Past Review
By Brooke P (PSYCHOLOGY., Nebraska Wesleyan University) for
Masaryk University: Brno - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It's one of those experiences in which I'm glad I did it but I would do some (not all) things differently. My main problem was that there was no socializing without alcohol, but that's just me and I'm sure it's not exclusive to Masaryk University.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took 5 classes: 2 were literature classes that required reading and little else. Reading wasn't exactly necessary as long as you could write a final essay. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Masaryk program itself wasn't helpful but my coordinator there, Martin Vasak was. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Honestly, it freaked me out. The style is very post-Communist, very minimalist, no color, plain. The bathroom had an awkward sink sticking out of the shower that had rust and the shower heads are not connected to the wall. In the kitchens you have a small fridge, a sink and hot plates. The plus side is that there's lots of storage space. <br /><br /> I didn't like the housing and it would often take me 40 minutes to get to class. |
| * Food: |
Since you only have a hot plate you had to get create with your meals. There's an option to eat at the cantinas but I rarely did. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If you like drinking and clubbing you'll fit right in. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I mostly felt safe but I never went anywhere alone at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | On food I spent about 350 kc ($20) at the grocery store, 1000 kc a month for housing ($65) but the stipend covered most of it. I spent most of my money traveling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When you make plans to travel, shop around. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I went from knowing no Czech at all to being able to speak a little and at the very least I could use correct pronunciation even if I didn't know the words. |
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 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? | Because they aren't on the Euro yet, the Czech is very cheap compared to other countries in the EU so it serves as a good base. |
