Housing & Living Abroad
Get a Flight Credit worth up to $1,250
when you apply with code* by June 30, 2023
Housing Options
CEA's diverse housing options let you live like a local while you're studying abroad. Standard CEA housing is included in your program price, and where available, you may select upgrades like private bedrooms or private bathrooms. In some study locations you may also have the option of arranging your own independent housing.
Each CEA location offers carefully chosen housing options, so review all options to decide which one is best for you. Housing options may include:
- Apartments
- Homestays
- Residencias & Residence Halls
- Foyers & Studios
- Casa Universitarias
- Extended Stay Hotels
All CEA students commute to class and may use public transportation and/or walking to navigate their host city. Living in a larger metropolitan area, students can expect to commute up to 45 minutes to reach classes or CEA offices.
Accommodation Requests, Dietary Concerns
Students can request specific classroom or housing accommodations during the pre-departure process and will be asked to provide documentation that supports the request. While CEA
cannot guarantee accommodations will be met in the same way a student experiences in their home university, every effort is made to provide comparable accommodations to support a student’s health and wellbeing. Students are responsible for their
own dietary needs, and CEA onsite staff have lists of markets and restaurants that feature vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten free options. CEA must be informed of food allergies, which students can describe on the student’s CEA Health and
Wellness Profile.
Reach out to your CEA Enrollment Advisor to discuss the accommodations you receive on your home campus. CEA wants to support you and needs to understand the classroom and/or housing support that you currently receive.
CEA Housing Policies & CEA Code of Conduct
It is the responsibility of each student to review the CEA Housing Policies and CEA Student Code of Conduct for
the most current information, as policies are subject to change. By applying to a CEA program, you agree to follow all CEA policies. As we navigate the challenges presented by COVID-19, please read the CEA Informed Consent developed to answer frequently asked questions and to help keep you aware of the new normal.
Cultural Adaption & Cultural Engagement
CEA provides pre-departure information to help prepare you to go abroad, then conducts comprehensive orientations upon arrival. Orientations enable students to meet the CEA onsite staff, meet the other students on the program, and get insider information on the host culture.
Engaging with the culture of the host location is one of the most enjoyable‒yet challenging‒aspects of living in a new culture. Whether attending a performance of Swan Lake in Rome or volunteering at an organic farm in San José, CEA approaches our cultural engagement activities with intentionality.
Volunteering: From placements that last the duration of the program to one-off opportunities, there's no shortage of ways to get involved.
Cultural Engagement Activities: Cooking workshops, fútbol matches, museum exhibits, and hiking are just some of the planned experiences that help students engage with and absorb the culture of their new city.
Excursions: From daytrips to nearby destinations like beaches, wineries, coffee farms, and quaint towns, to overnight trips to more distant locations, students travel with CEA Staff to gain a more holistic perspective of the culture.
Learn how to adapt and thrive abroad! Read more about cultural adaptation.
Student Success
CEA believes student success abroad is predicated on a student’s academic, emotional, and logistical preparation, which enables holistic engagement in a culturally relevant and academically challenging program. CEA staff facilitate student success in compassionate, safe, and healthy environments where inclusive learning, personal growth, and global insight can take place.
Our CEA Student Success model identifies specific factors known to impact the study or internship experience, including past academic performance, family involvement, peer connections, and engagement onsite, as well as health and wellness issues. CEA staff pro-actively intervene when behavioral or academic concerns arise so students may overcome their individual challenges. Our goal is for every student to complete their program of study or internship having learned more about themselves while gaining the academic credit or professional experience desired.
If at any time a student is encountering challenges, has concerns for another student, or just wants to ask questions—CEA staff are available 24/7 to support students. Anonymous reporting is also available by emailing or calling CEA. Please never hesitate to reach out for yourself or on behalf of another.
Students with Physical and Mental Health Challenges
Not all institutions of higher learning, internship providers, or cultural sites abroad have laws requiring infrastructure accommodate students with mobility issues, visual impairments, mental health challenges, or learning disabilities. It is essential students describe in their CEA Health & Wellness Profile any type of physical, visual, or mental health challenge they have and the type of accommodation needed to enable their participation in the educational and cultural experiences abroad. CEA will investigate the conditions present in the host country and/or determine what accommodations can be made to enable student success. Please review the CEA Special Accommodations Request Forms to share what support is require be successful. You can also visit Mobility International USA for more information.
