Fantasic Program, Excellent value for Money Past Review
By Ken R (University of Denver) - abroad from 07/01/2009 to 08/04/2009 with
ESAC: Summer in Prague - Business, Marketing and Humanities
ESAC was such a great experience, I cannot even stress how much I loved it. It was well organized and I would recommend it to anyone interested in taking courses or doing an internship in Prague. Really an outstanding opportunity and the Professors and staff were so easy going.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic rigor of this program was a perfect balance, not too much that you did not have free time but also challenging enough that we were able to learn a lot in a short amount of time. Good course selection and the Czech class was extremely helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Absolutely outstanding. Great support from the busy Directors and Professors and student advisers that were there to assist and bring us to places we never would have seen with out a local guide. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The residence hall in Prague 7 is very close to the center and about 20 minutes by tram to class. It was hard to get used to traveling to school as in Europe, there is not a main campus. Once we got used to the ride in, it was no problem. Rooms are small but clean and the building has 24 hour security. 2-3 people per room, shared kitchens. It works for four weeks. |
| * Food: |
Czech food is good and not expensive. The cafeteria at the university offered enough selections so everyone could find something they could eat, 5 or 6 different choices each day. Stay away from the fish option! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Thanks to Misa and the advisers, we were able to do a ton of very cool local things, jazz boat, wine tasting, brewery tour and they even took us to a music festival. There is not a lot of exposure to other Czech students but it is summer so they are not there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program Directors have an agreement with a local clinic for all health issues. I used it due to a sore throat. Very modern, no appointment necessary and all the doctors speak English. |
| * Safety: |
The city was safe, even at night. Stay in groups as you would at home. Night trams go right back to the res hall and the hall has 24/7 security (front desk). Rooms are safe with lockable shelves for laptops. DO NOT misplace your key, it costs $50 to replace it! |
| 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) |
Prague was not expensive in 2009. i understand prices have gone up slightly but it is still good value to eat out and go to bars and clubs. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $500 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The Czech language and protocol course was very helpful.. Misa taught us many basic phrases to help us get around the city and get what we needed. Most Czechs spoke English so no problems. |
| 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? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Get a phrase book |
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? | How to speak Czech. But it really did not matter. I wish I would have stayed in Prague longer. |
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.' |
