Study European Studies Abroad

The teachers were fabulous! Using games mixed with instruction made learning interesting. I especially enjoyed our assignment of going to the high market across from our hotel. We learned how to order what we wanted, and interviewed the proprietor. Ours was a bull fighter before buying his stall in the market! The cultural activities were fun and the hotel where we stayed was very comfortable.

The Expanish 50+ study abroad program in Malaga was amazing! The instructors were awesome and made the lessons engaging and fun. The cultural activities were really interesting and allowed for an excellent opportunity to learn about and experience the local history and culture. I highly recommend it!

Studying abroad in Greece was an amazing experience that allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and experience a different culture firsthand. I loved being able to explore different parts of Greece, learn about its history, try new foods, and experience everyday life in a new environment. One of my favorite parts was getting to share the experience with other students and creating memories that I will always have. The trip also helped me become more independent and open-minded. Being in a new country encouraged me to try things I normally wouldn’t and appreciate different perspectives. I would definitely recommend studying abroad to other students because it is an opportunity to learn and grow in ways that you can’t always get from a classroom. If you are considering going, I would encourage you to take lots of pictures, stay open to new experiences, and make the most of every day because the trip goes by very quickly.

If you get the chance to study abroad with CEA Capa, you should. Participating in Cal Poly's First Year GO Program, and venturing on my own to Sevilla, Spain, was the best choice I could've made. Before I left, I was nervous, unsure, and had never before left the country on my own. With CEA Capa, everything felt do-able. We were welcomed into the city, housed at a very pleasant residence hall, and got to take classes in a beautiful historic building in the city-center. Studying abroad with CEA Capa gave me the opportunity to see the world, immerse myself in Spanish culture, and build a variety of skills that I will carry with me throughout my life.

Going abroad with CYA was truly a life changing experience for me. I got to immerse myself with the Greek culture and got to visit areas of Greece that I didn't even know existed through field study trips. For example, besides living in Athens, I had the opportunity to visit Northern Greece and see more of Greece's country side. Additionally, through the academics that CYA provides, I was able to take a modern Greek class and even got to learn a little bit of Greek. I will never forget my time with CYA and am grateful for everything it taught me.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 25, 2026

Hi Daisy, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We are thrilled to hear you felt supported throughout your semester and had a chance to immerse yourself in the culture. We hope you can visit again soon!

Studying abroad is the adventure of a lifetime! With CYA, it was even more memorable. The program is located in Athens, in a safe, lively neighborhood. I felt immersed in the culture immediately, with tavernas and local grocery stores just steps from my apartment. The program not only offers opportunities and activities right there in Athens, but it also coordinates trips throughout Greece to further our exploration of the country. I loved how supportive and organized the program was. It made it easy to not only learn more about culture, history, and language while in Greece, but also to get the most out of our study abroad experience. I liked the size of the program because everyone gets to know each other really well, and it makes it feel like a family. The professors are extremely supportive and are always looking to make personal connections with the students. There are so many class options for any major or interest. A lot of the classes like to use Athens as their classroom, and I think this was one of my favorite parts. I loved meeting at the Athenian Agora or the Acropolis to actually see what we were learning about. I loved taking Greek language, mainly because my professor was the best! I learned so much from her, and she made learning the language possible and exciting. It was so fun going to the local coffee shops and practicing my Greek. CYA is a great program for anyone interested in Greece, history, arts, culture, the Greek language, or a program that takes the abroad experience to the next level!

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 25, 2026

Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA and these amazing photos! We love hearing you had the chance to explore both inside and outside of the classroom. Hopefully you can visit again soon!

Studying abroad in Sevilla was one of the best experiences of my college years. I chose Sevilla because I wanted to improve my Spanish and truly immerse myself in the language and culture, and I got so much more out of the experience than I expected. One of my favorite things was walking through the streets around the Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa, especially in the afternoon when I had a break from class. From eating lunch that my host dad cooked to exploring Sevilla with my roommate and practicing Spanish in everyday situations, I became much more comfortable and independent. Sevilla slowly started to feel like home, and leaving was honestly one of the hardest parts. I made memories and friendships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I would absolutely recommend Sevilla to anyone considering studying abroad.

