CEA CAPA Education Abroad Reviews

I had the incredible opportunity to participate in Granada's Spanish 230 Study Abroad Program, and I can confidently say that it was a transformative experience that exceeded all my expectations. This program not only provided me with a deeper understanding of the Spanish language but also immersed me in the rich culture and history of Granada.

The curriculum of Spanish 230 was expertly designed to cater to students at various language proficiency levels. Our dedicated instructors were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive. They tailored the lessons to our individual needs, ensuring that we were both challenged and comfortable in our learning journey. The small class sizes encouraged active participation, allowing us to practice speaking and listening in authentic contexts.

One of the highlights of the program was the opportunity to live with a host family. This experience was a game-changer for my language skills. Conversing with my host family in Spanish during meals and everyday activities pushed me to think on my feet and use the language naturally. It was amazing how quickly my confidence grew.

Beyond the classroom, Granada itself served as the ultimate classroom. The city's historic architecture, bustling markets, and vibrant street life offered countless opportunities to practice what I was learning in class. Exploring the Alhambra was a particular highlight, as I could appreciate its beauty while understanding its historical significance, all thanks to the insights gained in class.

The program also included various cultural excursions and activities. From flamenco dance lessons to guided tours of local museums, every activity was a chance to expand my horizons. The organized trips to nearby towns allowed me to witness the diversity of Spanish culture and dialects, further enriching my experience.

The support network provided by the program coordinators was outstanding. They were always available to answer questions, offer guidance, and ensure our safety and well-being. This made adjusting to a new country and culture much smoother than I anticipated.

In conclusion, the Granada Spanish 230 Study Abroad Program was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that significantly improved my language skills while immersing me in the beauty of Spanish culture. If you're looking for a program that balances academic rigor with real-world experience, all set in a breathtaking location, I wholeheartedly recommend this program. It's an investment in yourself that you won't regret.

I had an absolutely incredible experience living in the picturesque town of Antibes in the French Riviera. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the stunning Mediterranean views, charming cobblestone streets, and the relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. Travelling from Antibes was so easy with a train station within walking distance. I was able to go explore other countries almost every weekend, with Antibes being the perfect place to come home to. Whether lounging on the golden beaches, wandering through the quaint Old Town, or exploring nearby glamorous destinations, every day felt like a dream. Antibes, with its undeniable beauty and cultural, left an undeniable mark on my heart.

I'm so glad I chose to study in Prague – it truly became a second home. Despite its reputation for cloudy weather, Prague's natural beauty always shined through. The city's less touristy vibe allowed me to experience life like a local.

As for the housing, I opted for a single bedroom and did not regret it; however, if you are sharing a room there is plenty of space. The flat I shared, situated in Prague 7, was filled with charming details like grand wooden doors, lofty ceilings, and the large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Having the tram station just outside the apartment was incredibly convenient, and the neighborhood felt exceptionally safe. Various shops and cafes (like my local favorite, Letka) were all within a 10 minute walk. The nearby parks quickly became my favorite places to visit with Letna's beer garden providing great views of Prague and Stromovka's peaceful ponds and large fields. A quick 10-minute tram ride, led to even more restaurants, bars, clubs, stores, and charming streets to explore. There is always something to do!

The onsite staff was welcoming and offered an array of engaging activities like an overnight excursion to Český Krumlov, day trips, and smaller activities like attending the opera–we saw a modern performance where actors dressed as monkeys sang in Czech while performing acrobatics on trampolines, so don't underestimate the experience–indoor cycling, ice skating, jogging around the local park, and more! The staff's efforts truly enriched the overall experience.

All of the classes I took were very interesting, had amazing professors, and a manageable work load. I recommend taking the Prague Art and Architecture class with Dr. Josef Záruba-Pfeffermann if you want to learn about the rich history of Prague by walking the city's streets and visiting various museums and monuments for free. Dr. Záruba's engaging teaching style involves telling historically significant stories that you wouldn't find in conventional textbooks, which always made the class interesting. Also, consider taking the elementary Czech language class with professor Šaršonová. She is helpful resource, a kind and encouraging person, and an amazing teacher. Learning the language from professor Šaršonová elevated my experience in Prague, enhancing my interactions and connections with the local culture. Finally, if you're looking to learn more about Central and Eastern Europe, take a class with Dr. Monika MacDonagh-Pajerová. Her firsthand experience as a student activist during the 1989 Velvet Revolution brings a unique perspective to her teaching.

