CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Sevilla an awesome experience that exceeded all my expectations. The program's organization and support made the transition smooth and enjoyable, allowing me to immerse myself fully in the new Spanish lifestyle

The academic component of the program was super informative and rewarding. The courses were thoughtfully designed to provide deep insights into Spanish culture and history, and the professors were truly so engaged, caring and knowledgable in their fields.

CEA CAPA also facilitated numerous excursions and cultural activities that enriched my understanding of Spain. We had many excursions through our classes as well cooking classes, kayaking on the Gualaquivir and flamenco shows. These activities not only broadened my knowledge but also helped me build lasting friendships with fellow students.

I spent the fall of my junior year abroad in Madrid, Spain, and it was the best decision I had made for myself. Through CEA CAPA Programming and Housing assignments, I met some of the best people I have ever met. My eight roommates and other friends supported me endlessly during my time abroad. My favorite memory is the 24-person Friendsgiving my roommates and I hosted; that was the moment we all knew how abroad had impacted us and our long-lasting friendships.

The most common questions regarding my experience from people interested in going abroad are about academics, social life, and traveling.

I studied at the Universidad de Carlos III in Spain, and only half of the classes I took during my time abroad were related to my major. The rest were considered general elective credit because I knew I wanted a more flexible schedule when I was abroad. I would say that they were at about the same difficulty level as my home university.

Another question I often get is about the commute to campus. In my opinion, Madrid has one of the best metro systems in Europe. It is incredibly convenient and easy to understand. My apartment was in Madrid, and the Carlos campus is in Getafe, a little out of Madrid. I took the Cercanias train straight to school from my apartment, and the commute took about 45 minutes. I wish it was shorter and at first, I thought commuting was crazy, but my roommates and I got used to it. It was also one of the first times I had ever experienced public transportation alone. I also structured my classes so that I only had to commute there and back once a day, and I spent time in the library between classes. One of my favorite memories is that my friends and I always got a cafe con leche and a pastry for 1.60 euros daily between classes.

The social life in Spain is very alive. There was always something new to do, and it felt like the city had never slept. Our favorite tapas place is called Malaspina in the city center. The staff laughed every time we walked in because of how often we would go. My friends and I also loved to explore new places in different neighborhoods. My favorite neighborhood was Malasaña because it felt young.

My favorite trip was to Sevilla, which CEA CAPA organized. It was a beautiful location, and the trip felt stress-free. Not only were all my friends on this trip, but we could take our time rather than feel like we had to be on the go compared to other trips I had been on. The program also organized different optional tours during this trip, making coordinating easier.

I loved my time in Aix-en-Provence studying with CEA CAPA staff and other students from around North America. I had so much support from CEA CAPA staff and got to make so many memories. CEA CAPA provided so many opportunities for excursions and local events such as cooking classes, comedy shows, etc. I am passionate about studying abroad now because of my time with CEA CAPA. I connected so much with the culture around me. I hope that I get a chance to go back to Aix-en-Provence in the future.

I studied abroad in Prague my sophomore year of college. I really enjoyed my time abroad and the support given by CEA. The housing was in a great location near city center and you could navigate the city well with public transport. The courses taught were engaging and connected well to class excursions. We took trips to museums, markets, other cities within the Czech Republic and more. The teachers and staff were understanding and always willing to help. The most difficult aspect was the language barrier, most people speak some English in Prague but once you leave the city most don't.

I spent a semester abroad via the CEA CAPA London Internship Program as a U.S. student. I mostly decided to do the program due to the internship opportunity, which has been beneficial to have on my resume after returning to the U.S. The academics abroad were good as well, as my professors were London based with many qualifications. The CEA CAPA staff were supportive and hosted events to help students get involved. Housing was decent, but be mindful of crime. Overall, I thought it was worthwhile.