CEA CAPA Education Abroad Reviews

I had the most unforgettable experience in Florence, Italy, last summer! What really set it apart for me was how helpful the CEA CAPA team was. Any medical issues or maintenance issues were fixed within the day so that I could enjoy the trip and have everything go smoothly. Florence is one of the best cities for study abroad due to its walkability, proximity to other countries for travel, and climate. And even though I love Italian food, there were many different food options for anything I was craving, all within a short walk from my housing. Would not have changed a single thing.

It's always difficult to summarize the four months I lived in London outside of just saying "it was great" or "I loved it." CAPA provided me with a handful of great experiences ranging from getting to Dover Castle & The Cliffs of Dover to getting to see Canterbury and so forth. I lived in a gorgeous neighborhood, Little Venice in a three-story flat. One my favorite parts about London was the food and the grocery shopping, to me it personally ranks above grocery shopping in the U.S. There's an endless supply of things to do and places to see in London. Even after the program had ended, I felt like there was so much I didn't do, and I did a lot. My best piece of advice, never let a day go to waste as long as you take care of yourself and have fun.

My study abroad through CEA CAPA in Dublin was the most amazing experience. The staff from CEA before I went abroad made the whole application process so easy and stress-free. The staff and instructors at my program were the most amazing people ever. They were constantly helping not only in our classes and recommending anything else we wanted to do in the city. CEA CAPA had 3 pre-planned trips for us on the weekends that really made the experience 100 percent worth it. They were some of the main places in Ireland I wanted to see on my trip and having it already planned made it so simple and easy.

Exploring Buenos Aires, Argentina with CEA CAPA was an incredible experience. From the dedicated on-site staff, Maggie and Flor, to my wonderful host-mom, Alejandra, brilliant teacher Mercedes, and everyone in between, the people of Argentina are some of the friendliest and genuine people I have ever met. It is such a vibrant, safe, and well connected city. The public transit is easy to navigate and the CEA CAPA staff make sure you are comfortable getting to where you need to go day one. Studying abroad was important to me because, as a computer science major, I often see students say that it is too hard to study abroad within the rigorous schedule of their major, but it is 100% possible! I took zero CS related courses while abroad and focused completely on learning Spanish. Buenos Aires, is a great place to learn Spanish! Once you get comfortable with the accent (which I found to be a lot less daunting then everyone said), people are eager to converse with you and often have lots of patience when they come to realize you are not a native speaker. I recommend to any future travelers to get out and explore the many parks throughout the city. They are a source of so much beauty and allow you to connect with so many locals (there are often pop-up markets, tango dancing in the plazas, food vendors, and more).

Studying abroad in Amsterdam was the most incredible experience of my life. As a political science minor, I was able to take an International Criminal Justice class where we took a field trip to the International Criminal Court. That was something unique to Amsterdam that really changed my experience for the better. I met the most amazing people that I still talk to today and I can say without a doubt they made my experience so amazing. I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and went abroad!

Going into my sophomore year of university as a Mechanical Engineer I knew that I wanted to study abroad if possible. With most programs, I know that it can be hard to stay on track with courses to graduate on time. However, the program with the Paris Center worked out perfectly for me. I was able to take the engineering courses I needed as well as French courses and another core class. For my core class, I took the History of Paris Through Architecture. This was by far my favorite course as most of the classes are out exploring the city. We would have walking lectures going from sight to sight and learning about the why and how each building was constructed. Overall the academics were good but I didn't find them all that challenging. As for the staff they are amazing and extremely helpful. I found the housing to be adequate but can be smaller than your normal US dorm-style rooms. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the program and got a lot from studying abroad.

I loved my time studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Amsterdam. From the moment our group arrived at the airport, our on-site advisor, Frans was there to guide us and make sure we got the most out of our time abroad. He gave us a comprehensive tour and orientation to the city during out first few days. CEA CAPA includes to cost of a semester long bike rental int he total cost of the program, so one of the first things we did upon arrival was to pick out a bike. Frans took us on several excursions and activities in the city throughout the semester which were super fun. Classes at Vrije Universiteit were challenging but not overwhelming.I made a ton of good friends and had such a good time in Amsterdam last spring. If I could go back I would've gone for the whole year.

