Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Very eye opening Past Review

By (Political Science, Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/08/2014 to 12/13/2013 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that Europe is nothing like the US

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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? 100 Dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Write everything down. Do not go out to eat for every meal

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I had taken high level Spanish no Czech
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? listen to the CD from the book

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Helpful
* What could be improved?
  • Mean Czech women working there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Eastern European culture is different

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Rembering the Holocaust

Course Department:
Instructor: Michal Pizak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The perfect challenge. Great trips. The teacher knew an impressive amount. Papers, exams and readings
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Economics of Transition

Course Department:
Instructor: Zigic and Vilem Semerak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very challenging having two teachers. The first half was a lot harder than the second half of the course. The first teacher had very unclear expectations.
Credit Transfer Issues: Have not transferred yet
Course Name/Rating:

Growth and Development Economics

Course Department:
Instructor: Gurgen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging. Great field trip. Teacher was knowledgable and prepared. Participated equal amount. Papers and tests.
Credit Transfer Issues: Have not transferred yet
Course Name/Rating:

Prague as a Living History

Course Department:
Instructor: Jaroslav Svatek
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very easy course touring Prague. Saw many things I would have never had the opportunity to see. Assed with a paper and exams
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Czech

Course Department:
Instructor: Silvie Prevratilova
Instruction Language: Czech and English
Comments: Hard class. Was forced to take it. Wish it had been more about Czech culture than language since everyone speaks English. Really like the teacher. Homework, exams and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: Did not get language credit for this course