A great experience in a special city! Past Review

By (Undecided, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/12/2017 to 12/23/2017 with

CIEE: Prague - Central European Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Independence and confidence.

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.

The classes were long, tedious, and not rigorous compared to what I was used to at Middlebury. Although some were enjoyable, most classes felt like a waste of time.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very unorganized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great location and spacious apartments.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is hard to feel integrated with the local culture because of the language barrier and the major cultural differences.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Prague is very safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Program was too unorganized.

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)

Prague is very cheap and if you cook, it is easy to live on a student's budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40

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

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? No Czech experience
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? Talk to the locals.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • Being able to travel
  • The city
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • Communication between students and administration
  • The classes
  • Some of the housing options
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How different Czech culture is from American culture.

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:

Hollywood and Europe

Course Department: Film
Instructor: Richard Norwell
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Best class I took! Actually engaging and I learned a lot about Hollywood's relationship with European audiences.
Credit Transfer Issues: