CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Program Reviews

London
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GO Abroad

I loved being abroad in Florence. CEA CAPA employs great professors who make it so fun to learn. I loved the teachers, and the field trips we did were unique, unlike anything I have ever done. The location base of Florence is super fun, it's harder/more expensive to fly out of because it's not a huge airport like Rome or Milan. But you'll learn there are more ways to travel, like Flixbus, train, or just flying out of somewhere else, like Pisa. I think the culture in the area is so interesting and the staff help you explore it and are there for you through anything.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I had sweetbread, and contrary to the name, it is not sweet or bread, it is BRAINS. I also ate beef cheek. It was fun, and both items were surprisingly not that bad, but I would not have sweet bread ever again. I did a lot of different food tastings while in Florence, and they were some of my favorite experiences.
Cole
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying abroad in Barcelona with CEA CAPA

Studying abroad in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From the moment I arrived, the staff made me feel supported and gave me countless opportunities to get involved and explore. I loved how the program balanced academics with cultural experiences, one day I’d be in class learning, and the next I’d be on a guided excursion through vineyards or trying local tapas with friends. Living in Barcelona pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. I learned to navigate a new city, practice my Spanish daily, and appreciate the unique mix of Catalan and Spanish culture. I also made amazing friendships, both with students in the program and locals I met through CEA’s activities, and those connections made my time abroad feel even more meaningful. Looking back, this experience didn’t just give me memories it gave me more confidence, independence, and a new perspective on the world. I would recommend CEA CAPA Barcelona to anyone who wants a study abroad program that combines learning, adventure, and genuine personal growth.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was missing my train to Pamplona and having to rent a car and drive across the country to run with the bulls.
Pros
  • Amazing Food
  • Beautiful City
  • Fascinating history/culture
Cons
  • language barrier
Ethan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Engineering in Rome Summer 2025

I studied Thermodynamics in Rome during the summer before my senior year and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've travelled extensively in the past but actually being able to live in another country for an extended period of time was unlike any trip I've taken before. The academics had challenging aspects and required some work after class, but also weren't overbearing and I still was able to enjoy my trip fully and travel almost every weekend. The only regret I had about this program was not doing a full semester - 2 months went by faster than I could have ever imagined!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
We almost missed our train in Lake Como because the bus that ran once an hour to the train station was full. We met a woman from Hungary who was living in Italy and also spoke english, and she called a nearby hotel and requested us a shuttle to save the day!
Pros
  • Meet new people your age
  • See the world outside of what you know
  • Gain independence and travel confidence
Cons
  • My roommate snored louder than I thought humanly possible
  • Lots of people due to Jubilee in Rome
  • Restaurants were expensive for us college students due to tourism so we had to cook a lot.
Andrew
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Barcelona Review

My experience in Barcelona was nothing short of life changing. It opened my eyes to new people, culture, food, language, and so much more. The staff at the school and the people I worked with at my internship were incredible people. They always checked in with me to see how I was doing, genuinely cared about myself and where I came from, and offered helpful advice to navigate the city and all that it had to offer. The apartment location was amazing, I never felt unsafe in Barcelona, and the school location was excellent.

Kaelyn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Granada - Spring 2025

I studied and volunteered abroad in Granada, Spain with CEA CAPA in Spring 2025. As a Marketing and Spanish double major, I was able to incorporate both areas of study into my experience. I took five classes in total, one during the January intensive session and four during the semester (February-May). All of my courses were taught in Spanish, though English options were also available. My favorite class was International Marketing, since it allowed me to view my major through a global lens.

Outside of class, I volunteered once a week at a local high school, helping students practice their English through conversation and activities. This was a meaningful way to connect with the community and learn more about the culture.

I lived with a host mom in an apartment, and I highly recommend a homestay. It helped me fully immerse in the culture and improve my Spanish skills.

My program also offered excursions to several destinations in Spain, including Sevilla, Córdoba, and Ronda, as well as a trip to Morocco. Beyond those trips, I also traveled to Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Flights within Europe are relatively inexpensive, so I encourage anyone studying abroad to take advantage of that. You’ll rarely be this close to so many incredible destinations again, so travel as much as you can!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Everyone told me to pack light for my trip… and I did not listen. I brought two suitcases and a backpack, but in hindsight, I would recommend bringing just one suitcase and a good travel backpack. Clothes are affordable in Spain, and you’ll likely want to buy some during your stay, so leave room in your luggage. A travel backpack was especially useful for weekend trips.
Pros
  • Granada is a walkable city, and when something wasn’t within walking distance, the metro, buses, or taxis were easy to navigate, even for someone who had never used public transportation before.
Cons
  • Living arrangements are more minimal compared to the U.S., shorter showers, energy and water conservation, and less food waste. These weren’t negatives, just cultural differences that may take some getting used to.
Kennedy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Madrid Spring 2025

