CET Prague, Jewish Studies-- an unforgettable and unique European adventure Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Some of the classes on CET were excellent-- I took a class on the Memory of the Holocaust in Central Europe, as well as a course on Nationalism, Minorities and Migrations, and I loved both of the classes. However, our core class, Jewish History, was very boring and not well structured.

On-site administration of your program

Jiri and Katka, the Central European Studies Director and the Jewish Studies Director (respectively) were really responsive and helped us with whatever we needed. I felt comfortable coming to them about pretty much anything.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments we lived in were really nice and very centrally located. I felt safe walking around my area and at home where I was living (Karlovo Namesti)

Food in Prague is super cheap which made it very easy to eat out, as well as to cook for myself. Additionally, the meals that the program provided us with on excursions or on other occasions was usually very good.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I would say that is one of the only weaknesses of the CET program-- although we had Czech buddies, they often kept to themselves or were not interested in getting to know us, or were not from Prague and couldn't help us navigate the city. My Czech buddy was a very sweet girl, but she was not from Prague itself and as a result knew little to nothing about it. I felt the most integrated of all of my peers because I had an opportunity to work in an old age home, but other than that experience it was hard to really feel completely integrated into the culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any health issues so I can't really speak from experience, but as far as I could tell the situation was fairly good. The program gave us a list of english speaking doctors during the first week so I knew that if I had any problems that was what I could refer to.

I felt safe almost all the time and everywhere in the city. Obviously be smart and don't walk around by yourself at night too much, but even when I had to be on my own I never really felt that unsafe. The only major thing that happens in Prague is pickpocketing, so just hold on tight to your purses and/or wallets and you should be fine.

This is an excellent program, especially for Jewish studies students. I learned so much in my time here and wouldn't have changed it for anything!

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I spent maybe $60 a week, if that, in Prague. It's a very affordable city.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

A lot of the initiative to use Czech outside of class came from ourselves. I tried my best to use it around Prague, but I know some of my friends didn't feel quite as comfortable.

Select all that apply

• Apartment

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• Local Students
• Americans

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans

• Traveling Seminar
• our Program Directors
• Prague as a city

• more integration
• higher quality Czech Buddies, or get rid of them entirely
• less strict rules about attendance

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