Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome!! January 26, 2024

By (Chemistry, 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?
I learned about various other cultures, and I learned independence. It was definitely worthwhile.

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

UPCES was an amazing program, and I absolutely loved the city of Prague. I am extremely thankful to the UPCES staff for ensuring we had such a wonderful experience.

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? $100

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? None
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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Prague
  • Class schedule
  • Staff
* What could be improved?
  • Course evaluation standards
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Explore other parts of Europe if you have the ability to, but also make sure you spend a lot of time in the city that you are studying abroad in and really get to know that city.

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:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Yes, it was challenging but also an interesting course. No field trips were offered. The teacher was knowledgeable and prepared. I participated the same amount as I would at Middlebury. We were assessed through homework assignments and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Digital Currencies and Cryptocurrencies
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was not an extremely challenging class, but it was very interesting and the teacher was awesome. We were assessed on homework assignments and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Film as a Mirror of History, Ideology and Individual Freedom
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was not very challenging most of the semester. We did not have any homework assignments. My only complaint is that I felt that the standards of grading the midterm and final paper were unclear.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Elementary Czech
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was an appropriate level of difficulty. We went on relevant field trips. The teacher was knowledgeable. We were graded on homework assignments, quizzes and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The Totalitarian Experience
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was challenging. The lectures felt long, but maybe that is because I am not really a history person. Some aspects of the class I found extremely thought provoking and i enjoyed a lot. We were graded on homework assignments and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: