Program Reviews

I truly enjoyed my experience studying abroad in Costa Rica on CEA CAPA's program to San Jose. I learned medical spanish while also enjoyed my first time out of the country. With CEA CAPA the excursions that come with the program were truly great and a wonderful way to see Costa Rica as the beautiful country it is. The experience was like nothing ever before and I truly cannot wait to go on something like this again. I loved it so much that I am now an ambassador for CEA CAPA and looking into another study abroad experience. It made me see the world as something outside of the everyday life that I live and went to show me that there are so many uniquely different opportunities out there if you go searching for them.

The opportunity to study abroad is one I recommend taking. So many things I experienced were completely novel and unique to Europe and travelling alone. The CEA CAPA staff in Florence was absolutely wonderful, and they were able to get me and a few other musical students a live music gig with a decent turnout. They were sweet and helpful, and so was my internship employer.

However, Florence in the summer is brutal. It was even hotter than I expected (no AC) and the tourists are EVERYWHERE. My overall experience was good, but between the sweltering heat and the constant crowds (almost all Americans by the way) it is genuinely hard to get comfortable in that city.

My time in Aix-en-Provence, France, was so incredible. I loved living in a French apartment in the heart of the city, getting to experience the city like a local, and having a good home base for traveling. CEA CAPA was helpful for me every step of the way. From the application process, to getting adjusted in France, to checking in, they were always there for me. I loved how the CEA CAPA staff in Aix would reach out and plan activities for us. I don't think my adjustment to living in France would have been as easy if they weren't there!

My semester abroad with CEA Capa in Madrid was easily the most impactful of my entire college career. My homestay specifically was a highlight of my time there, I became so close with my family and learned so much Spanish through them as well. Madrid is truly a city unlike any other, rich culture, every type of cuisine, and the most incredible ambiance of pure joy. Retiro Park was my personal favorite, so if you get the chance lay a blanket down and enjoy a salmon bowl from Mercadona! I would go back 100x over, me amo Madrid!

My semester abroad in Sevilla, Spain, with CEA CAPA was amazing! If you are thinking about studying abroad with them, I cannot recommend CEA CAPA enough.

The support from CEA CAPA staff and faculty is incredible; before I even left the U.S., there were multiple faculty and staff members helping me with the onboarding process from my visa to my flight. Once I landed in Sevilla, CEA CAPA staff members were waiting to pick up a large group of us and take us to our respective housing, which helped ease my anxiety on my first day. During orientation, they answered questions and helped with my class schedule. No matter what time of day, the on-site staff was always available to answer questions and offer advice.

They also care about classes; I took a mixture of Spanish language and culture courses, and science courses, and they were all engaging and helpful. The professors were awesome, and the small class sizes meant I got good opportunities for personal attention from each teacher.

Aside from these, CEA CAPA also organizes really cool excursions and activities. We went to Cordoba, Granada, and Lisbon, and I enjoyed each of the excursions thoroughly, in addition to the activity opportunities they had planned for us, such as a cooking class, a flamenco class, and weekly yoga sessions. All of these were great opportunities to see more of Spain and get deeper into its extensive history and culture.

Living in Triana was the best part. Sevilla is gorgeous in general, especially El Centro, where the Cathedral and Giralda are, but Triana has so much room to walk and explore. Sevillians are very friendly, and they are willing to converse with you even if your Spanish is not that great! The best Spanish language opportunities I got outside of class were actually talking to locals!

If you are looking to study abroad with a program that actually offers constant help, support, great classes, and an amazing cultural experience, I recommend studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Sevilla, Spain! I made so many incredible memories, was presented with amazing opportunities, and learned so much! I do not believe anyone would regret studying abroad with this program!

Studying abroad in Florence, Italy was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I knew I wanted to be apart of a program that would let me experience Italian culture beyond just being a tourist, and this program was the perfect fit for me. I lived in an apartment with five other students. We lived by a tram stop which made getting into the city very easy.

One of my favorite parts of the program was volunteering at a local elementary school, where I helped to teach first graders English. At first, I was nervous because many of the kids spoke little to no English, but it allowed me to grow in many ways. I learned how to slow down, use gestures, and communicate with kids of different ages. The kids were so sweet and excited to have me in their classroom. Seeing their excitement when I would present a powerpoint each week was a highlight of my semester.

The program staff were also incredibly supportive and welcoming. They always gave great advice on navigating Florence, helped us to plan where to go on the weekends, and checked in regularly to make sure we were adjusting well. I never felt like I was on my own if something came up.

If I could change one thing, I wish there had been a little more structure for connecting students with locals outside of volunteering. While I made amazing friends within my program, I do wish I was able to build a connection with Italian students my age.

Overall, this experience gave me more independence, confidence, and perspective than I ever expected. I left Florence not only with unforgettable memories, but also skills I will carry into my future career!

I attended the CEA CAPA Medical Spanish course at Universidad de Veritas in San Jose, Costa Rica, and had an amazing experience. Even though it was a 4-week abroad experience, I truly learned so much about academically, culturally, and personally. My growth independently, in my Spanish speaking, and understanding of Costa Rican culture is something I will never forget. From the beginning, I felt very supported by the program; emotionally, physically, and academically. Besides the academics, the country DID NOT disappoint. It had always been a dream of mine to go to Costa Rica, and the school did an amazing job organizing weekend trips to places such as Monteverde and Jaco. As a young woman, I felt fairly safe during my time in San Jose. However, I would recommend always going out in a group and never alone; no matter the time of day. The locals in San Jose are very friendly, and often stare as they typically as confused of why you are there and not in a more touristy area. They love to stop and ask where you are from and why you are there; and it is just because they are curious! I really did not have any issues with safety while I was abroad. The school and program also helps lots of emotional support such as on-site therapists, as well as the staff themselves. I highly recommend this study abroad program, and experience!

I had a great time in Prague through CEA CAPA. I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about studying abroad. From the friends I made to the schoolwork I took abroad, I had a great time. I tried the local cuisine as well as tested my own chef ability, with it working better sometimes than others. I learned how to coexist in a space with people I had never met before and have a cohesive unit and not just argue. I had plenty of time outside of schoolwork to explore and take trips and make memories to last a lifetime.

I studied abroad learning intensive Spanish language and I couldn't be happier with the program. I was able to explore and learn about the culture and my class while feeling supported, safe, and considered. We went on excursions where I was able to experience life in a gaucho town, drawing horses and eating authentic cuisine with the rest of my group. CEA CAPA encouraged us to strengthen our bonds and to always be curious about the world around us. Without CEA CAPA I wouldn't have been able to experience so fully the culture of Buenos Aires.

Studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic was one of the most meaningful experiences of my college journey. I was able to engage with the local community in so many ways, from my Subcultures class where we attended the Witch Festival in April and met local musicians, to my favorite course, Czech Food & Brewing Traditions with CEA CAPA. In that class, we didn’t just try Czech dishes—we actually cooked and baked them ourselves, which gave us a real appreciation for the traditions behind meals like goulash and smažený sýr. We even learned about cultural celebrations, such as decorating eggs for Easter or baking a cake in the shape of a lamb, which made me feel connected to Czech traditions in a hands-on way.

Outside of the classroom, I joined my partner university’s Travel Club, which took us to hidden Czech towns just a short bus ride away. These trips gave me the chance to see everyday life outside of Prague and experience places I never would have found on my own. CEA CAPA also planned fun activities to help us bond, like bowling nights and even a river cruise, and they offered excursions throughout the country that were always worth it. Their support made adjusting to life abroad much easier and encouraged me to make the most of every opportunity.

One of the best parts about being in Prague is its location—it’s so central that in only two hours you could be in Dresden, Germany, or exploring the UNESCO town of Český Krumlov. Traveling within and beyond the Czech Republic helped me see just how connected Europe is, and it pushed me to step outside my comfort zone.

Looking back, my biggest piece of advice for anyone considering studying abroad is this: don’t be afraid to travel, try new things, and immerse yourself in the culture. At first, it can feel intimidating, especially if the local language isn’t English, but those are the experiences that will stick with you the most. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and taking every chance to explore and connect will make it unforgettable.