CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic

I really enjoyed my time in Prague and CEA made it very easy to get help whenever I needed it. The office staff was prompt at responding to emails and were always available for office hours so you can go in and ask questions in person. They planned options excursions to fun places in Prague that gave us the chance to go places we normally wouldn't. Additionally, the housing they assigned me was in a great location and was very nicely decorated. I loved my time here and they made everything very easy.

CEA does a great job with their program! Everything was always so organized and it was really easy to contact them or get help if we needed. Our housing was in some of the best locations in Prague, which made the whole experience that much better. There were excursions we could sign up for which were really fun and it was extremely easy to travel. Going to school with people from all over the world was such an amazing opportunity and it was so fun to get to know people from such different backgrounds. If I could study abroad again I definitely would and I had some of the best four months of my life here.

I picked CEA's Prague program because of the journalism classes that were offered through Anglo American University. My home university is small so the journalism classes are very limited. At AAU, I got to take classes that I was really interested in like Travel Writing and Cultural Journalism.
CEA offered excursions to Cesky Krumlov and Karlovy Vary, two cities within the Czech Republic, and one big excursion to Krakow, Poland. The Krakow trip was well organized and they made sure to give us an experience that showed us all different parts of the city. The trip included a visit to Auschwitz, which was an extremely powerful and important place to experience to really understand that part of history.

As for the city, Prague was the most wonderful place to live for four months. There is so much to do and it feels a lot smaller than it actually is. There are tons of cultural sites, eclectic restaurants, parks and nature areas, and there is always something new to try. Their public transportation is extremely well-organized so it's easy to find your way around. CEA provides a transportation pass so you never have to pay to step on a tram or subway! Living there for four months means getting to experience everything during some of the non-tourist times, and that's a huge advantage because so many people visit Prague when the weather is nice. Also, Prague was a very safe city. I never felt unsafe. Of course, you have to be smart in any big city but I think Prague is a place where you can relax a bit.
Since Prague is a big city in the middle of Europe, traveling to other countries is so easy. It takes about 10 minutes to get through airport security and the airport is small enough that it's easy to navigate. There are flights, trains, and buses to anywhere in Europe and the prices are super reasonable.
The currency conversion makes Prague a cheap, cheap place to live. You can get nice meals for $10 and beer for a dollar! The city is becoming more and more diverse so you can find any food you could want!
Prague became home quickly for me and I would go back in an instant if I could. I fell in love with the beauty of the architecture, nature, and lifestyles. I promise that you will love it!

Prague is an amazing city in an even better country, and CEA was the best program to come here through. They were always around and ready to help with anything we may need--even if it was just where to buy any travel necessities. I was extremely happy with my housing that CEA provided, and was lucky enough to be placed only a five minute walking-distance from school. My favorite part of the program was that CEA set up a variety of activities and trips that we could choose to participate in if we wish, which allowed us to experience things that we may not have if they weren't offered as a part of the program. I would recommend the CEA program in Prague to everyone (Prague is the best city I've been to among the many I was lucky enough to travel to during this semester), but if Prague isn't for you, I would recommend any other program provided by CEA since they were so helpful and friendly.

I loved living in Prague 9 months, it was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. Loved my roommate and the apartment that CEA provided for us. The czech language is EXTREMELY difficult but most people speak at least some English. The city is full of hidden gems and cool bars and clubs. It also has a number of parks and a multitude of beautiful buildings, churches and lots of history to learn about. It's also located so conveniently in Europe that it makes it so easy to travel a lot! The beer here is seriously delicious and SO cheap! After spending only a short time here it's hard to leave without a new appreciation for beer. Czech cuisine is not necessarily as impressive as say Italian or French but it is extremely filling and also cheap. It's amazing that Czech people can stay so thin!

I enjoyed studying in Prague and I think that CEA is a great third party to go through. They offer lots of activities and trips for free (not every program does so this was a wonderful bonus) and the office is quick to help with complications from stolen phones to trouble with sending packages. Our apartment was also very nice and clean. Overall, I think that CEA did a nice job helping us get acclimated but did not overstep their boundaries.

My experience and time in the Czech Republic was well spent. CEA was great at giving information on different places I could eat because I have dietary restrictions, and they send out a weekly newsletter that informs us on things happening in town. I did a lot of traveling while I was in Europe as well. Living in Prague was great, because getting around Europe was especially easy due to the central location of the Czech Republic. But honestly, my favorite city I have been this semester is Prague. There is so much to do here regardless of the weather or time of day. The museums are incredible, and if you're more into the outdoorsy things; you can go on a rowboat, a hike, or just lounge in one of Prague's beautiful parks. There is so much history in this country, especially in Prague, and I wouldn't trade these past few months for anything.

Oh Prague, after coming back to the states all I could talk about was this beautiful city. Prague is all the fast paced excitement of a city, but yet small and cute. Studying in Prague with CEA was one of the best experiences of my life. The onsite staff at CEA were very friendly, professional, and well equipped to help the students. Whether helping them with housing concerns, academically, health issues, safety (Paris attacks) or even just tips about the city. CEA not only helps assist you but also makes sure you are having a good time by taking you on all sorts of excursions such a 3-day trip to Krakow Poland. Oh and I almost forgot, CEA also provides you with an open card which gives you complete access to trams, buses, and the metro for free. This also includes the bus to the airport which was very useful when traveling around Europe!

Prague itself is a wonderful city to study abroad with an abundance of activities for students. Prague has beautiful architecture such as the Charles Bridge, the astronomical clock in old town square, and even a few castles. Prague doesn't use the euro which also means it’s cheaper for students, especially when it comes to yummy food! Prague also has one of the best night life scenes in the world, the city is filled with unique restaurants and bars.

I would recommend Prague to everyone as a location to study abroad. When I was abroad I went to many cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Copenhagen, and none of them came close to being as special as Prague. Now that I am back in the states, all I can think about is when will I be going back to Prague! It's a risk going to study abroad in Prague in the sense that you will never want to leave and the city will steal a piece of your heart.
Go Study abroad in Prague! Best experience of my life!

-Ethan Spadino