The Best Four Months of my Life October 27, 2022
By Dian W (Humanities, Wofford College) - abroad from 09/07/2021 to 12/16/2021 with
CIEE: Prague - Central European Studies
I learned that it is important to go outside of your comfort zone and that it is important to learn about other people and their cultures
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While you will not be stuck at your desk studying for hours on end, the amount of exposure to culture and first-hand experiences are unmatched. I learned the most through guest lectures, field trips, and going out into the city with educated professors. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE staff are the most helpful. I would have felt lost without them. Knowing you have a group of adults who have your best interest and are willing to make the adjustment to a new country easier is very comforting. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Although the housing was different from what I have known in the US it was such an enjoyable place to live for 3.5 months. Cleaners came in once a week, there was plenty of space with bright and big windows. The housing created a closeness with the people our program. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Czech people are known for not going out of their way to smile or wave but they mean SO well. Prague felt like home within the first few weeks and I loved being immersed in the rich culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I went at the tail end of covid and it was easy (and cheap) to get a test while there. I also got a terrible cold towards the end (not covid) and it was easy to communicate with the pharmacist about the best medicine to take. |
| * Safety: |
I felt incredibly safe in Prague at ALL times. We still made sure to walk in groups and keep our belongings close just in case. I would advise this in any city you are in! But the home-like feel made it feel like such a safe place. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The people, the program, the place, it was all the best. I still think about it every day and would do just about anything to relieve it. |
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 on a normal week, more if we traveled. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save save save before you go!!! I lived at home and worked 3 jobs the summer before going and it was so worth it. Spend your money on travel, experiences, and having fun as apposed to Starbucks coffee every morning and shopping sprees. |
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 |
Our program was good at informing us of Czech etiquette and a few of the words we should know but they also recognized that Czech is a very hard language and that most people spoke English anyway. |
| 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? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 1&2 so not applicable |
| 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 wish I took the Czech language course! Get in the habit of saying hi, bye, thank you, please, yes, and no in the language wether you are out and about or just around your friends. It will become like second nature. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Adjusting to the language is going to be a total shock at first but your program will make you feel more comfortable. Put your phone down and observe public transportation so that you know your way around |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
