CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France

My personal experience was amazing. The staff were above and beyond helpful, generous with their time and kindness. I felt right at home almost as soon as I stepped off the plane. I made friends with people that I know I'll keep for the rest of my life. The city is culturally diverse and lends itself to a small town feel though it is, last I checked, France's fifth largest. There were plenty of opportunities for travel outside of the group, but I especially enjoyed our arranged trips for the added bonus of an insider's look at the local livelihood. If you're looking for an experience for the senses, this is it!!

I went for the month of June in the summer of 2012, and had a wonderful time! All of the people were amazing, and CEA did a really nice job giving you things to do and making you familiar with the city.

It wouldn't be enough to say how participating in this program was the best decision of my life. Basically, I came and never left. I'm still here. I still help out with CEA and I love every minute and every aspect of this town. What made, and still makes, the program so great is definitely its program director. She introduced us to an Aix that I doubt I would've known without her. Everyone has this stereotypical image of studying abroad in Paris but they fail to realize that a true French experience is waiting for them in Aix. It's the perfect provincial town to live in. It's young, evolving, and as the French say, ça bouge bien. There are things to do, it has beautiful weather all year long, and everything worth seeing is easily accessible. Paris and the rest of Europe is a train or cheap plane ride away. I can honestly say it changed my life. I don't see myself anywhere else but here.