traveling. I would also advice everyone to get as involved as possible. Volunteering and taking advantage of intercambio opportunities were some of the best decisions and experiences in my time abroad.
Pros
  • Support in finding things to do and recommendations
  • Amazing staff and students
  • Excursions with the program
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Mariah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad in Costa Rica

I loved studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Costa Rica. It was such a fun, life changing experience. While studying abroad I was able to dive into the culture, learn medial Spanish, earn Spanish credits towards my degree, and learn more about myself as a person. I love that the CEA CAPA program made sure that on each excursion or school event the students attended off campus, transportation and food were provided. I felt very cared for within this program. I also appreciated the overnight excursion to La fortuna. While in La fortuna we visited a chocolate farm, and the Baldi Hot Springs Resort. It was a beautiful, memorable experience. The hotel was lovely, and it was a perfect head-clearing activity, when we needed a pause from learning how to adapt in another country. The forethought of the CEA CAPA program for the students wellbeing is tremendous.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was at the beach, I turned around for a second and the wave knocked me on my back and I hit a rock and scraped my skin. It was painful, but funny at the same time.
Pros
  • Protection, and safety
  • Housing
  • Accommodations
Cons
  • Not knowing that there was an animal in the house
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