CEA Study Abroad

About CEA Study Abroad

Founded in 1997 by Brian Boubek, CEA Study Abroad, now operating as CEA CAPA Education Abroad, has established itself as a significant for-profit entity in the international education sector. Boubek, a study abroad alumnus himself, started the company with the goal of providing high-quality academic programs and comprehensive student support services. The company’s trajectory has been marked by strategic growth, both organically and through acquisitions, solidifying its market position. A pivotal moment in its history was the investment by private equity firm Infinedi Partners in August 2020, followed by a strategic partnership with CAPA: The Global Education Network in 2021, and a subsequent merger in January 2023. This consolidation, along with the recent 2025 acquisitions of CIS Abroad, CISaustralia, and Barcelona SAE, and the 2024 acquisition of Atlantis, has significantly expanded the company's global footprint.

The business operates by providing a comprehensive suite of study abroad and international internship programs for U.S. and Canadian university students. Its primary clients are undergraduate students from a network of over 450 partner colleges and universities across the United States and Australia. Revenue is generated primarily through program fees, which typically cover tuition, housing, academic credits, on-site support, and various cultural immersion activities and excursions. The company employs a direct-to-student marketing approach while also working through university study abroad offices, some of which have direct billing agreements. With the latest acquisitions, CEA CAPA is projected to serve over 15,000 students annually, with an estimated yearly revenue between $75M and $100M.

CEA CAPA’s service offerings are diverse, catering to a wide range of academic disciplines and career interests. The company offers programs in 92 cities across 37 countries, utilizing its 17 study centers and a broad network of international university partners. Program models are flexible, including options where students take courses exclusively at a CEA Study Center with other program participants, directly at a partner university alongside local students, or a hybrid of both. Beyond traditional study programs, CEA CAPA has a strong focus on pre-professional development, offering international internships tailored to students' career goals and a Global Career Development Certificate that includes a mentorship component. Recent acquisitions have specifically enhanced offerings for students in high-demand fields such as health sciences, pre-law, business, and engineering.