Best 4 months of my life! Past Review

By (Economics., Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/08/2014 to 12/12/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Independency - completely worth it!

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.

Not hard compared to Middlebury College.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Took too long to get security deposit back.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had all medicines and vitamins I needed!

* Safety:

Never had a safety issue.

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)

Cheap relative to everywhere else in Europe. Going out kills you.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-250 depending on week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy bottles of wine at every dinner.

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? High School Beginning French
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

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

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Not demanding
  • No Friday classes
  • Available if needed
* What could be improved?
  • 3 hour classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring vitamin C

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

European-American Relations in the 21st Century

Course Department: PSCI
Instructor: Josef Zieleniec
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Former EU Senator representing Czech Republic. Made every class interesting and discussions were intriguing. One of my favorite classes ever, let alone abroad.
Credit Transfer Issues: