Summer Literature Study Abroad Programs

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.

I studied abroad in Italy for my Spring Semester and going into this, I was incredibly stressed. But WorldStrides made all the difference in my experience. They provided all the resources that I felt I might need for any situation. They took us on some excursions during the semester and they were well planned and super fun! I would go on another study abroad trip with WorldStrides.

My time in Barcelona was one of the best experiences in my life. Out of all the cities I visited when I was abroad, Barcelona was by far my favorite and I was always so excited to come back from traveling. I loved the people, the metro, the city, and the beach. There was always something going on to have the best time of your life.

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!

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

In the program, myself and fellow students at my university really connected with the hosts of the program- both when they were professors for teaching us Darija and culture and guides in new cities. It would not have been the same for me in Morocco without them, and they have set me up on a good track for the entirety of my experience since and in the future. And this was all in 2024! They have had years to improve and refine their skills.

I had the best time in Morocco. It will always hold a special place in my heart. Marwane and his team played a major role in that. They have the kindest hearts and truly want you to learn and understand the place they call home and why it is so special to them. I could not have asked for a better experience and team to do this with. I will cherish this time in Morocco eternally. I highly recommend Marwane and his team. Cheers!

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.

Lingua Compass left a Rabat shaped hole in my heart and was an experience that will always stay with me. Marwan and the rest of the team place you right in the heart of Moroccan hospitality, in which guests are treated with the same warmth as a long lost friend. I also had a thoroughly immersive cultural experience, not stopping at the surface of Moroccan culture, but exploring the history, geography, and complex aspects of the country. This is all coupled with really experienced language teachers who use a skills-based, speaking-first model - which is very refreshing for anyone who has ever suffered through Arabic grammar. Thank you Lingua Compass! ❤️🩵

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!

My experience studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Barcelona was truly amazing. I had high expectations going into the program, and they were completely exceeded. My apartment was in a great neighborhood that felt extremely safe while still giving me an authentic, local experience. It was also close to everything, which made it so easy to walk around and explore the city every day. I also had a great experience with my classes. My professors were extremely understanding and supportive, which made balancing academics with everything else that comes with studying abroad much easier. The CEA CAPA staff was incredibly welcoming and played such a big role in making my experience as great as it was. They offered so many activities, events, and opportunities that helped me meet people, experience Barcelona, and feel comfortable living in a city so far from home. Overall, studying abroad in Barcelona was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful I chose to do it through CEA CAPA. I would absolutely recommend the program to anyone considering studying abroad!

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!

Overall I loved my time in Costa Rica but the unfortunate part about it was I was there for 2 months and the 2nd month we did not have any excursions or cultural events even though we paid so much money to be there and I feel like we were lied to on what everything would cost to travel individually. I think I loved my time in Costa Rica because me and my roommates made the most out of it even though we felt separated from the rest of the program because we were the only ones who lived away from everyone and we could not walk to our other friends home stays because our homestay mother would make us Uber once it was already dark we did not have the money to continuously do that if we just wanted to hangout with our friends. Also we were mislead about the internship transportation luckily I was in a group of 4 for my internship and we could split Ubers but even then I was struggling financially towards the end of the trip and had no idea that we would have to figure out our own transportation to our internships if I had known that before I would have never done the internship it was totally misleading. Lastly, I enjoyed my homestay but I hated having the same meals from lunch and dinner and when I told my homestay mother that we all did not like that she did not change it she continued to do it.

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!

I had an amazing time studying abroad at the Umbra Institute. I applied through Arcadia Abroad, who were incredible especially with coordinating student visas. From the moment my plane touched down, the staff were incredible. I felt safe and welcomed into the program. My classes were great and I loved the opportunity to learn about history and art then actually walk down the street or take a short train ride to witness it in person. My Italian 101 and Roman Empire classes in particular were fantastic and I looked forward to them everyday. One thing I loved about this program was the small size during the fall semester. Our program was 60 people and by the end I knew everyone by name and felt as though I could walk up to anyone and start a conversation. The housing team at Umbra was also amazing, pairing me with three girls who are now some of my closest friends. If you are looking for an immersive program in a small city rich with art, food, and history, I could not recommend ISI Perugia enough!

This study abroad program was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I have wanted to do a program like this for many years, so it was amazing to actually do it. I loved meeting all of the new people as well as being immersed in a new culture and getting to see a new part of the world.

Living and studying in Barcelona for four months was one of the best experiences I've ever had. The city itself is beautiful and full of live. I love how everywhere is walkable and you can get anywhere using the metro. There's so so much to do whether it's going to the beach, out for tapas, hiking in the surrounding mountains, shopping, or having a night out, Barcelona really is for everyone. CEA CAPA made my experience so smooth from start to finish.