Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Something Else Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/25/2017 to 05/14/2017 with

CIEE: Prague - Central European Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much, but I think the most important thing was that I learned what I'm capable of when I quit my comfort zone, and that felt priceless.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I only didn't enjoy the school part, because I thought it would be mixed with students who already study in Prague, but it was only the people from my program and only Americans. But I think the program took good care of us, we had a lot of freedom and access to many things, our living situations were really good, and I felt very safe.

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)

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
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My apartment
  • Orientation
  • They gave us free transportation ticket and sim card
* What could be improved?
  • Class descriptions (some of my classes definitely did not match with their descriptions)
  • utilities at the apartments (e.g we didn't have a toaster but all the other apartments had one, our oven didnt work well, some kitchen equipment were very dirty that they couldnt be used, etc.)
  • Class excursions can be described better
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew before that I was gonna be taking classes with people from only our program, in a small building that belongs to the program.

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.'