Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Prague Study Abroad Experience Past Review

By (Economics., Middlebury College) for

UPCES - Study Abroad in Prague (CERGE-EI, Charles University)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, I learned a lot about European life and culture that I would not have been able to learn otherwise.

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.

I did not feel that there were many educational differences between CERGE-EI and an American educational system.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program did a great job integrating us into day to day Czech life.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I thought my housing situation was great. I would recommend anyone studying abroad in Prague to live at Vezenska 6.

* Food:

I thought that the locals had a high quality of food that could be eaten on a regular dietary basis.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The trip to Krakow, Poland was an intellectually provoking experience.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Prague is a very safe city, only petty crime is visible.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

The best way to learn a new language is to speak in that language whenever possible instead of speaking english.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Administration's effort in successfully integrating students into local culture.
* What could be improved?
  • Administration's effort to create trips in and around the Czech Republic.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Students must have an keep an open mind to experiencing new things when going abroad.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Housing Market in Central European Context
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Ashot Tsharakyan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging, and I learned a great deal about housing market finance and valuations
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Economics of Transition
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Vilém Semerák
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was intellectually challenging, and I learned a great deal about how both socialism and communism affected Centreal European life and culture.
Credit Transfer Issues: NO
Course Name/Rating:

Elementary Czech Language
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Petra
Instruction Language: Czech
Comments: I found it was challenging, but the teacher was available for help whenever I needed it.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Comprehending the Holocaust
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Michal Plzak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Was not so challenging, but I learned a great deal about the economic and social affects of the holocaust on Central European life and culture.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Human Relationships in Czech and American Films
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Dan Shanahan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Found the course interesting, and it introduced me into Czech Film culture
Credit Transfer Issues: No