Prague: best semester of my undergrad Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was not overwhelmed by means while abroad, all of my classes were taught in english though there were a few moments where the amount of information being covered seemed daunting. My favorite class was Jewish History in Central and Eastern Europe, the professor was wonderful and I really feel like I learned so much. Czech Art and Architecture was a big let down, because the professors switched since the time I initially read the review for it before going abroad it was practically a different course, this new professor did not really have a structure as to where he was taking the class as well as was unable to stay within the parameters of the curriculum.

On-site administration of your program

The program staff was truly excellent, I never had any needs that I felt were left unaddressed we had several meetings in the door to discuss with the coordinators what if anything we would like changed from food arrangements in the morning dining hall to the cleaning staff etc. Program size was made around 20 students not including the other programs within ours that were separate of maybe another 15-20 students. It was great to live with them all on one floor so we had the opportunity to see each other and coordinate plans without being with eachother 24 hours a day. Upon arriving we were taken on several tours of the city by our coordinator and encouraged to go sightseeing, walking, given maps and full help on navigating the metro/tram/bus system. My expectations were met and then some, I had a really great program experience and I don't know anyone else on my program who did not.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm situation was great, although initially I had a friend who was on a different program in Prague and lived in an apartment I soon realized I really liked the people on my program so much more the dorms were so conducive to students. There is a 24 hour help/concierge desk of sorts for if you ever lock yourself out of your room or have any issues, the lobby area has a bathroom, vending machines for late night snacking, an extremely small "fitness" room, and washers and dryers. The neighborhood was quite calm and right across the street through this tiny park there was a convenience store that we affectionally labeled "Znam Vietnam" where we bought the best massive apples and got quick things if we could not make it to the supermarket, usually late night chocolate cravings. In the neighborhood also was the 22 line tram so close to our dorm where we could catch that down to school by walking over the bridge or connect to the metro line. We were very close to nightlife as we had the 22 right there to take us which later in the night converts to the 57 line. We were at walking distance from the Prague Castle quite possibly the biggest attraction in Prague- it was cool to help Americans and other foreigners that spoke English all the time with directions as the weather began to get nicer, felt like I really lived there. Upon arriving to the dorm we were provided with sheets/comforters/pillows and the cleaning staff came in everyday and kept all of that tidy; most of the rooms were either singles and doubles connected in a suite with a small washroom/shower, toilet room, and a kitchen inside the little foyer- there was a common room kitchen on our floor but there were not sufficient woks/pans so we ended up purchasing our own for around $10 between the four of us in the suite. As well my suitemates purchased hair straighteners for $15 total which everyone split and a small iron which no one ever used.

Breakfast at the Kolej was great- it was good to have something you know you could wake up to and be ready especially after a lot of long nights. Breakfast was fairly simple but good enough, boiled eggs, many delicious bread options to toast/not toast, myriad of cheese selection, fruits, cereals, and practically everyday many pastries to pick from. Restaurants in Prague because the country still runs on the Koruna and not the Euro are SUCH a bargain. It breaks my heart now to ever step into a chain "restaurant" back in the states and spend the same amount I was in Prague on sometimes 3 course meals at a family own place. Some of my favorites/our favorites were Mali Buddah (just down the street from the dorm on the way down the hill on the left hand side SO close) right further down the hill was a place we called the Hanging Cup/ Pot because the sign looks like one of those hanging....cheap beer, great atmosphere we were taken here day one to all get to know each other mid-jetlag. Smazny Syr (fried Cheese) there is so good and so is the duck it's unreal how inexpensive it is. Noi is just down the hill to the right it is along the 21 line I believe, very good thai food reminds me of my favorite place back in the states, significanly pricer than any other place in Prague really but worth it at least once. Cantina is a mexican place further down that block that was good to spice things up with since the mexi place right next to the dorm (dos pinkos) was awful beyond awful. Maitrea - we went to this towards the end and were so pissed we didnt go earlier....i'd go here first the meals were incred such good food, cheap, cool juices....would be zagat rated if in park slope. Cafe Louvre great food, great desserts...beautiful on the inside you'd never expect when walking up those stairs what it would become...Einstein, Franz Kafka use to dine there frequently... Cafe Slavia right down the block from there near the Narodni Trida/Divadlo stops....just on the water..also very famous place great food/desserts.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Plzen was cool to see the process of the beer being made as well as the history of the city, i loved Berlin and how much free time we had as well as structure time, I took a lot of trips without my program just with friends on weekends... amsterdam/brussels on long week, budapest, krakow(auschwitz), munich (dachau), barcelona, paris, after the program ended croatia, italy, israel, jordan..... munich at the hofbrauhaus was really awesome so much history and just such a landmark there--

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

One girl lost her passport but she was a hot mess so..expected and she dealt with it appropriately and was fine afterwards...no one ever had any issues with safety Prague is a fairly calm place and we always went out in groups- also taxis are very cheap compared to our standards.... I would sometimes get mad at a cabbie for having to pay $12 when I clearly thought it should've been $7 *Between all of us split* compared to $12 at home would take me 3 blocks in suburbia or 8 blocks in the city...in Prague $12 took you across the entire city and then some....make sure you have the 'AAA' cab service number...often at night near landmarks such as wenceslas square they jack up the prices SO much and if you call the company and order a cab from the same company they will send you one for very cheap..it's great. No one I know got sick, one girl went to the hospital for being too drunk and she was fine and came home.

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

Everyone spoke english though some of us tried to use our vocabulary while going out to eat/ going to the pub. I think it's unrealistic in this sort of program to expect people to learn Czech unless they really have a passion for languages. Czech is such a foreign language for many of us having only background in the romance languages. Also important to keep in mind is that the Czech republic is the only country that speaks czech- while learning spanish or french can really help you wherever you go- just something to keep in mind, though our czech intensive professor was the best, so helpful especially giving us tips about the city...we were even invited on several occasions to her house for coffee/drinks once the program was over.

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• Americans

• people on my program, because best friends
• central location of the city allowing for travel
• inexpensive the city was leaving opportunity to do so much

• better breakfast at the kolej...more food
• more concrete scheduling of side trips