Studying abroad is the experience of a lifetime, but it is of course ideal to supplement the cost of that investment. CEA offers scholarships from $2000 to $3000 for winning CEA program applicants.

The Academic Department is very excited about the number and quality of scholarship essays that have been submitted for the Spring 2010 season. If you would like to apply, it’s not too late; however, the deadline this Sunday is fast approaching and you need to complete a few steps to apply, so review the requirements today to get your application in on time. Review scholarship eligibility requirements.

The best way to write a winning scholarship essay is to review previous winning essays, and then write your own that is unique, flavorful, and of course addresses the question! View all of our Fall '09 winning essays, but below you will find an excerpt from one of our all time favorites.

Deborah M. Jones
Director of Academic Affairs at CEA

Spring 2008 Global Education Scholarship 1st Place Essay Winner

"If you could compare your anticipated personal development during study abroad to any article of clothing, what would it be?"

I’m used to flip-flops; the worn-down, plain brown, need-to-be-thrown out kind. These have been a safe dependable means of getting me through my college career so far. From classes to meetings to the football stadium, my trusty flip-flops serve me well, but they leave much to be desired. Like my flip-flops, I’ve become too comfortable in my college lifestyle. Life at school has become a little flat and I am ready to push my boundaries. I am anxious for the chance to finally make the transition from the ordinary to the unexpected.

Now imagine heels. Not just little sandals, but bright red, 3-inch high, pointy-toed heels. The switch from my everyday wear to in-your-face heels is what I expect of my study abroad experience.

Coming from the security of flip-flops, the idea of leaving behind everything I know and trying something completely different can be terrifying. The first steps of this new experience in heels may be uncomfortable, a little unstable and definitely challenging...

Amanda Aaron
Spring 2008
Granada, Spain
University of Maryland College Park

Last week CEA study abroad students from Alicante went to the coastal town of El Campello. This place has a very strong fishing tradition, but this day, we went for the Moros y Cristianos festivity which commemerates the battles between Moors and Christians back in Medieval times, when the region was conquered by the Arabs.

The promenades were amazing. Different rows of people with very cool dressings where marching in the middle of the streets, performing some medieval shows and dances. How interesting! You won't see anything like this back in the states!

One of the study abroad day trips for Alicante Summer program students was visiting the coastal town of Calpe. For this trip we took the TRAM, a train that runs along the Costa Blanca, so during our ride we had the opportunity to sight see some great places like San Juan Beach, La Vila, Benidorm and Altea.

We all knew that part of this trip would also be a hike up Ifach Rock. It is the emblem of the Costa Blanca, called the "North Rock" by the ancient Phoencians (Gibraltar is the South one), but we couldn’t imagine how beautiful it was until we started the ascension. I’m not the best in the world at hiking, but it was lot of fun and, what’s more, it was not tiring. I was really concerned at the beginning, as I didn’t want to be behind the group. But it only took us around 35 minutes to get to a natural tunnel carved out of the rock that takes you to the top and we were really impressed with the nature, the views and also the birds.

After our hike, very tasty paella was waiting for us at the port in Calpe. We had a reservation in one of the typical restaurants where you see and pick the seafood you want to have! Although our students had the option of picking out their own live seafood, if that was too challenging we (Alicante Resident Staff) also reserved some really good paella and appetizers such as salads, mussels and different calamari to give everyone a true taste of the Costa Blanca.

Everything turned out perfectly. A good workout, great food and, of course, sunshine for those of us that wanted to rest on the beach after lunch.

- Lidiana Valles Alcaraz
  CEA Student Services Coordinator