CEA CAPA Student Portal Guide: Your Gateway to Studying Abroad

CEA CAPA Education Abroad offers high-quality study abroad programs and international internship opportunities for students. With hundreds of programs across almost every discipline in multiple countries in Europe, as well as South America, Central America, and Australia, CEA CAPA has an option that fits your student’s academic and personal goals.

Why Choose CEA CAPA Education Abroad?

Since 1997, CEA CAPA Education Abroad has provided high-quality international academic programs and services. CEA CAPA supports you from the moment you apply to the day you return home. With 22 destinations across 13 countries, CEA CAPA Education Abroad offers an ideal balance of academics, internships, and adventure to more than 4,000 students each year.

The Benefits of Studying and Interning Abroad

Studying and interning abroad allows students to experience learning outside of the traditional classroom setting, gain international experience, and expand their sense of cultural awareness. Students experience new cultures, meet people from all over the world, and make lifelong friendships while expanding their personal and professional network. You’ll gain cross-cultural experience, take your learning beyond the classroom, and develop new interests all while staying on track for graduation. As you take courses abroad and explore career options through an internship, you’ll build an international network, develop marketable skills, and prepare to stand out in the job market. Studying abroad with CEA CAPA is life changing.

Health, Safety, and Wellness Abroad

At CEA CAPA, the health, safety, and well-being of our students are our highest priorities. We believe that a successful study or intern abroad program begins before a student gets on an airplane. Our Health & Safety Team is here to support your student from the start as they prepare for their time abroad.

Comprehensive Support System

All CEA CAPA students have access to health and wellness resources and advising, and our Health & Safety Team is available to confidentially discuss each student's personal health and wellness concerns. Every CEA CAPA program includes a travel health insurance plan through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), with a custom portal to download their insurance card, find medical or mental health care providers abroad, and access important documentation for their travels. In the event of a health or safety emergency, students and families can contact CEA CAPA 24/7 for support.

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Planning and Preparation

CEA CAPA provides information regarding safety and security abroad in your CEA CAPA Student Portal. It's important that you do your own research as you are ultimately responsible for your personal health and safety while abroad. Embassy or Consulate for your program destination(s), and reputable online media outlets for current events. We encourage you to talk to your current medical provider(s) about how to best care for your well-being abroad, and how support services in your program destination may differ from what you’re used to receiving at home. Additional information on health and travel may be found online through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We also strongly recommend that all students are up to date on all CDC recommended vaccinations for your program location and any other destinations where you hope to plan personal travel. Once you apply to CEA CAPA, you will be able to share any information that will allow us to assist you in planning health and support services, accommodations, or appointments you may need while onsite. Our Health and Safety Team is also available to speak with you individually.

Safety Measures and Emergency Response

CEA CAPA programs are carefully planned with your safety in mind. We follow nationally recognized safety guidelines and standards in the international education field, as well as local safety requirements in our program locations. Our onsite student support teams are trained in emergency response and student affairs. CEA CAPA's dedicated Health, Safety, and Student Affairs Team is available to speak with you and answer safety and security questions you may have about your experience abroad or program destination. During the onsite orientation, your local CEA CAPA support team will provide invaluable information about important cultural differences, how to live (and blend-in) like a local, safety tips, and what to do if you feel unsafe or experience an emergency. Having a working cell phone (that does not depend on Wi-Fi) is a requirement so we can reach you in the event of an emergency, regardless of where you may be traveling. Your CEA CAPA onsite support team will give you a 24/7 emergency number during orientation, as well as other important numbers for emergency services.

Addressing Unexpected Situations

No one expects their phone or passport to get stolen while abroad, but these things, as well as other unexpected situations, can occur. CEA CAPA local team members are available 24/7 if you find yourself in an unsafe or unexpected situation such as being pickpocketed. Our staff can assist by connecting you with local authorities, providing guidance on next steps, or referring you to support services. Regardless of how large or small the incident, be assured that CEA CAPA is available to help you and point you in the right direction. Should a critical event happen during your program, such as a natural disaster, pandemic or security threat, the CEA CAPA Crisis Management Team will work closely with the local onsite team to follow our established crisis response protocols. We also partner with an experienced emergency assistance provider and international insurance company who provide critical services in these types of situations. CEA CAPA will communicate with your designated emergency contact, as well as your home institution, to keep them informed about the situation, action being taken, and most importantly, your safety and wellbeing.

Ongoing Monitoring and Adaptability

CEA CAPA actively monitors global public health and international safety concerns that may impact our program destinations. The health and safety of our students and staff is important to us, and we are committed to following both CEA CAPA and local protocols and protective measures to provide meaningful programs. Our goal is to provide our participants and partners with transparent and timely information. The recent COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that we must continue to maintain vigilance and navigate education abroad programming with public health concerns as a top priority. CEA CAPA closely monitors private, public, and governmental security intelligence resources to stay informed about ongoing global conflicts to understand how they may impact program operations in CEA CAPA destinations.

Emergency Evacuation Plan

Should a rare crisis event occur in a program location in which we may consider evacuating students for health, safety or security reasons, CEA CAPA’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) is prepared to swiftly respond. The CMT works closely with onsite team members, our international travel and health insurance provider, and our international emergency assistance provider to arrange an evacuation or other crisis response.

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Financial Options

CEA CAPA strives to provide high-quality programming at an accessible cost. The cost of studying or interning abroad varies according to many factors-but most students can find programs that align with costs at their home campus. All CEA CAPA programs include the cost of tuition, housing, international insurance, onsite support, excursions, and so much more, making our programs easy to plan and budget for. CEA CAPA offers scholarships, grants, flight vouchers, and other options to help reduce the overall cost of attendance. Your student also has the option to set up interest-free payment plans.

Understanding Program Costs

All CEA CAPA programs include the cost of tuition, housing, international insurance, onsite support, excursions, and so much more, making our programs easy to plan and budget for.

Scholarships and Grants

CEA CAPA offers scholarships, grants, flight vouchers, and other options to help reduce the overall cost of attendance.

Payment Plans

Your student also has the option to set up interest-free payment plans.

Financial Aid and Funding

We do not offer financial aid; federal financial aid must be processed through your home university. We are happy to apply funding you secure toward your program costs. Some universities have specific rules about using financial aid for 3rd party study abroad providers. It may be possible for your Financial Aid Office to estimate your award, especially if you have received Financial Aid in the past. Ask your Financial Aid Office to complete a Financial Aid Disbursement Form, using estimated amounts, and return it CEA before your final payment due date. In most cases, if your home university has a Direct Bill Agreement with CEA, you will pay the cost of your CEA study abroad program to your home university, and they will forward the funds to us. In some cases, your home university may require you to pay certain costs, such as the Confirmation Deposit.

Academics and Credit Transfer

All CEA CAPA study and intern abroad programs require that students take at least one course for academic credit. CEA CAPA programs adhere to higher education standards. Students can speak to their study abroad or academic advisor at their home institution to understand how the credits will count toward their degree requirements. The transfer of academic credit is ultimately determined by your home university. Your CEA Admissions Counselor and Site Specialist are available to answer any questions. We recommend saving copies of course syllabi and completed coursework from your study abroad program to help facilitate successful credit transfer upon program completion. It is up to your home university to determine how courses will transfer to your academic record. Most universities transfer in credits and count them toward your overall academic record, including GPA. Some universities may list classes and grades taken abroad on your academic record but do not factor these transfer credits into your GPA.

Grade Information and Transcripts

If you take courses at a CEA Study Center, you may view grades via your MyCEA Account throughout the duration of your program and after your return. If you take courses at a foreign partner institution, discuss grade-related questions with your instructors while you’re abroad. CEA's financial clearance and transcript release processes may take up to 90 days after your program's end date. Some foreign partner institutions issue transcripts in English and some do not. To assist in your university’s review, CEA includes an English translation template when sending transcripts issued in a foreign language.

Program Types

CEA Study Center - Our Centers include our own facilities, faculty, staff, and curriculum, all approved by our School of Record, the regionally accredited University of New Haven (UNH). Partner University - Our carefully chosen partners are local universities in host cities, where you’ll take classes with local and/or other international students. Hybrid - If you choose a hybrid program, you’ll take classes at both a CEA Study Center and a partner university.

Diversity and Inclusion

CEA CAPA is committed to increasing access to study and interning abroad. CEA CAPA provides, in conjunction with Diversity Abroad, Destination Guides which provide resources and tips for Black/African-American students, Latinx students, Asian American students, and all other students of color. Through our personalized advising, CEA CAPA takes steps to understand the needs of a diversity of student identities like the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to diversity and identity training, CEA CAPA leadership engage in continuous department level project work to identify and revise policies and practices using the appropriate Justice, Equity, Diversity or Inclusion lens as a frame to reduce bias and barriers that impact students, faculty, and staff. CEA CAPA is intentional in elevating diverse student voices and providing a platform for a broad array of identities to share their experiences abroad. CEA CAPA is willing and able to assist students with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Students are requested to disclose disabilities through the application health forms as part of their application and in discussion with their application advisor or program manager.

Sustainability

CEA CAPA makes a conscious effort to create study abroad experiences that leave a positive impact on host communities. Each location implements a variety of strategies to support the local community and promote sustainability.

Housing and Wellbeing

While you’ll spend a lot of time abroad exploring new cities, searching for the best cafes, and immersing yourself in local culture, you're probably looking forward to having a home base through your CEA CAPA housing. time abroad, it’s important to consider how your living environment abroad may differ from what you’re used to, and how that intersects with your wellbeing.

Housing Options

Program prices include a standard housing option, which may include apartments and residence halls; however, options vary by location and session. Many of our locations offer homestays as a standard housing choice or as an option for an additional fee. You may request to room with friends by selecting the same housing type and request and confirming each other as roommates. Here are some things you can anticipate with CEA CAPA housing: Apartment sizes, layouts, and amenities will vary. An authentic living experience likely means downsizing. Like any major city, space is at a premium. Each type (as listed above) will have its own distinct features, layouts, and amenities.

Community and Respect

Whether you’re living in your own studio, staying with a host family, or sharing an apartment with your CEA CAPA peers, you’ll encounter new people on a regular basis throughout your time abroad. Your neighbors, host family, or flat mates may have different lifestyles, values, racial or ethnic backgrounds, religious customs, or gender identities. CEA CAPA insists that all individuals are treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity and does not discriminate against any individual. Your housing is an important part of your experience studying abroad, and we encourage you to embrace these differences as a unique opportunity to live like a local!

Cultural Adaptation and Engagement

CEA CAPA provides helpful pre-departure information and comprehensive orientations upon arrival. At orientations participants will meet CEA CAPA onsite staff, other program participants, and receive important information on the host culture. Engaging with the culture in your “home away from home” is one of the most enjoyable but sometimes challenging aspects of living in a new culture. CEA CAPA offers a variety of activities and events that can aid in your connection to the host city and culture.

Opportunities for Engagement

From volunteer placements that last the duration of the program to one-off opportunities, there's no shortage of ways to get involved in a cause you're passionate about or help others in need. Cooking workshops, fútbol matches, museum exhibits, and hiking are just some of the possible experiences that help participants engage with and absorb the culture of their new city. From daytrips to nearby destinations like castles, wineries, coffee farms, and quaint towns, to overnight trips to more distant locations, participants may choose to engage in an excursion planned by CEA CAPA staff to gain a more holistic perspective of the local culture and program destination.

Important Considerations Before You Go

As you're preparing for your time abroad, CEA CAPA will provide you with information regarding safety and security abroad in your CEA CAPA Student Portal. It's important that you do your own research as you are ultimately responsible for your personal health and safety while abroad. Embassy or Consulate for your program destination(s), and reputable online media outlets for current events.

Passport and Visa Requirements

You must have a current passport. Most of our international partner universities must receive your passport information at least 45 days before classes begin. Apply for or renew your passport as soon as you think you'll be studying abroad, as the process can take several weeks. Requirements vary depending upon nationality, duration of stay, and other factors; it is your responsibility to research and obtain the documentation required for entering and studying in a country within the timeline designated by its government.

Communication and Technology

As part of the Program Participation Agreement, all students are required to have a working cell phone number that is not dependent on WiFi to make or receive calls. This allows CEA CAPA staff to reach you in the event of an emergency. You may choose to secure a cell phone and international plan before you leave for your program or once you arrive at your program destination. Additionally, all students are required to download an emergency communication app during orientation.

Staying Informed

While no study abroad provider can guarantee safety on an international program, CEA CAPA global staff closely monitor the current safety and security conditions in all program locations and regions around the world. government reports, reports from local authorities in the program destination, open-source information, as well as intelligence from local resources and networks. The Health, Safety and Student Affairs Team, along with CEA CAPA leadership review this information to make appropriate decisions about program operations and activities.CEA CAPA will educate you about potential risks abroad during pre-departure, upon arrival, and at intervals during your study abroad program, When you arrive abroad, we conduct mandatory orientation sessions that include safety information, location-specific safety tips, and what to do in an emergency.You are strongly encouraged to research your destination and be informed about location conditions, safety and security guidelines and the local culture. While CEA CAPA provides information and student support, your health and safety is ultimately your responsibility.

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