I'm in love with the Czech Republic Past Review
By A student (Film, Television & Interactive Media, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/16/2019 to 05/16/2019 with
CET Film Production at FAMU
I learned a lot about traveling and even more about independence. I learned that I definitely could live abroad and not miss my family too much to the point where I wanted to go home. If I could do it over again, I would stay for a year. As soon as it was time to leave not only was the weather beginning to warm up, but I was also settling into a nice rhythm that made me feel like I belonged there. It was finally feeling like my new home.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Rigor wise, having to be in class for most of the day was challenging. Academically, the classes were redundant and could have been combined to result in a more cohesive lesson and less time confined between white walls for 8hrs. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was so very nice and always ready to help! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved my apartment! I had a very nice view of Charles Square in Praha 2. Having a market right below my apartment was something I didn't know I needed until the munchies kicked in |
| * Food: |
You have to buy your own groceries, but eating out isn't actually that expensive either! Find some local spots on the other side of the river to escape the tourism prices and honestly you could eat out 2/3 meals a day and be fine on money if you budget correctly. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had to do a lot of my own integration. I pushed myself to go at least 20 minutes in any direction to make sure I was getting a more authentic sense of how locals live outside of the main areas of Prague. Try it for yourself. The program doesn't really do a great job of teaching you about Czech history or locals beyond the first couple of days. That leaves me unable to hold a part of a conversation when people ask me cultural questions about CZ which makes me kind of sad because I wish I knew more. Or even, had space in my schedule for a class to learn more. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I incredible ill after a weekend trip and needed a doctor. The GeoBlue insurance covered everything I needed for Poliklinica (the clinic I went to) and they were able to give me the medications I needed at absolutely no cost. Though if you make an appointment with that clinic, make sure to call through Geoblue and not the clinic because Geoblue is more influential and can get you in faster. |
| * Safety: |
I felt so safe walking at any time of the day. Even at 3 am!. (taking the tram at night sometimes takes longer than walking). I would stand on the street late at night talking to my mother and no one would bother me. There are so many people out as well so you never feel alone. Prague is by far the safest I've felt anywhere in my life. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really enjoyed living in Prague. I could not have asked for a better country. However, the program could definitely use some work, and I found myself frustrated most of the time, but I enjoyed the experience and learn so much about myself. |
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 average amount spent a day is $33. You won't spend that much if you don't go out every night within the first few weeks. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Really just pay attention to prices. You should get a hang of Czech currency like three days in so after that you should know whats jacked and what's not. |
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 |
beyond the classes, you should try to use Czech in your everyday. You'll be surprised at how much you will understand at the end of it, if you actually are receptive to 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 |
| 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? | Do what I did and take a train to the end of the line and then hop on a bus to end of the line. 99% chance they don't speak English and you'll have the perfect opportunity to sharpen your language skills. The locals will also be super impressed. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | You'll be in class for a majority of the day and into the night. There will be classes that are way more interesting, but scheduling conflicts will not allow you to take them. The people in your classes may also switch around a bit in the first month. |
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.' |
