Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An amazing opportunity to experience a place that I never would have otherwise Past Review

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/02/2015 to 05/15/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. To sum it up in one word, I gained perspective.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? N/A

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? High School Spanish V honors
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? Speak it daily

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?
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • The economics professors.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is important to live close to school.

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:

Comprehending the Holocaust
Course Department: UPCES
Instructor: Pylzak
Instruction Language: english
Comments: This was my favorite class. The teacher was extremely passionate and very engaging. We were assessed via tests and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Economics of Transition
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Semerak
Instruction Language: english
Comments: This class was certainly challenging, however, I found it difficult due to the professor's repetitive lectures rather than the content. We were assessed via papers and tests.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Housing market in a Central European context
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Lux
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was challenging. It was very interesting and unlike anything I have taken at Middlebury. We participated often and were assessed via 1 paper and 1 exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Czech Language
Course Department: Czech
Instructor: Sylva
Instruction Language: Czech
Comments: Czech was challenging, however, I am not very good with languages. We participated very often and were assessed via tests, papers, quizzes, and homework.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Prague as a Living History

Course Department: UPCES
Instructor: Ondrej Skripnik
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was not overly challenging, however, we learned very much from the field trips around Prague. We were assessed via tests and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: No