CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Program Reviews

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Morgan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Semester Ever!

My abroad experience wouldn't have been nearly as successful as it was without the support, care, and thoroughness of the CEA CAPA program and staff. My semester abroad was one of the absolute most well-supported semesters I have experienced throughout college, and I credit that entirely to the wonderful staff at CEA CAPA from the moment I applied to the day I left Spain. Every aspect of the program was meticulously organized, allowing for a seamless transition to living in Spain. I cannot speak highly enough about my living accommodations, the on-site staff in Seville, the classes I took at the program center, or my overall experience abroad with CEA CAPA. I felt that my semester abroad was truly optimized by the program—from excursion-based classes and culture-based workshops to weekend trips, CEA CAPA ensured I would make the most of my time abroad, and I couldn't be more grateful. My experiences in this program offered invaluable insight into the culture of my host city and country and gave me memories I will cherish forever, making my study abroad experience not only educational but also deeply personal and rewarding.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Engage with the local community! My connections within the local community in Seville were invaluable and truly made the city feel like home.
Pros
  • Excursions
  • Housing
  • Program Size
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Jamie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Aix-en-Provence

CEA CAPA made this trip amazing from the second I landed at the airport. I was met with a representative who took me to my new home for the month and introduced me to the family I was going to be staying with. They set us up with bus passes, safety resources, and so much more on our first informational session. They created a WhatsApp for communication which made me feel secure in so many ways. All of the group trips where amazing and well organized. My favorite trip was to Marseille where we had a tour of the coastal city.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
One thing I really loved about the CEA CAPA trip was the service group event. We went to this amazing organization near the coast of France where they create new things out of recycled plastics from the ocean. I thought this was a great touch from the CEA CAPA group because it allowed us to see a very unique perspective of France and give back to the community.
Pros
  • Support from the CEA CAPA representatives.
  • Weekly planned events by CEA CAPA. (My favorite being a cooking class!!)
  • Bus Passes and other necessities given upon arrival.
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Sydney
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Worth the homesickness

My study abroad experience with CEA CAPA in Barcelona was incredible. The program does a really good job of meshing academics with cultural immersion. My housing situation was rather sticky as I was in an apartment with 4 other ladies, but I was surrounded by convenience stores and shops — only 6 minutes away from the metro station and 8 away from the beautiful Sagrada Familia! CEA CAPA offers excellent excursions and smaller activities (my favorites were walking taste tours and yoga), that make it easy to connect with fellow students. I got homesick a few times, and the staff was very kind in assisting me in getting situated better. I’m thankful to have had them.

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Mary
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most supportive abroad program

I couldn't have better things to say about the CEA CAPA staff and my experience thanks to them. I loved my time abroad and miss it already. I wouldn't choose to go with any other program other than CEA CAPA. From the second I signed up with CEA CAPA to the moment I left I felt supported by the staff off and on campus. I always knew there was someone I could turn to if I needed anything at all. The staff, being everyone from those working at the front desk to your professors, really want you to have an amazing time and care about your well being which makes such a difference.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Chicken Liver Pate
Pros
  • Great housing in the middle of the city
  • Super conveniently located school buildings
  • Supportive staff
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Madelyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience in Madrid

CEA CAPA is altogether an amazing company. My experience in Madrid was so awesome, I got to do cooking classes, go to a flamenco show, go to Segovia and Sevilla, and more through CEA CAPA. My only complaint was the housing situation was a little interesting as many people had super modern and big apartments while others were left without even a common living space. Even with this small downside, my experience abroad was the most amazing semester of college by far! Madrid is the most amazing city in the world!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I decided to extend my semester into a year, which meant I needed to reapply for a visa. To do this I had to go to a police station where no one spoke english to get fingerprints done. While I was so nervous going to do this as I was an hour outside of Madrid all alone, I ended up becoming friends with a girl from Madrid while in line and we helped each other out!
Pros
  • The CEA staff is so friendly and helpful
  • The excursions they take us on are so much fun
Cons
  • The Universities grading system transfers over REALLY BAD to US Universities (my school doesn't allow pass/fail)
  • Some of the housing accomadations were significantly worse than others
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Darian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fall Semester in Barcelona

I signed up for the CEA CAPA's Barcelona program solo and had no idea what to expect. CEA CAPA was so supportive and helpful throughout every step of the process and once I got there, I was extremely impressed with the program itself. The classes were structured really well and the events that they hosted were amazing as well. I went to a Barcelona game and a weekend trip to Madrid that were both run by CEA CAPA and had an incredible time. I would very highly recommend CEA CAPA to any student thinking about going abroad.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers is to spend some time beforehand seriously thinking about all of the things that they want to do while abroad and write them down. The time can pass quickly so it's important to have your goals in one place that you can go back and refer to.
Pros
  • Made a lot of new friends
  • Learned a lot in my classes
  • Was encouraged to make the most of being abroad
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Pippa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sevilla with CEA CAPA

I absolutely loved my semester abroad in Sevilla. CEA CAPA had such a positive impact on my experience. My program group was small compared to others. This helped our group connect on a more personal level and plan fun events outside of school where everyone would attend. These events wouldn't have been possible without the initial bonding activities that CEA provided. They did a great job at connecting us all. Upon our arrival, orientation was intense, especially with jet lag, but it helped to adjust us quickly to the time zone and I immediately got to meet everyone in the program. CEA does a great job at organizing events and trips. We went on three trips, Granada, Lisbon, and Cadiz. All of them were very well organized and the accommodation was awesome. CEA gives you the option to participate in activities that they plan, but you don't have to. I liked that CEA treated all of the students like adults, once you get to the city and you have free time on your own for essentially the entire time until your bus arrives to take you back to Sevilla. As for our classes in Spain, I loved all of the classes I took. All of the staff at CEA CAPA were very helpful and welcoming. I had 2 professors that I loved and one that was okay. The classes aren't hard and the program understands that you need free time to travel. There is hardly any homework and they encourage you to get most of your work done in class. I did struggle during finals week a little, because I was thrown into a bunch of class projects at the end of the year when we hadn't done anything similar previously. Sevilla is a wonderful city and by the end of your program you will feel like you know it very well. I like that it was small enough to explore almost all of it, while never running out of things to do. A lot of the activities in Sevilla are centered around food and tapas. It is in a great location and easy and cheap to travel in and out of. I would suggest living near the center, I know many of my friends living across the river found it harder to arrive to class on time and felt out of the loop at some points. CEA organizes activities weekly, such as cooking classes and flamenco dance lessons. I suggest attending them all. A lot of people turn up and they are very well organized. Overall CEA CAPA made my experience so much better and I am so grateful that I had such a supportive and welcoming group around me.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nervous I was while abroad was traveling alone. I missed my flight because of a delayed connection and was trying to meet a friend in Dublin. It is easy to panic and freak out, especially when not many people speak the same language as you. I had to calm down and speak to the airline for help, but to be honest (especially if you are flying Ryanair) the airline won't do much, so you have to find other ways to get to your destination. It is stressful but looking back now it is not really that big of a deal. You learn to deal with travel inconveniences and they become regular after a while.
Pros
  • Made such good friends through the program
  • Had so much time to travel
  • Participated in many activities and classes organized by CEA
Cons
  • Some housing arrangements were far away
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Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GO STUDY IN MADRID

I traveled to Madrid alone, not knowing anyone, and while I was nervous, I couldn’t help but feel excited for the month ahead. When I finally met the other students in my residence, I was immediately struck by how warm and welcoming everyone was. We all shared the same excitement about making new friends and having people to hang out with during our time there. My residence was just a 15-minute walk from campus, and I loved starting each day with a stroll to school.

Madrid quickly became my favorite city in all of Spain. It’s incredibly affordable, the people are genuinely kind, and I always felt safe, no matter the hour. The city truly comes alive at night—everyone stays out late, and the energy is contagious. I had the chance to practice my Spanish, visit a few clubs (Kapital is a must-visit!), and overall, my experience was unforgettable. It was a month I wouldn’t change for the world.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment of the trip was finding the CEA CAPA representatives at the airport on the first day. I arrived a day early and stayed in a nearby hotel and when I took the shuttle back to the airport on the day of pick-up, I could not find the group I was supposed to meet. I was so nervous, and my phone wasn't working, I had to figure out a way to ask someone in Spanish where to go to meet the group. I was so nervous I wasn't going to find them. Eventually, I took an escalator down to the lower level and was able to find the group. That was my scariest moment because I was all alone in a new country and worried I would get lost.
Pros
  • Cheap!
  • Safe, and friend people!
  • Practice a new language!
Cons
  • None!
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Bryce
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Barcelona

I had the opportunity to study in Barcelona during the fall. While I was here, I was able to attend cultural events, try new foods, explore the rest of Europe, and make friends that I will have for the rest of my life. Specifically at CEA, I was able to create relationships with my professors, where the class would regularly share what they were doing the prior weekend, and even talk about what they would be doing the next weekend. Also, being close with the teachers allowed for local recommendations at the best spots to avoid any tourist traps. Finally, CEA did a great job at putting an emphasis on our safety and sharing resources such as the emergency hotline should anything happen.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
While in Barcelona, be sure to embrace every moment and do everything that you wish to do so you leave with no regrets. This also included meeting as many new people as possible and planning things with them.
Pros
  • New friends
  • New food
  • Great memories
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Chelsea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Prague is Amazing!

I studied in Prague for a semester and loved it! The city is beautiful and perfect for someone who has never been out of the country. It is my favorite city I have ever traveled to, and I recommend it to anyone considering studying there. I studied there with CEA CAPA and they were fantastic in making my experience one to remember. The city is filled with so many things to do for everyone. It is incredibly cheap compared to other cities in Europe and I felt safe everywhere that I went. Everyone there is extremely friendly and the culture is amazing. I have nothing but great things to say about my time there and I would recommend everyone travel there!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice would be to make friends outside of the program. There are so many great people in Prague and they are all so nice. It definitely helps you to gain a new understanding of the culture.
Pros
  • Cheap
  • Beautiful
  • Always something to do
Cons
  • No dryers (you use a drying rack)
  • No AC (hard especially during the summer months)