Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A grateful semester. January 16, 2024

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/11/2023 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?
Yes it was worthwhile. I found what I value in life the most, saftey and stability.

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

My program made me feel welcomed and safe.

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 is a cheap city but can be made expensive if you go to the wrong places and do not plan.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan it out and work hard the months before.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 0
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
  • 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?
  • Lindsay Allen
  • Apartments
  • Prague
* What could be improved?
  • Teachers
  • Teachers
  • Teachers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The teachers are not good

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Czech Language
Course Department: LANG
Instructor: Zuzana
Instruction Language: Czech
Comments: My czech teacher zuzana was extremely helpful. She taught me czech like I had never imagined. Thank you
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

prague as a living history
Course Department: HIS
Instructor: Ondrej Skripnik
Instruction Language: English/Czech
Comments: My teacher took us on weekly walking tour classes around the city and explained the history, architecture and culture to us as we passed new areas in each class. It was an unbelievable way to see the city.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Behavorial Economics
Course Department: ECON
Instructor: Rene Levinsky
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was extremely challenging as it was a 300 level economics class. The teacher was very knowledgable in the subject matter but was not a overall good teacher. We were all very confused start to finish.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

CEE Economic Growth and Development

Course Department: ECON
Instructor: Nikolas Kudashvilli
Instruction Language: English
Comments: He was very smart and came to class energetic and happy. His class was very easy though as it was basically a dummed down version of ECON0150 and ECON0155
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

International Trade
Course Department: ECON
Instructor: Vilem Semerak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Worst teacher I have every experienced in my life by far. Trade is not a complex subject at all. He refused to explain the logic to us without the complex theory he was raised to know. He was a robot and could not answer student questions at all. He also showed up at 10:55 am to a 10:30 am final because he didnt finish making the exam and then proceeded to take off 1/25 MC questions, as if that was a fair trade.
Credit Transfer Issues: