Amazing experience, easy workload

I was a part of the CEA program in Paris of fall 2015. I had an unbelievably great time meeting new people, exploring an amazing city, and learning about life abroad. Being outside of the United States at such a sensitive time politically provided a truly valuable learning experience and gave me access to a unique perspective of viewing my country and my culture from the outside. The other participants in CEA were all extraordinarily interesting, and each and everyone of them challenged me to grow in different ways: intellectually, socially, and personally.
The CEA office is outstanding. The staff is genuine and sincere, and they are constantly on the look out to make sure you are safe while still granting you the freedom that makes study abroad so liberating. Weekend trips with friends were an amazing bonus of being in Europe, and during my time in Paris I was able to take trips to Munich, Cologne, Madrid, Barcelona, and London.
Paris is an expensive city to live in, so just be aware that while the program is reasonably priced as far as study abroad programs go, you will be responsible for ALL metro (60 euros a month), food, and recreational costs (with the exception of a few excursions).
The part I was most disappointed in was the academic aspect. I participated in the ICP (Institut Catholique de Paris) program in which my classes were exclusively in french. While I did love my professor and classes, I felt as though CEA itself did not adequately encourage french immersion or integration into french society. This is probably because many students there didn't speak much french and didn't consider language acquisition a main goal of theirs, but just be wary that if you are truly aiming to perfect your french to the maximum possible extent in 4 months, this might not be the program for you.
All in all, I had an amazing experience with CEA. Only word of warning to kids who are truly looking to maximize their french exposure: rent an apartment on your own and enroll independently in a french university, you'll learn more!