My Experience with CEA CAPA Florence

What I appreciated most about my experience with CEA CAPA Florence was how integrated my program was with the host city and culture. Because the CEA CAPA Florence building is located in such a lively and bustling part of the city (Santa Croce), it really felt like the city was our campus. Each day, we were encouraged by the staff and faculty to take advantage of this. There were numerous excursions to go on and activities to do.

During my semester abroad, I had the opportunity to participate in Ganzo! (an Italian slang word meaning “cool"), a cultural exchange program that matches study abroad students with local families. Being able to create a connection with my Ganzo! family allowed me to practice the language and immerse myself in Italian culture in ways that would’ve been difficult to encounter otherwise. Ganzo! was definitely a highlight of my experience. I appreciate CEA CAPA’s commitment to pushing students to immerse themselves in their host country’s culture by offering volunteer programs such as Ganzo!