My time in Rome with CEA was the most amazing summer of my life. I came into the program knowing no one; I had no family in Rome, and I didn't speak Italian. But as soon as I met my roommates, we clicked right away and became the best of friends! Living together was so much fun; we'd do grocery runs whenever we needed food, which was the easiest supply run I have ever done since the grocery stores around our apartment were maybe two minutes away in each direction. We'd go out to dinner, trying local Roman pasta like Rigatoni all'Amatriciana, which became a favorite amongst our group; we'd get gelato practically every night! We even traveled together while we were there, heading off to different countries on the weekends when we found the time! Our group meshed so incredibly well and I had the time of my life with them. The memories we made are some of my most precious; we watched Off Campus together, shouting at the screen when someone did something wrong; we walked to the Colosseum in the middle of the night just because we wanted to see the sights; we watched FIFA on the Tiber River banks with other tourists and locals. It was so great that now it feels like a dream. The travel around Italy was so incredibly easy! Flying out of Fiumicino Airport took no time whatsoever when you were traveling within the EU and was incredibly easy to get to from our apartment in Prati. I got really used to taking public transport while I was there, and though it was intimidating at first, it was so easy after I got used to it. Taking the A line to Termini and the train to the airport was honestly a fun experience. I had a great time exploring the transportation options in Rome. Lastly, the administration in Rome for CEA CAPA was absolutely incredible! They made us all feel so welcome and were very conscientious of our needs, always making themselves available if we needed them! The professors were wonderful as well! My Art and Archaeology professor and Photography professor were incredible women and very skilled in their chosen disciplines! They took us across Rome to study sites and help us hone our skills to become better acquainted with history and photography. It was incredible to actually go into the Roman Forum and the Colosseum to study their history! My time in Rome was honestly the best time! I grew so much in confidence as I learned to live comfortably in a new culture. Everything from the academics to the lifestyle of the city was incredible and I can't wait to go back!

My study abroad experience with CEA CAPA in Antibes France was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made! I made so many core memories I will never forget and stories that I cherish. I meat people from all over the world and expanded my global perspective. I learned what it means to live and “adult” in a different country. But most importantly I got to live a life full of adventure and freedom that I would have never experienced if it was not for CEA CAPA!

Applying to CYA and studying abroad with them was one of the best choices of my life. The program was diverse and captivating, the faculty were so supportive, and the academics were top tier. This program not only fostered my growth as a student but as an individual and global community member.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 25, 2026

Hi Tori, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love to hear you found the courses to be impactful and had the chance to grow. Hopefully you can visit again soon!

It is difficult to find the words to describe what an incredible time I had in Paris with CEA Study Abroad. My life is forever changed because of my time in Paris. Meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, having to converse in a language I had never studied grew me more than I could have imagined. The CEA staff was extremly organized and welcoming, beginning to end and calmed the nerves I had landing in Paris. I will never forget my experience and will forever be grateful to the CEA team

I had the most amazing experience studying abroad in Sydney. I specifically went to UNSW, which is super close to the beach. I was able to make best friends that I'll cherish forever, and together we made such amazing memories like surfing, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and travelling to different parts of Australia, and even New Zealand! I'm so grateful for everything this experience brought me; I made lifelong friends, but also grew so much as a person and connected a lot with myself!! :) Even though it might be nerve-wracking at first to do it alone, be proud of putting yourself out there! In no time, you will make amazing friends and memories, and hopefully fall in love with Australia like I did :) Make the most out of your experience and say yes to all the activities you can.

