Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Beautiful city, interesting classes, and I am very grateful for my experience. January 06, 2024

By (Drama, Theater, Theatre Arts, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/05/2023 to 12/15/2023 with

CIEE: Prague - Business, Arts & Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot from classes, and also appreciated being exposed to such different cultures and environments. It was very much worth it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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:

There was no guaranteed food or dining services. However, there were a few holiday events had good 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)

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

I was required to take Czech by Middlebury, but not by the program. So, while speaking Czech was encouraged during Czech class, it was not forced 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? I highly recommend taking CIEE's Beginner Czech Language course, whether or not it is required. It was very helpful and approachable.

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
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?
  • Interesting courses
  • Beautiful and interesting host city
  • Program staff were helpful and kind
* What could be improved?
  • WiFi in the academic building was pretty unusable
  • Guidance and explanation about Vodafone plans and payments (local SIM card)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I didn't need to be as worried as I was prior to arrival.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Beginning Czech Language
Course Department:
Instructor: Petra Huková
Instruction Language: English/Czech
Comments: Very helpful in learning Czech language, allowing us to better navigated Prague. Assignments and class content was reasonable and facilitated learning.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Prague Art & Architecture
Course Department:
Instructor: Petra Bidlasová
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting class content, especially if you're interested in art and architecture, and frequent field trips made me feel more engaged with the city and allowed me to apply what we learned in class to real world examples.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Hollywood and Europe
Course Department:
Instructor: Richard Nowell
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting course content, and I appreciated the film choice flexibility on papers and presentations so we could choose something that we really wanted to discuss.
Credit Transfer Issues: I am currently in the process of trying to make sure this course counts for my FMMC minor, and specifically for the 300-400 level elective.