Brno, Czech Republic: Something for Everybody! (if you like beer) Past Review
By Avery O (Philosophy., Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) for
Masaryk University: Brno - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was wonderful. There's not any single thing I can say that I learned. Instead, I have to try and explain how every aspect of my life has shifted.
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 classes I took ranged from extremely easy to much more difficult than i anticipated. Some classes only require a little free-form presentation at the end for a pass/fail, while others will hit you with a very intense test/paper. Sometimes it's hard to tell until it's too late. Your best bet is to attend at least most of the classes so you can tell early on how serious it actually is and how much of your attention it will actually require. Go to class. Go to class. GO TO CLASS. Otherwise it may really screw up the whole end of your experience. GO TO CLASS. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The international student club at Masaryk is great. You'll hear all about it during the first week you're there. they have lots of events and they're all quite fun. They're just a bunch of parties with kids from all over the world. They charge a 20 or 30 dollar fee upfront, but it's worth it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms are decent. A little rough at first but you get used to it. Just hope your roomate isn't disgusting or annoying. |
| * Food: |
Czech food isn't great but it's not terrible. If you like spice or exotic food or vegetables, you will be disappointed. If you like pork, fried pork, cheese, fried cheese, potatoes, fried potatoes, and rye bread then you are about to find yourself in an unearthly garden of endless foodly delights. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Plan trips 2 weeks ahead of time with Ryanair, wizzair, or easyjet. Work out cheap deals and if you can, GET OUT OF EUROPE. My most amazing experience was in Morocco. You can get to Africa on ryanair really easily from Brno if you go through Valencia. Maybe see Russia, I also looked at the middle east. You will see plenty of Europe, so try to expand your horizons. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had some interesting experiences with the hospital in Brno, once when i got really really sick the second week after i arrived, and again for an injury i sustained after tragically falling off a roof. Their healthcare was good for the former, not so much for the latter. |
| 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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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live 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? | Go to class. Buy tickets for public transport when you're out of the country. When planning trips, bring half the clothes and twice the money. Save money in the Czech, and spend it elsewhere. |
