CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Alicante, Spain

I studied abroad this summer in Alicante, Spain. I was lucky enough to stay with a host family in the city. This was the best part of my trip because I was immediately immersed in the language which I wanted to learn. I was able to learn in my two Spanish classes, and then go back to my homestay where I talked with my house mom and her family. Living with her was one of the greatest experiences of my life because I was able to see firsthand what the culture was really like in Spain.
In this program, I lived with a host mom and she cooked meals for me every day. This was really valuable to me because I was able to talk with her over a meal and be able to see what life in Spain really was. I have never learned so much about myself and the Spainsh culture, and it was really a trip that I will forever be grateful for.

Going to Alicante, Spain was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. From elegant dinners with a view of the Castillo de Santa Bárbara to walking the beautiful coast of Altea, it is the place to be. When I first began my traveling abroad, I was very nervous to be in a new country and in a new environment without my family. This program placed not only myself, but all of my friends within the program in such nice housing, with even better families. In my family, I stayed with a mom and a daughter in her 20s, and we got very close. My roommate and I would spend our days at class, the beach, and experience the night life, but would always spend time with them for dinners and a show. I really felt like I was apart of their family, and felt comfortable and at home from my first time there, to my last day there. Everyone within the program is so friendly and thoughtful, they are always checking in on everyone and being very charismatic. I was very impressed with the people working this program, and how attentive and caring everyone was.

Studying abroad in Alicante, Spain, through the CEA CAPA program was truly one of the most enriching and unforgettable experiences of my life. When I arrived, I was captivated by the city's stunning coastline, vibrant culture, and warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The program itself was incredibly well-organized, offering a perfect balance of academic rigor and cultural immersion. The faculty was supportive and passionate, providing insights that deepened my understanding of both the Spanish language and culture. The courses were engaging, and I appreciated the focus on experiential learning, allowing us to connect what we studied in class to the real-world environment around us.

Living in Alicante was a dream! The beautiful beaches, the rich history, and the lively local festivals like Las Hogueras made every day an adventure. The city is the perfect size—big enough to offer plenty of things to do, but still cozy enough to feel like home. Exploring the old town, tasting authentic Spanish cuisine, and interacting with the locals helped me improve my Spanish and gain a deeper appreciation for the local culture.

Overall, studying abroad in Alicante was a transformative experience that helped me grow academically, culturally, and personally. I highly recommend the CEA CAPA program to anyone looking to explore Spain while gaining invaluable life experiences!

The program went super smoothly and they have lots of fun excursions to give you a well-rounded experience of the city! There's also tons of down time to do your own thing and explore; the hosts aren't overbearing and they don't treat you like kids. CEA kind of likes to wait until the last minute to provide a lot of information (I got my housing assignment the week before I left), but I wasn't pressed about it because I knew I'd get the info I needed in time, which I did. Alicante specifically is such a temperate, friendly and walkable city so I felt like I had a good grasp on the chill vibe after only a month there.

As someone going into World Language education, when it came to my education abroad experience, I knew I needed something that was going to support my goals in gaining proficiency in Spanish. The CEA CAPA program to Alicante, Spain was perfect for me because...
1. It offered a smaller city experience that opened the door for the opportunity to use and rely on only Spanish for communication, with minimal English. This ultimately led to a huge improvement in my proficiency level!
2. The Alicante program was offering opportunity for enriching cultural experiences. My program ended up happening during the same time as the Las Hogueras summer festival, which provided an amazing way to get to see and experience the traditions and life of the host culture.

I had the wonderful opportunity to be able to spend both July of 2022 and 2023 in the city of Alicante with CEA CAPA. The opportunity to study abroad and not only learn the Spanish language from where it originated, but also to get the chance to explore the city and make plenty of new friends was an absolute treasure. I would strongly recommend at the very least going to the city on your own, if not with the CEA CAPA program, as the additional events and academic support that they provide helped to enrich my experience significantly.

Alicante is an amazing city! It has everything from beaches to hiking to city activities. The community feeling is strong on every corner and the welcoming nature of everyone who lives there is shining. One thing that amazed me was how safe Alicante felt, even at night. The biggest thing to be careful of is pickpockets, especially when it's busy, but if you're smart and aware you shouldn't have a problem. The museums and restaurants in the area provide tons of opportunities to explore, but my favorite part was being able to spend the evenings on the beach watching the sunset and looking back to see the beautiful castle just beyond the road.

Alicante is a fantastic town with plenty to do. The beach is beautiful, the weather is pristine, and life is very good in Alicante. The nightlife was cheap and very fun. The cost of living was very low, especially with all the Corte Ingleses in Alicante. The only thing I would say could be better is that CEA sends you an email about the excursions, and some, if not most of the time, you will have class, and that's simply on you. However, I was making my own trips with friends, so it didn't bother me much. Another important aspect to note is that there isn't Uber because it is such a small town. You can potentially find rideshare, but it is taxed and unluckily. On the other hand, public transportation is fantastic, so it's easy to get around.