I loved my host mom/family so much! I got first hand experience of living in a smaller Spanish community within a big city. The academics were challenging but fun because we got to visit multiple museums all over Madrid. CEA CAPA made it so easy to adjust by giving us the full rundown on recommendations and cultural standards as well as giving us a refillable metro card. Getting around Madrid was so easy with the metro card I could hop on the buses and metro at all stops. Also all the food was to die for. I have celiac disease and they were super accommodating.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I solo traveled to so many cities in and outside of Spain, stayed in hostels alone, and had to plan everything all by myself.
Pros
  • Food
  • Host families
  • Day trips
Cons
  • Commute to school
Karlie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CAPA Sydney experience

My experience abroad in Sydney, Australia, was one of the best times of my life. This experience was one I will never forget and one that I could talk about forever. Doing this program was a huge jump for me because it was my first time leaving the United States and my first time being away from home for that long. I was already so nervous to even fill out my application because I also did not know anyone who was going. I can confidently say that I would not change a single thing about my program or choosing to go. First, CEA CAPA was such an amazing program with spectacular staff, and I would not have thrived in Sydney without them. There was an immense amount of support with whatever I needed, and I knew I could always go to them if I needed a shoulder to lean on or just needed someone to talk to. The staff also had so many activities and excursions for us to attend that were so much fun. A lot of these trips, like the Blue Mountains and the zoo sleepover, were some of my best memories from abroad. Along with CAPA staff, I am eternally grateful for the best friends that I made in this program and for all of our wonderful memories. Everyone in this program was truly trying to meet new people and just have a meaningful time. We spent countless times together laughing, cooking in the common area, and spending nights on the town together. One of my favorite days from abroad was our final day of the program. The entire program came to mine and my roommates' room before going to celebrate Anzac Day around Sydney. That night, everyone came back to our room and we all sat together sharing our favorite memories of the program while singing songs and sharing LOTS of tears. Overall, this program and experience was truly amazing and life changing thanks to all of the wonderful people you meet along the way.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
One of the most surprising things I did during my time abroad was snorkeling! My friends and I took a trip to Bali for spring break and spent an entire day snorkeling around an island. This was my first time snorkeling, and a fun fact, I am TERRIFIED of the ocean. It was safe to say that I had never even considered doing something like this before. The only way I got through it and ended up having an amazing time was all thanks to the wonderful friends that I met in my program. Every single one of them was so supportive and encouraging, which made me feel so much better. This experience was also meaningful to me because it showed me that I can accomplish difficult tasks and revealed just how much this program had encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.
Pros
  • Social life
  • Housing
  • Traveling opportunities
Nia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Had an Amazing Time Abroad!

I got to have an internship abroad and it was amazing! I learned a lot about European law and Czech legislation. I also loved being able to immerse myself in Czech culture, I learned a little bit of Czech and learned about the history and Traditions in the Czech Republic. The city is so beautiful and vibrant and I miss it every day. The excursions were also so much fun. The excursions are included in the program fee and I had an awesome time on each one. I made a lot of friends and met a lot of people and my professors were amazing and very supportive. I highly recommend this program and encourage more and more people to go through this program.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers on this program is to try your best to learn about the culture. Czech culture like many cultures is different from American culture and I feel the best you can get from traveling to Prague is immersing yourself in the culture and learning about the history and language.
Keisha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Art in Florence !

I enjoyed every minute of my study abroad in Florence, from the preparation to get there to the moment we landed back in the US. CEA CAPA guided us the whole way and made sure all our needs were met both physically and mentally. I learned so much traveling around Florence and even surrounding cities like Sienna, Lucca, and Prato. We got the chance to delve deeper into how both art and science developed in the city, and see the great sculptures and paintings in almost every museum. But we still had time to explore on our own - met new people, tried new things, and honestly fell in love with Florence

I strongly recommend you try this program; it's so flexible, and you learn so much

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Fried zucchini flowers
Pros
  • great views
  • foods cheap
  • amazing coffee
Cons
  • language barrier
Talia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Abroad in Rome with CEA CAPA

I had an amazing time in Rome. I was able to learn a plethora of new things while also immersing myself in a new culture. I would recommend this program to everyone. I had a great experience shadowing in the hospital. I was able to learn about so many different specialties. I also was able to learn so much about the history of Rome. I visited so many famous landmarks. I also was able to try so many new foods. There was so much to constantly do while in Rome. I was also able to meet so many new people.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I was able to watch so many different surgeries.
Pros
  • So much to learn
  • So many people to meet
Cons
  • None