The weeks and days leading up to my departure for the Czech Republic, I was excited and nervous in the best way. I was excited because I could already tell this was going to be the best semester of my college career (I was right). But I was still nervous because this was the first time I was going to be fully on my own and more than a few hours away from my parents. I don't get home sick in the slightest, but there's somewhat of a fear factor about being in a complete other country than your friends and family. Fast forward four months to the last few days of my time abroad, and there is not one part of me that wants to come home. It felt like I had just arrived in Prague and I still had so much more I wanted to see and do. But that's one of the good parts about studying abroad, you know you can always go back.
I'm so thankful for the months I got to spend not only in Prague, but traveling and exploring ten countries and countless cities with new friends I had made. I learned so much that I could never have learned if I wasn't experiencing it hands on and in person. So, I would like to share with you the most important thing I learned and have carried with me since being back from abroad and how it has impacted my life.
Culture shock! Yes, people in other countries behave and act differently in their day to day activities than we do here in America. Crazy, I know. This is one of the most beneficial things I could have learned in my time abroad and I am so thankful I did. I was fortunate enough to have class with students who were not only from the Czech Republic, but also from countries including Spain, Russia, Morocco, Egypt, and more! Interacting with these students and just hearing about their lives in their home countries was some of the most interesting times I had while on campus at AAU. I knew that people in other countries went about life differently than me, but I never really knew what kind of different.
This is something very important to cary with you post-graduation in the "real world" when you get your first job and are finally employed. When I graduate in 3 months (yikes!) and will hopefully be employed, I will be working with people who come from a variety of different backgrounds, and that's okay! I have gained a greater understanding and appreciation for people who aren't exactly like me and about their cultures language, beliefs, and history.

The Czech Republic is an absolutely amazing country and Prague is one of my favorite cities I've ever been to. It's charming, full of history and so many different areas to explore.

Housing:
Students live all around the city with 1-5 other people. You can opt for a single or shared bedroom. The housing is comfortable and there's weekly house cleaners for the communal areas. The kitchens come stocked with supplies and the bedrooms have pillows and comforters, each student just needs to buy sheets and pillow cases.

Excursions:
The program offers one overnight and two day trip excursions throughout the Czech Republic. There's also some shorter activities within the city (brewery tour, hockey game, opera, bomb shelter tour - to name a handful) that are offered on weekdays. Furthermore, there's 3 exercise classes each week and days dedicated to pastries and fruit at the program center. All excursions and activities are included in the price of the program.

Program Center:
The program center is very close to campus and has a nice study space. There's not always a ton of people at the center, but it's a nice place to get some tea/ coffee, print something out or relax a little.

Program Staff:
There's different staff members for academics, excursions, housing, etc so it's easy to know who to go to for help. In my experience, the staff was very friendly.

Schooling:
Classes are taken at Anglo American University, a small private school very close to the Vltava River and Charles Bridge. The school has about 800 students total, about 1/4 of which are study abroad students. Some classes have almost all study abroad students, like Czech Language, but other classes have a mixture of international students and Americans. There's also a cafe on campus which is really nice for getting a snack between classes. Except for a few classes, I believe almost all classes meet once a week for 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Study abroad is what you make of it. Make sure you do your research before you go and make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Everyone says it will be the best four months of your life and in ways it is. But don't forget, just like any other experience in life, there are ups and downs. There is so much hype to have a lot of fun and to have a positive experience--it almost sets unrealistic expectations. If you are struggling with the culture shock or the language barrier, you are not alone. If you are homesick or lonely, you are not alone either. There is so much pressure to capture that instagram-able moment and people tend to highlight what is going well in their life when posting about experiences. Don't get me wrong, studying abroad truly is such a wonderful experience. Take advantage of this freedom you likely won't have once you graduate college. Prague is a beautiful city--there is so much to do and so much to eat, but, the locals are not very friendly. It is a quiet city and the czech culture is very different from what we are used to.

I have nothing but amazing things to say about this program. Not only did it change my life, I had experiences and made friends that are incredible beyond words. CEA does an excellent job of preparing, hosting, and supporting your entire study abroad experience. From excursions to helpful staff members, loaning travel books and providing fitness activities, they make your experience in Prague extremely well-rounded and allow you to integrate into the community like a local. My apartment, located in the heart of the city next to regular Czechs, was one of my favorite aspects. Not only was it a place to call home each day, it was a way that I felt fully rooted in the community of the culture. Prague is a perfectly-central location that makes travel to and from quite easy. Being landlocked, bus and train land travel can be done quickly and affordably. The city itself is very inexpensive and perfect for a student. Because it is further east, it attracts fewer tourists and allows students to feel like an actual citizen rather than simply a visiting tourist. The culture is so unique and genuine. I could write pages on why my experience was incredible and if you're reading this, I encourage you to start your application for the CEA Prague program NOW!

I highly enjoyed my study abroad in Prague! It was such a great and unique experience that I will carry with me the rest of my life. The academics at Anglo American University were great, the new places I visted in the Czech Republic and in other European countries were fun, and all the art and culture I experienced were eye opening. CEA made the transition to Prague easy and the nice people at CEA made it very hard to leave! Studying abroad in Prague was a great resume builder, and if anything, makes for a great conversation. I highly recommend CEA to anyone else trying to study abroad.

I studied abroad on a whim, and originally kind of forced myself out of my comfort zone. I was incredibly nervous and not sure if I made the right decision. However, after about 2 days in Prague, I quickly realized it was the best decision I had ever made. The city itself is like a fairytale, and there is something new around every corner. CEA made my experience unforgettable, and was there to help me every step of the way. (Even when I was hurt and had to go to urgent care!) I 100% studying abroad in Prague to anyone, and particularly through CEA. I had the time of my life, and it would not have been the same if it were not through CEA, and the people that I met throughout.

I really enjoyed my time in Prague and CEA made it very easy to get help whenever I needed it. The office staff was prompt at responding to emails and were always available for office hours so you can go in and ask questions in person. They planned options excursions to fun places in Prague that gave us the chance to go places we normally wouldn't. Additionally, the housing they assigned me was in a great location and was very nicely decorated. I loved my time here and they made everything very easy.

CEA does a great job with their program! Everything was always so organized and it was really easy to contact them or get help if we needed. Our housing was in some of the best locations in Prague, which made the whole experience that much better. There were excursions we could sign up for which were really fun and it was extremely easy to travel. Going to school with people from all over the world was such an amazing opportunity and it was so fun to get to know people from such different backgrounds. If I could study abroad again I definitely would and I had some of the best four months of my life here.