CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France

Study abroad is intimidating. Settling into a new and foreign country by yourself seems scary. However, I my experience in Aix-en-Provence was unforgettably amazing. My program I went with, CEA CAPA, also paved a smooth way for my transition into Aix-en-Provence, organized my housing and classes which worked out great, and offered a volunteer opportunity to teach english that also had a great influence during my time abroad. I absolutely loved the city I lived in, the walks to and from my apartment that brightened by day, the bakeries and boutiques all within the city, the greenery and fresh produce and flowers in the markets, and the performers that would fill the streets with music. It left me with such a beautiful impression that I would never get tired of. Everyone I met was kind and helpful and complimented my french. I always felt safe, even walking alone at night. Transportation was also very easy, accessible and affordable which was helpful when I needed to go to the train station or airport or just a bus ride from the store to my apartment. Leaving at the end of the semester was harder than I thought it was going to be, but I am thankful that it was because it showed how meaningful and life changing that experience was and continues to be in my life.

I am very satisfied with this program. As a Language Major, I felt as though I got adequate practice in throughout my semester abroad. I was able to speak with many French speakers while living in Aix-en-Provence. Something I really loved about the location is that it is not a huge city, so you get to see familiar faces day to day. This made it easier to make new local friends. Something else I really liked about the location was that it was only a 25-minute bus ride away from the Marseille International Airport. This made it very easy and convenient to travel around France and other countries.
I studied abroad with a program called CEA CAPA, which was very helpful. The people who were stationed in Aix with us were very accessible and helpful at all times. One of them, Aisling, was very easy to reach and even answered some questions I had after I had left France. The other, Isabel, showed me where there was an affordable grocery store near me. Both of them made my experience easier and more welcoming.
Something else that CEA provided for us students was excursions. These were very educational and fun. One thing we did that I liked was visiting a perfume factory in Grasse, France. We learned how to make perfume, and what it means to be a nose, and at the end, we even got to create our own scents. This was a very cool experience and not something I would have thought to do on my own.

I loved travelling to Aix, especially with CEA CAPA. I was excited to stay in a homestay and that experience could not have been any more perfect for me. Beside that, the classes were entertaining and helped me to explore the area and surrounding cities. The CEA CAPA team on-site was so helpful each step of the way with any homesickness, questions about currency exchange, and getting a phone plan. They took us to other cities and provided tours and amazing food along the way. I would definitely recommend this location and team to anyone asking

I loved my time in Aix-en-Provence studying with CEA CAPA staff and other students from around North America. I had so much support from CEA CAPA staff and got to make so many memories. CEA CAPA provided so many opportunities for excursions and local events such as cooking classes, comedy shows, etc. I am passionate about studying abroad now because of my time with CEA CAPA. I connected so much with the culture around me. I hope that I get a chance to go back to Aix-en-Provence in the future.

I honestly loved studying abroad and recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it. Aix is a beautiful small french town that is a completely different scene that Paris. It gives that European town movie scene feeling. There were so many places to meet people and the people in Aix are very friendly - there are people from all over the Mediterranean. Academics wise, I enjoyed it, the teaching is more lecture based and you really get to know who is in your class and your teacher because you are conversing, rather than focusing on heavy exams. I had the opportunities to travel to other countries on the weekends as well as attend events that CEA hosted such as pottery class, cooking class, and a weekend in the French Rivieria. It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again.

CEA CAPA worked with my college to curate an experience that was unique to us and our semester schedule. I was in Aix for about a month, and each day was full of surprises, fun, adventure, and educational opportunities. The staff at CEA CAPA was especially helpful when our flights were canceled due to a nationwide strike, and they did everything in their power to make sure we were taken care of during our extra days in France. I am really grateful to them for the experience they gave me and the rest of my classmates.

This program was absolutely amazing. I had the opportunity to travel almost every weekend, but I also loved the town enough that the affordability element was a plus! Easy access to regional and national transportation, a good mix of French and English (though many of the locals choose to speak English with students for their own ease), and a fantastic city! I always felt safe and supported, had an amazing team that allowed me to feel like I could do anything, and had step-by-step guidance to rock that paperwork. The school was amazing too. So many diverse class offerings (though light on the STEM, though when I was volunteering with the school, they said their STEM programs were growing!) in both French and English! The professors were brilliant, I was never bored, and the staff is so kind! I loved my roommates, the program was more affordable than my tuition, and Aix will always have a place in my heart.

Studying abroad with CEA this past summer in Southern France was by far the best experience of my life! I was able to experience a new culture, find new interests, make new connections and friends who can become lifelong friends. When deciding to study abroad, CEA was with me every step of the way. In fact, through the whole process the CEA teams (enrollment advisors and site specialists) were helpful, efficient and there to talk and answer any questions that I had. When I arrived in France, I was met at the airport by the on-site specialists and welcomed with open arms. Through their on site orientations, CEA did a great job of making me feel at home and helped me to get accustomed to the new country. This was truly a unique experience and I would recommend this program with anyone!