I spent 4 good months in Athens, Greece and had the absolute best time of my life! The program I went through was with WorldStrides (duh) and they were extremely helpful. You have constant support online where you can text your on the ground world strides staff and/or contact the Worldstrides online support staff. The in person office was also a pretty short walk away so we had no issue getting help. Then there was Greece! Out of the 11 countries I have been to outside of the USA it was my absolute favorite. I will always consider it my home away from home for as long as I live and can't wait to go back!

Studying abroad in Seville, Spain, was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had in college. As a first-generation college student, studying abroad was something I was not always sure would be possible for me, so being able to spend a month in Spain was a major accomplishment. During my time abroad, I took classes that allowed me to learn more about Spanish culture, communication, food, and history while also experiencing these things outside of the classroom. I visited important places such as the Real Alcázar, Plaza de España, and the Cathedral of Seville, and I also had the opportunity to travel to Lisbon, Portugal. One of my favorite parts of the experience was living with my host parents, Mama Rosa and Papa Norberto, because they helped me feel more connected to the local culture and gave me a home away from home. I also became close with the other students in my program and made friendships that I will always value. Being abroad pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me become more independent and confident. I returned home with a stronger sense of independence and memories that I will carry with me throughout college and beyond.

Studying abroad in Athens with worldstrides was a great decision. The program was great, including very good supportive staff and very good housing. There was also some anwesome events that were held where we traveled to different places and explored/learned history. They also accounted for location in the US when pairing roommates so I ended up living with and making friends with some people who are nearby back home!

Forum-Nexus was an amazing experience. I made many new friends, enjoyed the professional and cultural visits, and loved the balance between school and fun. The staff was amazing, and I would definitely recommend it.

Although my time abroad in Sevilla, Spain with CEA CAPA was only 4 weeks in the summer, I had the most amazing time. I was nervous going into the program; I knew no one from my school who was going and was assigned a random roommate, but the CEA CAPA staff were super accommodating and reassuring. I met the best group of people, took a super fun class on Spanish food and culture for college credit, saw beautiful architecture, traveled all over Spain and Europe, strengthened my Spanish language skills, and learned so much about myself. I loved my experience so much; my only regret is not doing a longer program!

This program was amazing! I made lifelong friends in fellow U.S. students and foreign students from across the world! The excursions gave me life changing memories and the classes taught me a new side to the French language and culture. Truly, the best month of my life!

My experience with the college year in Athens through the Heritage Greece Programme was truly unforgettable. The programme gave me the opportunity to learn about Greek history, culture, and identity while experiencing everything firsthand throughout Greece. Instead of only learning in a classroom, we attended lectures and discussions at historical and archaeological sites such as the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Pnyx Hill, Delphi, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion.One of my favourite parts of the program was seeing how ancient Greek history connects to modern Greece, particularly in areas such as democracy, business, politics, and cultural identity. We also had opportunities to meet and learn from leaders in government, business, and academia, which made the experience especially meaningful to me as a business student interested in international opportunities.Beyond the academics, I formed amazing friendships, became more connected to my Greek heritage, and experienced Greece in a way I never had before. CYA created such a welcoming environment and made learning feel immersive and exciting. I would absolutely recommend this program to students looking for an educational experience that combines academics, culture, travel, and personal growth. It is an experience I will always remember.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 25, 2026

Hi Ava, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love to hear that you gained so much from this unique program and had the chance to connect with your heritage. We hope you can visit again soon!

My time in Northern Ireland was an absolutely life changing experience. It is not your typical study abroad experience, it is pretty structured but it's that way for a reason. I got to speak to people on both sides of the conflict in Northern Ireland as well as learn in depth about what peace building really looks like in a modern society. I also got opportunity to intern at a community development organization where I met so many incredible people with amazing stories. Northern Ireland is also an extremely beautiful place that I got to explore a lot of. The north coast is one of the most breath taking places I've ever been to. Northern Ireland is a unique place that changed my life and this program is a huge part of that. I would do my study abroad 100 times over if I could.