Prague: You Won't Regret It Past Review
By Callahan (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/25/2017 to 05/14/2017 with
CIEE: Prague - Central European Studies
Study abroad is really about learning to be okay with doing things on your own and also appreciating the friends you make along the way.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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? |
I was in a homestay and it was a wonderful experience. Even though I was farther from the city center than students that lived in apartments I feel like I really got to indulge myself in the culture. |
| * Food: |
Czech food is definitely rich and can be a bit monotonous, but I still loved it. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Czech people are fairly reserved and with the language barrier it's definitely difficult to meet strangers and, but it was still wonderful to live like the Czechs and get to know them. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did have to go the doctor's once while I was abroad because I got an infection, and the program was very helpful in setting up the doctor's appointment and my experience with Czech medical professionals was different, but pleasant. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe. Of course you have to use common sense, but I was never concerned about my safety except for in the beginning when everything was really new. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Prague was amazing and the people I met were amazing, I wouldn't have it any other way |
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) |
Prague is definitely one of the most reasonably priced cities in Europe, unfortunately it has a lot to do with their workers being underpaid. But you can definitely get by with $100 or less a week even if you go out to eat a few times a week. But that does not include traveling on the weekend. It's probably going to be closer to $200-$250 with travel expenses. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$200 (that includes lots of travel) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Something that helped me was keeping track of the money I was spending each week and what I was spending it on. At the end of each week I would estimate/ use receipts I had kept and calculate how much I had spent on food, alcohol, gifts, transportation, and misc. And while it didn't stop me from spending money it definitely kept me aware of how much I was spending. |
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? | none |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You need a change pouch |
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.' |
