Program Reviews

The CEA CAPA Latin American Studies program in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was a life-changing experience. I participated in the early start program and attended Universidad de Belgrano. The on-site support staff was nothing short of exemplary, as they were there at nearly all hours of the day to help out whenever. CEA CAPA did a great job organizing the group trips and communicating throughout the semester. Classes at UB were standard university level, but nothing over the top, allowing time for individual travel. Buenos Aires is a safe city in comparison to other major cities I have traveled to, and it is very easy to navigate. Public transportation is easy to learn and will be your best friend, as it is a large city. Argentina has so much to offer and if you put yourself out there, this trip can be a great experience.

Studying abroad in the French Riviera was one of the best decisions I have ever made. At first I was unsure if it could be an option for me since there were specific classes that I needed to take in order to graduate. But CEA CAPA made sure that I got into my required courses and overall was a huge help in the process of going abroad. I was able to meet some of my lifelong friends through this and get out of my comfort zone in a way I never had before. I learned so much about so many different cultures and ways of life and even about myself, and these lessons will stay with me for the rest of my life.

You won't regret. Just go and do it! I had the absolute best time during my semester abroad. From traveling and learning more about the world, to meeting new people and even learning more about myself, I wish every semester could be a semester abroad! When I landed, CEA CAPA was there for me right off the bat. They met me onsite and walked me through the basics like using the public transportation, which side of the sidewalk to walk on, and even took me to dinner. I went to class like any other college student and traveled to six different countries, plenty of which were recommended to me by CEA CAPA staff. When I got sick, they told me where to go and how to get help, even continued to check on me weeks after. Even though I was an entire ocean away from home, I felt like I had my own family looking out for me as I branched out into the international world and got to step into my own.

My semester in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was one of the most rewarding and transformative experiences of my life. I absolutely loved Barcelona and being a student under CEA CAPA, as I was easily able to combine coursework with cultural immersion, gaining both professional skills and personal growth that will help me throughout the rest of my life.

CEA CAPA provided a strong academic structure while also encouraging independence and exploration. My professors brought unique international perspectives, often connecting lessons to real-world issues in Europe. The program staff were supportive, approachable, and genuinely invested in helping students make the most of their time abroad, whether that was through navigating classes, planning excursions, or offering career guidance.

Living in Barcelona also allowed me to experience the rich blend of Catalan and Spanish cultures firsthand. From exploring Gaudí’s architecture to trying local tapas and participating in neighborhood festivals, I felt fully immersed in the city’s vibrant lifestyle - something that was really important to be for my abroad experience. Even though Spanish is widely spoken, being in Barcelona also introduced me to Catalan culture, which added another layer of cultural understanding. The program encouraged us to step outside of our comfort zones, helping us practice the language and connect with locals.

CEA CAPA’s emphasis on experiential learning was invaluable to me, as I was able to apply classroom concepts to real-world contexts through activities, site visits, and group projects in my classes. These opportunities not only expanded my global perspective, but also strengthened my skills of adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving.

Studying abroad also challenged me to become a more independent, flexible, and confident woman. Navigating a new city, traveling across Europe, and balancing academics with cultural exploration pushed me to grow in ways I never expected, but really did hope for. I left Barcelona with lifelong friends, a ton of unforgettable memories, and a deeper appreciation for global perspectives.

I highly recommend CEA CAPA (Barcelona especially!) to any student considering studying abroad. The program has the perfect balance between academic rigor, cultural exploration, and personal support. My time in Barcelona not only enriched my college experience but also shaped the way I see the world and approach my future goals.

I studied abroad in Madrid last semester and attended UC3M. I lived in Moncloa with 9 other girls in a shared apartment, and I absolutely loved our surrounding neighborhood. My classes were rigorous but I enjoyed the topics I got to learn about - local journalism, media structure studies, gender perspectives in European literature, and film narrative studies. I loved speaking Spanish on a daily basis and exploring Madrid's vibrant music, social, and food scenes. I was also able to easily travel to multiple other countries as well as different cities in Spain, which was a dream come true! I highly recommend studying in Madrid or Spain in general, especially if you are pursuing a degree in Spanish Language.

I like to tell everyone who asks about my experience abroad that I gained a lifetime of memories in a single semester. The funny thing is, that isn't an exaggeration. For the first time, I was traveling alone, trying to feel at home in a foreign country, and meeting more strangers than I could ever have imagined. The best part was, I loved every part of it. Sure, I was nervous about being abroad for a few days, but after my first meal with friends, I realized I was going to love every second of my experience. Not only did I feel at home in Madrid, but coming back felt like I was leaving home.

Studying abroad in Buenos Aires was one of the coolest experiences of my life. The food? Absolutely incredible. The meat was on another level, and the overall quality of food was so good that even the stomach issues I dealt with in the U.S. disappeared while I was there.

