Program Reviews

I had the incredible opportunity to spend two weeks in the vibrant heart of Sydney, immersing myself in the bustling city life, surrounded by iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Every day felt like a new adventure as I explored the city's rich culture, enjoying its cafés, shops, and the lively beach scene. From catching waves at Bondi Beach to strolling through the picturesque parks, I embraced the surf, the sand, and the sunny skies almost daily.

After my time in Sydney, I embarked on a journey to the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. Being at the heart of the sea was a surreal experience—crystal clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and the diverse marine life surrounding me felt like stepping into another world. Snorkeling and exploring the reef was not only awe-inspiring but also a humbling reminder of the beauty and fragility of our planet.

Beyond the sights and adventures, one of the most meaningful parts of this trip was the connections I made. I forged lifelong friendships with people who shared this journey with me. From spontaneous conversations to deep, late-night talks, we created memories that I will treasure forever. These friendships, built on shared experiences and laughter, became the heart of my trip. Looking back, these moments—both big and small—make me hope I never forget a single detail of this incredible adventure.

Budapest is so fun for college kids! The social scene is one of the best I've seen and it is very affordable. The international program sends out a social schedule every week with fun events for every kind of person Monday-Friday. Additionally, they host weekend trips to nearby cities for very little cost. The metro is very easy to use, and the student pass is less than $3 a month. Public transportation overall is very reliable and safe. The university campus of Corvinus is beautiful and classes are fun and collaborative style, but not too rigorous, so there is still time to travel if you want.

I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain through CEA CAPA, taking Spanish courses at the University of Barcelona. Through this program, I not only improved my Spanish skills, but I also had the amazing opportunities to be immersed in the culture and life in Spain. This program helped me reach my goals in becoming more advanced in speaking Spanish, while also supporting me throughout the whole journey. This ranges from the on-site staff to the coordinators leading up to your trip. I highly recommend CEA CAPA and this program to anyone looking to study abroad in Spain!

As someone who had never been to Europe prior to my abroad experience, I had no idea where I wanted to go, if I wanted a big city or a small town. I took a shot in the dark and decided on Florence, Italy with CEA CAPA. I am so beyond grateful that I did. To have this experience of the city, the people, the culture, and of course, the food is truly a privilege. Florence is such an iconic city known around the world, but it didn't have that overwhelming feeling that most big cities have. You can experience some of the best nightlife Europe has to offer, any night of the week or you can spend your Friday evening at some of the most world-renowned museums. Either way, I could also be talked into a Gyro panini afterwards, from numerous street vendors!

The semester I spent in Barcelona was my absolute favorite semester of school. I felt very supported the moment I arrived in Barcelona. CEA arranged airport pickup and an orientation on the first day, so I felt safe right from the start. The classes I took were very interactive and engaging, and provided me with unique experiences. We took field trips in our classes, and I got to explore parts of the city that would have been difficult to see on my own. For example, we went snorkeling as part of my science class, and went to multiple museums as a part of my Spanish Art class. I would highly recommend this program.

I had an amazing time abroad in Rome with CEA CAPA. I loved exploring the surrounding city with amazing friends I made along the way. During my time abroad, I went to cities like Sorrento and Florence, and even places like Nice, France and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Rome is an amazing city, and if you get the chance, definitely try to explore beyond the host city! Italy and the surrounding countries offer an awesome experience to those who are willing to explore :) Also make sure to try the local food!

Studying abroad in Galway was the best decision I ever made. I studied at the University of Galway and was able to take courses related to my major as there was a large range of courses offered. The professors were all very kind and accommodating and were always available if needed. Galway was the perfect place for me, as it was a lively city with a cozy, small-town feel. The city is so fun and there is so much to do and explore there. My favorite thing to do in Galway was listen to all of the traditional music that was played every night. CEA CAPA was so helpful and I always knew I could go to them with any questions or concerns. My favorite part about studying with CEA CAPA was the excursions offered. These excursions allowed me to explore cities in Ireland that I probably would not have made it to. Overall, my time in Galway was amazing, and I cannot wait to get back there and

I had never thought it possible for me to study abroad, especially in London, England. I'm from a rural village in Ohio with multiple marginalized identities that felt like barriers to going abroad. I saw an opportunity through my university though, and took it! The purpose of this specific study abroad was to conduct personal research at various archives in London, England. It was an amazing experience to be able to exist in such a historic city, but to also dig through what has been preserved in their archival records physically and digitally. Now I actually want to get my master's degree in London, and feel that it is possible.

The Czech Republic is beautiful, and I'm glad I decided to visit this summer. The city is decorated with amazing architecture, and walking through Old Town Square felt like a medieval town. Venture outside of the city center and there are a lot of great places to explore and sometimes relax in, including Petrin Hill, Vrtba Gardens, the Grotto, Prague Zoo, Loreta, and more. However it was sometimes difficult for me to sleep at night. This will depend on which district you stay in, but I was in Prague 1, where the apartment was above two bars, and it was often noisy at night with many drunk people. It sometimes left me in a bad mood, but aside from sleeping troubles, my overall experience was very good! There is a lot to do in the city and the country in eight weeks.

When I look back on my experience studying abroad, I like to think of all the life lessons I learned, the friendships I made and the valuable classes I enrolled in. Without a doubt, learning abroad through CEA CAPA has taught me to step outside my comfort zone, to be confident in who I am, and to take advantage of every opportunity. There are countless things that I have taken away from my time abroad that will most certainly be used in my daily life.
As for the friendships I have made, I was pleasantly surprised how well random roommates would work out for me. Committing to study abroad with no one I knew from my hometown nor my university took a big leap of faith, but it’s something I’m so thankful I did. I went into this knowing I would be meeting so many new faces, but did not expect my roommates to become lifelong friends. Messaging each other through the roommate portal was our first interaction. Before we knew it, we made it to Italy and we were planning our future trips together. With that said, meeting unfamiliar faces is something I would highly recommend. After all, you only get so many chances to study abroad. My roommates, who are now my friends, have played a significant role in my experience studying abroad. The friends that you will make while you’re abroad will be the people that you travel to other countries with. They’ll be the people you explore the history of your city with. The ones you try new food with, and influence you to buy all the leather you don’t need with. You will bond over silly things like missing a train or two, creating an oil painting and not being able to tell what it is, and embarrassing yourself while trying to do karaoke at Red Garter. While they’ve only been in my life for a short period of time, they are still part of a chapter in my life and college career.