Prague: Best Time Ever!! Past Review
By Sophie L (Business Management, Tulane University) for
UPCES - Study Abroad in Prague (CERGE-EI, Charles University)
My study abroad was most certainly worthwhile. I gained the ability and understanding on how to get around any city anywhere in the world, while using public transportation, without a hiccup. Prior to going aboard I couldn't even read a map and had only used the NY Metro for one summer. I now have the confidence to enter any city and know I will fully adapt quickly and efficiently, this tool is going to be helpful when applying for jobs next semester and in the work force. Leaving the Tulane bubble will be that much easier!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although the workload was not nearly as intense as it is back at Tulane University I still learned more than I ever have in the United States. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were wonderful!! Helpful with any aspect of our stay in Prague from going to the Doctor, ability to get things done, full knowledge about the Czech Republic and if we needed anything they were there to help us along the way. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a very safe area in a fully furnished apartment with sheets,cookware, and even a plethora of spices! |
| * Food: |
Food is delicious in Prague! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program took us on a lot of field trips and the most memorable was our trip to Krakow, very touching and an experience I will have forever. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The Czechs are not violent people so safety was not even an issue. I lived in the red light district and never felt threatened. Apparently there are pick pocketers on the tram but my friends and I never had an issue. At the beginning I got pneumonia and my program director sent me to her personal doctor who was Czech but studied in America for 14 years, he was wonderful and cured me in a week! She sends all the sick students to him. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Prague is not on the euro thus making everything very cheap, on average is spent about $50 on food and drinks (including alcohol). My parents saved money by having me in Prague! It's really hard to spend a lot of money if your not doing touristy things in Prague. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be prepared to spend money on travel, the experiences are worth every dollar spent. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Learning Czech was really hard at CERGE-EI but the teachers were supportive and wanted you to learn, we focused on conversational Czech more than grammar which gave us the tools to be able to get around without problem. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Prague is the best city to study abroad because it is a small enough city that all of American students get to know each other from other programs making it such a close community and you leaving with so many more friends than people who study in bigger cities. You really grow up and gain a sense of confidence, since you probably go in this unique situation not knowing any Czech or about their culture, that is unattainable any other way. Have fun! |
