Program Reviews

My experience abroad was incredible, and I am so glad that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. It was hard for me to reconcile the fact that I was the only one of my friends and roommates to intern abroad. It was a big time commitment, and there were a few opportunities that I felt I should say no to in order to prioritize my internship experience. However, I began to realize that there were opportunities that I was privy to that my peers were not. After coming back to the Unites States, my internship has already helped me in my professional life and career aspirations. For those struggling to decide whether to intern abroad, I think it can be an incredibly valuable exposure if you are committed!

Living in the French Riviera was an unreal experience, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to embark on such a journey. I lived in the Old Town of Antibes which felt like I was living in the setting of Beauty and the Beast. I lived so close to the water, which was less than a 5 minute walk to the beach. Buying groceries were a lot cheaper than where I live in NY, so it was not too hard to budget. I feel so connected to that city and want to take everyone I know there. It is a very relaxing place, which is very different from NY life. Seeing everyone having a two hour lunch was very shocking at the beginning because it seemed lazy, but by the end it became nice to see people fully enjoying their life.

I loved studying in Barcelona with CEA Capa. The journey was very easy to navigate, from the application, all communication and overseas. I never had to worry about any academic or personal mishaps. The city study center was in a prime location. They set us up with travel cards within the first 24 hours of arrival. Housing was clean and safe. Our local guide was the best -- she told us where to eat, where to avoid, and took us out on excursions. The only thing that could be improved would be the maintenance of the housing. We put in two orders and never received help on our stove, though it was near the end of our stay.

Just like many people who study abroad, I felt like London was my second home. Growing up in a small town just shy of 10,000 people, living in London felt like a whole world opened itself up in front of me. I felt wonder in the everyday moments, whether that was figuring out public transport or going grocery shopping. This short-term-trial-run of adulthood was truly a transformative time overall, but there were a few aspects that were especially memorable.

One of these was my London Museums class with Professor Lahav. This class had an alternating structure–one week we were in class, the other we would visit London museums. Not only did I become much more involved and interested in the arts, but I got to explore and navigate London on a daily basis. These museums were free, so I frequently visited them to study or just take a look around new exhibits.

Coming into my semester abroad, I was worried about making friends. This was my first semester of freshman year, I had no friends on campus, and I was scared that if I didn’t make any now, I would be isolated for the rest of the year. Not only did I make several close friends, but I came back to campus with a web of people who I could maintain casual contact with–whether in class or at a dining hall. It is always refreshing to catch up with people I went abroad with, and it really solidifies the fact that going abroad my first semester was the best for me.

Studying abroad in Galway was honestly one of the best times of my life. I fell in love with the city almost instantly. The constant buzz of live music and the way everyone was so friendly made it feel like a home away from home. At the University of Galway, my classes were exciting and pushed me to think more independently, which was different from what I was used to but really rewarding. Outside of school, I spent weekends exploring Ireland, from standing on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher to hiking through Connemara, and even taking trips to Dublin and other various locations. Some of my favorite memories came from just hanging out in town with friends, enjoying the music, and feeling part of the local culture. Galway gave me so many adventures, amazing friendships, and a second home that I’ll always carry with me. Through my education abroad program and through CEA CAPA, I was able to take excursions throughout the Irish countryside. I found places that I would never have thought of visiting. CEA CAPA was especially helpful in creating such a welcoming environment that I never wanted to leave. Galway truly became my home, and I am counting down the days when I can return!

As a nursing student, I was unsure if studying abroad would even be an option for me. While searching for programs, CEA CAPA's Florence, Italy program stuck out to me in a number of ways. Firstly, it would fulfill two requirements for my degree! Secondly, CEA CAPA has lots of amenities, from multiple free one-day traveling experiences to housing that is prepared for you. The only thing I had to worry about was securing my flight! While studying abroad was a great experience, there were still issues that arose. Thankfully, CEA CAPA stepped in to fill the gaps that I needed support with. This program offers enough support to where I do not have to worry about things, but also enough freedom to where I can make my own decisions. The academics were challenging enough to where I had to focus and study, but not difficult to where I had to study every weekend. The professors were an absolute joy to listen to and were extremely engaging. Along with this, the professors were very understanding, much like the rest of the CEA CAPA staff. When studying abroad with CEA CAPA, your interactions don't feel like student-faculty, but rather like family.

Studying abroad in Rome, Italy with CEA CAPA was truly the highlight of my college experience, and I recommend it to anyone even considering studying abroad. Rome is one of those cities that at first feels overwhelming—the history, the size, the pace—but it doesn’t take long before it starts to feel like home. I quickly fell into little routines, like grabbing my morning coffee from the same café where the barista began to remember me, or studying in the same sunny piazzas in the afternoons. Walking through the cobblestone streets on my way to class never lost its magic, and I grew to love the feeling of living among so much history while still being a college student exploring a new chapter of life.

The academics through CEA CAPA made the experience even more meaningful. My favorite course was International Marketing, where I was able to take what we learned in class and immediately see it play out around me in the city. Rome became a living classroom—I noticed the way global brands adapted to the Italian market, and I found myself constantly connecting lectures to real-life examples. The professors were approachable and supportive, and they encouraged us to get out and experience Rome firsthand. I felt challenged, but I also felt inspired because I was learning in such a unique environment.

What stands out most from my time abroad is the sense of community I found. I built close friendships with other students in the program who I know will be lifelong friends. At the same time, I felt welcomed by locals in small but meaningful ways—whether it was practicing Italian at the market, chatting with shop owners, or receiving tips from Romans about the best spots to eat. CEA CAPA also provided cultural excursions that gave me the chance to explore even deeper, like meeting artisans or discovering parts of the city and traditions I never would have found on my own. These experiences helped me feel less like a tourist and more like someone who belonged there.

I think what I always try to explain to people is that the most memorable parts of studying abroad weren’t just the famous landmarks—although seeing the Colosseum, the Vatican, and all of Rome’s iconic sites was incredible. What made the experience so special were the everyday moments: ordering a cappuccino in Italian, watching the sunset from the Tiber, or taking an evening walk with friends after dinner. Those little routines are what made Rome feel like a second home and what I miss the most now that I’m back.

For anyone who is unsure about whether to go abroad, I can confidently say it will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Rome is the perfect city to immerse yourself in history, culture, food, and language, all while growing personally and academically. CEA CAPA gives you the structure to feel supported but the freedom to make the experience your own. Studying abroad in Rome changed my life, and I would encourage anyone who has the chance to take it.

I was super nervous as I packed and traveled to Prague. I had been to places in Europe, but I was taking a leap because I had never been to the Czech Republic, and I was about to be there for 8 weeks. This summer was genuinely one of the most positive experiences that I've been fortunate enough to have. While I learned a lot about my new friends and the new culture, I learned a lot more about myself than I thought I would. This summer taught me to invest in my friendships and the city that I'm in.

My experience study abroad was amazing and a once in a lifetime experience. I was an intern at Clic Recycle as a marketing and sustainability intern, which was so educational and I learned so much from this. Being able to work in a real life non profit organization, where I was able to do tasks and be apart of projects that I want to do in my future was an overall eye opening experience. I also had a great experience meeting new people and connecting with so many different people. I lived with 8 girls so while that seems overwhelming, it was a blessing in disguise because I instantly had friends. Even if I hadn’t lived with so many girls, it was still so easy to meet people and make friends. The program of CEA CAPA made it so easy to meet people by hosting little activities and weekend trips where we could meet people. Overall, my experience was amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

My experience in London was different than many of the students around me because I am an artist, and was constantly exploring and looking for artistic opportunities in the city and in the other places I traveled to. The program mostly had business and psychology majors, and the courses offered were related to those subjects for the most part. I took pottery lessons and engaged in art museum social events in the city. I encourage all artists to go abroad, see what the city has to offer, and get inspired!