CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Program Reviews

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Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Abroad in Alicante

Studying abroad in Alicante was one of the best decisions I have made. The experience was incredible and I wish I could have stayed longer. The excursions and field trips that CEA planned for us were so helpful and fun. We got to know cities around Alicante and became immersed in the Spanish culture. I loved the food, the beaches, the locals, the new stores, and learning many new things. The festivals in the spring and summer are fascinating to go and watch. I would recommend Alicante to anyone interested, as there are lots of things to see, transportation is easy to navigate, and the culture is incredible.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I saw was how sunny the city was all the time. It was so refreshing to walk outside in the sunshine almost every day I was there. I was excited to find out it is the sunniest city in Spain!
Pros
  • Great tapas
  • Amazing beaches
  • Friendly locals
Cons
  • Hard to practice Spanish, when you look like an American to locals
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Alyssa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Experience!

My experience with CEA CAPA was amazing!! The courses were specific to the British experience and I was able to broaden my global perspective. The field studies, day trips, and activities were great additions and allowed me to acclimate to the city. Faculty and staff at CEA CAPA were extremely helpful and understanding when asked questions about courses, the city, and more. The professors facilitated great class discussions and the small class sizes allowed for everyone's opinions to be shared.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I was able to go to the Tim Burton Exhibition at the Design Museum with my film class!
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Maya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

This experience changed my life.

Studying abroad in Madrid forever changed my life and will be something I NEVER stop talking about. I experienced so much growth personally and professionally as I navigated a completely new city, country, and continent. CEA CAPA had such fun classes - Fundamental Aspects of Spanish Art left me with knowledge of hundreds of classic paintings and art techniques. My graffiti class allowed me to be artistic and explore the city! I also learned Spanish from scratch after having only studied Japanese in high school. I felt so well supported in my academics, housing, health, and social life with CEA!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I could do it all over again, I'd start making friends with locals and immersing myself in local culture from day one. I think I was hesitant to make friends with other students who lived in Spain because of the language and cultural barrier. However, once I did so in the later half of my program, I realized that both international and local students had so much to learn from each other and there was nothing to be nervous about!
Pros
  • Diversity in class options
  • Ease of academic/transportation coordination (transferring credits to college, setting up metro cards for me!)
  • Excursions + cultural activities (Tapas tasting, trip to Sevilla, flamenco dancing + show)
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Alina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad for the first time in Grenoble

Before I came to Grenoble, I had no knowledge in any French culture or language. It was after I moved in that I started learning about France. However, even without any prior experience in French culture or language, I was able to have a best 4 months of my life, studying abroad. I was able to make local friends, try local markets and try local food that I would never try if I were traveling or on my own. These experiences gathers made me able to grow as a person and without the support I got from CEA CAPA, I wouldn't have made such great memories. I definitely recommend studying abroad -- it changes how you view the world and how you view yourself as well.

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Jadyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Florence Abroad

I just came back from a semester abroad in fall 2024 in Florence. When I say it was one of the best decisions I've made, I mean it. I learned so much about myself, Italy, and what it means to be a global citizen. At the beginning of the program, I told someone I would never be comfortable going on a solo trip... flash forward two months later and I was in Brussels by myself for the weekend (and it was SUCH a rewarding experience)! The community and support I found in Florence through CEA CAPA made my experience unforgettable. I met some of my best friends in my Italian I class that I never would have crossed paths with before, and the front desk staff made me feel so welcomed (and now we're still in contact on Instagram)!

Florence has so much to offer and you will not regret going with CEA CAPA. If I could do it all over again I'd do it the exact same.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes! Be a yes person and be comfortable being uncomfortable. You are not studying abroad to do the same things you do at home, so take advantage of the wonders of the world; there is so much to offer.
Pros
  • Great food
  • Friendly staff
  • Fun trips included with the program
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Mina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Winter in Barcelona

Going abroad to Barcelona was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. I went abroad in the spring semester and got to experience winter in Europe. The cold is not as bad as I thought, but I would recommend investing in a long coat. I got to travel all across Europe every weekend, and even had family and friends come visit me in Barcelona. The academics were challenging enough to keep me engaged, but not unachievable. I took one of my favorite classes of college through CEA CAPA, sexual identities in modern Spain. The excursions offered are amazing, and a great way to make friends outside of the classroom.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The tapas scene in Barcelona is amazing! I tried rabbit and octopus while abroad, which I would not have the courage to try back at home.
Pros
  • Great location to travel around Europe.
  • Academics are challenging enough to keep you engaged.
  • The food in Barcelona is incomparable to anywhere.
Cons
  • Housing maintenance is slow.
  • Legal outreach is difficult.
  • Pit pocketing culture in Barcelona!
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Avery
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Florence

