CAPA - a Cool Awesome Program Abroad

(See what I did there). But seriously, all cheesy titles aside, CAPA is an excellent program. It is a smart fit for you if you are considering advancing yourself in the professional world and if you want to something different and life changing.

I studied in London, my fall semester of 2012. Adjusting was strange, but I felt the CAPA program tries its best to help me. Well before I arrived in London, I was given a big packet of information with nearly every question I had answered. Arriving at housing for the first time, we were given a welcome tour of the neighborhood we were to be part of for the next couple months. Staff was available for questions, advice, and even just to listen.

My housing was nice, it’s not like staying at the Ritz, but it’s good. We had housing keeping come, which helped us a lot. I didn’t find my flat to be crowded and I lived with 5 other roommates.

Your Visa allows you to work 20 hours a week since you also attend classes and attendance is mandatory. Classes are with the Americans who also part of the CAPA program, so you get to form friendships. I loved that my internship was with mostly British people and it was in the center of London, in the midst of excitement. It helped me learn more about the British culture and make new friends and connections. CAPA truly wants you to get immersed in British culture. The program organizes tours and trips that teach you about the culture, people, and history of London. Try to go on as many of these outings as you can.

Looking back now on the experience, I’m glad I did an internship and studied abroad. CAPA allowed me to balance both. CAPA program also allows you to have a good amount of free time to travel and sightsee.

If you’re having doubts about going to London, drop them! London is an amazing, diverse, and lively city. If you’re bored studying in London, you’re doing something wrong. There is so much to see and do, and while it’s expensive, it’s worth it. This makes me want to go back!