CEPA Study Abroad

Studying abroad in Heidelberg, Germany allowed me to gain an international perspective by experiencing different facets of European culture firsthand. This program provided a safe environment to comfortably experience cultures that I had very little experience with beforehand. I will always remember the lifelong friends I made, amazing food, and European history.

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The ESC in Heidelberg received us with open arms and I immediately called Heidelberg my second home because of its benefit of a small town but with the feeling of a bustling metropolis that is diverse with people from all around the world. Cultural immersion in this program is very laissez-faire, so it would be up to the student to interact with other students in the area from the University of Heidelberg as well as the SRH and the language can be hard since inadequate scheduling for language learning classes.

My experience with the CESP program completely changed my life. I was exposed to various cultures in my classes and challenged to present projects

"I want to express my sincere thanks to the CEPA team for the caregiving, organization, and hard work setting the internships especially. I also know that the students will continue to get the support while out on internship and they have some fantastic opportunities."

Leonardo's Art and the Human Body - Italy, France (May 2006): "The trip was a dream come true! Every city, tour, guide, museum and university was far beyond my expectations. Especially the department and director of the University of Rome in La Sapienza were amazing!"

European Hospitality, Nutrition and Food Science Management (July 2006): "This faculty-led program was a wonderful experience. I joined the group on July 16th and from my experience I can say that the itinerary was well laid out and the accommodations were good. It was a really enjoyable learning experience and hopefully we can sponsor another tour in the future."

"I highly recommend CEPA Europe!!!! The organization was perfect, if there is such a thing. Everything was on time and they helped us with all the special arrangements that we requested. They customize their trips for every school group that they do business with, so you'll be able to get whatever you need, but I think the ones they already have set up are great. The guides were superb, lodgings were great, and even European food didn't scare our students. You won't be able to find a better company to work with. Their prices are highly competitive considering the services that they provide, and they're very accommodating and responsive to all your needs. They are also delightful people. Uli Leibrecht, who is the director of these programs, is a pure joy to work with."

"What has worked so well for our Study Abroad programs in the EU has been the exceptional service we received from all of the CEPA staff. Their ability to make the connections with just the right people within the many organizations we visited and to arrange exactly what we needed in terms of a balanced study abroad experience is an invaluable service. Their staff who accompanied our groups were very well-versed in their geographic areas and had the keen ability to develop an immediate positive relationships with our students and faculty. CEPA is an organization that knows how to be a true partner with our university and how to support the challenging study abroad programs universities are expected to deliver today."

The semester-long program is in partnership with the University of Strasbourg's Ecole de Management. So we have been taking classes at the University primarily in the areas of political science, economics, and accounting. In addition to the classes, we have been going on excursions to the institutions of the European Union not only in Strasbourg, but also in Brussels, Luxembourg and Germany. We have visited such important institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Commission. The visits to the institutions have been great because they allow us to sit with an expert from the institution allowing us to ask and learn about anything specific we are wanting to know. As a poly sci grad student, this has been a highlight for me. We are living in a chateau in Strasbourg called Chateau de Pourtales which is a gorgeous castle surrounded by a beautiful forest and park. It is easily accessible to public transport which takes us into the University and into Downtown Strasbourg. The City of Strasbourg is a very beautiful and a charming city full of life, culture, and magnificent sights. Not to mention the wonderful Alsatian food and wine! Personally, I am here primarily to work on my master's thesis. Coming out to Strasbourg to work on it has been extremely beneficial! Not only have I found great sources here in Strasbourg, but I have just come back from a very successful research trip to Moscow which would not have been so easy to do from Atlanta considering the distance and cost. I have had the honor of helping a member of the German Parliament on his campaign over a weekend in September opening up more research possibilities, and I have also seen Mikhail Gorbachev speaking to the Council of Europe on the anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. In Moscow, I met with a couple of Human Rights organizations including a lawyer for the recent award winning Russian group MEMORIAL adding further to my thesis. They were recently awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament which will be given to them next month here in Strasbourg. All in all this program is well worth its value. I can't imagine someone not enjoying their time here. I have so enjoyed my time here that I really don't want to leave.