Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Prague: or as Kafka called it, "The Little Mother with Claws" Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Fordham University) - abroad from 01/28/2013 to 05/20/2013 with

CIEE: Prague - Central European Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It's incredible how ethnocentric you really are; you don't even realize it until you go somewhere else. I've learned a lot about Czech culture, and in doing so, I've learned a lot about my own culture. Going abroad has also been a personal growing experience. It sounds cheesy, but it really makes you learn about yourself as a person- what kind of people you like, how to function in high-stress situations, what kind of person you aspire to be, etc.

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:

* 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? $200

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?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Pay attention during the Intensive Czech Course. The material you learn will be the foundation for the rest of the semester. Czech is difficult but I recommend using it even when you feel uncomfortable (ordering in a restaurant, asking how much, etc). Czechs will really appreciate the effort

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Prague's Beauty
  • Nightlife
  • Cultural Events/ History
* What could be improved?
  • Food
  • Interaction with Locals
  • Academic Requirements of the Program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The food is really, really bad. Cuisine is not terribly important to Czech people and the restaurants reflect that value. You cannot just walk into a restaurant and expect it to have the same standards as restaurants in the U.S or in other parts of Europe. Czechs are also not very friendly toward strangers or people they don't know. People don't make eye contact with strangers or smile at them. People do not strike up conversations with strangers. You will also stand out, even when you try not to. You look like a foreigner and will most likely attract some negative attention on the street or on public transportation. That being said, Czechs do have big hearts when you get to know them. The younger generation is a bit more open than the old when it comes to accepting outsiders.

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.