Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Enlightening Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/22/2017 to 05/13/2017 with

CIEE: Prague - Film Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I cannot express how grateful I am to have met so many close and life long friends that I have on this trip as well as been given the chance to have uncountable amazing and enlightening experiences in Prague as well as other countries in Europe. It was something that I have never done before and which depended completely on me to take head on which was exactly what I needed in my life. I now am ready for whatever life brings at me. It was completely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned more hands on & as well as critical academic studies then I thought I would.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great apartment. Though living with 7 people was a lot sometimes.

* Food:

Food was amazing and very cheap.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel like I know the CZ like a home country. I could even see myself staying here in the future.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

They had ibuprophen and general remedies at the stores.

* Safety:

Very safe.

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

This program gave me intensive, hands on knowledge of every aspect of the film industry and much more.

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)

You can manage, though more money will definitely give you more of an experience.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It fluctuated.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep checking your bank account and don't bring all of the money you have with you out with you all of the time.

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

The program taught me the language, and it was great to know how to communicate with locals. Though mostly everyone here could speak even minimal English.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None for Czech
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? Learn the basics first. The essentials like: thank you, Hello, May I have... Pivo, etc. Then learn more as you go

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Filming a professional short film
  • Food
  • The city life experience
* What could be improved?
  • Less people per apartment
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How amazing everything was going to be so I wasn't nervous at all going into it.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.