CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Program Reviews

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
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Elissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Time of my Life

This was the best experience of my life. CEA CAPA made it so easy to adjust and there were always new activities that were free. We did a cooking class that was so fun. I also did a gelato tour which gave me so many good new places to take my family to when they visited. They also were able to set me up with a "host family" who I would see every week and do activities with/go to their house for dinner. Interacting with locals was made easy through this. Also our housing was right next to the Duomo. Our house was beautiful and spacious. I loved every second and would go back in a heartbeat. Could not recommend anything more!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Chicken liver pate - but I loved it!
Pros
  • Living situation was perfect
  • Free activites
  • Kind professors
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Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Engineering in Prague: a Once in a Lifetime Experience

In the summer of 2024, I studied abroad in the wonderful city of Prague under CEA CAPA. With courses that filled my university's requirements, I was able to challenge myself academically while being immersed in another culture halfway across the world. I made some great friends, traveled to amazing nearby cities, and explored Prague's culture in the roughly two months I was there. The professors were amazing, and the housing was in a great location, really the only issue I have with this program is that it wasn't longer!

What was your funniest moment?
CEA CAPA hosted several excursions for students in the first few weeks after arrival. One of which was a Plague Doctor tour, where a man in a plague doctor outfit took us around the city and explained the city's history with the black plague. The tour guide was hilarious, and through this experience, I met one of my closest friends for the rest of the study abroad trip!
Pros
  • Housing and Accommodations were in a great location
  • Coursework was applicable to my home university
Cons
  • Difficult to find food that met my dietary restrictions
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Brynn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer in Barcelona

Studying and interning abroad in Barcelona through CEA CAPA is something that I could not recommend enough. As someone who had never traveled out of the country before, I felt supported every step of the way through this program. I felt well prepared for the Spanish culture shock, navigating public transportation, and any other challenges that were likely to arise. The study center is conveniently located in one of the busiest parts of the city, making it easy to find and get to via the metro system. The internship placement process was extensive, however it made sure that I was given the best possible experience for my professional development. The culture is rich and the nightlife is unlike anywhere else. Anyone would have the best time in Barcelona with CEA CAPA!

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Kaitlyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Barcelona, Spain

Studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain exceeded all of my expectations! The city is full of life and each day there was something new to explore or experience. I gained an understanding of a country that I will forever love and desire to return to. I honestly did not encounter many challenges as I tried to embrace every experience that came my way. Although things may be stressful and different, this experience allows you to truly grow into the best version of yourself! Contemporary Spain: History, Politics, and Society was the course I took which was an engaging, fun, and enjoyable learning experience that helped to open my eyes to the unique host cultures of Barcelona as the vibrant capital of Catalonia in northeastern Spain. Barcelona has a blending of regional identity, creative expression, historical influences, internationalism, artistic innovation, and much more. The class was able to provide me with a greater understanding of the culture Barcelona is marked by as it’s a country filled with pride in its distinct identity, reflected in everything from the local festivals to the political activism in the desire for greater autonomy. Beyond academics, living abroad encapsulated so many other aspects which help shape my experience. I was assigned a shared apartment with three roommates and they are what made my experience as amazing as it was. Although I was nervous upon leaving the United States and living abroad with three random strangers, I can say that I am walking away from this experience with three new best friends; 10/10!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take advantage of every opportunity and say yes! Although it's important to focus on your academics as it will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the world, make sure to explore the city and prioritize doing the things that you want to do! Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity so take advantage of all the city has to offer!
Pros
  • The Ability to Travel
  • The Amazing Food and Culture
  • The Most Beautiful City
Cons
  • Loud Construction in our Housing Apartment
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Allie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sydney, Australia Review

My time studying in Sydney, Australia was a once in a lifetime experience, and I owe that to the initiatives and dedication of the CEA CAPA program. I went into this experience knowing one other person from my university, but this program gave me the opportunity to get to know people from all over the world, while creating a safe and comforting place for all students. All students were located the same housing, so this gave everyone the opportunity to get to know one another. This created a tight bond with everyone in the program, and allowed us to expand our experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice for future traveler is to fully immerse yourself in the experience and the culture of the place you are in. This is a once in a lifetime experience to fully live like a local, so it is important to get out of your comfort zone and take advantage of all of the opportunities in the place you are traveling to. Every destination is different, so it is important to try new things while you can.
Pros
  • Meeting locals
  • experiences new opportunities specific to the region you are in
  • learning about a new culture
Cons
  • financial barriers
  • homesickness
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Courtney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Sydney Program Review

I really enjoyed my experience with the CEA CAPA program in Sydney! Sydney is an amazing city with much to offer- whether you love the beach, spending time outside or exploring fun cafes and restaurants, Sydney has something for everyone. The student housing was conveniently located near the USYD and UTS campuses and the surrounding area was filled with yummy cafes and nice areas to walk around. I found the program housing to be a great place to meet new people and is where I met most of my closest friends. Additionally, our CEA CAPA advisor was a great resource for support and was always available to help address any issues.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes to any adventure or opportunity that arises! Whether it's going on a road trip with new friends or exploring new hikes or beaches, some of my best memories came from those spontaneous moments.
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Isabella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad In Dublin

My experience studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland was truly the most amazing experience of my life. I was able to learn so much about the culture, the people, and mostly about myself. Dublin was the perfect city to live in. So clean, so friendly, and so safe. It was my first time leaving the country, and as soon as I stepped foot in Dublin, I felt right at home. Traveling to other places was amazing with the airport being so availble, and what I thought was very interesting that when in other European countries, I found myself getting homesick from Dublin. If I could do this experience a trillion times again I would and would recommend it to everyone.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I did was genuinely befriend the locals in the Liberties, the neighborhood in Dublin I was living in. I became very close with a couple of families, and loved to learn about their everyday life. I was surprised by how close I became with so many people who aged from teenagers to elderly!
Pros
  • Super Welcoming Staff
  • Extremely kind locals
  • Amazing Night Scene
Cons
  • Small Program
  • Small Variety of Classes
  • Expensive amenities: Laundry, Bus Tickets, Etc.
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Alyssa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Beautiful French Town with Greate Support System

I loved this program! The CEA CAPA staff was so hopeful from start to finish and helped with everything to transferring credits to finding our apartments to helping me when I was sick. I had a random roommate and our cute apartment was on a pedestrian only street in Old Town Antibes. It was a five minute walk to the ocean, to the market, to the grocery store, and to most of my friends' apartments. Also only 10 minutes to the bus stop to school and 15 to the train station. Super easy to visit Nice, other nearby towns, and get to the airport. Antibes has fun bars mostly, but we also had fun at a cfew clubs in Nice. Definitely dies down in the winter, but super cute and festive during Christmas time. CEA CAPA's excursions were wel planned and were great for learning about the area and getting closer with people in the program. Highly recommend!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Escargot and foie-gras
Pros
  • Small town w accessibility to big city
  • Beautiful location with great weather
  • Fun well planned group excursions
Cons
  • Not as much to do in the winter (small town)
  • Not an inexpensive place to live (pretty touristy)