CEA CAPA Education Abroad Reviews

Studying abroad in Seville through CEA CAPA was hands down an experience of a lifetime. CEA CAPA itself is very supportive and welcoming to all its students, and the professors I had were local to Seville, who provided the best recommendations.

Seville was the most fantastic city. It is smaller, but it has so much to see and do. It was easy to navigate and felt very safe. The social scene and nightlife were very enjoyable, but if that's not your thing, getting tapas and visiting Setas was another highlight.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was one of the most transformative experiences of my life, and it’s something I believe every student should consider. Living in another country pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible. It wasn’t just about traveling or taking classes in a new place it was about learning to see the world from a different perspective, meeting people from all kinds of backgrounds, and immersing myself in a culture that was both new and welcoming.

One of the most rewarding parts of studying abroad was the friendships I built. I met students from all over the globe, each bringing their own stories, traditions, and outlooks. Sharing meals, exploring the city together, and even navigating challenges made me realize how much we can learn from one another when we open ourselves up to new cultures. These connections gave me a sense of community even though I was far from home, and many of them turned into friendships I know will last long beyond the program.

The experiences themselves made it unforgettable. From exploring Gaudí’s art and architecture to tasting authentic Spanish cuisine, every day felt like an opportunity to discover something new. One highlight was attending the Primavera Sound Festival, which perfectly captured the cultural mix of Barcelona. Surrounded by people from all over the world, I saw how music and art can unite people across languages and borders. Little moments, like walking through the Gothic Quarter, enjoying tapas with new friends, or sitting by the beach after a long night, all became part of a larger story about growth, independence, and connection.

Studying abroad taught me how to be adaptable, independent, and curious. More than anything, it showed me the value of embracing new perspectives and experiences. For anyone considering it, I would say go because it’s not just about the places you’ll see, but about the person you’ll become along the way.

Over my time in Prague, Czech Republic I got to meet, see, and experience new people and places that I never thought I would be able to. This program gave me many opportunities to meet other students from different colleges and parts of life through many activities and outings. Having Prague as my home base was not my first option but was the biggest blessing that came from my abroad experience. The city is lively and has so much to offer and became home within the first few days of living there. This was the safest city I traveled to along with having the easiest communication between Americans and Europeans.

Throughout my time in Prague the CEA CAPA staff provided us students with so much support. They organized activities and excursions to help us make friends and see new parts of the city. They also made sure we had plenty of opportunities to explore the city and travel on our own. Every morning we were always met with smiling faces and enthusiasm. The professors were all friendly and made the classes interesting by relating what we were learning to the real world. CEA CAPA made my study abroad experience amazing.

Before arriving in Spain, I knew the official language was Spanish. I just didn’t realize how different it would feel actually speaking it in a native country instead of learning it in a classroom. On the day of my arrival, I was immediately immersed in Spanish. I stayed in a homestay for the duration of my trip, living with my host mom, Susana, and my roommate. My host mom only spoke Spanish, and my roommate spoke Spanish very well. I felt like the odd one out and really struggled the first few days.

I had taken Spanish classes for six years, from middle school through high school. But it had been over two years since my last class, so I quickly realized that remembering all the grammar rules and vocabulary was going to be challenging. Those first few days, I realized I would have to become comfortable with stepping out of my shell.

Simple things like understanding conversations at dinner, talking with my uber driver, or shopping at the local market felt overwhelming at first. I often caught only bits and pieces of what was said and had to rely on context or body language. But gradually, with a lot of practice and patience from others, I started to feel more confident. I used tools like Google Translate and Duolingo and tried to speak Spanish every day, even when I knew I might make mistakes. My host mom was very kind and would repeat phrases slowly or use hand gestures to help me understand.

Living in the Los Remedios neighborhood helped me become more immersed in the language and culture. Hearing Spanish all around me—on the streets, in cafes, and at home—has helped me grow more comfortable with the language.

Navigating life in a non-English-speaking country has taught me not only about Spanish, but about resilience and the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my experience abroad so far. My biggest advice is to not let being unfamiliar with a language stop you from getting your full experience while studying abroad. You will get better at a foreign language by continuous practice, not by giving up.

I could not recommend the CEA CAPA Barcelona center more. The school is literally in the city center of Barcelona with metro stops all around it for easy access. The facilities were amazing, the building was always clean and the classrooms were in amazing condition. The staff at this location were some of the best people I've ever met. They are all around out age and are willing to do anything to help you. There are free events and weekend trips that CEA plans which is something that I think everyone doing this program should take advantage of. The professors are mostly all local and are more than willing to give you recommendations for food and activities. They are also amazing support and amazing teachers.

Obviously not everything can go right when studying abroad. Apartments are different, roommates are different and of course you are in a whole different country. This can be very stressful but its something that happens to everyone while studying abroad. Maybe you don't get along with your roommate or something is wrong with the apartment, or you just really aren't adjusting well. Well, I experienced those things, but CEA CAPA employees were so helpful and really impacted my time in Florence. They were also so friendly and caring and noticed when things needed fixing. Highly Recommend!

I had an amazing time during my time in Argentina. My classes were very valuable and interesting as well as added in an aspect of city exploration that I loved. My host family was amazing living with a amazing women and 3 other study abroad students that helped me to improve my spanish and also create a very comfortable living atmosphere. The city has a very modern and almost European feel making it extremely safe while also still having great activities and areas to explore. Overall, I would absolutely suggest this program to anyone looking to study spanish and travel to a beautiful city.

Upon arriving in Florence, I was both nervous and excited for the journey ahead. Studying abroad had always been a dream of mine, and while Florence wasn’t my first choice, I couldn’t be more grateful that it became my home for the semester. I quickly fell in love with walking everywhere whether to class, a restaurant, or simply to clear my head and take in the sights. I was fortunate that my apartment was right next to Santa Croce and only a five-minute walk from my classes, which made the city feel both welcoming and accessible.

What surprised me most was how much my classes shaped my experience, particularly one of my communications courses. One day, my professor shared a quote by Albert Camus: “There is no pleasure in traveling, and I look upon it as an occasion for spiritual testing.” At first, I didn’t understand what it meant. But as the semester unfolded, I realized that to truly understand travel, you have to embrace discomfort and unfamiliar situations. It’s in those moments of uncertainty that you grow the most. I initially thought studying abroad would be perfect, that every moment would feel magical simply because I was in Italy. But the truth is, not everything went as I expected. There were times when I felt homesick, scared, or out of place. Yet those moments challenged me to face my fears, step outside my comfort zone, and discover strengths I didn’t know I had. Florence taught me resilience, independence, and the importance of saying yes to new experiences, even when they feel daunting.

In the end, my time abroad was not just about seeing beautiful art, history, and culture; it was about becoming a stronger version of myself. Traveling isn’t always easy, but it shapes you in ways that last a lifetime. For that, I am incredibly grateful. Thank you, CEA CAPA, for giving me a life-changing experience that I will carry with me forever.

Spring 2025 I had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France through CEA CAPA. This experience was nothing short of incredible and not only did I return home with material souvenirs, but also a new global perspective and life-long friends!

Studying abroad may can of course seem a bit daunting, but CEA CAPA helped me seamlessly become acquainted with this new experience. I found the CEA orientations to be extremely helpful, and the staff was also more than willing to answer any questions!