Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best 3 months of my life Past Review

By (Business/Managerial Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 12/16/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I did not want to study abroad, and yet it was the best experience of my life. I really think it will help me in all facets of life. A lot of new perspectives.

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.

Econ classes were on par with Middlebury. Czech Language was a terrible addition.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful and friendly.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very. I think that planning your apartment before you go abroad was important.

* Food:

Very nice how cheap and available food is.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Most people speak English so you don't have to feel like an outcast.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Never had an issue.

* Safety:

I had a phone and wallet stolen. Not sure how safe it is, but even after that theft I really didn't think much about it.

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 spent 400+ per week on average. Travel is expensive
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure you learn to cook your own meals

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

I did not at all like Czech and was very bad at it

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? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? If you are opposed to languages you may not want to go to Prague. I am an absolutely terrible language student and it was very tough for me

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The classes
  • The ability to travel
* What could be improved?
  • No czech language class
  • There could be more assignments
  • I wish there were available student facilities - library, gym, etc.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That going abroad is absolutely the right decision. I wish I had been more excited about going abroad to begin with.

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:

Psychoanalysis & Cultural Studies
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Professor Roraback
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was one of my favorite classes that I have taken in all my years of school. The professor did an incredible job, and challenged me in a way that encouraged me to meet the expectations.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not yet tried to transfer
Course Name/Rating:

Prague as a Living History
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Class was very boring and got harder to pay attention to the lectures as the semester dragged on.
Credit Transfer Issues: I am note expecting to get credit for this course.
Course Name/Rating:

Housing Market
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Professor Lutz
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class did a great job of providing very difficult material in an easy to digest way. I enjoyed it from the perspective that I like real estate and the housing market.
Credit Transfer Issues: Have not yet tried. Imaging I will get a 200 level Econ elective.
Course Name/Rating:

CEE Economic Growth & Development
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Professon Dragana Stanisik
Instruction Language: English
Comments: One of the worst classes I have ever taken. Very tough to show up to class because the lectures were so boring and uninformative. Most of the material had to be learned on your own.
Credit Transfer Issues: Have not tried. Imagine I will get a 200 level econ elective
Course Name/Rating:

Czech Language
Course Department: Languages
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Czech
Comments: I did not at all like this class. I am bad at foreign languages, and I think the fact that we were required to take one was the worst thing about the whole semester.
Credit Transfer Issues: Do not know. Imaging I will get a language credit.