My homestay was amazing—my host grandparents were truly iconic. They were full of personality, came out to tango nights with us, and made the experience feel so authentic. Speaking of tango, it was everywhere—you could stumble across people dancing casually on the streets. The weekend markets (ferias) were another highlight, packed with energy and color.

The city itself was alive with music and culture. I went to jazz nights in cozy cafés, explored Puerto Madero by the water, climbed Torre Monumental, and even visited a former theatre that had been turned into a gorgeous bookstore. Everywhere I turned, there was something happening.

I stayed in the “honeymoon phase” the entire time I was there. The classes were tough 😅, but the group of people I studied with made it so much fun. Plus, I tried mate, which was such a fascinating cultural tradition—people usually drank it at home and shared it with friends.

Overall, Buenos Aires was vibrant, exciting, and full of life. I couldn’t recommend the experience enough.

When I was looking into a study abroad program I already had my destination in mind. The program itself didn't matter as much to me, I just knew I wanted to go to Galway, Ireland. I had been to Ireland with my family in 2019 but we only spent half a day in Galway. I was drawn to the country by familial ties and because I fell in love with it on that family trip so many years ago. I specifically choose to go to Galway because I knew Dublin would be too big of a city for me, and I wanted to really experience the authentic Irish culture and lifestyle. Because I went into my study abroad program search already knowing exactly where I wanted to go, all the other aspects of the program were just added benefits.

I discovered the CEA CAPA Galway program from a CEA CAPA tabling event on the main walkway of my home university, the University of Tennessee. I had seen from a newsletter email that there would be study abroad information on Ped Walkway that day and since I still hadn't found which program I would go abroad with, I set out to do just that. I told the lady working the table about my interest in Ireland and she showed me a brochure that listed both Galway and Dublin as program destinations with CEA CAPA. This was the first time I had a seen a program for Galway, not just Dublin. She then went on to tell me about how CEA CAPA has a director on site at their program cities to guide the students and show them around. She told me how the programs include several excursions around the city and country. It all sounded perfect to me. Finally, the deal was sealed with a $1,000 flight voucher code on the brochure that I knew would be such a big help in financing my trip.

From the moment I decided to go abroad with CEA CAPA, the workers were nothing but friendly and helpful. I asked a million questions and they were always answered quickly and thoroughly. The application process was smooth and easy with the CEA CAPA workers there to help me. The program itself was a dream come true. Despite not knowing anyone in my program before getting there, I never felt alone or out of place. The CEA CAPA Galway Program Director, Thomas Fisher, was so welcoming and personally picked me up from the bus station after my flight got in late from weather delays. CEA CAPA set us up with housing a short walk from the University of Galway campus and from the city center. All seven of us in our program lived in the same flat and became fast friends. Thomas took us out to dinner and lunch in Galway and made sure we felt comfortable with the city. He took us to a Galway Gaelic Football game and took us on a trip to Dublin, the Aran Islands, and an overnight trip to Westport. I had the most amazing experience with CEA CAPA in Galway and truly cannot recommend this program enough.

I was originally hesitant to study abroad, I was worried about missing out on a semester at my home university, and missing family and friends. However, I could not be more grateful that I took the leap and studied abroad in Florence, Italy with CEA CAPA. My experience was so beneficial to my growth, my independence, and shaped what I value in life. The CEA CAPA staff was so involved and helpful in my journey. The administrative staff helped so much with logistics- such as obtaining a VISA. The professors cared about the students and made classes immersive and so enjoyable.

I studied abroad in Barcelona during the spring semester of my junior year, and it was by far the best decision of my college career. I decided to go abroad even though I didn’t know anyone else leaving our home campus for four months, stepping into the unfamiliar. That uncertainty became one of the most rewarding parts of the experience, as I quickly made lifelong friends who were in the same situation.

During those four months, we explored the streets of Barcelona, tried new foods, and navigated Spanish while shopping. We would walk to class together, often leaving early to explore the city along the way. Traveling around Europe added another layer of adventure, creating chaotic yet unforgettable memories that I’ll always cherish. Returning to the U.S., I feel so lucky to reconnect with both new friends from home and those I met abroad, reliving those memories while continuing to create new ones.

While the friendships and adventures were the highlight, the academic experience was equally invaluable. The classes connected our curriculum to current events in local areas and across Europe, providing a unique, real-world perspective. The professors were passionate and knowledgeable as they had studied or lived abroad themselves, so they understood our perspective as students navigating a new country. Their expertise, combined with their local insight, made learning engaging and relevant. Field trips throughout the city complemented the lessons perfectly, allowing us to explore Barcelona while seeing our curriculum come to life. Learning in a different country provided an experience that was truly transformative, both personally and academically.