Czech Cinema Past Review

By Demetrius B (Film / Cinema / Video Studies and Computer Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/08/2014 to 12/11/2014 with

New York University, Tisch Study Abroad: Prague - 35mm Filmmaking in Prague

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned how to compose a short story, Czech Culture and Cinema and that life exists outside of Middlebury. It was worthwhile because I also got to interact with students from a different University.

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.	Program allowed for lots of time to experience Czech culture while still being use
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Always there to help with any questions and make the transition much more fluid
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Full Kitchen and Bathroom with living room and triple bedroom. Very comfortable space to be in while abroad
* Food:	Lots of different food options
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt well integrated into the NYU community but I have found it is difficult for abroad programs to integrate with local students.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I don't have any first hand experience with the matter but I have friends who said it was very accessible
* Safety:	All good in the neighborhood
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)	I could comfortable survive on 25 dollars a day.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	About 200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Get a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees and be prepared to use a lot of cash.

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	We had one czech class a week, but clearly the main component of the course was to prepare to direct on 35mm and learn about Czech cinema
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Beginner
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?	null
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?	Perhaps take a summer/online course to give you the basic of the slavic language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
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?	NYU Students Prague Film
* What could be improved?	Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Perhaps resources to learn some basic czech

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	FAMU
Course Department:	Film
Instructor:	Multiple
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The FAMU specific program with NYU Prague, was composed of multiple different classes that all prepared you for different aspects of creating your short film on 35mm. Each class did satisfy these needs, and I felt I came out I could make a short film on my own.
Credit Transfer Issues: