Amazing Experience in Prague Past Review

By (Psychology/Ethnomusicology, Barnard College) for

CIEE: Prague - Central European Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. Learned a lot about living/traveling on my own and met people i'd never meet at my home university.

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.

The classes weren't as challenging as I'm used to, but I did come out of the whole experience feeling like i learned a lot. The electives that I took were really interesting and it was amazing to study Czech psychology in the midst of Prague.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program was very small and I knew everyone who worked for the administration. They were extremely helpful with everything.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I could walk to class in about 20 minutes and the apartment location was amazing. My czech flatmate was really friendly and loved practicing czech with me.

* Food:

Not so great for vegetarians

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Krakow trip was great. They give you reimbursement for cultural activities, which lets you go to the opera/symphony/theatre for free.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Prague is very safe. The administrators keep a cell phone on 24/7 for emergencies and ALWAYS answer.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Much cheaper to cook at home. Know that you'll have to pay about 10 dollars a month for internet. Gyms and yoga studios are expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Elementary II
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Field Trips
  • Interesting Electives
  • Apartment Location
* What could be improved?
  • On-site orientations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It helps to have travelled before and be used to living on your own. if you're living in apartments, you're responsible for 100% of your meals and laundry etc.