Awesome Artsy Prague Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

To me it seemed like more work than other study abroad programs I had heard of. SIT seems to have that reputation. We did go to class every single day until the last month: the independent study project. Now academically this was by far the best part because you had the freedom to do any study project you wanted, and it could be art related! (There was still a 15 page paper with art ones, or a 30 page paper with no art.) I traveled to Slovakia to work with a professional bookmaker for mine. Others in my class wrote poetry, followed around a band they admired and interviewed them, worked on photography projects, etc. You do want your own laptop as there are only 2 computers at the school. If you are an artist bring a few basic supplies, but you get a small stipend for more if you enroll in the studio class. They give you a notebook and folders so there is no need to bring your own! Do not buy a metro pass ahead of time either as that is also provided.

On-site administration of your program

There are very few of them, but they work really hard, even if they are a bit eccentric.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living with a host family is really cool! This was one of the main ways we were able to interact with the culture. Of course it was more challenging than living with American college students but the payoff is worth it. There was a relatively long commute for me, but I used the public transportation and it was just fine.

Very hearty. Meat and potatoes, and more potatoes. Try cesnekova polevka a.k.a. garlic soup! Also try dessert dumplings and something with sourkraut or pickled radish. The Mexican food in Central Europe was horrible, but the Italian food was delicious. The beer is very cheap and very good.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Of course all of my classmates were American, but living with a host family helped. And we did get to meet people on trips, or of our own volition if we were very outgoing. Sometimes it is easy to stay with your native English speaking new friends--your American classmates, but I'm sure it varies from person to person.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't really have many issues but you can get the same feminine products and over-the-counter medicines that are available in the U.S.

I think the main worry is pick-pocketing. The violent crime rates are actually lower than many places in the U.S.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The food is pretty cheap, beer is pretty cheap, some health things are more expensive. Wine and hard liquor are about the same prices as the U.S. This number would vary based on how often you want to go out. If you are someone who loves to drink and go clubbing, you would certainly spend more than I did. I would go to restaurants occasionally and buy a few items when we traveled, but nothing extravagant.,

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We learned it and used the basics a lot, but for more complicated things it was easier to default to English. You see, most people in our generation and a bit above can speak it very well. If you are really motivated, most Czechs will let you practice it with them, but some will just answer you in English.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• Independent Study Project
• learning the language
• living with a host family

• a little less time spent in class
• more rigorous art studio class
• shorter reflection papers