CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Madrid, Spain

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Madrid, Spain

Location
  • Spain
    • Madrid
Term
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Art History Biology Business Communications Computer Science Cultural Studies Design Digital Media Economics Engineering European Studies Film Finance Global Studies Health Sciences History Humanities Information Technology International Business International Relations Journalism Language Studies Law Linguistics Literature Marketing Mathematics Media Relations Philosophy Physics Political Science Pre-Med Social Sciences Sociology Statistics +25
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, Work study, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma Associates Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
Included: Personalized Pre-departure Advising; Tuition & Registration; Travel Medical Insurance; On-site Orientation; Housing; Volunteer Opportunities; On-site Staff Support; Excursions and Cultural Engagement; Host Institution Services & Amenities and more. Scholarships available.
What's Included
Some Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes
Sep 29, 2025
May 11, 2026
25 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Home to roughly 3.5 million inhabitants, Madrid is Spain’s primary political, financial, art and cultural center. Madrid boasts many historical and cultural landmarks, such as the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace, as well as world-class cuisine and a lively nightlife.

Study liberal arts, business, or engineering at CEA CAPA’s centrally-located Study Center or take courses with locals at one of our partners, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Antonio de Nebrija University. Both universities offer small class sizes, courses taught in English, and an immersive experience.

Interested? Click the “Visit Site” button to learn what’s waiting for you!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Students praise the program’s supportive staff, well-organized excursions, and safe, central housing in Madrid. Academics are engaging, with opportunities to immerse in local culture and build lasting friendships.

Program Highlights

  • Hands-on learning experiences that transform the world abroad into a classroom
  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising, including visa and immigration support
  • Courses offered in English that fulfill major and general graduation requirements
  • Comprehensive on-site support, including 24/7 emergency phone
  • Career workshops, Internships Abroad, and Alumni Ambassador positions

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

CEA CAPA provides, in conjunction with Diversity Abroad, Destination Guides which provide resources and tips for Black/African-American students, Latinx students, Asian American students, and all other students of color.
Through our personalized advising, CEA CAPA takes steps to understand the needs of a diversity of student identities like the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to diversity and identity training, CEA CAPA leadership engage in continuous department level project work to identify and revise policies and practices using the appropriate Justice, Equity, Diversity or Inclusion lens as a frame to reduce bias and barriers that impact students, faculty, and staff. CEA CAPA is intentional in elevating diverse student voices and providing a platform for a broad array of identities to share their experiences abroad. The CEA CAPA World Blog promotes stories and personal experiences from the perspectives of diverse student bloggers and vloggers.
CEA CAPA is willing and able to assist students with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Students are requested to disclose disabilities through the application health forms as part of their application and in discussion with their application advisor or program manager. The earlier CEA CAPA is made aware of learning or physical disabilities the better we can work with the student, institution, and overseas team to tailor an Individualized Education Program if necessary to support the student.

Impact 🌎

CEA CAPA makes a conscious effort to create study abroad experiences that leave a positive impact on host communities. Each location implements a variety of strategies to support the local community and promote sustainability. Examples include:

Use of recycling bins in Study Center locations and in CEA CAPA housing

Signage in CEA CAPA housing urging students to limit water and electricity usage

Students are often given reusable bags and water bottles upon arrival to limit single plastic use

Students are provided with instructions for acquiring transportation passes to promote use of public transportation rather than taxis

Program Reviews

4.95 Rating
based on 76 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.74%
  • 4 rating 5.26%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.3
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.6
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 9 - 16 of 76 reviews
Matthew
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Experience for a First Time Traveler

Coming from a large family, I never had the opportunity to see much of the world growing up. Naturally, I was drawn to the idea of studying abroad, but was worried that my lack of experience with travel would make it dangerous to take such I leap outside of my comfort zone, but I have to credit CEA CAPA for being so supportive in helping me through every step of the process. No matter whether I had questions on housing, navigating to class, or simply how to get involved with the community of Madrid, CEA CAPA was always incredibly responsive and a great source of assistance throughout my experience.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried snail and rabbit when I ordered the Paella Valenciana. I thought the rabbit was great, but wouldn't say the same about the snail.
Pros
  • Transport within the city is fantastic
  • Class sites were located in the heart of the city
  • The program pushed me to do as much with my time as possible, providing a variety of recommended events
Cons
  • Class sizes were not incredibly large, making it harder to select all of my desired courses
  • Due to the class proximity to large tourist hotspots, it was often noisy during class time
68 people found this review helpful.
Aylin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So much fun!

Studying abroad in college was something I've wanted to do for a very, very long time and this was such a great program to have that experience with. Personally, I got super into museums this summer - the art and history in Madrid (and the rest of Spain!) is wonderful. Madrid is a beautiful city to explore, and the program staff give you so much support in housing, academics, and social events. There was so much included in the program and I really felt like CEA CAPA wanted me to have the best experience possible.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I was really nervous right before my travel. Honestly, if someone had told me that the whole thing was canceled I wouldn't have been mad about it. I was so scared that I wouldn't make friends, or that I wouldn't click with the city, or that I'd be really homesick. And while it was scary and not always perfect, I learned how to push myself out of my comfort zone and ended up making some amazing friends and memories I will never forget.
Pros
  • I always felt safe in Madrid, even at night and on public transportation.
  • The food is amazing!! There is so much variety and excellent local restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.
  • Spain's art culture is super accessible - there are free concerts in the park, the museums are free for students, and art and music can be found everywhere in the city.
Cons
  • Madrid is pricey, so it's important to be aware of how much you're spending and budget accordingly.
69 people found this review helpful.
Armita
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greatest study abroad experience ever!!!!

