Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Messy, but Loved Living Abroad. July 13, 2026

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/15/2026 to 05/15/2026 with

CET Prague

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile because I loved being able to travel on my own. I got better at budgeting etc, but I didn't like my program.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had way too much work compared to all of my friends

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Lily Sunshine was amazing, but everyone else was hit or miss. Also I didn't feel like my concerns were actually heard most of the time.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My suitemate (Eli Goldstein) was a creep.

* Food:

I am gluten- and nut-free, and there were a lot of options for me in Prague. Food wasn't included in the program though.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I went to the ER and I was in the waiting room for a few hours and felt forgotten... I ended up being there until 3AM.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

My suitemate was a creep, my classes were needlessly difficult, and my concerns felt disregarded by the program coordinators. I also didn't really make friends because the program was tiny. I loved Prague and being able to travel, though.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200-ish.

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

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? In Czech, nothing.
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Prague
  • Jewish
  • Traveling through Europe
* What could be improved?
  • Certain classes
  • Certain teachers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that my suitemate got kicked out of high school for touching an elementary school-aged child.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

A History of Communist Europe Told through Humor
Course Department:
Instructor: Ondřej Galuška
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The Prof was good and I liked the movies but it was a bit much
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Beginning Czech Language
Course Department:
Instructor: Kateřina Macíková
Instruction Language: English, Czech
Comments: Loved her and the course
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Jews, Anti-Semitism, Holocaust Memory in Central Europe
Course Department:
Instructor: Judita Matyášová
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Class felt pointless, teacher had the strongest BO I've ever smelled
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Modern History of the Jews in East Central Europe
Course Department:
Instructor: Daniela Bartáková
Instruction Language:
Comments: Class was fine, teacher a bit anti-Zionist
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Political and Cultural History of East Central Europe in the 20th Century
Course Department:
Instructor: Tomáš Bouška
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Love Tomáš
Credit Transfer Issues: