Once in a Lifetime June 18, 2024

By A student (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/05/2024 to 05/17/2024 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned how truly large the world is. There are so many different cities, cultures, and people to connect with and none of them are the same. Also, living so far from home, you learn about yourself and how to thrive on your own. 100% 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 Prague is a great city to study in. It is very safe, clean, and quiet but also with fun options during the day and night. The city is also centrally located allowing for easy travel to the rest of Europe. UPCES runs a great program that teaches you a lot, but gives you balance to experience abroad outside of academics.

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)	Personally, traveling on weekends required significant expense for travel, housing, food, etc. If you are on a very tight budget there are definitely ways to limit expenses. Especially in Prague because it is a relatively cheap European city to study in.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Try to cook meals when possible and learn to grocery shop efficiently. Book trips in advance to save money on airfare and housing.

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?	Honors high school course
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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Housing Professors/Administrators Prague as a city
* What could be improved?	Can't even think of anything
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Travel to as many places as possible on the weekends. You will see Prague and get to know it during the week so use the weekends to see other countries/cities. Also, say yes to everything the semester flies above and you don't want to regret saying no to a one-time opportunity.

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:	Digital and Cryptocurrencies
Course Department:
Instructor:	Branislava Saxa
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: