CEA CAPA Education Abroad

CEA CAPA Education Abroad Reviews

Giovanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience with SAE - June 2023

I have done a study abroad program with SAE during June 2023. The program was organized in partnership with my university, USF (University of South Florida). I took a class taught by my university professor and also an internship that was organized by SAE. Besides that, SAE also organized some activities for us, such as a day trip to Sitges, a visit to Estrela Damm, and a flamenco concert at Palau de Musica. During my month at Spain, I stayed at a homestay organized by SAE. My host mom was Maribel and she is one of the best cooks I've ever met!

Overall, I loved my experience! Barcelona is one of the most beautiful and fun cities I've ever been to and I would honestly live here one day. The city is great in transport, weather, food, night life, parks, stores, whatever you want!

SAE has always been by my side during this process, and I could notice how much the staff cared about my experience. Even though the program wasn't perfect, SAE staff were always so nice and caring to me that nothing made my experience less enjoyable! I would definitely recommend this study abroad program - I specifically came here to study advertising but I am sure any field of study would find its place in Barcelona!

Pros
  • Customized program with fun and engaging activities that are chosen based on what you want to achieve
  • They have contact with amazing homestays that will keep you in contact with the culture
  • Friendly and caring staff that will make your experience more enjoyable
What other participants should know
  • It is not exactly a con, but I feel like there is still job to be done towards the internships. Some friends of mine had trouble with theirs and I personally didn't like that my internship was remote and that I had little to no contact with my supervisor.
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA Study Abroad in Granada, Spain

My experience with CEA CAPA was very positive. Throughout the process of applying for the program, arriving, duration of the program, and even afterwards it felt like I had support, and they were happy to answer any questions I had. The process was pretty straightforward. I would study abroad with CEA CAPA again.

Studying abroad is an invaluable experience, both personally and professionally. It’s an opportunity to have experiences that you may never have had if you didn’t go abroad. I wouldn’t have taken that trip to Bilbao and met up with old Spanish friends. Stayed out until 3 am and ate street Shawarma a few nights a week. Ate pizza in Andorra with two Argentinian guys. Or my personal favorite experience, meeting up with a friend I met in Costa Rica in 2019 later reuniting in Spain three years later. These are all experiences that I’ll be able to call some of the best times of my life.

Pros
  • Interesting Classes
  • Safe City
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Anna! Thank you for sharing your positive experience in Granada. The photos are stunning too! It's incredible you were able to meet up with another world traveler years later.

Sabina
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time in Granada

My time in Granada is something that I'll never forget. I stayed with a host family for three months with the CEA CAPA program. The program in itself was so easy to be in, because all of classes were laid out for us to choose, and there was a ready made schedule of all the trips we would be attending. The CEA CAPA trips were my favorite part about being in the program, because they were completely planned out by staff, and all we had to do was show up and enjoy ourselves. Each trip was so much fun, and we learned so much from the tour guides that were provided for us. The accommodations were always wonderful and it was such a relief to not have to plan every detail of the trip like we had to for our own personal trips. I always felt safe with the staff and we got to see and learn so much!

Pros
  • Great views
  • Friendly people
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Sabina! Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience abroad in Granada. From the classes, host family, to the trips - it sounds incredible! I'm glad you got to see and learn so much while feeling safe and supported by CEA CAPA staff.

Lucy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barcelona, Spain

Studying abroad with CEA CAPA was easily the most exhilarating experience I have ever had. I decided to go solo; I didn't know anyone else from my school, let alone my program. The staff were extremely supportive, though and helped make my arrival as stress-free as possible. I instantly hit it off with my roommates who were two girls from California. We were all meeting for the first time, yet within a week, we were off exploring the rest of Spain together. Between the program's organized AICAP excursions and our flexible schedules, I was able to succeed in my academics while traveling and making new experiences, both in Barcelona and all over Europe. It was the easily the best four months of my life. I learned a lot about myself and the cultures around me. It's an experience I would recommend to anyone considering traveling abroad as a student.

Pros
  • Fun, organized activities that come with the original cost of the program
  • Flexible class schedules; teachers understand we are there to travel and don't overload you with assignments
  • Europe! Traveling to different countries is fast and affordable! We got to see so many beautiful places and try so much delicious food.
What other participants should know
  • Language barrier; I took a Spanish class while I was there but still struggled in some situations
  • Thieves; many people I knew got personal belongings stolen so you have to be extremely cautious
  • Not staying long enough; I wish I had planned out my academics better so I could've done a year abroad instead of just one semester. It was incredibly hard to leave.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Lucy! Thanks for sharing about your exhilarating experience in Barcelona. It's incredible that you had the best four months of your life with support from staff and by making new friends in a brand new culture. Love it!

Emilia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fall 2022 Semester in Granada!

I loved my three months in Granada, Spain, and I wish I could have stayed longer! CEA's staff members in Granada are fantastic and helped me feel welcome from the moment they picked me up at the airport. My favorite part of the experience was living with a host family. My host mother treated me like one of her children and was incredibly patient through our many communication stumbling blocks. I learned so much by playing board games with my host siblings, joking at the dinner table, and watching TV with my host mom during siesta. I am grateful for the connections I made and the tremendous improvement I saw in my Spanish speaking and comprehension skills. Overall, Granada is a beautiful city full of incredible people who will be your guides, professors, friends, and study-abroad families. I highly recommend this program!

Pros
  • Living with a host family
  • CEA planned excursions to places like Morocco and Sevilla
  • Opportunity to volunteer at local schools
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Emilia! Thanks for sharing about your great experience in Granada. The photos are lovely too! Building global connections is an incredible opportunity and I'm glad you got the most out of your experience abroad.

Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA Paris

I have a major in French, so studying abroad in France was the perfect opportunity! Despite Paris' reputation, I didn't go in with any grand expectations. When I got there in summer 2022, I was blown away by the history, architecture, and culture. I was on a faculty-led trip and had a great professor and cohort of French students. CEA supported our safety and organized trips for us. Difficulties came mostly because of the remaining effects of covid. For example, housing was subpar because they were struggling to find openings. Overall though, I had a great time abroad!

Pros
  • History
  • Food
  • Student cohort
What other participants should know
  • Housing
  • Heat
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Emily! I'm so glad you felt supported by CEA CAPA staff while you were studying abroad in Paris. Challenges are inevitable, but it's great to hear you were able to have a great time and put your French major to use!

Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad in Barcelona

Going abroad in general was life changing and opened up so many opportunities for adventure, personal growth, and getting out of my comfort zone. Barcelona was an amazing destination for studying abroad. There is so much to do around the city and the culture is so welcoming and fun to be apart of. I highly recommend going through CEA for the semester long duration. The academics are great, the teachers and staff are so kind and the excursions provide a great way to see the city. I cannot recommend Barcelona and CEA enough, as well as the Residencia housing option. This was a great way to meet new people from the U.S. as well as international students.

Pros
  • Traveling around Spain and Europe. Flights from Barcelona were convenient and relatively cheap.
  • Residencia housing was very social and it was nice to have own bedroom and bathroom.
  • Classes are only Monday-Thursday, so you have Friday available to travel.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Madison! I can totally relate to having such a life changing experience in Barcelona with CEA CAPA! I'm glad you got out of your comfort zone and were able to explore and grow! Thanks for sharing. :)

Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

San Jose, Costa Rica Program Review

Great study abroad experience for anyone wanting to learn or practice their Spanish because you're fully immersed in the environment through school and your homestay. Lots of opportunities to explore the city and country, plus travel is cheap too! CEA plans many excursions to help with that as well. For fall early start students, a visa is not needed as the program takes you to Panama to reset your passport before the 90 days is up. Overall, highly recommend the program as you get to meet some amazing people and go on many adventures!

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Emily! I'm so happy to hear you highly recommend the San Jose study abroad program! It sounds like you had an adventurous semester and felt fully immersed in the culture of Costa Rica. Thanks for sharing!

Sydney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time in Spain

Studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, can be an amazing and life-changing experience. Madrid is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage, a thriving arts scene, and a bustling nightlife. Here are some key things to consider:
Language: Madrid is the capital of Spain, and Spanish is the official language. If you're not fluent in Spanish, you'll have a chance to improve your language skills while studying in Madrid. Many universities offer language classes to help students improve their Spanish skills.
Education: Madrid has several top-ranked universities, including Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. These universities offer a wide range of academic programs, from engineering to humanities, and attract students worldwide.
Culture: Madrid is known for its rich cultural heritage, including art, music, and architecture. The city is home to several world-renowned museums, such as the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. There are also numerous theaters, concert halls, and festivals that offer a diverse range of cultural experiences.
Food: Madrid is famous for its food, and studying abroad in Madrid is a great opportunity to try new foods and learn about Spanish cuisine. From traditional dishes like paella and cocido to trendy tapas bars and gourmet restaurants, there is something for everyone in Madrid.
Location: Madrid is in the heart of Spain, making it easy to travel to other parts of the country. Students can take weekend trips to other Spanish cities, such as Barcelona, Valencia, or Seville, or explore the Spanish countryside. Studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, can be a fantastic experience. It allows students to improve their language skills, learn about a new culture, and explore a beautiful and historic city.

Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Sydney! We love how you broke down your review and I'm glad you had such a great time improving language skills, learning and connecting to the Spanish culture, and exploring the city!

Kylie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST TIME OF MY LIFE

Going on this trip was probably the best decision of my life! I always knew I wanted to study abroad in Florence and all my expectations were met. If you are looking for a city to live in but don't want the hassle of transportation, Florence is perfect for you. Florence is such a walkable place and you can get across the entire city in a 45-minute walk if you want. The food and nightlife are also a huge plus. There is always something to do! I went through CAPA and I was placed with the PERFECT people as well. If you are going alone, don't worry because the housing survey did an amazing job pairing me with roommates that shared the same living standards as me.

Pros
  • Walkable
  • Amazing food selection
  • Predominately English Speaking region of Italy
What other participants should know
  • Night time for women can be iffy at times
  • Uneven pavement everywhere so not handicap friendly
  • No air conditioning during the summer so get ready to sweat!
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Kylie! We're thrilled to hear about your fantastic experience in Florence. Between the walkable city, nightlife, and housing accommodations, it sounds like it was an unforgettable semester.