Why did you choose this program?
I chose Prague, Czech Republic, because many people either didn’t know much about the country or still associated it with Czechoslovakia. Geographically, it’s in the heart of Europe, making travel to other countries easy—like taking just a two-hour bus ride to Dresden, Germany. On top of that, the pictures of the city were stunning, from its churches to its castles. Since all my classes were going to transfer back to my home institution, I decided to take the leap and go abroad on my own.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The program guided me through the process by providing the necessary forms for scholarships, financial payments, and the paperwork that needed signatures from advisors and department heads to ensure my classes would transfer back. On my own, I was able to select courses within my Psychology and Anthropology minors. One of the highlights was enrolling in a Czech Food & Brewing Traditions class for my Anthropology minor. As the saying goes, it’s always better to get to know a country through its food.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Do not hesitate to ask questions—advisors can’t read your mind, and they’re there to help. Many of my advisors at both my home institution and CEA CAPA had studied abroad during their own undergraduate years, so they truly understand what an incredible opportunity it is. I went solo to Prague, which was both scary and exciting, but it became an adventure filled with new friends and plenty of stories—like laughing later about mistakes, trying to speak the language, or even getting lost coming back from the grocery store. Beyond that, I also had the chance to travel and experience places like Italy, Croatia, and Belgium during the off-season, when they weren’t crowded with tourists.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
I had one class a day from Monday to Thursday, which gave me a lot of flexibility. Depending on the day, especially Mondays and Tuesdays, I would either meet up with friends for lunch or dinner, or simply wander around Prague to see where I ended up—sometimes at a mall, other times at a local coffee shop. On Wednesdays, I had a 6–9 p.m. class with one of my roommates. The course was on subcultures, and our professor was actually in a rock band, so some evenings we’d have lectures, while other times we’d go to her concerts—one even on a boat along the Vltava River. I wrapped up my week with a 9 a.m. class on Thursdays, then either packed my bag for a weekend trip or did my grocery shopping to settle in for the weekend.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear was being alone, and there were definitely times when my roommates were busy. To overcome that, I connected with other students at my partner institution, whether it was for traveling together or something as simple as grabbing lunch or dinner. Some students come abroad with friends or through their fraternities or sororities, but many arrive on their own—just like I did. That’s why it’s so important not to be afraid to reach out. The worst someone can say is no, but at least you tried—and more often than not, the answer will be yes.