An immersive study abroad experience January 24, 2024

By A student (Economics, 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 gained a more global mindset beyond what I originally had. Being able to interact with locals in a foreign country allowed me to see other sides of issues, as well as learn a new way of life.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Administration at UPCES was beyond my expectations
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Great location in the center of town
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I integrated well, but would have liked to have done more
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	No healthcare issues
* Safety:	I never felt unsafe when in Prague and it’s surrounding towns
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes UPCES was phenomenal. They did a great job at easing us into the cultural differences and barriers. Additionally, program administration helped with any academic issues in an efficient manner

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?	$300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Put a plan in place for how much you would like to spend per week on food, and then figure out leisure afterwards

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?	Spanish in High School
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?	Begin by using it in places like restaurants and grocery stores so that you can practice while hearing the local dialect

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 International Students
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?	UPCES administrators Living in apartments in the city Being able to travel freely in Czechia and surrounding countries
* What could be improved?	Course syllabi available before signing up for classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That saying yes to new opportunities is typically the right answer

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:	CEE Growth
Course Department:
Instructor:	Prof Kudashvili
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Social Policies
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The professors were difficult to approach with issues regarding coursework
Credit Transfer Issues: