Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Jaw-dropping food and architecture! Past Review

By (University of Toronto) - abroad from 05/15/2017 to 06/20/2017 with

Masaryk University: Brno - Summer Schools

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about how to live abroad on my own with a language barrier, how to coordinate my schedule with my peers to allow for a lot of fun social time, and how to ensure I was constantly looking after myself in new places and while touring especially. I thought it was very worthwhile, because I made memories for life and took timeless nostalgic photos!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

If I did have the option to do this program all over again, I would choose the same program, because I really enjoyed exploring the Central European landscape, food culture, and ancient buildings. I really enjoyed the people and the lifestyle there. In regards to the program, the Professor was very fun and had a funny, outgoing personality!

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent approximately $200 on food and other expenses each week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would advise to try not to spend too much on entertainment, particularly drinks, clubs, and concerts/shows, because it really adds up! It is advisable to find decent quality, trusted, inexpensive local restaurants which are not too costly to go there once every few days. There are many inexpensive forms of entertainment, for instance free shows or karaoke nights, or even something as simple as walking and taking a bus around the city to explore. So seek less shows and instead engage in more walking/bussing to scenic places to take photos!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Other
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?
  • I liked the local food the most!
  • I also really liked the laid-back and relaxed/leisurely vibes of the local Czech people.
  • I loved all the unique cultural experiences and excursions that the trip had already planned for us!
* What could be improved?
  • Perhaps more assistance or guidance to help students with travel recommendations during their "free days."
  • More direction and guidance from the beginning about where to access doctor's offices, or pharmacies, and what the process would consist of there to seek medical attention.
  • Less dense course material and case studies!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I know now that I should have helped/encouraged other students to relax more and not miss out on the excursions during the program, considering that we received extended deadlines for the majority of our required assignments for the course. Since many students were very uptight about getting assignments done over the course of the trip. I also wish I knew of more shows/concerts, of what exactly the "free days" meant for us, and other popular tourist landmarks there in advance, so that I could have planned more of what I knew I wanted to see and even bought tickets for events earlier, when they would have been less expensive and a greater availability!

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 Adventurer
The 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.