Program Reviews

I had such an amazing time in Madrid and the staff there were so helpful making the transition smooth! I had the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals in real clinical settings, which gave me valuable insight into medicine from a global perspective and helped confirm my interest in a future healthcare career. Outside of the shadowing and schooling, I had such an amazing time with going to other cities with other people in CEA CAPA in Madrid when I got to meet many people outside of my specific class and take guided tours!

Studying abroad was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, broadened my pesrpective, and gave me lasting friendships and memories. I returned more confident, independent, and curious about the world.It helped me grow both personally and academically by exposing me to new ways of thinking and learning. Living in a different culture made me more adaptable, open minded, and appreciative of different perspectives.I was also lucky to have incredible roommates who made the experience even more meaningful and fun. They became a built-in support system and close friends, turning everyday moments into some of my favorite memories abroad.

I had the best time ever living abroad in Madrid! I lived in an apartment close to the heart of the city with 10 other girls. There was always something to do in the city, and CEA CAPA made it to where if I hadn't become friends with my roommates, there were ways for me to reach out and become friends with other people.

Academics wise, UC3M can be a difficult school depending on which classes you take. However, if you approach academics with the right mindset and reach out for help when needed (support is plentiful), you will be able to succeed.

Madrid is also a great travel hub for planning trips! It is relatively in the middle, and is connected to a great airport. The metro system is one of the best I've experienced so far, and transportation in general is easy to figure out.

Today marks the end of my Fall 2025 semester with Barcelona SAE. Through the program, I was able to live in a homestay and attend classes at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

Living in a homestay has meant the world to me. I lived with a mother and her 16 year old daughter, as well as another girl in my program. I ate dinner with them almost every day which helped my Spanish immensely and also meant I got to learn more about Spain and its culture. It also helped me save money because I was provided dinners, breakfasts, and had my laundry done for me weekly.

I loved my classes at UAB. I took the Seven Wonders of Spain, where we went to a new architectural site in Barcelona every class. I also took Spanish 4 days a week, which was my favorite Spanish class I have ever taken. I also took Spanish Civilization and Culture, where I was able to learn about Spain’s history from pre-history up to today. Finally, I took Politics of the Developing World, which I loved so much that it inspired an independent research project I will be starting next semester.

However, because I was both in a homestay and going to UAB and not SAE’s academic center (SIS), I didn’t get to know many students in my program. All of the friends I made were through the school I went to instead. It worked out fine for me, but for someone who is more introverted I would not recommend this program if they are planning on doing a homestay and going to another university. But, from what I have seen, the people staying in the apartments and going to the SIS center were able to create strong friendships with other people in the SAE program.

At the beginning of the program, SAE took us to a Cava tasting and Sitges. It was a fun way to get to know the people in my program. However, I do wish they had given us a better guide of Barcelona. As some of my friends in other programs were taken on a bus tour and to famous sites in Barcelona. Then throughout the semester they offered Friday excursions. I went to Montserrat with SAE, which was so incredible. I am so thankful for being able to go on that day trip. I also was able to go to Girona and Calella through SAE. There are many programs that included a one weekend trip as a part of their cost, however SAE did not include this as an option. I think this would have been a nice way to meet more people in the program.

Another issue I would mention is that all of the universities we went to started on different days, however everyone in the program came at the same time. UAB started a full week earlier than the rest of the schools, so we were given a lot less time to adjust, learn about the culture, and get to know people in our program before jumping into classes.

All in all, I really enjoyed my time here in Barcelona and would 100% recommend this as a destination for studying abroad. While there is nothing SAE did wrong, it doesn’t necessarily stand out to me as the best program provided, especially when compared to the experiences of my friends in other programs.

Studying abroad in Amsterdam was a transformative and amazing experience! Amsterdam is a beautiful city that immediately steals your heart. When you're not riding your bike to go EVERYWHERE, public transportation is incredibly easy, there's good food from all over the world, so many fun things to do, and beautiful sights. I met wonderful people from around Europe, and took some of my favorite and challenging classes that I've ever taken at Vrije University. It was important to me to study abroad somewhere where I could continue dancing (as a Dance major), and I immediately found a beautiful community of freestyle dancers that welcomed me with open arms. Studying abroad grew my confidence, improved my relationship with myself, and helped me understand myself and the world on a deeper level. And I couldn't have chosen a better city to do that. Go study abroad, you will not regret it!

My study abroad experience in Seville, Spain was truly the best decision I have ever made. I was very hesitant at first because it is very uncommon for people to go abroad their first year of college, but choosing to go transformed my life in ways I never expected. The experience was unique because it pushed me far outside my comfort zone while also giving me the space to grow personally, academically, and spiritually. I learned how to navigate daily life in another country, from grocery shopping to commuting to class, and by the end I was switching between English and Spanish naturally. I made lifelong friends, became more independent, and even discovered my career path by deciding to pursue accounting with international business and a Spanish minor. Studying abroad also deepened my Catholic faith, especially during Semana Santa, where I experienced traditions and history that were incredibly meaningful as a recent convert. The strong sense of community, work life balance, and emphasis on relationships in Spain gave me a new perspective on what I value in life. Traveling to multiple countries and cities, volunteering, participating in excursions, and meeting lifelong friends made this abroad experience unforgettable. What made it especially unique was how much it changed me. I left more curious, confident, and excited about learning and life. By the end, I was hesitant to leave, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat, which is why I am studying abroad again next year!!

CEA CAPA doesn't just offer any study abroad trip- they provide you with all of the tools to make the absolute most of your time abroad. From great housing options, to comprehensive programs, I genuinely wouldn't want to go abroad with anyone else. Plus, the location of Grenoble was my perfect French city. It has the feeling of city life without being too crowded or overwhelmingly bustling, and it is easy to venture out into more spread out parts of the town. It is also not too far from great nature spots, or other very cool cities.

The housing was great, everyone I know who did a homestay loved it and I had a great time living in an apartment style hostel, surrounded by other friends on my trip. The Grenoble staff also has award winning roommate matching skills, and I think everyone on the trip agreed. The housing is perfectly located by a train / tram / bus station that gets you anywhere you need in the city, as well as cute restaurants and bistros, grocery stores, and of course the CEA CAPA office.

My internship was found for me by CEA CAPA, and it was my dream experience in international sales. My boss and fellow interns were so incredibly kind and spoke to me in English while helping me better my French, and it allowed me to learn a new part of the city outside of the Centre-Ville!

From the excursions, to the staff and classes, to the internship, and every experience I had in between, my study abroad with CEA CAPA was nothing short of a dream. I am so thankful for my time abroad, and even more thankful that I found such a great program and organization to go with.

While abroad, I had hoped to gain a unique experience as an 18 year old, and a unique experience I had! I had a great time trying tapas, traveling, and learning more about the History of Seville. Moreover, the classes were engaging, my favorite being International Business and Art and Architecture of Seville. It was really fun to meet people both in my program and other students from Spain. Overall, I can say with 100% certainty that this experience provided not only personal growth but professional development as well.

Going abroad with CEA CAPA in Budapest was possibly the best choice I could have made. Every single staff member involved with the entire process, from application to city manager, went above and beyond and made sure everyone's specific needs were met. The city itself blew me away. The student resources provided to us, like housing, transportation, and city experiences, were all truly exceptional. The city was safe and clean with so much to do. The shadowing experience we received was meaningful and well thought out, in a top hospital in the country. I could not have asked for a better abroad experience!

Studying abroad in Granada, Spain was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. I spent the spring semester there through the CEA CAPA program, earning credits toward my Spanish minor at the University of Utah, and the experience exceeded my expectations in nearly every way.

Before arriving, I was most nervous about making friends and keeping up with the language. Both of those concerns disappeared quickly. The social environment of the program, combined with daily life in a Spanish-speaking city, made it easy to connect with others and grow comfortable using Spanish in real situations. By the end of the semester, my confidence in the language had grown immensely, and I feel very close to fluent.

My daily routine helped me feel grounded and truly immersed. On a typical weekday, I would wake up early for classes, spend time studying or grabbing breakfast between sessions, and return for afternoon courses. After classes, afternoons were usually spent relaxing or working, followed by meeting up with friends for tapas, dinner, or exploring Granada’s nightlife. This balance of structure and freedom made the semester feel sustainable and enjoyable.
Living in a hostel with one roommate and shared meals was a huge part of what made my experience special. Eating meals together gave me a built-in sense of community and made it easy to meet others in the program. It also removed a lot of daily stress, allowing me to focus on academics, exploring the city, and enjoying my time abroad.

Granada itself was the perfect place to study. It is a small-to-medium-sized college town, set against stunning mountains, with a historic Arabic castle overlooking the city. With a large student population, Granada offers an ideal mix of affordability, nightlife, rich history, and welcoming people. It truly felt like a place designed for students and travelers alike.

One of my favorite daily routines was visiting a breakfast spot near Calle Las Flores between my morning classes. For just four euros, I could get a coffee, orange juice, and two toasts de jamón. On other days, I would grab churros and sit in a nearby park. These quiet moments became some of the most meaningful parts of my experience and helped me realize the value of spending time alone and being present.

Academically, the program was seamless. I completed a full semester of necessary college credits that transferred easily toward my degree, which made studying abroad feel both enriching and practical.

Overall, I had an incredible experience in Granada and would strongly recommend doing it exactly the way I did. From the housing setup to the city choice and program structure, everything worked together to create a truly unforgettable semester abroad.