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 57 - 64 of 76 reviews
Sarah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome!

Studying abroad with CEA in Madrid was amazing! I had such an enriching experience and feel that I grew a lot as a person. The CEA staff onsite was incredible. They made an effort to get to know everyone and make sure everyone felt supported during their time there. CEA also made the pre-departure process as easy as it possibly could have been. Housing there was also amazing and I felt very safe and comfortable in Madrid. The area we were located in was very residential, so it felt like I really lived there and was a part of the community. We also had access to classes in English with amazing professors!

110 people found this review helpful.
Ben
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Madrid CEA CAPA IS THE BEST

Studying abroad in Madrid was hands down one of the most enriching, eye-opening experiences of my life. I learned so much about Spanish culture, world issues, myself, and what I am capable of. I forged amazing friendships with people from around the globe that I still cherish years later. I became more independent, confident, and adaptable through being pushed outside my comfort zone.

I have memories from my semester abroad that will stay with me forever: getting lost wandering the winding streets of Toledo and stumbling upon a small tapas bar, cheering with locals at a heated Real Madrid soccer match, feeling awe stand at the top of the Alhambra in Granada, gaining new perspective on classic works of art after seeing them in person.

Both the structured learning activities organized by my program and simply living day to day life in another country taught me so much. Improving my Spanish language skills exponentially while taking engaging courses on history, literature, business, and culture was also an invaluable academic experience. I loved traveling all around Spain and Portugal during breaks from schoolwork too.

The combination of immersive cultural excursions, hands-on academic learning, and forging global friendships made my study abroad experience absolutely life changing. It challenged me, enlightened me, shaped my worldviews, and created memories I'll cherish forever. I gained perspective on global issues, practical skills for career success, and lifelong friends from around the world. Without a doubt, those few months living abroad in Madrid profoundly impacted who I am and my path in life. I would highly recommend studying abroad to anyone!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was a calamari bocadillo which is a fried calamari sandwich. I went from being weary of it to it being one of my favorite snacks in Madrid!
Pros
  • Extracurricular activities
  • academic support
125 people found this review helpful.
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best college experience

Studying abroad in Madrid with CEA CAPA is the best choice I made when looking to study abroad. The staff created a low-stress experience by giving each student the tips and tricks to make Madrid feel like home. The program gave numerous opportunities to explore the city with guided tours, trips to different cities, dance classes, cooking classes, and sports games. My favorite excursion was a three-day overnight trip to Seville with the other students in the program. The friendships I made throughout the trip are relationships I will cherish forever.

Pros
  • Multiple housing options
  • Helpful staff
  • Excursions included in education abroad program rate
Cons
  • You will wish you were staying for longer
130 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Emma! Thanks for sharing your experience in Madrid! Your excursions to Seville sounds incredible too!

Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Madrid Spain

I had a great time studying in Madrid with CEA CAPA. From my visa application to all the activities and events once on-site, CEA CAPA staff was helpful in every step of the process. I would especially recommend the Madrid Campus, as the on-site staff planned wonderful weekend trips as part of the experience and made sure I was comfortable and safe during my time there. All of my professors at my school abroad were extremely kind and welcoming and helped make my learning experiences as an international student learning another language even better.

144 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Julia! Thanks for recommending Madrid, Spain based on your experience abroad with CEA CAPA. So glad our staff was super helpful and that you felt safe and comfortable during your time there.

Caleb
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA Madrid, Spain

A striking impression of CEA CAPA is the staff, who facilitate one’s dream of studying abroad. Throughout each step in the process, I am grateful for the staff and their understanding of my questions, concerns, and curiosity about the opportunity to go abroad. Throughout my term abroad, the CEA CAPA team in Madrid served the students with genuine joy to share their unique culture with those from abroad and excelled at serving the students in a wide-ranging capacity, from housing to excursions––ensuring students felt included and excited to explore. I am certain that my experience abroad would not have been the same without the dedication and joy of the Madrid CEA CAPA team. I am so grateful for my wonderful experience abroad in Madrid, Spain!

135 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Caleb! Your 5/5 review of Madrid was so nice to read. I'm glad you found the CEA CAPA Team genuinely helpful in finding yours and other students joy while abroad. Thanks for sharing about your wonderful experience with CEA CAPA!

Adriana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved Madrid!

Studying with CEA CAPA in Madrid, Spain was the highlight of my summer! While taking a Spanish language and cultural class I was able to perfectly balance my student life. Madrid’s slow/relaxed lifestyle made my time enjoyable. I was able to explore a lot of the local parks, museums, cafes because they were minutes away from the school and my Residencia. By also living in the city I could enjoy the beautiful nightlife Madrid has to offer! Being a solo traveler, I was very thankful to the amazing staff of CEA CAPA whom provided me with a lot of helpful tips and suggestions of places to see and things to do.

115 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Adriana! So glad you got the chance to explore all that Madrid offered by living in the city with CEA CAPA. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Natalia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA Study Abroad in Madrid

This Madrid program by CEA was a dream come true. The company itself provides multiple counselors, help in how to navigate the country, and built-in activities that go from pure fun to educational and cultural. The university, UC3M, was one of the top institutions in Spain. I was faced with a more rigorous system, that emphasized group projects and independent studying for exams. Nevertheless, I was able to make great friends with European exchange students in my English-language classes. Overall, I will remember my semester as one of the most special times of my life. Like a frame frozen in time in the long film that will be my college career.

Pros
  • Learned plenty about past and current Spanish culture
  • Affordable country + mobility within the EU
  • Plenty of activities during the week for university students
Cons
  • Rigorous classes
  • Large up-front cost + expenses during actual stay
  • Very cold winter
139 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Natalia! We are so glad you were able to live out your wildest dreams in Madrid with CEA CAPA. We love that you'll remember your semester abroad as one of the most special times (or frames in a film) of your life.

Willem
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

About as stress-free as possible.

CEA made my experience so easy. They handled housing, helped with my visa, and classes, and organized activities in Madrid and trips to other places within Spain. The CEA staff on-site were welcoming, caring, and fun people. They were always willing to give advice, or joke around. They allowed me to focus on my studies and travels rather than logistics and bureaucracy. I loved the weekend trip to Sevilla they organized, they also had a great cooking class set up for us. My apartment had some maintenance issues and they were quick to contact the building staff and work it out quickly.

Pros
  • Well run/organized
  • Great support and trips
  • Cohesive program introduces you to many new people
Cons
  • They handle so much it feels like you should be doing more
  • Information on housing comes within 2 weeks of departure but was great apartment
  • dates of excursions released during on-site orientation not before
145 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Willem! So happy to hear you were thrilled with the CEA experience. From housing, student visa, courses, and excursions in Madrid and Spain, CEA CAPA students will find success! So glad onsite staff was able to make you feel welcomed and cared for while you studied abroad in Madrid.

Questions & Answers