CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Granada, Spain

CEA CAPA hosted a UCSD Global Seminar in Granada, Spain as a shortened 5-week program. This incredible city in the heart of Spain became my home away from home in just over a month. The sites and history of Granada was unbeatable, and one of my favorite memories was eating ice cream with my friends at one of the viewpoints in the old part of the city - the Albaicin - overlooking the Alhambra. This tourist-attracting part of the city is just one of the countless incredible places to visit, including my favorite which was the Cathedral. The night life in Granada was incredible, and I had the opportunity to go out and explore the city in the cooler evenings, and even have fun at the local bars and clubs. I always felt safe, even on the nights I returned home later, however I do suggest sticking with your group! Granada is honestly perfect for any demographic; the only thing I would say is that large groups probably wouldn't fit into a lot of the quaint little restaurants that line the streets of this adorable city. The connection of my studies to the history of this city could not have tied in together better - Granada is filled with so much history and I will always cherish the time I spent walking around reading signs in front of the old buildings, churches, monuments, and other historically connected sites. If you are considering this trip to Granada, you must go for it. It is the most perfect study abroad city because of its walkability, history, and even its shopping scene (I bought WAY more than I could ever needed).

I went to Granada in the spring of 2026 with only knowing 2 other people from my home university. I also went as part of the early start program (about 1 month before everyone else) and could not recommend it more! There was a small group of us at first, and we became super close with each other and the super amazing CEA staff! We would go on day trips and get to really know our city before anyone else arrived! It was also nice because we got to start classes early and get a feel for the semester. Once school started, we were able to travel and meet new people with the comfort of being familiar with our city, which I think really helped ease the stress of going abroad! My host mom was also the greatest person I could have imagined living with. It was just one woman, but she was so kind, caring, and really wanted to help me in any way she could. She cooked my meals, and we would watch game shows and talk at every mealtime. She helped improve my Spanish so much and made Granada feel like home. The staff in Granada is so great, and they put so much care and effort into what they do, if you are considering Granada, all I can tell you is to GO GO GO! You will not regret it!

My experience in Granada was overwhelmingly positive. The CEA staff were so kind and helpful. I met a lot of great people through this program. I learned about literature and history in an immersive way. My favorite parts of this program were walking tours of the city, where we would visit historical sites with a guide. In addition to this, the city had so much to offer. There was never a dull moment. I remember walking to brunch after class and walking to tapas in the evening. In five weeks, my Spanish improved a lot. Overall, Granada was a great experience.

I went to Granada, Spain with CEA CAPA during the summer of 2026. On top of hosting two of my university classes, their team took us on exciting tours throughout the city, like the historical palace and other cultural sites. We also took weekend excursions to multiple cities in Morocco and Madrid, where they connected class material to tangible real-world sites. All of the staff were amazing people and I genuinely enjoyed talking with them. Overall, I've come out of this trip a more knowledgeable person about the world and I'm so happy I went!

Looking at my Google Maps, Granada now has my densest collection of favorited places. There is so much to see and experience there! CEA CAPA struck an excellent balance between structuring our time in Granada and letting us experience independence abroad. One of my favorite memories is from an activity organized by CEA CAPA where we went to a local middle school to chat with some eighth graders so they could practice their English. They were happy to tell us where to buy the cheapest souvenirs, what to look out for at the Alhambra, and how the Granada accent involves "eating vowels." I made so many unforgettable memories in Granada, and I would love to visit it again someday!

I chose to study abroad because I had transferred into the University of Dayton the semester before, during the winter so not many people were out and about. I had made a few friends, but I wanted to meet people in the communication program, so I chose to do a communication focused study abroad. Through this I made so many new friends. When I got back to campus I was able to know more people in my classes and talk to them in between classes. It really helped me get out of my comfort zone and build strong relationships with my peers and professors.

I was the only black girl in my cohort, which was challenging at times because no one could fully relate to that aspect of my identity. Making friends was difficult at first, as I was the only one in a homestay alone. Despite this, I was able to get out of my comfort zone and make a group of amazing friends with whom I am still in contact today. On the weekends, we traveled to other cities, which helped me learn how to travel independently. I lived in a homestay, which I liked a lot. This experience helped me immerse myself in the culture. While adjusting was not always easy, I learned how to advocate for myself regarding my nut allergy. There were times when I accidentally ate nuts. However, my CEA Capa program helped me with note cards listing my allergy in many languages, so I was able to advocate for myself.

Studying abroad in Granada, Spain was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. I spent the spring semester there through the CEA CAPA program, earning credits toward my Spanish minor at the University of Utah, and the experience exceeded my expectations in nearly every way.

Before arriving, I was most nervous about making friends and keeping up with the language. Both of those concerns disappeared quickly. The social environment of the program, combined with daily life in a Spanish-speaking city, made it easy to connect with others and grow comfortable using Spanish in real situations. By the end of the semester, my confidence in the language had grown immensely, and I feel very close to fluent.

My daily routine helped me feel grounded and truly immersed. On a typical weekday, I would wake up early for classes, spend time studying or grabbing breakfast between sessions, and return for afternoon courses. After classes, afternoons were usually spent relaxing or working, followed by meeting up with friends for tapas, dinner, or exploring Granada’s nightlife. This balance of structure and freedom made the semester feel sustainable and enjoyable.
Living in a hostel with one roommate and shared meals was a huge part of what made my experience special. Eating meals together gave me a built-in sense of community and made it easy to meet others in the program. It also removed a lot of daily stress, allowing me to focus on academics, exploring the city, and enjoying my time abroad.

Granada itself was the perfect place to study. It is a small-to-medium-sized college town, set against stunning mountains, with a historic Arabic castle overlooking the city. With a large student population, Granada offers an ideal mix of affordability, nightlife, rich history, and welcoming people. It truly felt like a place designed for students and travelers alike.

One of my favorite daily routines was visiting a breakfast spot near Calle Las Flores between my morning classes. For just four euros, I could get a coffee, orange juice, and two toasts de jamón. On other days, I would grab churros and sit in a nearby park. These quiet moments became some of the most meaningful parts of my experience and helped me realize the value of spending time alone and being present.

Academically, the program was seamless. I completed a full semester of necessary college credits that transferred easily toward my degree, which made studying abroad feel both enriching and practical.

Overall, I had an incredible experience in Granada and would strongly recommend doing it exactly the way I did. From the housing setup to the city choice and program structure, everything worked together to create a truly unforgettable semester abroad.