Once you visit Prague you will never want to leave! Being here was the most fun, important, and overall memorable period of my life.

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.

Traveling to Prague with CEA was my first time traveling alone. I was very anxious at the prospect of being in an unknown city without any close friends to be there with me, but you learn the city fast and make friends faster. No matter where you go or what you do, you can feel a sense of home within the city and there are so many new things to try. Everything from learning about the alchemical history of the area to river cruises, there are so many neighborhoods to explore.

A lot of students come here with a wide array of plans and goals, which means there's something for everyone in this program. The only thing I wish I had done when considering which program to do was look into more specific programs.

My experience studying abroad in London was phenomenal and something I recommend to many of my younger friends who have time left in their undergraduate programs. Studying abroad not only was a fun and new experience, but it was important and meaningful in my personal and professional life. Professionally, I was able to intern at a one of London's largest hospitals and have multiple operational roles within their school program. I also am proud to say to two of my supervisors are mentors and friends to me now and provided me and will continue to provide me with valuable insight. On a social level, I was able to pursue a hobby of mine, travel, with some friends that I came with and many new ones I made along the way. It also was just so fun, to be honest. In all facets, the programs was wonderful and I would recommend to any type of student.

I had a great experience! All of the included trips and classes were very fun! My favorite was the Capri trio and the pasta making class. My academics were also fun I took food and culture and art and architecture. I learned so much. The downside is one of our beds had bed bugs but besides that I would highly recommended this to any future students who are interested in studying in Rome. I met students from all different places and cultures it was a very good experience and I learned a lot throughout this process.

Overall, I had a great experience studying abroad in Rome, Italy with CEA! I met a few amazing friends and we had the time of our lives experiencing all Italy had to offer. We spent the majority of our weekdays studying and just hanging out, and then we travelled to new cities almost every weekend (Florence, Lake Como, Venice, Amalfi Coast). The living situation was pretty good. Coming from my freshman year of college, I far preferred my apartment to the small dorms I lived in. However, there was definitely a big difference in each apartment and some were much nicer than others. I had a fairly basic apartment and our biggest complaints were issues with losing hot water, having too small of a kitchen, and having issues with the flooring warping. However, any big issues (such as the hot water) were resolved in a decent amount of time with help from the amazing CEA faculty. But again, this all depends on which apartment you are assigned to. I became really close with my roommates, so that was definitely the best part! I took two classes while I was here (principles of material engineering and the art and archeology course). Both course were relatively similar to courses at my home institution (University of Michigan) in terms of difficulty and workload. We had some issues throughout the semester, but CEA faculty was really good at helping us resolve them. My only complaint would be that there is a difference in teaching styles and leniencies between professors, so you may have to work harder in your class compared to friends/roommates taking other classes. Overall though, the grading was fair and I never felt too overwhelmed by the workload. Coming to Italy for the summer was definitely the experience of a lifetime and I am so sad to leave! I hope to return again in a future summer, or even take part in a CEA study abroad or internship experience at a new location! I would hands down recommend this experience to anyone looking into it!

An amazing program that had many activities to do! Great administration that was always there to answer questions. Took two classes taught each by great professors. Experienced Italy through the eyes of others and got to explore so much. Beautiful place to study with lots to do. Got to do scheduled trips with the program that were well organized and super fun! Italy is beautiful and full of so many cultural aspects. If you are an foodie it is a great program. Overall the best study abroad program.

CEA has shown me over and over again that they were the best program I could’ve chosen. First of all our housing is absolutely amazing our apartment is so beautiful and felt like home right away. Also they set me up with the perfect internship and the process was so seamless. I absolutely love the company they helped me find and my internship teacher is one of my favorite teachers i’ve ever had. They are so many pre-planned activities through CEA and everything is so well organized. I have met so many amazing people through this program and the staff are always there to support you!