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

I loved studying abroad with CEA CAPA. Our program went on many trips with all CEA students in my host city and the staff in Aix are all amazing. They work very hard to provide amazing events, activities, and trips I was able to participate in for free. They also were helpful with learning transportation in Aix, any housing questions we had or just good recommendations for what to see and do in the area! I was able to take free cooking and baking classes, learned about the local traditions, and learned ways to get involved in the community.

I absolutely loved my time in Aix-en-Provence with CEA Capa. Their staff were super helpful in teaching me about the local culture and all the best places in the city. The excursions were incredible and highlights of my trip! The standard housing was also really nice, with a lofted bedroom, single bathroom, and kitchen. The only thing I didn't love about the housing was the lack of oven, but we made it work. Lastly, learning mostly in French was such a rewarding experience for me. It was difficult for sure, but it was super rewarding. Overall, I felt my skills in French got so much better due to my experience here.

I had an amazing experience studying abroad with CEA CAPA. I was very happy with how immersive that program was able to be. I was worried before about actually learning the language and meeting locals, but CEA CAPA hosted many events and excursions that allowed me to learn so much about my host country and meet so many people. Whenever I had any kind of issue like signing up for the right classes or problems with my apartment, the CEA CAPA staff were always there to help in a timely and effective manner.

I had the most amazing time in Aix-en-Provence. The city was the perfect size, not too large and not too small. There were so many amazing restaurants and shops that I frequented. I made tons of friends with fellow Cea Capa students, many of which I still talk with! I did a studio arts program through the IAU school. We had an amazing art studio where our classes were a 30 minute walk from my housing. We would often take a van that we crammed full of all 20 of the art students and all our supplies out to the landscape. We were free to paint wherever in the vast area, there was nothing more peaceful than mixing oil paints and painting the beautiful trees and mountains for hours.

I did the French language program at Aix Marseille University and loved it. I got to meet so many people from around the world and practice my French every day to be able to converse with them. Doing it through CEA CAPA made the experience so much better and easier. They really helped us learn to navigate the city and the culture and taught us so much that we wouldn’t have known without them. Also going through CEA CAPA gave me a group of students from the get go who I could talk to (in English) when I got stressed or just needed to give my brain a break.

Aix-en-Provence was a great city to study abroad in. While it was 30 minutes away from Marseille, a major city in the south of France, Aix still felt quaint and personal. I always ran into people that I knew from my classes in the town or on the way to the airport. I had my own little restaurants/cafes that I liked to frequent for lunch or coffee. It was also a great home base as I travelled to other cities in France, with the Marseille Airport being close by and having lots of access to different cities.

I loved my time abroad in Aix-en-Provence with CEA CAPA. The staff were incredibly welcoming and supportive, guiding us through every step of settling into a new country and making sure we had an enjoyable experience. They organized trips, cultural excursions, and fun events that helped us engage deeply with French culture and connect with other students. My professors were knowledgeable, approachable, and encouraging, making classes challenging yet engaging, and fostering creativity through projects like podcasts, street interviews, and newspaper design. Living in Aix, a vibrant city full of history and culture, allowed me to practice my language skills daily and fully immerse myself in local life. Throughout the semester, I gained valuable language skills, cultural understanding, professional growth, and lifelong friendships and memories that I will always treasure. This was a truly transformative program.

I arrived in Aix knowing almost nothing. No familiarity with the city, no grasp of the language, and no idea what to expect. Even so, it didn’t take long for Aix to make an impression. It’s a place where the past is present in everyday life, from the architecture to the food to the quiet details you notice just walking through the streets.

What stood out most was how much there is to learn simply by being there. For five weeks, I explored the city daily, and every day brought something new. Aix has a way of steadily revealing itself without trying too hard. The people were a big part of what made the experience meaningful. Locals were friendly and often happy to share recommendations or small things to try from around the region. The farmers’ markets were always lively, full of fresh produce, handmade goods and eager vendors that would encourage us to taste different items. I still remember trying what felt like ten varieties of olives in one afternoon. The markets became a regular stop, not just for food, but because they gave such a clear feel for the rhythm of daily life in the city.

Even simple routines felt enjoyable. Most of my evenings ended with walks through the center of town. The atmosphere was relaxed but full enough that you always felt like something was happening, even if it was just people enjoying the night.

When it came to food, my class had a clear favorite, IT Italian. It happened to be the first restaurant we tried when we arrived and the last place we went before leaving. There’s a lot to do if you want to stay busy, but there’s also plenty to enjoy even if you’re just wandering without a plan. I can’t cover everything the city offers in one review, but the city has a lot to offer, and much of what makes it special is discovered simply by being there.