Eastern Europe is a Trip Past Review
By A student (Fine Arts, Studio Arts, Wesleyan University) - abroad from 09/14/2015 to 12/19/2015 with
UPCES - Study Abroad in Prague (CERGE-EI, Charles University)
I learned the types of communities I need to situate myself in to be happy, and types I should avoid.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
These courses are not at a college level. The work was minimal and the expectations were vague. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were great for receiving/send mail. And for taking trips outside of Prague. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I used an outside apartment rental service. The program did not provide enough suitable housing. |
| * Food: |
We did not receive a stipend, so all food was bought outside the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My classes provided relevant cultural and historical information to help me assimilate. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
For an American, Prague is very affordable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget. And stick to it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Czech Intro Course |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The types of students, who choose to go on a particular program. For example, my program was 1/4 Tulane University students (about 25 girls) and they arrived as a tight knit group of friends, largely uninterested in getting to know other students. It was difficult to make new friends when so many arrived with their own. |
