CEA CAPA Education Abroad Reviews

Barcelona is the perfect place to study abroad because it appeals to so many people. From the passionate soccer fans, the unique architecture and laid-back beach city vibe it is easy for anyone to fall in love with the city.

I traveled to Barcelona in Spring 2011 through CEA. CEA was the perfect program for me because of their organization and how they truly cater the program for students to have as many opportunities to learn about the culture as possible. I am fluent in Spanish and took three classes in Spanish through the CEA Global Campus: Spanish Cinema, Literature and Barcelona History. Then I also took a class in English about the Sports and Culture in Spain. What I loved about these classes is that they truly gave me value outside of the academic world. I was taught specific customs of Barcelona and would see what I was taught in class in a day-to-day basis through the locals I met. Furthermore, as a native speaker I really appreciated that all the teachers were native Spanish speakers and they truly helped improve my writing and vocabulary in Spanish. However, a lot of my friends were not native speakers and said they really liked the fact that in Barcelona there are enough people who speak English so they never felt too overwhelmed by the language barrier. Also, CEA keeps in mind that students love to travel so no one ever has class on Fridays and I really appreciated how easy going my schedule was.

CEA gives students the option of apartment or dorm living. I choose to live in the Marina district Melon dorm Residence. This was absolutely the best living situation I could have asked for. The dorm is composed of 5 different buildings that not only have people from CEA but students from different abroad programs, international students, and local Spanish students. Each floor has 10 singles with a double bed, desk, safe and private bathroom. Then everyone shares a common kitchen area that has a refrigerator and cubby space separated for each roommate with larges tables and a TV. All my floor mates were from CEA and what I appreciated is that if I ever needed alone time I could be in my room but then if I wanted to hang out with my floor mates we had the common kitchen area. Another thing I really liked about Melon district living is that it was very safe, with a guard at night and only people with room keys could access our building. Furthermore, the location was perfect, in between the beach and the city and only one block away from Barcelona’s infamous 6 story nigh club Razzmatazz. Other unbeatable qualities were the rooftop pool, laundry services, printing services and study areas.

My absolute favorite aspect of CEA was the trips that come included in your programs tuition. My semester the program offered a weekend trip to both Madrid and San Sebastian. What I appreciated is that these two cities are normally very expensive to get to from Barcelona. Therefore, it was really nice to have CEA organize a trip that included breakfast, transportation, hotel accommodations and a free tour with a guide. In addition, CEA organized two-day trips: one to a champagne vineyard and a neighboring ancient roman town Tarragona and the other to the Dali museum. These two-day trips were some of my favorite experiences from abroad.

Another one of my favorite activities was when CEA organized a trip for all of us to attend a Barca soccer game together. This was amazing because normally purchasing tickets is a bit difficult so it was nice for the program to handle all the details. Attending a Barca game is something I really recommend. The passion that comes out of the city when Barca wins a game turns into an all night party and it’s truly an experience to take part of this grand sense of community.

The only downside to Barcelona is that pick pocketing is a huge problem. I was fortunate enough to never be pick pocketed but most of my friends were. What I would recommend to avoid this situation is to not bring an iphone or blackberry. Or if you want to bring these phones leave them in room. I noticed that my friends who had these phones were the biggest target for pick pocketers. The easiest way to avoid being picking pocketed is to always be aware of your surroundings. Never wear a backpack and on the metro just always make sure to have a hand over your belongings.

Overall, I have no complaints about Barcelona and everyday I wish I could go back. Everyday I miss being able to walk along the beautiful beach area of Barceloneta, getting delicious paella and sangria, gazing at Gaudi’s breath taking architecture at Parc Guell or having unforgettable moments in Barcelona’s never ending night life. Barcelona is unique because it is one of the cheaper cities in Europe so it really helps you have the opportunity to travel to other cities in Europe. Barcelona is unbeatable in its passion and beauty and I recommend anyone who is looking for the adventure of a lifetime to get to know Barcelona.

CEA in the French Riviera is the most amazing location in all of Europe. The specific town that you live in is small but so cute. The size is great too because you can get to know the town really well but there are still places to go out and tons and tons of well known places right near by. I loved taking the train to Monaco, Nice, Cannes, and my favorite beach town ville franche. The school is just a bus ride away and class is not too often so its perfect for traveling. There is a train station centrally located and the airport is just a one euro bus ride away! The apartments are huge, safe, and very nice. They are close to the beach and the beautiful harbor. The French alps are close and the school takes you on a trip there! I loved the program and it has so much to offer. It is an active city with lots of runners and bikers! I loved the food and cooked a lot as well to save some money for more traveling! I highly recommend the South of France!!

I had doubts about going to Sevilla (Seville) because everyone I knew was going to Barcelona or Madrid. The reality was that all of my friends who visited me from those cities said they wished they had studied in Sevilla. Sevilla is concentrated, Spanish culture everywhere you turn. My spanish was pretty beginner when I got there and what helped me improve the most was that all of the locals spoke spanish to me rather than english. I lived in a "casa universitaria," a housing option unique to Sevilla where I lived with 6 other American students in a 3 story house with a rooftop terrace, 3 doors down from our host mom, the sweetest, best cook I have ever met! She only spoke english to us and sat with us for every meal so that we were forced to speak the language. Sevilla's Alcazar (palace + gardens) is probably the most beautiful place I have ever visited. My friends and I would walk through the gardens (with human maze inside!) on sunny afternoons. The city is full of orange trees and makes the whole place smell fresh and delightful! My friends and I would take a bottle of wine and some cheeses and sit by the beautiful river most afternoons. The architecture in Sevilla is amazing as well. Most of the buildings are from the baroque era and are painted orange and white...The streets are cobble stone and you really feel like you're still in the 17th century. Until you go out at night in which case the club and bar scene is super fun! We also met a bunch of Spaniards and became friends with them which was a great way to improve my Spanish and get to know the culture more. The people of Sevilla are so friendly and really made the experience a welcoming one. I honestly made my best friends while studying abroad who were in my program. I can't say more positive things about Sevilla and would love to live there one day.

I studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring of 2011 with CEA. I did the program Latin American & Integrated Studies where I took classes at the Universidad de Belgrano, and I was able to take classes just with other international students or I could take classes with local Argentine students as well. I just took classes with other international students, which were all in Spanish and some of my classes were really good and interesting, and I had some that I felt I barely had to do any work or where I didn't feel like I was really learning anything new. But overall I enjoyed my classes and was able to learn a lot about Latin American and Argentine history and culture, which I really enjoyed. I had some friends in CEA who did programs and took classes at "CEA Global Campus" but they told me they didn't really enjoy the Global Campus and wish they would've taken classes at Belgrano like I had. So, I don't have first hand experience with the Global Campus, but I heard that from a few different people.

I decided to live with a host family, and I couldn't have asked for a better family. There were other students from the U.S. in the house as well, but it was nice to have a mix of cultures and views, which really made dinner conversations more fun! I'm not it the "best" neighborhood; our house doesn't have too much around it (like cafés or stores), but I am a block away from the subway stop, have plenty of bus stops nearby and close enough I can walk to places to go to a restaurant, café or shop. I wouldn't change anything for what I have since the family is so great.

Towards the end of my semester here in Buenos Aires with CEA, I decided to stay another semester (I have just grown to love the city and I want to continue to learn and practice my Spanish), so I am still in Buenos Aires through this Fall 2011. I didn't go through CEA this time, but rather all independently, so I'm paying the school and my host family directly. The only reason I didn't go with CEA again is because I don't need the great excursions they offer since I already did them, so I didn't want to pay for something I didn't need. Even though I'm not with CEA anymore, I have kept in contact the staff here in BsAs, and they have been great to me and have helped me with anything I have needed even though I am not in CEA anymore.

Buenos Aires has something for everyone to do, and if you ever need to get out of the city and get a little bit more nature than just the parks, you can always take a train or bus out of the city. Overall I had a good experience with CEA and I am excited to have my three more months in Buenos Aires to continue to explore and discover new things.

Selecting CEA Paris as my study abroad program was the best decision of my college career. Studying abroad in Paris opened me up in multiple ways, and helped boost my social and adaptation skills and confidence. I would recommend this program to all levels of French speakers and would suggest that they select the dorm living option--I lived in a dorm in the 11th arrondissment and was able to have not only a close relationship with my 11 fellow program members also living there, but it also gave me the opportunity to foster friendships with 50+ international students. Together we all got to know the 11th and the nearby 3rd where our school was within walking distance (located in the chic and youthful Marais. The staff at CEA Paris is incomparably vivacious, and each person made the experience that much more enjoyable for everyone in the program. The curriculum paralleled our experiences living in a city as curious outsiders seeking acceptance and cross cultural communication skills. It was a very comfortable environment, no question was off limits. All of this combined left it easy for me to fall deeply in love with Paris and make lasting friendships that span the globe. Paris is another home for me thanks to CEA.

CAPA - Florence changed my life. Studying abroad in college was one of the best experiences I could have asked for. I am so happy I picked Florence, Italy and was able to appreciate wine country.

On my first day, CAPA picked us up from the airport and took us to our apartments. We were given maps and specific instructions on how to get to school and around the city. My academics consisted of Italian culture, language, art history, and international business. The teachers were a mix of Americans and Italians. We mostly spoke English at school but CAPA was 100% English speakers. This program would be perfect for someone who doesn't want to learn the language fluently, but has a passion for the culture. My apartment was top of the line and close to major attractions. The public transportation system in Florence is excellent and after a week, you'd have it mastered.

I'd recommend the program to anyone going to Italy. Florence has so many great things to offer.