Beautiful City, Incredible Art, Should Be Called "Artists Under Communism" Past Review
By bronte.velez (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/30/2014 to 12/13/2014 with
SIT Study Abroad: Czech Republic - Arts and Social Change
I learned that I definitely wanted to be a part of an intensive program. I learned how to walk into myself. Created structure for independent study. It was certainly worthwhile
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This is not a program for active artists! If you are interested in an intensive arts program please do not attend unless you can schedule and develop your own creative space. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Food was always available but traditional Czech food is heavy in starch and meat and beer! So if you don't like those things be aware. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Czech Republic is very cheap! Very easy to eat, go out, shop, and see art for low-cost prices! The program also took care of most! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40-50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be honest about what you can and can't afford. Prioritize what is important to you! |
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 |
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| 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? | Advanced Spanish |
| 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? | Hang out with locals you encounter and try and use the language with your host family! |
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? | That the art workshop was not as intensive as I thought it was going to be. Instead of studying creative writing, I would have studied as a part of the "Creativity in Context II" class |
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.' |
