Best experience for the best price Past Review
By Catherine Ann Boutwell (University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa) - abroad from 09/07/2017 to 12/16/2017 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Semester in Prague - University of Economics
The biggest thing I learned was how to be self-reliant in all types of situations, which I definitely think was worth it. It's hard to narrow down what you learn on a program to just one thing because it's such an all-encompassing experience that just shapes you as a person, but this one definitely has had the biggest impact on me since I've been home.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food is good, just after a while it can get really heavy |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The people are very closed off, so it's hard to feel completely integrated when you don't speak Czech, but I felt at home regardless. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was really nice having a doctor at the dorms. Even though she didn't speak English, we used Google Translate to communicate and she was very helpful and it was really convenient. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I absolutely loved this program, and the only thing I would change about my experience was how hesitant I was about picking this program at the beginning. |
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) |
Prague is really easy on the budget, which I really appreciated, but the more you travel, the more money you spend, so the traveling can get very expensive very quickly. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use student discounts and university or dorm cafeterias. It may not feel as glamorous, but it saves a lot of money for your travels and is really helpful in the long run. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known more about the Czech Republic and its culture. A lot of people just don't know that much about the country or the people, and I think that was my biggest weakness going in because I didn't know what to expect. I wish I had researched more. I would have been more prepared for the cultural differences and their general attitudes and behaviors towards foreigners. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
