I had the time of my life living the Cesky Sen! (Czech dream) Past Review

By (Special Education and Teaching., SUNY - College at Geneseo) for

SUNY Geneseo: Prague - Humanities Course

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
More than I can say. I learned about myself as a person, through my own eyes and living with other people. I have a greater cultural awareness and plans to return overseas in the future.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

great knowledge of host country, good size of group and challenging work load in combination with tours and such, but it became easier to manage. expectations were more than met!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

we were free to choose who we would room with in the dorms. lectures were held in the same building as our dorm, and Klima took us shopping for food and anything we needed by showing us where it was the first or second day. the hostel in Budapest was lovely and the hosts treated us so very well and fed us dinner the first night.

* Food:

everything was delicious! eat where the locals do and be adventurous

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I will remember this experience and everything we saw for the rest of my life. Everything was beautiful and historical and delicious. We had something to see every day and it was all exciting, but may have taken all day.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I got a minor eye infection from all the crap in the air (lots of smokers) but the pharmacy gave me over the counter eye drops with anti-biotics. It was really easy to get and Klima helped me explain my symptoms. Don't eat the plane food!

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Overall I spent about $700 on food, shopping/clothes/gifts/souvenirs.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep track of your bank statements and spending in your online account.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? See everything you can and sleep when you're dead. Any kind of student can benefit from this both an eye-opening and humbling experience.