Past Review

By (English: Creative Writing and Global Culture, SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY New Paltz: Prague - Study Abroad at Charles University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. Got to travel and learn a lot.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Charles University
The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I enjoyed my classes. I thought they were relevant to where I was studying and that I definitely learned a lot.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The SUNY staff was excellent. ECES staff not as much. Program director a little curt, and unhelpful and program assistant completely clueless. Dorm mother excellent.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Post-communist, prisonlike, well-located. Inexpensive and central great, but provided breakfast and cooking facilities terrible. Shared hotplate and mini refrigerator with seven girls for a kitchen. No dining area in apartment, had to eat in bedroom. <br /><br /> Even though the actual housing was lacking the location for the cost makes it worth it.

* Food:

Food was really cheap and good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had a great time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

When people got sick there were taken to the hospital. I never felt unsafe.

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? I'm not sure. It varied if I was traveling or not. I could live in Prague on about 50-100 dollars a week, with trying to minimize eating out and drinking.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The more acclimated one is the easier it is to be frugal because of awareness of options. Try to budget for traveling.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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? Try and learn about it first.