If you don't go to Prague, you're doing it wrong. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/10/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned how to handle myself on my own in a new place. Absolutely worthwhile.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

So cheap

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out every night.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

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? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 200 Level of Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? If you're going to Prague, it really doesn't matter.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • How independent we were.
* What could be improved?
  • Make better class times.
  • Drop mandatory Czech language class.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Travel even more. Take advantage of your days in Prague. Do less sitting around.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Prague as a Living History

Course Department: History
Instructor: Ondrej Skripnik
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Amazing. Walked around Prague and had two really easy exams and had a great time with our professors. Learned so much about Prague and its history.
Credit Transfer Issues: I knew it would not transfer.
Course Name/Rating:

Comprehending the Holocaust

Course Department: History
Instructor: Michal Plzak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: My best class by far. I didn't know much about the Holocaust but now I feel very knowledgeable for a beginner.
Credit Transfer Issues: I knew it would not transfer.
Course Name/Rating:

The Rise and Fall of Communism in Eastern and Central Europe

Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Keith Crawford
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was interesting but got way too in depth with boring history. Keith was a very good professor, though.
Credit Transfer Issues: I knew it would not transfer.
Course Name/Rating:

In Love With Power

Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Uros Lazarevic
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was at once interesting and mind numbingly boring. Learned some cool things but 3 hours at a time of instruction was brutal.
Credit Transfer Issues: I knew it would not transfer.
Course Name/Rating:

Czech Language

Course Department: Language
Instructor: Petra
Instruction Language: English/Czech
Comments: It was really easy, but a total waste of time because we never spoke Czech anywhere.
Credit Transfer Issues: It would not transfer, and I knew that going in.