Brno, CZ: A Place That Will Change Your Life Forever Past Review
By Vanessa R (Global and International Studies/Linguistics, SUNY - College at Oswego) for
Masaryk University: Brno - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
This experience was most definitely worthwhile! I never thought that I could learn as many things as I did in simply four months. I was surrounded by so many different languages and cultures all the time. I learned so much about myself and so much about the world. My future plans have definitely changed. As soon as I finish university in the U.S. I plan of teaching English abroad and travelling as much as possible.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was stressful at times due to the extensive amount of travelling I did. The grading system was different than the American system. In the Czech Republic, a grade E is still passing. In addition, most finals can be taken up to three times unlike the single time one is able to take a final in the U.S.. Furthermore, most of the professors I had were much more relaxed than many of the professors I have had in the U.S.. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Almost everything needed to be bought except for sheets and a pillow. The rent was very difficult to pay, and a confusing process all around for the first couple of months. The area was very safe, students would be awake at all hours of the night. The desk attendants were often rude and barely spoke any English, but it was just something else to get used to. Construction went on the whole semester I was there, so it was not uncommon to wake up and find a few strange men out on your balcony going through your garbage or trying to smoke your old cigarettes. |
| * Food: |
The food in the Czech Republic is very basic. Meat and dumplings. They also have markets with fresh fruits and vegetables which are great. And of course there's always McDonalds and KFC if necessary. Most sit down restaurants are good, and usually there will be an English version of these menus. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Four major trips were planned: Budapest, Krakow, Slovak Mountains, and one to another city in the Czech Republic. All of these trips were fantastic and well planned through the school. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Compared to hospitals/doctor'd offices in the U.S., the Czech Republic was a little further behind. One of the offices I visited was still using typewriters. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Travelling is the most expensive thing, and even still buses are quite cheap! Groceries and everyday items in Brno were very cheap! |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You must be very open-minded and willing to accept others views and beliefs regardless of your own. You must be friendly and outgoing. |
