CEA CAPA study abroad in Madrid was a program that made this one of a kind experience even more remarkable! Through creative, immersive coursework including museum visits, palace field trips, cooking classes, food and wine tastings, and tapas cook-offs, I gained a deep appreciation for Spanish culture and came home with lifelong connections both with locals and fellow students from my home university. The CEA CAPA staff and faculty were supportive, responsive, and genuinely welcoming every step of the way.

Studying abroad in Madrid with CEA CAPA was one of the best decisions I've made in college. The program did an excellent job integrating finance coursework with real-world exposure to one of Europe's most dynamic financial hubs, giving me perspective I couldn't have gotten in a classroom back home. CEA CAPA's staff was incredibly supportive throughout the entire experience, making the transition to life in Spain seamless and stress-free. Madrid itself is an incredible city the culture, food, and energy made every day outside the classroom just as enriching as the ones inside it. I'd recommend CEA CAPA's Madrid program to any finance student looking to broaden their perspective and grow both personally and professionally.

The best part about going abroad was the people I met. The first day of school was intimidating, as one would expect knowing nobody in a new country would be. Yet, I immediately made friends as I introduced myself to classmates. Within my first week, I felt that I had a strong group of friends.

Outside of the university, I made some of my best friends on the street. I approached them between takes of a music video they were filming. Before long, they invited me to a concert. Over the following months, I joined an intercultural community of musicians and music producers. Not only did I create songs with them, blending our backgrounds to produce unique sounds, but I also found an avenue to explore Madrid.

So, going abroad is an incredible way to make friends from all over the world. In doing so, my perspective broadened, and I gained confidence in my abilities to create a network anywhere!

I loved my experience it was amazing. Everyone was so supportive and I got the chance to really engage and be a part of living in Spain. My Spanish got so much better because people are so nice and will speak Spanish to you even if they know you aren’t great at it. Madrid also has amazing parks that are so fun to go to and some of the best museums with spectacular art that you can see for free as a student in Madrid! The teachers and university I attended through CEA was so fun and I got to grow closer with Spanish professors.

I loved my time in Madrid with CEA CAPA. The part that stood out the most to me was how helpful and kind the staff were. From helping me with my classes, organizing trips, and even receiving my mail for me, they were to great! I also think Madrid as a whole is the perfect study abroad location. It feels very homey but there is also so much to explore. I was able to connect with a lot of locals through salsa and bachata classes, becoming regulars at small bars, and chatting it up with owners of coffee shops. There is so much kindness in the air in Madrid. I cannot recommend this program and location enough

I had such an amazing time in Madrid and the staff there were so helpful making the transition smooth! I had the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals in real clinical settings, which gave me valuable insight into medicine from a global perspective and helped confirm my interest in a future healthcare career. Outside of the shadowing and schooling, I had such an amazing time with going to other cities with other people in CEA CAPA in Madrid when I got to meet many people outside of my specific class and take guided tours!

I had the best time ever living abroad in Madrid! I lived in an apartment close to the heart of the city with 10 other girls. There was always something to do in the city, and CEA CAPA made it to where if I hadn't become friends with my roommates, there were ways for me to reach out and become friends with other people.

Academics wise, UC3M can be a difficult school depending on which classes you take. However, if you approach academics with the right mindset and reach out for help when needed (support is plentiful), you will be able to succeed.

Madrid is also a great travel hub for planning trips! It is relatively in the middle, and is connected to a great airport. The metro system is one of the best I've experienced so far, and transportation in general is easy to figure out.

I went abroad to Madrid in the Spring of 2025 through the CEA CAPA program. It was genuinely the best experience of my life, and I met people that I will be lifelong friends with, whom I have continued to hang out with even after the program concluded. The cea program offers so many opportunities to get to know others abroad, both inside and outside the program. They had day/weekend trips, cooking classes, museum tours, etc. I really feel they helped me to make the most out of my experience while also feeling safe the whole time. The team abroad was extremely responsive and available to offer their help anytime we needed. 10/10 recommend!