Great Experience Past Review
By A student (HISTORY., Cornell University) - abroad from 02/03/2012 to 05/20/2012 with
UPCES - Study Abroad in Prague (CERGE-EI, Charles University)
Yes. I learned a lot of new information, becoming more knowledgeable about new cultures.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Courses were graded fairly and work was appropriate for each class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The UPCES staff was very helpful and friendly. I couldn't have asked them to do anything differently. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
With some freedom to find an apartment, I ended up finding a place in Old Town near school. The apartment was awesome and in the best location, right near Old Town Square. |
| * Food: |
There is lots of variety, not just an overabundance of Czech cuisine. The food was very good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The people are a little reserved and mind to themselves oftentimes. I never had a negative experience with locals, they just sometimes weren't particularly over-friendly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never had a single problem with safety. Of course I was careful, but still there was never a problem. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Most money is spent on travels. So if you want to save some money I would suggest passing on a few trips and staying in your main city or going on prepaid (included) program trips. |
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? | Intermediate (2000s level) |
| 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? | Have practice conversations with your friends and pay attention in language class. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | More information about work load while studying abroad. |
