Prague, Czech Republic: An Educational & Fun Semester! Past Review

By Cornelia W (Architectural History and Criticism., 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 learned a lot about myself and learned to be a more flexible and outgoing person. Because of this semester I really found my love of traveling and would love to be able to either study or work abroad again!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The workload was at times heavy but definitely doable for a Middlebury student. The teaching methods were very similar to Middlebury College as classes were discussion based and we had papers and midterms similar to in the united states. Overall a great academic environment.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The Study Abroad office was very helpful with meeting with students and helping us decide where we wanted to study abroad. The deadlines were doable and things got done fast!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Our housing situation (in Praha 1) was not very safe and at times worrisome. our landlord was not helpful and never answered emails or phone calls when we had a problem. I would not recommend this housing to anyone in CERGE-EI
* Food:	The food was fine but very different from american food, don't expect too many vegetables or salads.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	My program was really good about arranging trips for the entire group. we went to Cesky Krumlov for our orientation trip and also the Dresden Christmas markets as a final farewell. Everything was very well organized.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Prague is a very safe city even though it may take you some time to realize it. The only real crime you have to worry about it pick pocketing and you just have to be smart about that on the streets. girls usually stuck to a group at night just to be safe but other than that it is a great city. There is however, a lot of drug use within the main city which is at times very shocking.
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

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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?	The Professors & Administration The ability to Travel in europe on the weekends The Students chosen were all interesting and exciting people
* What could be improved?	improvement on Housing recommendations more sponsored activities by UPCES More integration with Czech Students!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Take a long time to decide about your housing. Live in old town or PRAHA 2 but away from wenceslas in order to get the best Czech experience! Be open minded! Try everything

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Romanticism and National Identity
Course Department:	Literature / History
Instructor:	Martin Prochazka
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was my most challenging class because of the heavy workload. A lot of writing and reading. We did not go on any field trips but we read only Czech works (Kafka, Kundera, Havel) and it was very interesting to learn this side of the Czech culture. The teacher was interesting but not extremely well prepared for class sometimes. I participated every class about the same as I do at Middlebury
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Prague as a Living History
Course Department:	History/ Art History/ Architecture
Instructor:	Pavel Soukup
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was a great class in getting to know Prague from a different point of few from the tourist. Every class we walked about the city based on the topic for that class (Baroque, Modern, Communism) and studied architecture and art that is relevant to that time period. I enjoyed this class because it catered to my major in History of Art and Architecture and was very hands on.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Gothic, Baroque, Modern : Arts of Bohemia
Course Department:	History of Art and Architecture
Instructor:	Tomas Hribek
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was very interesting and extremely specific to Prague and Central Europe. It was relevant to my major in art history and we went on field trips to museums at least once a week. The professor was extremely knowledgeable and organized with tests and papers. One of my favorite courses!
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Czechs, Europeans & Americans: Contrasts and Common Ground
Course Department:	Sociology
Instructor:	Daniel Shanahan
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I liked this course because it allowed us to interact with American and European Expatriates who were living in Prague and interview them for a sociological interpretation and analysis on the lives of Czechs. The professor however was not very well organized and did not often allow for discussion in his class and instead lectured the entire time.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Introduction to Czech
Course Department:	Czech Language
Instructor:	Petra
Instruction Language:	Czech
Comments:	This was my favorite course! it was so interesting to learn a completely new language and helpful to get around the city. The professors were amazing teachers and extremely kind.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No