Prague: The Unexpected Yet Rewarding Culture Shock! Past Review
By Fritzi P (Anthropology/Environmental Studies, Tufts University) for
CIEE: Prague - Central European Studies
yes, as a german citizen, it made me understand the easter struggle better. one day i want to return for a visit but i dont think i can see myself every living there for long periods of time again.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | charles university |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
workload was less than at Tufts and it still didnt feel like you had to do the work all the time. The only time I felt pressure was during finals. Grading was lax but professors definitely expected you to participate in class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
i would give them a 5/5 for academics, availability, etc but they get a 1/5 in problem solving. we had major issues with our housing situation because of a crazy girl and they did nothing to help. it was very frustrating. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
our apartment was in a very up and coming neighborhood that i loved! we were close to both tram and metro stops and could easily walk to restaurants and bars. though it was kind of a treck to class, it was worth it because the surrounding area was so beautiful and accessible that it didnt matter. also, one of the night trams stopped right around the corner from our place which was super convenient. |
| * Food: |
as a vegetarian its very hard to eat healthy in the czech republic. they like meats and lots of carbs and very little vegetables. when asking for vegetarian options, typica czech restaurants often only had "fried edam cheese" on the menu. however, there are many other restaurants like pizzarias, french restaurants, etc so that we never got bored with our food. especially loved the czech garlic soup! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
so many great memories include traveling around europe and hanging out with my friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
very safe. pick pocketing is as scary as it gets. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | hard to say. food and drinks are very cheap in the czech republic. out of the money i set aside, i spent about half. i would say, everything included i spent up to $75/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | its all cheap except clothing! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | i am fluent in german and french. at tufts i took several french lit classes. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
i practiced Czech in class as well as in my apartment with the czech girl we lived with. learnign czech was essential because not many people speak and understand english in the czech republic, however, they are helpful once they realize that you are learning their language. i can honestly say i had to use czech every day, one way or another, whether it was reading signs, at restaurants, at the grocery store, on the tram, really everywhere. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | say yes to everything. dont even think about staying in to finish your reading; go out, travel, do it all! |
