What a Life-Changing Four Months Past Review
By Katie Fanning (University of Delaware) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/16/2016 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Intern in Prague
Every person whether American or foreign taught me so much about culture humility. I pushed myself to say yes as often as possible and cannot be more grateful for having done this. Who I was abroad was the best version of myself I have ever met known and taught me how important it is to keep learning well into adulthood. I fit in Prague like a puzzle piece and stand today a more confident, happy and strong person because of the few months I lived there.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Anglo American was a perfect university for studying abroad because it was in the heart of the city and small enough that you could get to know local students well. My only complaint was that not all courses from the university were offered to CEA students |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CEA staff were outstandingly supportive and enthusiastic. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved my apartment and CEA made very clear that they would help me switch if something was not working for me |
| * Food: |
Food was not provided by CEA but Prague has every type of food you could need/want from Czech to Mexican to Chinese |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You need to step out of your comfort zone to meet the locals but once you put in an effort you can learn wonders |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not need any healthcare assistance but my friend did and the hospital staff was hard to communicate with. No specially preparations were needed prior to departure |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. I had a near run-in with the Berlin attack in late December, immediately after my trip ended. The first people to contact me was CEA Prague staff |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would not change a single thing about my experience. Not the place, people, decisions or copious food consumption. Interning was one of the best decisions because it gave a competitive professional edge over other study abroad students. CEA was wonderful and I have since travelled with them again because of their dedicated and superb staff support. |
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) |
The Czech Koruna converts heavily in US dollars favor so living expenses are much cheaper there. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Food, drinks most nights a week and spending were around 50-75 (I bought food and drinks a lot more frequently than at home university) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are balling on a budget, stay in your home city for the weekends. I spent the most on traveling expenses each week but Prague has loads to do and is very affordable to do day trips. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | Pack less on the way over, you won't need it all and will want room for what you purchase abroad. Packing is not worth the stress so just bring a few important items. |