This was a great study abroad experience! I was really worried, going in, about being thousands of miles from home, but the CEA CAPA staff and fellow students made my experience feel like home. We had no classes on Fridays, so we got to travel on the weekend, which is pretty fun! I got to visit different cities around Spain, like Seville and Cordoba, but also Lisbon, Portugal, and Milan, Italy. The public transport was very easy to use from the buses to the metro. There is also El Rastro, which is the flea market on Sundays, where you find small businesses selling their goods. (Remember to bring cash!)

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The CEA CAPA staff organized a Flamenco show for us and a dinner, which was really cool to see. A flamenco show is a passionate, improvised performance where dancers dance expressively, sing, and play the guitar. It was fun to see a different aspect to Spanish culture!
Pros
  • Amazing Staff
  • Fun weekend trips
  • Easy to use Metro
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Independent
  • Homesick
61 people found this review helpful.
Camila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying abroad in Madrid is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Studying abroad in Madrid was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Every day felt like a new adventure, from grabbing churros con chocolate with friends after class to wandering through El Retiro Park on sunny days. One of my favorite memories was going to local food markets and trying things I’d never had before, like freshly sliced jamón and homemade tortilla española. I also loved how easy it was to travel on weekends. I took day trips to nearby towns and got to see so many different sides of Spanish culture. Most importantly, living in Madrid helped me grow so much as a person. I became more confident, independent, and open-minded, and I built friendships with people that I know will last a lifetime!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Cochinillo, which is the most popular baby pig dish in Spain! So delicious!!!!
Pros
  • You’re surrounded by incredible art, architecture, museums, and traditions. There’s always something new to learn and explore!
  • From tapas nights to long weekend, the food culture and relaxed pace of life make every day enjoyable.
  • It's super easy (and affordable) to travel around Spain and the rest of Europe.
Cons
  • If you don’t speak Spanish, it can feel challenging at first but it’s also a great way to improve your language skills!
  • Things like daily schedules, meal times, and store hours can be very different from what you’re used to.
  • Being far from home can be tough sometimes, especially during holidays or big family events.
57 people found this review helpful.
Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Living in Madrid

Studying abroad in Madrid was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. The program offered the perfect mix of academic challenge, cultural immersion, and personal growth.

The classes at Nebrija were engaging and relevant, and I loved that professors encouraged real discussion. It was unlike any classes that I have taken in the US. The CEA CAPA staff were also amazing. They were always supportive, organized, and ready to help with everything from housing questions to local recommendations.

Living in Madrid itself was incredible. The city has so much energy, and I truly will never get to experience anything like it again. The program’s excursions and cultural activities helped me experience Spain beyond the classroom.

34 people found this review helpful.
Kennedy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Madrid Spring 2025

I loved my host mom/family so much! I got first hand experience of living in a smaller Spanish community within a big city. The academics were challenging but fun because we got to visit multiple museums all over Madrid. CEA CAPA made it so easy to adjust by giving us the full rundown on recommendations and cultural standards as well as giving us a refillable metro card. Getting around Madrid was so easy with the metro card I could hop on the buses and metro at all stops. Also all the food was to die for. I have celiac disease and they were super accommodating.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I solo traveled to so many cities in and outside of Spain, stayed in hostels alone, and had to plan everything all by myself.
Pros
  • Food
  • Host families
  • Day trips
Cons
  • Commute to school
32 people found this review helpful.
Jayden
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Living and Learning in Madrid

I recently completed a study abroad program in Madrid, Spain, focusing on International Management and Art, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the vibrant culture, lively streets, and the incredible food. It truly feels like the city comes alive at every corner.

The courses were engaging and challenging, and I especially loved the art classes, which gave me a new perspective on Spanish history and creativity. International Management classes provided practical insights, and the professors were knowledgeable and approachable. There were moments when navigating the academic and cultural differences felt a bit challenging, but I quickly adapted and even found these challenges rewarding; they pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow.

While there were a few minor inconveniences with staff communication, they were always willing to help when approached, and overall, the support was excellent. Weekend trips with fellow students were definitely a highlight. I’ll never forget exploring hidden neighborhoods, local markets, and historic sites that made Madrid feel both grand and intimate at the same time.

For anyone considering studying abroad in Spain, this program offers a great balance of academics, culture, and personal growth. My advice: embrace the differences, try everything, even if it feels unfamiliar, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The city, the classes, and the people made this an experience I’ll always treasure.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I did was spend over 5 hours in the Barcelona Art Museum. I took a train to Barcelona the day before and was recommended to go to the museum by another traveler. The man was Polish and seemed very passionate about traveling himself. Going to the museum the next day, I wasn't aware of the full experience I was going to have. I was fully immersed in the environment and all the beauty that was within. If I could travel back again, I wouldn't be surprised if I spent the entire day there, truly an unforgettable experience.
Pros
  • Met many friendly people
  • Saw amazing Art
  • Felt safe during my stay and while traveling
Cons
  • Inconvience with staff once
39 people found this review helpful.
Samuel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester in Madrid

I had a great time in Madrid at UC3M. The academic rigor balanced with the amazing city of Madrid made this an especially great experience. This was my first time in Europe and Madrid was the perfect city for me. Its central location in Spain made travel within the country a breeze. My house's close proximity to the airport made air travel just as easy. On the academic side, my experience at UC3M was great, it wasn't the easiest place to get to but it was certainly a good school. Would highly recommend this program.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Surfing in Portugal. I was in class one day and the next I was in a completely new country catching some waves.
Pros
  • City of Madrid is beautiful
  • Made some amazing friends
  • Got to practice my Spanish
Cons
  • Lots of train travel to class
34 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers