Most eye opening experience I've ever had July 21, 2022

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/06/2022 to 05/20/2022 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to adjust to life in a country where I didn't understand anything. It was definitely worth it

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not academically rigorous or super intense but still engaging

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

A lot different but not bad

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

They set up counseling immediately

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It was great in many ways and allowed me to enjoy Prague

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)

You have to buy all your food and meals so manage your money wisely

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? over $150 a week at least
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find the cheap food early and cook 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

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Just try talking to people cause the pronunciation is hard

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • people
  • resources
  • planned trips
* What could be improved?
  • financial aid
  • class selection
  • food options made available
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Maybe would've helped to research Prague a little bit before going because I went there with no prior knowledge

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Elementary Czech Langue

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Czech/English
Comments: It was easy and a fun class to take. It was very helpful for living in Prague
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Economic History and Long Run Development

Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was the most challenging course I took in Prague but the professor was really good so he made the learning pretty clear
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Comprehending the Holocaust

Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Most interesting course I had in Prague. Really put things in perspective for me while being in Europe
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Strategic Thinking: Theory and Practice

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great class, it really opened my mind to a different way of thinking. Really enjoyed going to class every week
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Prague as a Living History: Anatomy of a European Capital

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course to see Prague all over the place. I would highly recommend this course to anyone going to Prague
Credit Transfer Issues: