INCREDIBLE! Past Review

By (Communicative Disorders and Sciences, SUNY - College at Geneseo) for

SUNY Geneseo: Prague - Humanities Course

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience was icnredible. The guides we had, the locals we met, the culture we experienced were all wonderful. The professors are incredible and I couldn't imagine what the trip would have been like without them.

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.

Our lessons were interactive as they included mostly traveling-- it was an incredible way to learn the culture of CZ and to relate to the information in class. Classes were generally discussion based when held which I really enjoyed. An online journal was required which was convenient and beneficial to our trip.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

This trip was Faculty-Led by Dr. Klima and Dr. Bernard; both were extremely accessible even though they did not live in the same building as us in Prague. We were encouraged to explore the city on our own which made Prague our home. Our professors treated us with respect and as equals which truly made the trip worthwhile.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in a dorm in Prague, a hostel in Poland, and hotels in Austria and Hungary. All were appropriate and in a convenient location; we didn't have any difficulty with security or cleanliness.

* Food:

GO TO ZAAMA ZAAMA! We basically lived there :) It will be right on the corner of where you stay in Prague (pizza). We bought most meals ourselves; however, the provided meals were delicious and accommodating to dietary restrictions (gluten-free, lactose intolerance).

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There are truly way too many good things to say about this program; as I said previously, most lessons included travel which was they best way for us to experience the academic part of the program. We were permitted to explore the city on our own which really made Prague become our home. We were allowed to take independent weekend trips as well (e.g., my friends and I went to Krakow, Poland and it was incredible!) VIP: Terezin, Bone Church, Petrin Hill, Krakow

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Well let's see... I believe other than the stomach bug, I had the only medical-attention-needed health issue. The healthcare system in Europe is much different than the US. Dr. Klima and Bernard were extremely helpful with the money issues, communication barriers, and health insurance difficulties I experienced while aborad. So, if I could rate my professors and their reaction to the health issue, they would receive 5 stars in a heartbeat. However, due to the difficulties experienced with finding a place to be treated and the health insurance issues, I have to rate that with 3 stars. Safety: The only safety concern I recall was in the Heathrow, London airport which involved an individual following our group throughout the airport and that same individual being very disruptive on the plane. Once we landed in Heathrow, my friend and I talked to the security and police department about the situation and it was handled effectively and appropriately. A group member of ours also had her passport, wallet, and all its contents stolen (including her glasses) while we were in a sleepercar train from Prague to Krakow. This group member was did not have her purse on her person while sleeping and a pick-pocket took in from the shelf. Other than those two experiences, there were no safety concerns.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Everything!
* What could be improved?
  • Shorter plane ride ;)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you can make it happen, make it happen. It is truly a worthwhile experience that I would not change for the world.