Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Solid Experience Past Review

By (Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/14/2015 to 12/17/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gained good sociological/historical/cultural understanding of the Czech Republic and its surrounding countries. Developed some good traveling, living, etc. skills.

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.

* 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? $70

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?

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?
  • Great and liveable city
  • Very reasonable work load
  • Helpful faculty and staff
* What could be improved?
  • More focus on cultural immersion/meeting locals
  • More classes that actually transfer to my major (English literature)
  • Smoother housing process
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Budget your money well even though everything seems very cheap

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: Philosophy, History, Religious Studies
Instructor: Michal Plzak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Wonderful instructor - he is immensely knowledgable and wise. Lectures and discussions can get extremely profound and, at times, very dark.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Czech Language
Course Department:
Instructor: Silvie Pravatilova
Instruction Language: Czech/English
Comments: Very friendly, helpful instructor. Content was somewhat basic, but I overall a good pace to keep the class engaged.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Kafka in Prague
Course Department: Literature
Instructor: Erik Roraback
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great content - very interesting reading list. However, the professor wasn't great at encouraging substantive in-class discussion, and he often had trouble keeping the class directed.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Central Europe: Shaping a Modern Culture
Course Department: History, Cultural Studies, Sociology
Instructor: Tomas Hribek
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fairly interesting content. Class was not taught in a very cohesive, structured manner, however, and we did not do much to address our homework readings while in class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Literature and Society
Course Department: Literature
Instructor: Josef Fulka
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Excellent class. Interesting, memorable readings, friendly and engaged instructor, fair assessments.
Credit Transfer Issues: