Hear from our students and follow along with their journeys abroad. Get inspired as you plan your study abroad experience with CEA CAPA.
Exploring Granada’s Captivating Culture During a Study Abroad Semester When studying abroad it was clear that I would come back with new academic knowledge, but I did not know that I would come back intimately familiar with a new culture, a new way of life., We often hear about culture shock when talking about living in a new place, but it is important to highlight the cultural appreciation that happens at the same time., Throughout this photo set, I showcase different holidays and moments from my time in Spain in which I got to share my culture and observe the culture of those around me., The Spanish culture values people over products in every aspect of life., This building stood strong as one dominant culture gave way to another.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/09/17/a-cultural-exchange-while-studying-abroad-in-granada--spainIt was scary to realize that I could not answer their questions…a part of what I was signing up for is experiencing a new culture firsthand., A Gentle Arrival One of the aspects that CEA CAPA is very involved in is the arrival process, and thank goodness because their support eased the intimidation of taking on a new living situation, city, country, culture, and language., They discussed in depth subjects such as: Culture and culture shocks in France How to be involved in the community here What support is available for us An abundance of information on life in Aix, our new home Aisling and Isabelle both came from a background of living or studying in Aix-en-Provence so my study abroad group and I were immediately given a local’s perspective—something that can take years to acquire.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/08/05/study-abroad-pre-departure-to-arrival-in-aix-en-provence-franceI was too busy bracing myself for the many culture shocks I would experience during the transition abroad., However, one of the biggest culture shocks turned out to be the academics., I’ve realized the value of hands-on learning The field studies I’ve attended, particularly for my Postwar British Popular Culture class, have been one of the most enriching parts of my academic experience at CEA CAPA.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/07/29/how-studying-abroad-in-london-made-me-a-better-studentOrientation Attending CEA CAPA orientation events supplemented the first week of my study abroad in Barcelona in a handful of ways—whether it was by meeting friends who I have already begun to plan travels with, or to know more about Barcelona’s culture as a whole from the insight of locals., Key Takeaways Studying abroad in a new country can be scary, shockingly unfamiliar, and cause for immense amounts of cultural shock.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/07/23/from-jet-lag-to-adjustment-my-first-week-studying-abroad-in-barcelona-spainAdapting to life in the host culture, from transportation methods to second language skills , recognizing your strengths and weaknesses to promote growth, and ultimately conquering the experience means you were able to build success for yourself—an important trait for living a fruitful life!, A new culture also introduces many local customs that may come as a shock, such as a kiss on each cheek (which is actually more of a cheek touch accompanied by a kissing sound) when meeting your supervisor, as is the typical Spanish greeting., Though it depends on the industry and unique culture of each company, interns may find themselves lacking direction or sufficient assignments., This recommendation is just one example of a way you will benefit from adapting to and learning from your host culture., Interning abroad will give you a deeper immersion into your host culture and a different learning opportunity that you would miss without it.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/07/04/four-tips-to-maximize-international-internship-experience-while-studying-abroadFrom Surfing to Delicious Produce Markets, Exploring Sydney’s Culture So far my time studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, has been marvelous., It is a wonderful city booming with activity and culture., One of the biggest parts of Australian culture, especially in a coastal city such as Sydney, is the surf culture., This was a bit of a culture shock at first when I arrived, but already by the second day I had gotten the hang of which side of the path is appropriate to walk on., This design and concept is something I have not seen in the States and seems unique to Australian culture., Discovering the Culture While Studying Abroad in Sydney
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/07/01/captivating-culture-i-discovered-while-studying-abroad-in-sydney-australiaMissing out on experiencing Barcelona’s abundant culture in the confinement of a windowless classroom?, My Food & Culture class also met in a kitchen on a Tuesday evening to split into groups and each cook a different typical Catalan tapa from scratch., Tapas workshop with my Food & Culture in Spain class., Instructors at CEA CAPA are resources for all questions—my Food & Culture professor gave us tons of restaurant recommendations in the area!, Key Takeaways Studying abroad comes with many necessary adjustments and culture shock—even when it comes to studying!
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/06/18/what-its-like-studying-abroad-in-barcelona-spainWhile there, she immersed herself in a different culture and gained new experiences., One academic shock I experienced was the length of classes., In moments of homesickness, what activities or resources did you find most helpful for connecting with your home culture or maintaining a sense of familiarity?
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/06/10/alumni-spotlight-samirah-reyes-studied-abroad-in-san-jose-costa-ricaIt's not just about the groceries; it's about immersing yourself in the local culture, experiencing the vibrant atmosphere, and interacting with the friendly vendors., A big part of Sydney's culture is food, which I love., I believe I have become more diverse by trying different cuisines and learning the culture of each restaurant., One surprising thing that shocked me was how eco-friendly every restaurant is, from wooden cutlery to paper straws.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/05/28/eating-on-a-budget-while-studying-abroad-in-sydney-australiaOur closeness comes from living in the same house and experiencing the same culture shock of being in a new country, living together, and going through a different school structure.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/05/02/importance-of-having-a-community-while-studying-abroad-in-san-joséWith cats roaming and calls to prayers, culture shock was in play to say the least but the Camels brought me back down., The Colorful Cuisine Food abroad is an integral part of Moroccan culture, some of these photos pay homage to the mouthwatering cuisine found in Chefchaouen and Tangier., The beautiful culture of Tangier: Markets filled with olives, spices and lively locals.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/04/22/study-abroad-excursions-to-chefchaouen-tangier-in-moroccoHow does CEA CAPA connect with French Culture?, After we arrived in France, CEA CAPA explained what culture shock is., Culture shock is the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they’re suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes., These CEA CAPA excursions broadened my understanding of the French language, cuisine, and lifestyle which all contributed to their culture., The Culture What was it like being in a small French city compared to a major one like Paris?
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2024/01/02/my-take-on-the-french-cultural-experience-and-studying-abroadDaily Practices that Help with Homesickness and Culture Shock Moving to a new country to study abroad can feel incredibly daunting, and upon arrival, you may feel the effects of homesickness and/or cultural adjustment., As a U.S. student studying abroad in Florence , I have experienced feelings of homesickness and culture shock but also used these four accessible practices to limit their effects: 1.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2023/11/10/practices-that-help-with-mental-health-wellbeing-abroadNavigating Culture Shock First, culture shock is very common, especially when talking to friends I made here while studying abroad in Paris., Feelings of being overwhelmed, missing home, culture shock, and loneliness are natural.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2023/08/07/how-to-overcome-study-abroad-obstacles-study-abroad-tipsUnlike America, most things at Australian supermarkets are very cheap, but my lack of knowledge about Aussie food brands led to some major culture shock once I stepped into Aldi., Living Down Under- Challenges and Culture Shock
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2023/07/14/living-down-under-challenges-and-culture-shockI was shocked at how different workplace culture in Australia to that of America.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2023/07/14/falling-head-over-heels-for-my-internship-at-mashay-literallyI couldn’t help but notice immediately how different we all were when it came to style, slang, and culture., The Czech environment, however, was the biggest culture shock for me.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2023/05/08/my-experience-studying-abroad-as-an-asian-american-pragueThrown into an unfamiliar culture and environment, one is forced to develop and understand new perspectives on life., In order to mitigate the more difficult stages of culture shock, it is essential to maintain a more carefree attitude and with that, consistently remind myself to do the following: Stop trying to be perfect As I dive head-first into an entirely new setting, creating expectations and worrying about what's to come will cause more harm than good., Granted I am having the time of my life, I've also found myself worrying about the upcoming culture shock more times than not.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2023/02/21/my-overarching-goal-for-studying-abroadAs someone who is fascinated by the relationship between culture and geography, seeing such an abrupt transition of cultures after traveling such a small distance was truly astonishing., However, traveling to Morocco is not without challenges, as the vastly different culture in comparison to Europe and the United States can be a hard adjustment for many., This is a culture shock that many Westerners experience when traveling outside Europe or North America and is often a source of frustration.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2022/12/17/morocco-why-you-should-go-outside-europe-while-studying-abroad-in-barcelonaHowever, life becomes pretty different when one moves abroad for four months to study and live in a foreign culture., Homesickness can occur for many reasons, and culture shock may also contribute to these confusing feelings., How To Deal with Confusing Feelings: Homesickness and Culture Shock
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2022/12/10/how-to-deal-with-confusing-feelings-homesickness-and-culture-shock