Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Go to Prague Past Review

By (University of California - San Diego) - abroad from 09/24/2012 to 12/21/2012 with

Study Abroad Programs in Czech Republic

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was in Europe long enough to know that I need to come back

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes are very easy, and professors are flexible presentation/exam dates. They take it much easier on international students then on locals

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

CEPA did exactly what I was hoping for: set me up with a local to help me get comfortable with Prague, and then they got out of the way and let me do my own thing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Maybe I've been spoiled living in excellent dorms in San Diego, but when you live in Jarov it doesn't take long to realize that the person who designed the place had no intention of actually living there. You get 2 hot pads for 6 people, in a tiny kitchen. To make it worse, the pads are so close together that you can't actually fit two pans on it. 1 bathroom, 6 people. Cleaning ladies came once a month for the first two months and then stopped coming. You have to sign up for the key to the laundry room, and if the guy before you doesn't bring it back that sucks for you. No drying machines either, though I guess that's normal for the CR. 15 mins away from the city by the very frequent 9 tram, which wasn't bad at all actually. It would have been nice living in the center of the city as some people did, but living in the dorms is great only because you live so close to everyone else.

* Food:

Czech food is all meat and potatoes, but I cook mostly for myself so it's good every once in a while.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel like a local in my ability to navigate the city. A big reason why I chose the CEPA program is because it doesn't require taking czech language class, since I need the credits to graduate on time; i've gotten away with knowing 4 words of czech and been perfectly fine, although I am comfortable living in cities.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any issues so NA

* Safety:

People driving cars are pretty scary, I would never ride a bike in Prague. Even going to the outer areas of the city I never felt too sketched out, the U.S. feels a lot more dangerous. You'll get guys in the touristy areas trying to bring you into their pubs or strip clubs, but they're harmless.

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

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)

Living in Prague is very cheap if you cook for yourself a few days a week. Beer is ridiculously cheap, like 50 cz (2.50$) at swanky clubs. You should be able to buy beer at pubs for between 1$-2$. Prague is centrally located, making it very easy to travel anywhere you want in Europe. That traveling is what really took a chunk out of my budget

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~60$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at least 1 meal a day, don't frequent the clubs that charge cover (not many). Go to the Nation to Nation parties to get into those big clubs for free

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Location
  • Price
  • Lack of Language Req.
* What could be improved?
  • Dorms are awful
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had traveled my Junior year so I could go again my senior year. I wish I hadn't been stingy with my money in the middle of the program; it's not worth saving your money when you're young and traveling.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.