CEA CAPA provided me with an amazing abroad experience. My housing was in a great location with short walks to class, coffee shops, and outstanding restaurants. CEA CAPA also made sure I was taking the right classes for my credits to transfer which was so helpful. All the staff was friendly and helpful with the adjustment to a new culture. My professors were so knowledgeable and made class interesting with lots of hands on experiences. I recommend this program to anyone looking to study abroad in Florence!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was Chicken Liver Pate. This is a meat spread made of chicken liver on bread. I was very skeptical about trying this but I ended up enjoying it and ordering it at many restaurants in Florence!
Pros
  • Field Trips
  • Helpful Visa Process
  • Professors
Cons
  • Limited Course Selection
  • Limited Class Sections
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Aanya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My cup of tea: How London truly changed me for the better

As a nervous freshman in college studying abroad seemed far-fetched to say the least; however, London was nothing but transformative and eye-opening. The CEA CAPA program helped me immerse myself in numerous ways. For example, visiting Stonehenge & Bath; catching shows on the West End; and having English tea. In terms of academics, CAPA was in constant communication and emphasized community. All of my professors encouraged me to share my thoughts, challenge old beliefs, and create new ideas which spoke volumes to the atmosphere CAPA harbored. London was such a beautiful experience and the housing was a plus too--doubles with a kitchen and a bathroom! London is definitely worth the trip and CEA CAPA makes the journey unforgettable.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
To any future travelers on this program, my biggest piece of advice is to do everything! Even if it seems childish or unusual try new things. For example, go to a pottery class or join a salsa dancing class. Once I truly let go and let myself enjoy the little things I found small pockets of happiness.
Pros
  • sponsored events (Stonehenge & Bath; West End Shows; Pottery Nights)
  • wide network
  • LinkedIn workshops
Cons
  • commute to class
Hey, it's Aeryn!
Aeryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad in Madrid!

My study abroad experience in Madrid with CEA CAPA was nothing short of extraordinary. It's a bold choice–to leave behind the culture, familiarity, and support of your home university. Since CEA CAPA took care of almost all the logistics of getting me to Madrid and helping me enroll in classes, I was able to focus on adjusting to my surroundings and meeting new people. There was a thorough and engaging orientation process, which was extremely helpful at the beginning of the program. Unlike other programs, CEA CAPA had students there a whole week before classes started, which was great for adjusting to the time zone and exploring the city! CEA CAPA held many fun excursions and activities throughout the course of the program, such as attending a flamenco performance, eating a traditional tapas dining experience, and taking a weekend trip to Seville! After talking with other students, I learned that many other study abroad programs didn't include the perks that I experienced with CEA CAPA. Not to mention, the staff on-site were extremely kind and helpful. I'd highly recommend this program to any students looking to study abroad in Spain.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My best piece of advice is to utilize the resources given to you! While I'd recommend doing research of your own, keeping an open mind and leaving flexibility in your schedule is key—some of the best recommendations I received were from people involved in the program. Furthermore, I constantly learned about Madrid as I continued living there. Meet new people and hear about their experiences as well, you never know what good things will come from it!
Pros
  • Nice/friendly staff
  • Fun excursions/activities included
Cons
  • Housing locations are randomized
  • Campus is far from the center of the city
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Georgia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA in Sevilla

My experience in the CEA CAPA Seville, Spain program was amazing and one of the best decisions I have ever made. The staff was so welcoming and supportive from the time we got there until the program ended. All the excursions and culturally immersive experiences I had helped me grow so much as a person and a student. CEA CAPA schooling was also very enjoyable as I got to work with other students from all over and collaborate in some nontraditional classroom environments. I would not change a thing about this experience!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was when I first arrived in Seville, got off the bus, and was first meeting my host mom. I was super nervous because she only spoke Spanish and I didn't feel like I was going to be able to communicate well enough with her. Over time, and after practicing my Spanish with her, I felt a lot more confident in my abilities and we developed a super close relationship. She really did feel like a second mom to me and I feel really lucky to have had her throughout my experience to lean on and also learn from.
Pros
  • Developing better conversation skills in another language
  • Strong cultural immersion
  • Meeting people from all over the world
Cons
  • The time difference between Sevilla and my hometown