Studying abroad in Madrid was hands down one of the most enriching, eye-opening experiences of my life. I learned so much about Spanish culture, world issues, myself, and what I am capable of. I forged amazing friendships with people from around the globe that I still cherish years later. I became more independent, confident, and adaptable through being pushed outside my comfort zone.

I have memories from my semester abroad that will stay with me forever: getting lost wandering the winding streets of Toledo and stumbling upon a small tapas bar, cheering with locals at a heated Real Madrid soccer match, feeling awe stand at the top of the Alhambra in Granada, gaining new perspective on classic works of art after seeing them in person.

Both the structured learning activities organized by my program and simply living day to day life in another country taught me so much. Improving my Spanish language skills exponentially while taking engaging courses on history, literature, business, and culture was also an invaluable academic experience. I loved traveling all around Spain and Portugal during breaks from schoolwork too.

The combination of immersive cultural excursions, hands-on academic learning, and forging global friendships made my study abroad experience absolutely life changing. It challenged me, enlightened me, shaped my worldviews, and created memories I'll cherish forever. I gained perspective on global issues, practical skills for career success, and lifelong friends from around the world. Without a doubt, those few months living abroad in Madrid profoundly impacted who I am and my path in life. I would highly recommend studying abroad to anyone!

Studying abroad in Costa Rica was a transformative experience that profoundly altered the trajectory of my life and reshaped my perspective in ways I could not have anticipated. Immersed in the rich tapestry of Costa Rican culture, I found myself navigating a world far removed from the familiar contours of my home country. The profound impact of this cultural immersion extended beyond language acquisition, as I delved into the intricacies of a society deeply rooted in environmental sustainability and community interconnectedness. The vibrant landscapes and the warmth of the people became a backdrop for personal growth, pushing me to confront challenges independently and fostering a newfound sense of self-reliance. Academic enrichment came not only from classroom learning but from the unique opportunities to engage in fieldwork and research projects that showcased the country's commitment to biodiversity and conservation. The friendships forged with local residents and fellow international students created a global network, expanding my worldview and enriching my life with diverse perspectives. Beyond the academic and cultural dimensions, the experience prompted a reevaluation of my priorities, igniting a passion for environmental consciousness and sustainable living.

I studied abroad for 4 weeks in June 2023 in the Spanish Language and Liberal Arts Program. I was able to earn 6 credits towards my Spanish minor at the University of Granada that seamlessly transferred back to my home university as pass/fail. The classes I took were Spanish Literature (1.5 credit), Latin American Literature (1.5 credit), and High Advanced Spanish Language (3 credit). Classes were a short 10-minute walk from my residencia (dormitory-style living with other CEA CAPA students as well as local Spanish students), and ran from 8:40am-2:30pm Monday-Friday, with a midday break. 3 absences were allowed without penalty, which I used strategically to plan personal travel and/or recover from nights out.

We also had 2 days off for Corpus Christi, which was one of my favorite parts of my stay in Granada. Corpus Christi is a week-long celebration consisting of parades, a fair, and other cultural festivities throughout the city's public spaces. The Spanish students staying in the residencia with us were kind enough to answer all of our questions about the events and make sure we had an amazing time during this unique holiday. CEA CAPA staff also gave us tons of information.

Granada could not have been a better destination. It offers a blend of many cultures (Andalucian, Islamic influences, Romani, and more) due to its unique history, has an extremely laid back culture that made my experience and my course load as relaxed as possible, and so many incredible, friendly people.

Overall, I highly reccommend going abroad to Granada with CEA CAPA. They offer so much support in every step of the process. I went abroad with two friends from my home university, but met so many people who went by themselves and had an amazing experience as well because the nature of the program allows you to make meaningful connections with other students.