CIEE Communications, Media, and Journalism Program in Prague

CIEE is an extraordinary organization that provides a well-rounded experience and a variety of cultural opportunities. When I was coming abroad, one of my biggest worries was that I would feel lost in the absence of a trusted adult or advisor. Studying abroad can be daunting, and I had concerns about if I would have a solid support network. During the first day of orientation, these worries were put to rest. The CIEE Prague staff ensured all the students that they were not only there to educate us, but that they also cared about our well-being and about the experiences we had. Hearing those words put my mind at ease and allowed me to look forward to what lay ahead. Additionally, the CIEE staff did a terrific job of creating intriguing programming for the students that offered us a deeper look into our host culture. Through CIEE programming, we had the opportunity to attend a local hockey game, participate in wine tasting, learn how to do glass blowing, and even take a trip to Berlin.

Many of the classes at CIEE Prague included a Czech focus, and it was interesting to widen my perspective on life throughout the world and on myself. Before coming abroad, I didn’t truly grasp how intriguing it would be to immerse myself in a new culture and learn the norms of a different country. Through the classes I’ve taken regarding culture and identity, and through my personal experiences, I have become more aware and open-minded regarding cultural differences. The international education provided at CIEE is of the utmost importance as it guided students toward understanding the similarities between cultures and respecting the differences.