CEA CAPA Education Abroad

CEA CAPA Education Abroad Reviews

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
What other participants should know
  • 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.
What other participants should know
  • 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
What other participants should know
  • 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
What other participants should know
  • 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
What other participants should know
  • None
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time in Dublin

I really enjoyed my program. The staff were so friendly and helpful. I enjoyed all of our excursions around Ireland. The city was very walkable, and there was so much to do. The environment was laid-back, and there wasn't a lot of judgment or standards from the locals. The excursions around Ireland were amazing. I wish I could see more. My internship there was the best. My supervisor remains in contact with me and serves as my primary point of reference for future job applications. I wish my time there were longer than it was.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Travel around Ireland as much as you can. There is so much to see, and every place is unique.
Pros
  • friendly staff
  • walkable
  • always learning opportunities with culture
What other participants should know
  • a little rainy
  • not long enough
Jayden
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Living and Learning in Madrid

I recently completed a study abroad program in Madrid, Spain, focusing on International Management and Art, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the vibrant culture, lively streets, and the incredible food. It truly feels like the city comes alive at every corner.

The courses were engaging and challenging, and I especially loved the art classes, which gave me a new perspective on Spanish history and creativity. International Management classes provided practical insights, and the professors were knowledgeable and approachable. There were moments when navigating the academic and cultural differences felt a bit challenging, but I quickly adapted and even found these challenges rewarding; they pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow.

While there were a few minor inconveniences with staff communication, they were always willing to help when approached, and overall, the support was excellent. Weekend trips with fellow students were definitely a highlight. I’ll never forget exploring hidden neighborhoods, local markets, and historic sites that made Madrid feel both grand and intimate at the same time.

For anyone considering studying abroad in Spain, this program offers a great balance of academics, culture, and personal growth. My advice: embrace the differences, try everything, even if it feels unfamiliar, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The city, the classes, and the people made this an experience I’ll always treasure.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I did was spend over 5 hours in the Barcelona Art Museum. I took a train to Barcelona the day before and was recommended to go to the museum by another traveler. The man was Polish and seemed very passionate about traveling himself. Going to the museum the next day, I wasn't aware of the full experience I was going to have. I was fully immersed in the environment and all the beauty that was within. If I could travel back again, I wouldn't be surprised if I spent the entire day there, truly an unforgettable experience.
Pros
  • Met many friendly people
  • Saw amazing Art
  • Felt safe during my stay and while traveling
What other participants should know
  • Inconvience with staff once