Wonderful Experience! Past Review
By A student (HISTORY., American University) - abroad from 01/19/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
CET Prague
So, so worthwhile. I fell in love with Central Europe - Prague definitely, but also Krakow and Budapest through the trips that CET organized for the whole program. I learned a lot about the history and culture of all of Central Europe, and I also learned how to live abroad and exist immersed in a culture that was not my own. I moved to Budapest after graduation (prompted by my visit there while I was with CET in Prague) and felt that my experience in Prague had perfectly prepared me for the challenges of living abroad as an adult.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
CET put all of us in absolutely beautiful apartments in great locations in the city. I was immensely pleased. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't feel totally integrated with the local culture because I lived in an apartment with other CET students, but that's what I needed at the time, given my relative lack of international experience, and that's what a lot of college students need. Without overwhelming me, CET gave me enough exposure to Czech culture for me to significantly broaden my understanding of the Czech Republic and for me to gain confidence living in another country. After graduation, I moved abroad and felt very prepared for it based on my experience in Prague. I feel that CET was the perfect choice for a first extended international experience. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
CET gave us the names and locations for some great english-speaking doctors and gave us some information about who would accept our insurance. To be honest, that's all we really needed; my experiences (three altogether) with healthcare in Prague were smooth and simple. |
| * Safety: |
The only thing you have to watch out for is pick-pockets. None of us on the program ever felt afraid of anything beyond that. Prague is a very safe city, and CET placed us in exceptionally safe areas. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
If you really want to live on the cheap, it's very easy. I cooked most of my food. My friends went out to eat very frequently and spent more than me, but still lived on a much smaller budget than in the U.S. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Our Czech classes were mostly practice speaking and the course material focused heavily on the language we would need to use to function around the city. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Go up to Czechs at bars and try to use it. They'll think it's funny and endearing and they'll want to help you practice. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It goes by so fast! I would have tried even harder to do new things all the time. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
