An amazing experience to step outside your boundaries and see the world Past Review

By A student (Economics., Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/10/2014 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 certainly worthwhile. Aside from developed skills of independence and assimilation in a foreign culture, being abroad in Prague and traveling throughout central Europe opened my eyes to many different cultures, historical landmarks, and different countrys' deep rooted histories. Overall, both culturally and intellectually, studying abroad has made me a more well rounded person.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

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?	It varied each week depending on travel. On just food I probably spent between 125-150 a week, but that was primarily because of where I chose to eat. It would have been easier to live on a more strict budget.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Get a cheaper coffee machine and make your own coffee. I could have saved money there instead of frequently going to Starbucks. And I cooked nearly every breakfast in our apartment, which I'm sure helped too. In terms of travel, we found that for most places Air Bnb was the best option for cheap yet quality living arrangements.

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?	N/A
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?	Many people speak English in Prague, but its very much beneficial for yourself to try and use Czech language outside of school. The Czech people also appreciate when you try to speak their language, and sometimes this even leads to friendlier people.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students 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?	It's coursework interaction with Czech Culture The availability to travel The accommodations of the Program directors.
* What could be improved?	More courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Nothing. Learning how to deal with certain experiences while I was there was arguably one of the more rewarding and developmental experiences.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	The Housing Market in Central Europe
Course Department:	Economics
Instructor:	Martin Lux
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was challenging. The mid term required a great deal of studying, and the final paper was primarily focused on each student crafting their own original idea regarding housing policy in transition countries. The lectures were stimulating and interactive, and we were able to go on a field trip within Prague to see the difference between more modern, and socialist housing structures. It also taught core economic principles, both reviewing what I have learned in Economics classes here at Middleburg and introducing me to newer concepts. We were assessed by participation, a mid term, a class presentation, and a final paper. Overall, it was a stimulating, challenging, and very valuable class.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Comprehending the Holocaust
Course Department:	History
Instructor:	Michal Plzak
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was not necessarily as challenging as many Middlebury courses, but it was definitely the most culturally rewarding. We were assessed by a Mid term, a class presentation, and a Final paper. The teacher was incredibly knowledgable about the coursework, and class participation was encouraged as the class was run as a discussion. The course shined a very different light about traditional teaching of the Holocaust in the United States, as we were studying close to the areas that were affected most negatively by the Holocaust. Also, we took a program trip to Krakow, Poland, and there saw the Schindler Factory and Auschwitz. In terms of seeing a historical place of great influence while studying that specific time period, there was no moment in my life that was more moving than seeing Auschwitz while taking this class. For the cultural experience alone, this class was amazing.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Economics of Transition
Course Department:	Economics
Instructor:	Vilem Semerak, Kresimir Zigic
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was equally as challenging as all my Middlebury economics class thus far. We were assessed by class participation, a Midterm, and a Final exam. Both exams were challenging. The class built upon core concepts I have learned in the economics department at Middlebury thus far, and introduced newer ones. It was interesting to study the transition countries while living in one and traveling to others. Both professors were very well prepared and knowledgable, and participation was highly encouraged.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Czech Language
Course Department:	Language
Instructor:	Petra Bulejcikova
Instruction Language:	English/Czech
Comments:	This course was not very challenging in the begining, but grew more challenging as we were required to delve into more complex grammar. The teacher was very knowledgable and the course was entirely about participation. We were assessed by class participation, a Midterm, a Final, and various homework assignments. In terms of living in Prague, I found this class to be very beneficial in both learning the native language, and the native culture.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Prague as a Living History
Course Department:	History
Instructor:	Ondrej Skripnik
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was not as challenging as most of my Middlebury courses. The professor was very knowledgeable about he course work, and students were assessed by a Midterm, Final exam, Final paper, and class presentation. Participation in a physical sense was mandatory since the class was an educational tour of various areas of Prague, and their relevance in Czech culture. This class was culturally rewarding as Czech culture is very different than what I was used to at home, and learning the history behind the culture made both my understanding and assimilation much easier. This class also introduced me to newer areas of Prague that I probably would have never seen otherwise.
Credit Transfer Issues: