whimsical experience of trying new things and traveling to new places Past Review

By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/04/2013 to 05/16/2013 with

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

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

I learned how to be adaptable to new or unfamiliar situations. It is important to let yourself try new experiences and to set outside of your comfort zone. The best way to take advantage of this program is to say yes to every program activity and to every travel opportunity available to you. These pursuits and throwing myself into everything and activity I was able to made the trip worth while.

Review Photos

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

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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	50 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	It is important to plan travel locations ahead of time so that you can allocate your money efficiently both in Prague and in other countries that you visit.

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?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish
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 conversations with the teacher daily outside of class!

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	planned trips traveling friends
* What could be improved?	class options housing more opportunities to meet Czech people our age
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The food in Prague is not exceptional.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Intro to Czech language
Course Department:	language
Instructor:	Zuzana Svibkova
Instruction Language:	Czech
Comments:	This class was informative and the most engaging of the classes I took. The teacher was very supportive and provided help whenever we needed it. There was a variety of activities within the class, keeping it interesting. We had two exams. These exams included an oral and a written portion.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did not have any issues transferring the credit upon return to Middlebury.

Course Name/Rating:	Comprehending the Holocaust
Course Department:	History/Philosophy
Instructor:	Michal Plzak
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was incredibly interesting. We had a field trip to a concentration camp in the Czech Republic, which gave real world application to our understanding of the Holocaust. The readings, lectures and documentaries were engaging and interesting. The teacher was interested in what he was teaching, which also made the class engaging. I participated less often than I did at my home institution. We had a midterm and a final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did not have any issues transferring credit upon return to Middlebury.

Course Name/Rating:	Ideas Behind Politics: Communism, Post-Communism and Civil Society in Central Europe
Course Department:	Philosophy/Political Science
Instructor:	Juraj Hvorecky
Instruction Language:	english
Comments:	This class was moderately challenging. The teacher was genuinely interested in what we he was teaching, but the material and the reading were relatively dry. We made a field trip to the National Monument. I participated less in this class than I would have at Middlebury. We have a midterm exam and a final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did not have any issues with transferring credit.

Course Name/Rating:	Psychoanalysis and Cultural Studies
Course Department:	Psychology
Instructor:	Erik Roraback
Instruction Language:	english
Comments:	This class was mildly challenging in comparison to the Psychology courses at Middlebury. The teacher was engaging and knowledgeable of the subject, but the readings were often dense and dry. I participated often in this class, because it was very small. We have two big papers and an hour long presentation for this class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did not have any issues transferring credit upon returning to Middlebury.

Course Name/Rating:	Prague as a Living History
Course Department:	History/Cultural Studies
Instructor:	Jaroslav Svatek
Instruction Language:	english
Comments:	This class was not particularly challenging. However it was interesting and engaging, and I learn a lot about the history and the city of Prague. The teacher was knowledgeable and engaging. I participated moderately in this class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did not have any issues transferring the credit upon return to Middlebury.