Why did I have to come back home? Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Some people think study abroad is solely an opportunity to run around a foreign continent and goof off, but the program at Charles University had great classes of the caliber at William & Mary, qualified lecturers and professors, and interesting course options. Classes were either twice a week for an hour and a half each of the two days, or once a week for three hours. The three hour classes could feel a little long. All the courses had readers that could be purchased for much less than average American textbook costs. Class sizes ranged from 10 to 15. All the professors were fluent in English and able to be understood for those with concerns with foreign faculty whose native language is not English.

On-site administration of your program

There were two main administrative teams: the AIFS office in Prague and the Charles University East and Central European Studies Program office. Both were extremely helpful, offered a variety of activities and advice, and were just friendly people.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I liked at Masarykova Kolej in the Device neighborhood of Prague 6. Honestly, I though the dorms were better there at at home at William & Mary.

The cost of living is so much less than in America that I could eat out almost all the time. The best time to go out is for lunch when restuanrants have daily lunch specials. Also, you can't go wrong with great coffee available at every cafe. Go online to TripAdvisor to find all the good places to eat and imbibe.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not being fluent in Czech does of course make you feel somewhat detached from the local culture, but honestly, everybody minds their own business anyway so if you just do your own thing, not bothering other people while you do it, nobody really cares and you can feel like a local. I routinely used mass transportation to get around.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt safer in Prague than I do on campus in Williamsburg. There was rarely an instance of violent crime while I was in the city. Also, most of the areas are well lit. The only time you need to be worried about pickpocketing or anything is on crowded tourist tram routes (tram 22), and at very late hours, or if you've had a little too much to drink. If you are smart about the decisions you make as far as going out and how you act, you'll be fine. Just know that if you act like a loud American or a tourist, you paint a large target on your back. Try to blend in.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

ECES (East and Central European Studies) required a two-week intensive Czech course for all participants in the program during orientation. They also offered additional levels you could take during the semester, which I did.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Americans
• International Students

• the city and its cultural life
• the ability to travel throughout the city and Europe quickly and cheaply
• the living arrangements

• the program could be longer

The Academic or Linguist