An Experience Like No Other Past Review
By Hannah Burford (Quinnipiac University) - abroad from 01/30/2017 to 05/20/2017 with
AIFS: Prague - Charles University
I gained a lot of independence and self-confidence on this trip. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and it was so worth it!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The class style is very different from in the US. You have to have a lot more self-initiative and do more independent research. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The AIFS staff was amazing - so friendly, helpful, and always there for you no matter what!! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm (Masarykova kolej) was kind of low quality but in a great location. |
| * Food: |
I'm a vegetarian so it was somewhat harder for me, but there are a lot of restaurants and grocery stores so you always have plenty of options. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish that there had more activities to help us get integrated with locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My glasses broke while I was abroad and the staff was amazing - Karin immediately brought me to the optician and translated for me. It would've been a lot harder without her! |
| * Safety: |
I hardly ever felt unsafe, and I'm not from a city back home. The only thing that I would say is be careful of pickpockets - they're really good. Make sure to keep hold of your valuables whenever your're on public transportation or in touristy areas. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I didn't know what I was getting into when I applied to study in the Czech Republic, but I'm so glad I did. It was an experience like no other. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Prague is a very cheap place to live! However, that will change with the switch to the Euro. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | They gave a meal card, so I maybe spent 1000 crowns a week from that card. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You don't need to spend a lot of money to have amazing experiences. Get lost and wander around. Go to free museums and exhibitions. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
You can get by without Czech, but it is highly encouraged to at least try to use the language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had never taken Czech |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just try to use the language - even if you mess it up, people will appreciate the effort! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known more about Czech/Eastern European culture. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
