Program Reviews

Hey! My name is Lillian Smith and I did the CEA CAPA Paris Fashion Studies Program spring of 2024 my sophomore year of college. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I would definitely do it again if given the time and the funding. The negatives were definitely the adapting phase. The first couple weeks were rough with getting used to the culture and living in a very large city, especially because I didn't know the language prior. Meeting new people is a joy, but trying to establish a friend group in a foreign country by yourself can be a major stressor, so all of these things considered, it was a rough first couple of weeks, but once I was adjusted I had the time of my life. I will say that when selecting housing, the shared studio apartment is not the best quality, and I would go for an apartment if you are able to, but it was fine in the end and I did enjoy it. The view wasn't nice and we were on the outskirts of the city, however, this meant that we had smaller, less crowded restaurants and stores with cheaper prices because it wasn't touristy, and that was a huge help in the long run. We even became regulars at a couple places and befriended some of the staff. The biggest positives are definitely the staff. They plan so many things for the students and are so insanely helpful; I really loved my professors and the content of my classes. I learned so much. Really enjoyed this program!

Going abroad to Sydney was the best part of my college experience. I got to meet so many new people and see so many new cities and places that I never thought I would get to. CEA CAPA had the best staff on site to assist you with any needs that you had throughout your abroad time. I loved having the resources of the staff and teachers to ask about where to go locally and where we had to visit on the weekends. It was very comforting to know there were wiser, more established people in the city who cared about us and wanted us to be safe and have the best experience. I could not say enough good things about CEA CAPA and the program in Sydney, and I would 100% recommend it to anyone who asks me!

I had an amazing experience with CEA CAPA for my time in Madrid. I had never traveled to Europe before and had never even used public transportation before. That changed within my first day arriving in Madrid and I do not think there was a day that I did not get on the metro. Because the school where I was studying was so far away from the center of the city, where I lived, I had at least a 1.5-hour round-trip commute every day. I say this not to say that it was bad, for me, it was very fun. One of my all time favorite experiences abroad occurred because of this commute. I was getting on a train that I had to take only for one stop between the 2 campuses and at the platform I had helped someone find which train they were supposed to get on and we had been talking. When the train arrived and we got on, there were some performers busking in the car that we got into (as there are, more often than not). These performers were having a particularly great time and they were singing a bachata song and dancing with each other. They then invited the person I had been talking to to dance who then invited me to dance and for the very short ride, I got to dance bachata on a train with a stranger.

Studying abroad in Florence, Italy with CEA CAPA was truly one of the most transformative experiences of my life, and I cannot recommend it enough. From the moment I arrived, the program provided everything I needed to not only thrive academically but also immerse myself in the rich culture of Italy and form lasting connections with some of the most amazing people.

The staff at CEA CAPA were incredibly supportive, approachable, and attentive. They genuinely wanted you to succeed both in your studies and in your personal experience abroad. The program was well-organized, yet flexible enough to allow for personal exploration. There were always resources available, whether it was academic support or simply advice on where to get the best espresso in town. If you ever had any questions or concerns, the team was just an email or phone call away, and they were always quick to assist.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was the lifelong friendships I made. I was placed in a shared apartment with a group of strangers who quickly became my closest friends. These roommates, who initially felt like complete strangers, ended up being the people I spent my days with, exploring Florence, studying together, and traveling around Europe. We shared so many experiences that I know will bond us for years to come. The program’s emphasis on group excursions and activities fostered an environment of camaraderie, and I genuinely felt like I was a part of a close-knit community during my time there.One of the most unexpected and rewarding aspects of the program was the lifelong friendships I made. I was placed in a shared apartment with a group of strangers who quickly became my closest friends. These roommates, who initially felt like complete strangers, ended up being the people I spent my days with, exploring Florence, studying together, and traveling around Europe.

I had the opportunity to teach English in a primary school in Barcelona through a CEA CAPA class! The class was called International Service Learning, and granted us a placement in our host community. I was able to improve my Spanish, learn some Catalan, gain credit towards my degree, and build lasting relationships with teachers and students. Volunteering is a great way to immerse yourself in the community and learn through teaching- something I never would have gotten the chance to do if not for CEA!

Deciding to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain with CEA CAPA was the most incredible experience that I have ever had. The time I had abroad and the memories that I made are something I will cherish for the rest of my life. I learned so much about the culture I was living in and my eyes were opened to so many different perspectives and ways of life. I have become so grateful for every experience that I had and all the relationships I made. I have some of my life long friends from studying abroad. This once in a lifetime opportunity was seriously the most fun I have ever had. The teachers and staff at CEA were all so helpful and supportive during my time abroad. I highly recommend this program.

My time in Grenoble was unforgettable. I chose the city mostly just because I had heard of it before, but I found that being in a smaller place, in a more underrepresented region of France was incredibly enriching. Surrounded by the Alps, in a beautiful region of France, I got to explore with CEA CAPA and practice my French at the same time. The locals were so welcoming, and while the academics were not the easiest part, I felt incredibly supported by my CEA team. I made lifelong friendships with the people in my cohort, and I am so grateful that I chose this program.

My experience with CEA was awesome! I felt super supported the entire time I was in London, from our first afternoon tea on arrival day, to the mid-semester check in, to the final goodbye in at a local cafe. CEA CAPA made London feel a little more homey and a little more comfortable. They were always responsive when I had a question, and they continued to be even when I was out of London. Abroad can be scary, and it is nice to have a taste of home while you are there. I would definitely recommend studying abroad with CEA, I would do it again with so many more countries!

My time with CEA CAPA abroad was absolutely amazing. Both on-site and virtual staff were so helpful in ensuring I had a great experience. My homestay family was amazing and now feels like family of my own. I learned so much academically that I would not have had the chance to at my home university. I had so many opportunities to go out and explore the amazing country of Costa Rica. The CEA CAPA excursions and activities were a highlight of my time abroad, and truly allowed me to build strong, lasting relationships with my peers. I really would not change a thing!

Studying in Paris was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

Going into the program, I didn't know a single other student. I was worried about my classes and that I wouldn't make any friends. Luckily, pretty early on, I realized that everyone was in the same boat; we were all looking for friends. Even after I found my "group", everyone still hung out with each other and was open to making new friends.

Classes were pretty hard for me at first. The workload was more than I anticipated and I struggled to stay on task. However, the whole class felt this way and we voiced our concern with the professor. He was very understanding and we found a good compromise. My elective, "History of Paris: An Architectural Perspective" was awesome! Seeing all of the monuments we talked about in class in person was unbelievable.

Outside of class, I went and saw just about everything there is to see in Paris. There was always something new and exciting going on. In addition to exploring Paris, I would travel to a different country every weekend. I went to Switzerland, England, and Germany. I experienced every kind of nightlife, and tried all kinds of amazing food.

One of the most memorable parts about the trip for me was the relationship I made with a local sandwich shop. After finding "Pietro Rambuteau" two weeks into my trip, I went there almost every school day for lunch. By the end of the trip, the worker knew my order without me saying a word (Focaccia Parma w/ Basil). At the end of the trip I even got a picture with the him.

Studying in Paris through CEA CAPA was one of the best decisions I ever made.