Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

CERGE-EI: Prague Review Past Review

By (Economics., Middlebury College) for

UPCES - Study Abroad in Prague (CERGE-EI, Charles University)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am glad I went to Prague, and had a very fun and interesting semester. Sometimes, though, I wish I'd gone somewhere like South Africa or India.

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.

The workload was less than Middlebury's but still substantial. The grading was generous, although the European students in my classes definitely pulled down the curve. I really liked 3/5 professors. I'd strongly recommend Intro Czech, Comprehending the Holocaust, and CEE Economic Growth and Development. I'm neutral on Economics of Transition, and I'd advise students to stay away from Prague as a Living History.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

See Sensitive Information box.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Loved apartment living overall, loved the location, my roommates, my landlord, etc. Please see Sensitive Information box.

* Food:

I did not like Czech food at all, ended up cooking often. Very little variety in restaurants and grocery stores, hard to find fresh foods/health foods.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This program was amazing outside of academics. We took trips to Poland, Cesky Krumlov, and Dresden. They were constantly organizing groups to go to sporting events, operas, zoo tours, etc. We were also able to participate in the nightlife in Prague, which was fun and a great change of pace from small-town socializing at Middlebury.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I visited a Czech doctor twice, to treat an infection. My roommate actually recommended him to me. He was educated in America and had lots of expats as patients. He was very friendly and helpful. I will say that one student on my program needed emergency contraception while we were abroad and had lots of difficulty finding it. I would suggest that students bring any type of sexual protection they might need while abroad from home.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

I learned basic Czech, enough to use a few phrases while getting around town. Still found it fun and useful though, and a good way to learn about Czech culture.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Staff
  • Nightlife
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Course offerings/schedule
  • Food access

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Comprehending the Holocaust
Course Department:
Instructor: Plzak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was one of the best courses I've taken anywhere. Every discussion was fascinating, the visit to Krakow and Auschwitz very moving, and the coursework topical and fair. The teacher was phenomenal-- much better than many that I've had at Middlebury.
Credit Transfer Issues: I am hoping to get Philosophy/Religion distribution credit from Middlebury for this course. I am not sure yet if I will be getting approval.
Course Name/Rating:

Intro to Czech
Course Department:
Instructor: Petra
Instruction Language: Czech
Comments: Fun, useful. met at 8:20 in the morning, though, which was pretty touch. The professor was great at keeping students alert and participating.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Central and Eastern European Economic Growth and Development
Course Department:
Instructor: Vourvachaki
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great class, difficult and quantitative at certain points but hopefully prepared me well for Macro Theory this spring
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Economics of Transition
Course Department:
Instructor: Vilem Semerak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very interesting at first, quality of lectures and level of interest declined over the course of the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Prague as a Living History
Course Department:
Instructor: Pavel Soukup
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Although the professor was knowledgable, the course was often painful. Some of the sights we visited were not very impressive, and we were often left standing out in freezing temperatures after sunset while the professor struggled to get his points across. Overall, saw a lot in this course but learned very little.
Credit Transfer Issues: