CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Paris, France

The academics at CEA CAPA Paris were not very challenging but were interesting and fulfilling. I enjoyed all of my classes, looked forward to going to school every day, and am grateful for the opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. CEA also helped immensely in pairing me with a wonderful host family. I was able to connect very well with the local culture through my host family, through CEA CAPA activities and excursions and through my own exploration. Overall, it was a great experience.

Studying abroad in Paris was an unreal experience. I studied at an American Study Abroad program (CEA CAPA) and at an international school (CCFS). I learned so much about France and the world through the friends that I made and the voyages I went on. Paris is a city that has so many things to do and there is never a dull moment. There are always new events to go to from Fashion Weeks to art museums and more! Additionally, traveling around is a very important part of study abroad. Paris has three airports and several train stations which makes finding cheap and convenient travel methods very easy.

I have a major in French, so studying abroad in France was the perfect opportunity! Despite Paris' reputation, I didn't go in with any grand expectations. When I got there in summer 2022, I was blown away by the history, architecture, and culture. I was on a faculty-led trip and had a great professor and cohort of French students. CEA supported our safety and organized trips for us. Difficulties came mostly because of the remaining effects of covid. For example, housing was subpar because they were struggling to find openings. Overall though, I had a great time abroad!

CEA went above and beyond to ensure their students were safe, happy, and healthy while abroad. My experience in Paris was a life-changing one and one that CEA made possible. Not only did my experience with CEA teach me valuable life lessons that I am now able to implement into my daily life like being adaptable, open-minded, and resilient, it taught me how to be an independent woman confident and comfortable in any situation. My time abroad was extremely impactful and has encouraged me to pursue other career paths I would have never thought of before my time in Europe. The ability to go abroad is a blessing and will play a major role in my life as I grow into a professional. The lessons life taught me while in Paris are ones I would have never been able to understand before taking that leap of faith, growing me into a more worldly, educated, and grateful individual.

I started learning French at the advice of one of my favorite middle school special education teachers. After a year or so, my mom went on a business trip to Paris, I decided I wanted to eventually go to Paris to sharpen my French. It was so much fun studying at the Institut Catholique and exploring the city. Paris is so easy to navigate and there are so many neat things to see and do! I stayed with a family on Blvd Blanqui but on the last week of my trip, they left me to go on vacation and I never saw them again. I do hope they're doing well. I would like to come back to Paris at some point either next year or the year after and maybe reconnect with them if possible.

Studying in Paris with CEA was an incredible experience. The classes offered allowed me to explore my interests while fulfilling classes needed to graduate (they offered a lot of courses that easily transferred to general electives and even some major classes. The workload was clear and easily manageable, and the classes themselves were super interesting. In my architecture class, we would have weekly excursions to on-site locations we had previously studied in class, which was a really great way to get to know new parts of the city. I also took a French language class at the Sorbonne. I got to meet international students and get exposed to the French education system. The class met for 2 hours 5 days a week and also had a phonetics component which really helped me with my pronunciation. However, I would say this class isn’t for everyone because it was definitely difficult to get adjusted to the French teaching style, and was a big time commitment for just one class. The studio I stayed in was modern and had everything necessary for a comfortable semester. The support from the staff was above and beyond my expectations. They were always quick to respond to any questions or maintenance requests, and were really easy to talk to and ask about the city. They were really friendly and always ready to give recommendations on things to do in the city and even helped me buy a train pass when I travelled around France. The program also did a really great job into helping us immerse ourselves into Parisian life and French culture. The excursions around Paris were my favorite part because I got to discover new parts of the city and explore a really wide variety of interests (from a France v. Germany soccer match to seeing a modern dance show at the Opera Garnier!) The weekend trips that are included in the program were something that I really enjoyed because we got to see unique parts of the country while having everything pre-planned out for us.

Studying abroad with CEA was the adventure of a lifetime. It has inspired me to do so much more travel in my life and I can't wait to go back to Paris! The onsite and offsite staff were so helpful and kind throughout the whole process and made the experience enjoyable. Our professors took us on amazing field trips to places like the louvre and the opera house. I've never had so much fun while going to class, and there was still enough time for me to take plenty of trips. They helped me find an internship, which was such a valuable experience to add on to my semester abroad. I feel so much more prepared to graduate after having so many unique and rewarding experiences throughout the semester. I'll never forget what an incredible semester I had in Paris with CEA.

I have always dreamed of studying abroad and CEA made this a reality for me. They had the most classes that could transfer back into my degree — I even had the option of choosing the courses that most interested me, which was hard to find through other programs. The communication between staff and students is excellent. Just before orientation my flight to Paris was cancelled, but they were patient and attentive in making sure I still had a smooth transition into my semester in France. My studio apartment was very small (or should I say Parisian) but very comfortable. CEA was quick to respond to any housing issues we had; our washing machine broke and was fixed in a matter of two days. This communication is consistent with the professors as well. Their expectations are clear, the workload is considerate and manageable, and (in my experience) the courses are very gears towards cultural immersion. My art history classes often took place on location in the city, so we could take full advantage of studying away from our home institutions. Excursions were well planned and lots of fun. I also loved that excursions with available spots were always opened up to the remainder of the student body, so I was able to jump on even more trips and workshops. The staff was also a valuable resource for Parisian life — often giving me great food recommendations or travel suggestions — and were genuinely concerned with my learning experience and well being. Finally, I also really valued that my experience was so individual. Studying with CEA forced me out of my comfort zone and onto the streets of a foreign country. I learned a lot and am now headed home with memories I will cherish forever. That being said, if you are looking for a study abroad experience that caters more towards maintaining an American identity or fostering a relationship within the student body, this may not be the program for you.