Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wonderful experience all-around! Past Review

By (Art History, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/10/2014 to 12/12/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely worthwhile. Learned about all different cultures from living in Prague and traveling around Europe.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150 approx.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No, wasn't difficult

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

Just Czech class, didn't have to speak outside of class

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 in Czech
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Use in restaurants

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

  • Local Students
  • 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 people
  • The city
  • The classes
* What could be improved?
  • Orientation was too long
  • Staying in hostels on school trips
  • 3 hour class is too long
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To plan travel ahead

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:

Prague as Living History: Anatomy of a European Capital
Course Department: History
Instructor: Jaroslav Svatek
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I loved going to places I wouldn't have been otherwise. Hard coursework but very interesting and we were assessed through exams and papers. Participated a lot. Great teacher!
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't transferred yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Ideas Behind Politics: Communism, Post Communism, and Civil Society in Central Europe
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Juraj Hvorecky
Instruction Language: English
Comments: My favorite class. Great teacher! Hard coursework but learned a lot and field trips were interesting. Participated a lot and assessed through exams and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't transferred yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Visual Culture and Socialism
Course Department: Art History
Instructor: Blanka Nyklova, Petr Gibas
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was a good class and the coursework was difficult and interesting. But shouldn't be two teachers, they talked over each other and one was usually late. I participated a lot and we were assessed through exams, papers, and homework. Great field trips!
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't transferred yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Elementary Czech Language
Course Department: Language
Instructor: Silvie Prevratilova
Instruction Language: Czech
Comments: Good class, hard coursework, learned a lot. She was an interesting teacher and we were assessed through exams, papers, and homework. Participated a lot.
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't transferred yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Comprehending the Holocaust
Course Department: History
Instructor: Michal Plzak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great Class! The teacher was very interesting and the coursework was challenging. Assessed through exams and papers. Trip to krakow was helpful and I participated a lot.
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't transferred yet.