Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Prague was fun and experimental and learning! January 06, 2024

By (Political Science and Government, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/11/2023 to 12/15/2023 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about myself and Europe all together.

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.

* 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

I had an incredible time and the housing, learning, and the people made it the best 3 months ever.

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? $220
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Students should cook at home!

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? A freshman year Spanish class.
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? Practice the language in grocery stores and restaurants as well.

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 city itself
  • The professors
* What could be improved?
  • Shorter orientation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I know that I love Europe! And I want to travel all around.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Psychoanalysis and Cultural Studies
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Erik Roraback
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was my least favorite course. The professor was not open to new ideas, and did not give an appropriate amount of homework.
Credit Transfer Issues: I just emailed my advisor and the head of the department for transfer credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Comprehending the Holocaust
Course Department: History
Instructor: Michael Plzak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I loved this course. It was intellectually and emotionally stimulating. The professor did a great job integrating our past knowledge of the Holocaust with new facts.
Credit Transfer Issues: This did not count for any major or minor requirements for me.
Course Name/Rating:

Political Leadership in Central Europe
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Juraj Hvorecky
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was my most challenging course, but it was also the most interesting. I learned about the political science and leadership of a region I had no knowledge of before.
Credit Transfer Issues: The political science credit transferred for the major easily.
Course Name/Rating:

European-American Relations in the 21st Century
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Josef Zieleneic
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The professor was brilliant and shared lots of information regarding all transatlantic relations.
Credit Transfer Issues: My political science credits for my major did transfer.