CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Granada, Spain

My study abroad experience was beyond amazing. I learned so much about myself and grew so much. I had the chance to meet so many people and create wonderful memories. I feel grateful to have had a great support system from CEA CAPA while I was abroad. The city of Granada was also wonderful and the people were so kind. I loved the culture so much and I cannot wait to be back! Living with a host family allowed me to immerse myself in the culture as well. My host family made my experience so much better!

My experience in Granada was incredible. Between my placement with my host family, the time spent at the Universidad de Granada, and the onsite CEA CAPA staff, I could not have had a smoother and more enjoyable time abroad. The city is the perfect size and the people were welcoming. I was blow away by the beauty of the city and how much history there was to experience. The city was extremely walkable, and if you didn't feel like walking, the public transportation was easy to navigate. Overall, I could not recommend any other city more than Granada if you are looking for the perfect study abroad location.

I was incredibly excited to study abroad, but I never could have imagined how amazing my time in Granada would be. My host family was so sweet and I met so many amazing people through my classes and the social scene. I continue to keep in contact with these people even now that I am back in the United States. I took twelve credit hours in the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, part of the Universidad de Granada. The professors were so kind and knowledgeable and I still had time to go out and have fun! I am going back as soon as possible.

I studied abroad for 4 weeks in June 2023 in the Spanish Language and Liberal Arts Program. I was able to earn 6 credits towards my Spanish minor at the University of Granada that seamlessly transferred back to my home university as pass/fail. The classes I took were Spanish Literature (1.5 credit), Latin American Literature (1.5 credit), and High Advanced Spanish Language (3 credit). Classes were a short 10-minute walk from my residencia (dormitory-style living with other CEA CAPA students as well as local Spanish students), and ran from 8:40am-2:30pm Monday-Friday, with a midday break. 3 absences were allowed without penalty, which I used strategically to plan personal travel and/or recover from nights out.

We also had 2 days off for Corpus Christi, which was one of my favorite parts of my stay in Granada. Corpus Christi is a week-long celebration consisting of parades, a fair, and other cultural festivities throughout the city's public spaces. The Spanish students staying in the residencia with us were kind enough to answer all of our questions about the events and make sure we had an amazing time during this unique holiday. CEA CAPA staff also gave us tons of information.

Granada could not have been a better destination. It offers a blend of many cultures (Andalucian, Islamic influences, Romani, and more) due to its unique history, has an extremely laid back culture that made my experience and my course load as relaxed as possible, and so many incredible, friendly people.

Overall, I highly reccommend going abroad to Granada with CEA CAPA. They offer so much support in every step of the process. I went abroad with two friends from my home university, but met so many people who went by themselves and had an amazing experience as well because the nature of the program allows you to make meaningful connections with other students.

Granda is a small city which made it feel safe and everything you need is within walking distance. I stayed with a host family which was one of the best decisions I ever made. They truly took me in as family and took care of me when I got a stomach bug in Morocco. I studied at the University of Granada and the professors are very kind, knowledgeable, and approachable. I loved how every professor was very passionate about the courses they taught and I greatly learned a lot. I also made lots of friends in the CEA CAPA program, and I still keep in contact with some of them now. Hopefully I get to visit my host family again sometime soon in the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed every second of my study abroad experience in Granda! The people I met through this program made my entire trip and I am so thankful for this program for bringing us together. While in Granada I immerse myself in the city and got involved in the Granada Ultimate Frisbee team. This allowed me to see a different side of the city while connecting with locals. I encourage any student getting involved in study abroad to meet locals and see a different side of their city! Thank you CEA!

I had the incredible opportunity to participate in Granada's Spanish 230 Study Abroad Program, and I can confidently say that it was a transformative experience that exceeded all my expectations. This program not only provided me with a deeper understanding of the Spanish language but also immersed me in the rich culture and history of Granada.

The curriculum of Spanish 230 was expertly designed to cater to students at various language proficiency levels. Our dedicated instructors were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive. They tailored the lessons to our individual needs, ensuring that we were both challenged and comfortable in our learning journey. The small class sizes encouraged active participation, allowing us to practice speaking and listening in authentic contexts.

One of the highlights of the program was the opportunity to live with a host family. This experience was a game-changer for my language skills. Conversing with my host family in Spanish during meals and everyday activities pushed me to think on my feet and use the language naturally. It was amazing how quickly my confidence grew.

Beyond the classroom, Granada itself served as the ultimate classroom. The city's historic architecture, bustling markets, and vibrant street life offered countless opportunities to practice what I was learning in class. Exploring the Alhambra was a particular highlight, as I could appreciate its beauty while understanding its historical significance, all thanks to the insights gained in class.

The program also included various cultural excursions and activities. From flamenco dance lessons to guided tours of local museums, every activity was a chance to expand my horizons. The organized trips to nearby towns allowed me to witness the diversity of Spanish culture and dialects, further enriching my experience.

The support network provided by the program coordinators was outstanding. They were always available to answer questions, offer guidance, and ensure our safety and well-being. This made adjusting to a new country and culture much smoother than I anticipated.

In conclusion, the Granada Spanish 230 Study Abroad Program was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that significantly improved my language skills while immersing me in the beauty of Spanish culture. If you're looking for a program that balances academic rigor with real-world experience, all set in a breathtaking location, I wholeheartedly recommend this program. It's an investment in yourself that you won't regret.

My experience with CEA CAPA was very positive. Throughout the process of applying for the program, arriving, duration of the program, and even afterwards it felt like I had support, and they were happy to answer any questions I had. The process was pretty straightforward. I would study abroad with CEA CAPA again.

Studying abroad is an invaluable experience, both personally and professionally. It’s an opportunity to have experiences that you may never have had if you didn’t go abroad. I wouldn’t have taken that trip to Bilbao and met up with old Spanish friends. Stayed out until 3 am and ate street Shawarma a few nights a week. Ate pizza in Andorra with two Argentinian guys. Or my personal favorite experience, meeting up with a friend I met in Costa Rica in 2019 later reuniting in Spain three years later. These are all experiences that I’ll be able to call some of the best times of my life.