Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Good times May 12, 2021

By (University of Toronto) - abroad from 05/14/2021 to 06/15/2021 with

Masaryk University: Brno - Summer Schools

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained an idea of how important it is to make friends with locals wherever you intend to stay for a longer period of time. Locals will you show you things trip advisor can only dream of.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Excellent survey of Central European History from Early Modern Era to the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Writing requirements included papers and exams.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Excellent local hosts who were familiar with the terrain and were able to show us the most important local historical sites.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Modest, but comfortable student housing with easy access to local transportation.

* Food:

Student cafeteria provided nutritious meals at minimal expense.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Hosts ensured that all students were aware of local cultural features and made an effort to teach us important words, phrases, and the meaning of certain behaviours.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Access to healthcare was facilitated by the programme. For instance, I became ill and the coordinators took the time to take me to a local clinic, where I was prescribed antibiotics without a fuss.

* Safety:

Very safe and secure environment.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I think the programme provided the right balance of historical instruction in the lecture room and touring of important sites.

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)

If living on a strict budget, it was very easy, but the abundance of pubs and restaurants made sure that no budget would survive first contact with the city.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I can't remember.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at the student cafeteria when possible.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • The historical instruction
  • The tours
  • The camaraderie
* What could be improved?
  • The wifi
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? 6 weeks is a tease; I would have preferred a year.

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.