Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Prague is truly a city for college students. Past Review

By (Economics., Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/09/2013 to 12/12/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was amazing to see how different yet similar the European and American cultures are. It was definitely a worthwhile experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were moderately difficult and you received the grades you deserved. Grades are based mainly on midterms and finals with less focus on participation and homework.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff was very nice and helpful in all aspects regarding transitioning to life in Prague.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very satisfied with my living arrangements and housing for the semester was not very expensive. There were minor issues such as the hot water being out some mornings but nothing major.

* Food:

Thee price of food is very reasonable; however, there is some culture shock and differences in the type of food available. It may be tough for vegetarians.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program made sure we were integrated with the local culture by scheduling various trips and events. There was also everyday encounters with Czechs,

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Prague is a very safe city if you act like a responsible adult everything should be fine. Only beware of pick pockets.

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)

Prague is extremely cheap and you can do a lot on the budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $130
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try finding Czech Restaurants to eat as they are cheaper and typically better than international alternatives.

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? Intermediate
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? While many Czechs will speak English try to use the language and interact with locals.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Students
  • Location for Travel
  • Great Staff
* What could be improved?
  • More course selections.
  • More housing options.
  • Mandatory interactions with locals.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about how classes would be graded and assessed.

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:

Environmental Economics.
Course Department:
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Comments: I thought the course was very interesting as it used european examples to look at how environmental firms make business decisions.
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Prague as a Living History
Course Department:
Instructor:
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Comments: This class was great because it was taught outdoors and we were able to see some of the more fascinating areas of the city
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Course Name/Rating:

Introductory Czech Language
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was a great class because we learned the language through various activities and helped us in everyday activities.
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Urban Anthropology of Central European Cities
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This was a great course because we explored how the cultures of some of Central Europe's largest cities were formed.
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