Studying abroad at Charles University was the best semester of my college career Past Review

By Jessica B (HISTORY., SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY New Paltz: Prague - Study Abroad at Charles University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

My study abroad experience was extremely worthwhile. I learned so much about European history from traveling and from being abroad. I fell in love with Europe and with Prague :). I would study abroad again in a heartbeat. Studying abroad was the best semester of my college career.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	Charles University
The term and year this program took place:	Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The academics abroad was just much easier than at my home University. The Professors did not give as much homework, hardly any papers, and hardly any tests. The program was not as demanding as my home University.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The woman in charge was a little harsh on the way she treated students. I think that this might have just been due to her personality she just seemed a little cold.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	A lot of fun because you live with all of your friends, this is also easier to meet people. Or dorm mother Zuzana is an amazing person and was a great dorm mother. <br /><br /> It was in a good location up by the Castle in Prague 6. It would have been easier to live in Prague 1 near the University, but im glad the hosing was by the Castle.
* Food:	Food was very accessible and pretty good.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Had an amazing time. I would study abroad again in a heartbeat. I really just can't express how amazing this whole experience was.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	They kept us informed on the swine flu.
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I would say I went through about $150 a week sometimes less.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	bring a clean set of sheets and towels! ... there are no towels so if you dont bring them you will have to buy them there. Also when you arrive your going to have to give money to the dorm for internet and to your school from student id's so just understand that you will have to shell out some money for that when you first arrive.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?	I really did not learn much Czech, I mainly spoke English in my classes. All of my Professors also spoke in English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Try not to take classes on Monday and Friday so you can travel on the weekends.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Central European Film: Search for Identity
Course Department:	Cinema
Instructor:	Ivana Doležalová
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Is the only class I took that I did not enjoy. My American classmates and I had such a large problem with Ivana that we actually wrote letters to New Paltz expressing her poor treatment to American students. I would strongly urge not to take this class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	As of now I have no credit transfer issues.

Course Name/Rating:	Contemporary Central-European Politics
Course Department:	History
Instructor:	Jiří Holub
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Enjoyed this class. The Professor gave me a large insight into Central and Eastern European history and politics.
Credit Transfer Issues:	As of now I have no credit transfer issues.

Course Name/Rating:	Czech Language Intensive
Course Department:	Language
Instructor:	Zuzana Lejčarová
Instruction Language:	English and Czech
Comments:	This is a mandatory class that one has to take for the first two weeks of your time in Prague at Charles University. It is everyday for a long time, but you do learn some small words in Czech.
Credit Transfer Issues:	As of now I have no credit transfer issues.

Course Name/Rating:	Czech and European Art and Architecture - Section III
Course Department:	Art History
Instructor:	Josef Záruba
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Learned a lot about all the different styles of architecture and art around Prague. Was very interesting because we went to Museums every time we met. Enjoyed this class a lot and would suggest it to all study abroad students.
Credit Transfer Issues:	As of now I have no credit transfer issues.