Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An awesome semester in Prague! January 05, 2024

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/10/2023 to 12/15/2023 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned how to live by myself and explore new countries.

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)

Prague was very cheap.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 500 but this included weekends trips, flights, housing, events, etc.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan your weekend trips early.

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

  • Americans
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 program leaders
  • Class schedule
* What could be improved?
  • nothign
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is not very immersive with the local culture, it is more up to you to immerse yourself.

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:

CEE Economic Growth and Development
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Nikoloz Kudeshvili
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Teacher was very knowledgable, went off topic a few times. I participated in class equivalent to my home institution. We were assessed through homework and exams. It was not extremely difficult.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Comprehending the Holocaust
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Slightly challenging course, very interesting. The class was 3 hours long and it was predominantly a lecture not backed by slideshows which made it boring at times. Assessed through 2 exams and a final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Czech
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Czech, bit of English
Comments: It was not super challenging so long you actively pay attention in class. Teacher was knowledgeable and well-prepared. Participated in class. Assessed through quizzes, homework, and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Behavioral Economics
Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Slightly boring, but very informative.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Cryptocurrencies
Course Department:
Instructor: Branislav Saxa
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Awesome course! Not too difficult but very informative. participated regularly, assessed by a midterm and final, as well as 2 homework exams. Would highly recommend.
Credit Transfer Issues: