CEA CAPA Education Abroad Reviews

The CEA Costa Rica team is AWESOME! Seriously the best! Leo and Maggie are super helpful and always available! They really care about each student and make sure you're doing okay! Anytime I needed help finding a bus, going on a weekend excursion, or anything they were always so helpful! If you want to learn Spanish and go on amazing excursion then go with CEA in San Jose! I would recommend this program to everyone!

As a side note to start, the title of my review is a line from a poem by Federico Garcia Lorca, Granada’s most famous poet and playwright. While I was abroad, I lived a block away from the park that the city named after him. His home is in the middle of the park, and there are tours that guide you through the house.

I chose to study abroad with CEA because they offered internships. I had an internship with a social services agency called the Albihar Foundation, which focuses primarily on women, children, and the elderly. I spent time with an elderly woman every week and got to know her very well. I came to know her as my Spanish grandmother, and she’d talk to me about her childhood, her family, growing up in Granada, and, her favorite thing to discuss, Spanish politics. Over the course of the semester, I kept a journal and wrote a paper about the foundation and the time I spent with Encarnación. My internship was one of my favorite things about my semester abroad, and was a unique experience I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

In addition to my internship, CEA had volunteer opportunities at local schools, day cares, and elderly care centers in Granada. I spent a couple of hours every week assisting a preschool teacher with art lessons for the students, and teaching them English vocabulary. I had an amazing time speaking English and Spanish with the children, and learning from them.

The professors for my own classes were attentive, helpful, and more than willing to explain any questions I had. The classes were engaging and helped my Spanish improve exponentially. The CEA on-site program specialists also helped me understand the language; for the second half of the semester, one of the on-site specialists tutored me once a week, and my understanding of Spanish grammar greatly improved.

Although I loved Granada, there are several study abroad programs that host students there. What made me especially glad that I chose CEA were the program specialists. They were easy to relate to, and provided any information we needed. CEA planned fun excursions that we could take as a group, and those trips allowed me to see many other parts of Spain: Ronda, Seville, Malaga, Cordoba, and a weekend in Morocco.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with the time I spent in Granada, and I think about it every day. I miss the food, my Spanish friends, and the amazing places I visited during my four months abroad.

This country is simply amazing! Before coming here I looked at going to South America to places like Argentina but, I took a risk and decided on Costa Rica. I can honestly say that it was the best decision of my life! I am now reaping all of the majestic benefits of that risk. The culture is so relaxed and focused on living every day like it may be your last, and thinking of yes before automatically saying no. They are so humble and willing to open up about their lives and country, with lots of stories to tell. Lots of beaches to visit, culturally rich Caribbean side (I place you MUST visit), but also had places like ASOPROLA a community that is sustainable and ecologically friendly. All in all, it is a place everyone must visit in their life, and definitely a place to go study abroad! Follow your gut and go somewhere that has the whole package of an experience abroad.

This program changed my life.
The courses were extremely rewarding. I took a photography class and a global fashion marketing class. The photography class was incredible. My professor tailored the class based on what kind of camera each student had. She taught us how to use OUR cameras, instead of using blanket terms for everyone. I would also say that the class had a philosophy of photography component to it. We talked not only about photographers, but about why. The global fashion marketing class was also extremely rewarding. We did an in depth market analysis of a french brand. My was Sézane, and I challenged myself more than I ever have before to get to know that company, who they were trying to reach, their product lines, and the overall aesthetic.
The city was also incredible. The architecture was so intricate it was paralyzing. I often found myself unable to walk because I was so immersed in the beauty surrounding me. The weather was perfection. The people in the community were very kind, and I always felt safe walking around the city alone. I highly recommend spending time at CocoBoheme, or any other small local shop you find. I made some lasting friendships with some french students there. Make international friends.
When you go on incursions, or explore your own city, think like a tourist, but act like a local. Learn everything you can about the history, any story about a building. Do the touristy things, but once you do spend 2 hours at a cafe soaking the beauty in around you. Struggle to speak the language, listen for the Aixoise accent. Try to seem like a local.
You get out what you put in. This program gives you the resources you need to have the greatest summer of your life, I have left you some tips on how to make your AIXperience as great as possible, now it is up to you to take the risk. You will love every second, I promise.

Oh, man. Where do I even start? Studying abroad in Granada was definitely the best decision I’ve made so far in life. The CEA on-site staff are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They are there to help you with literally anything during your stay in Granada. Having troubles in your classes? They’ll give you tips and personally help you one-on-one. They sent regular emails checking in on me and even congratulating me on my progress. If you are planning a weekend trip, you can check in with them before you leave, and they’ll help you with planning, suggesting great places to stay and things to do while you’re there. They’re all so helpful and super nice.

While I was in Granada, I chose to do a home-stay, which I loved. It was so nice coming home to a family every day and eating and talking about my day with people. They were so welcoming. I also had the pleasure of having a housemate, who is still one of my best friends today. I was also able to get to know the Spanish culture on a more personal level. My host mom always told us what she was cooking for the day and explained the different ingredients and influences of the food. My family also had two younger daughters and a dog, which was really cool. I enjoyed getting to play with my host sisters every day.

The whole atmosphere of Spain is way more laid back than in the United States. “No pasa nada” is the motto. People aren’t trying to rush everything like we do in the States. They take the time to enjoy life and the people around them. Walking is the more popular form of transportation, and you’ll understand why when you see the great views and how close everything is. I had to get up at seven every morning to walk like thirty minutes (partially uphill) to get to my 8am class every day, and I did not mind it one bit. (And I am definitely NOT a morning person!!!) They do have really good public transportation, though, if you’d rather take the bus. You can buy a pass for pretty cheap.

Even the classes are pretty laid back. If you’re worried about your level of Spanish not being good enough, don’t. The professors understand that you’re an international student and that Spanish is (probably) your second language. They’ll work with you :) But attendance is very important, so go to class. I know that traveling is very tempting (and I definitely recommend it because it’s super cheap to travel in Europe), but GO TO CLASS. Plus, the classes are so interesting that you won’t want to miss them anyways. There were many days were my professors decided that we would just have class at a café or bar down the street just because.

Speaking of bars, THE TAPAS <3 <3 <3 If you don’t know what tapas are, get ready. In Granada, whenever you go out and order a drink (alcoholic or non!), it comes with a little plate of food. They all vary depending on the place, but they’re all amazing. Try them all. I love food.

I could talk about Granada forever. Go out and explore the city. Granada has a lot to offer. Flamenco, cafes, arte, architecture, SO MUCH. Meet new people and practice that Spanish!!! Spaniards are very nice, and they’re more than willing to sit and have a café and conversation with you. Speak as much and as often as you can. Make mistakes and learn from them. You won’t regret choosing to study in Granada!!

Life time opportunity. A must do and must have experience. From north Minneapolis to the southern part of France, one must experience it. I would recommend making friends with other international student and share contacts. Regret not sharing contact sooner. Made lifetime friends and will one day visit them. Would make the recommendation to all friends and family. CEA did a fantastic job. Love, love, love and miss the staff from Aix en Provence.

When I embarked on my journey to Madrid, I never imagined the richness and variety of the experience I would have. There are so many uniquely fascinating people in Madrid, and most of them are willing to engage in conversations that will blow your mind. The most intriguing thing that I found was that these conversations would always come when I least expected it.

A brief illustration: I was exploring the barrio around my homestay near the Metro stop Legazpi (south of Sol about 5 stops) and I stopped at a corner bar to watch a Real Madrid game. This was a bar that served free tapas with a drink, so I took full advantage of that, while subtly eavesdropping on the conversation next to me between a Madrileño family. Eventually, they approached me and asked about my story, and the conversation eventually ended up with the discussion of European fútbol and bullfighting. These older Madrileños preferred watching bullfighting and didn't really enjoy soccer, whereas the younger generation is vehemently against bullfighting and raves over soccer. I never would have guessed this generational disparity to exist, but nevertheless, I walked away from that conversation with some more insights into life in Madrid.

This is a short illustration of countless experiences that happened in Madrid with the locals. There is so much to do in Madrid, so many barrios to get lost in, and countless bars/shops/restaurants to stop at and spark up conversations. And don't worry if you are intimidated to start conversations with random people - they will often approach you because they are always curious to learn more about Americans.

So many people only know of big towns in european countries like Paris or London or Milan. The same was true of me in the beginning of my search for a study abroad program. But after randomly choosing Aix because the classes coincided with ones that would transfer back to my university, I am beyond happy that I didn't choose a big city. During my travels I have gone to cities like London and Paris and it was so overwhelming. I felt like the people were meaner, the food was more expensive, and my feet hurt more from walking. In Aix, I can walk from on side of centre-ville to the other in 20 minutes. If I struggle with French, people actually help me. And the food, well it's some of the best that I've had in my whole life. I'm so glad I chose Aix because when I return to my home-stay after a weekend excursion or day trip, it truly does feel like a home.

I had the time of my life in Aix-en-Provence. I had the best host family and they were so generous to me. It was so nice to have support from our Program Director and staff, making friends from all over the U.S., and traveling together to Nice, Monte Carlo, etc.

I loved walking on Cours Mirabeau, going to bakeries, eating Pizza Capri, watching movies, and traveling to other cities and countries.
The food in France is so good and I was lucky to have the best host family and have home cooked meals.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have studied abroad and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

My semester in London with CAPA was the best time of my life thus far. I loved the city, the people and the CAPA school. The classes I took with CAPA were some of my favorite courses I have taken in my college career. While they were not as academically challenging as I am used to from my home school, the experience was much greater and well-rounded than what I can achieve in the States. I chose 2 of my courses at CAPA specifically for the trips because I wanted to be able to learn from the city as much as possible. My classes really took advantage of the fact that we were in London, which I loved. The most trips I got to take was with 20th and 21st Century Modern Art. Every other week we were going to the National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts or the Tate, and then we were back in the classroom for the next. There is nothing on the same level as learning about Van Gogh in class and then visiting that painting in a gallery the next. One of my favorite trips was through British Broadcasting Today. Near the end of the semester we toured the BBC, rehearsed a radio show and were the audience for “The One Show” that night. My first time on television, and it was in the UK! Just being in the BBC was a dream for me, and it was one of the greatest experiences CAPA gave me during my short 4 months in London.