Studying abroad has benefited me more than could have ever imagined.  Being completely immersed in another country's culture, way of life, and day-to-day activities and events, was a truly eye-opening experience. So, seeing as I was abroad in the Czech

Republic for 4 months, I learned a thing or two and would like to share some of the benefits of studying abroad. 1. Interaction with different cultures: In addition to interacting with students from throughout the USA, I was in class and became friends with people from many different countries and cultures: Spain, Russia, Italy, and Morocco to name a few. English was certainly not everyone’s first language yet we communicated and interacted just fine. Because of this, I feel I am better prepared for and can adapt to a diverse work environment. 2. Learn a new language: What better way to learn a new language than to go to the Country itself and practice with the natives. In Prague, a lot of the older generation did not speak English. So in order to communicate with them buying metro tickets, grocery shopping, or asking for directions, you had to know what to say and you had to say it in their language. I took a basic entry level Czech Language course and I can't stress enough how much it helped me during my time there. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to even figure out the tram or metro to get from place to place. 3. Balling on a budget: Studying abroad also helped me learn how to better manage a budget. While booking flights and hotels for weekend trips, we were always looking to optimize the itinerary.  In addition, we were always looking for student discounts, deals, travel packages or other savings to help us save money and come in under budget. 4. Make lifelong friends: While studying abroad, you are given the opportunity to meet so many new people from many different backgrounds. While I did know a few girls from my school who were doing the same program as me, I still made new friends from different places in the US including Georgia, Michigan, and New York. Once your study abroad experience ends, make an effort to stay in touch with the friends you've made. Follow them on social media, get their email address because who knows, they could also become valuable networking sources in the future. 5. Gaining independence: This past semester was the first time I truly felt like an independent adult because my parents were not simply a phone call or short drive away. I believe my semester abroad helped me develop as an individual and really come into my own. I made decisions for myself and wasn't asking for my parent’s approval before I booked a weekend trip with friends. Of course, I kept them informed of my travels while I was abroad, but I was free to make my own choices, handle any challenges, and manage the results.

Studying abroad in Prague was a great experience for me. It was a very great balance between the completely unfamiliar and familiar. I was challenged at times, but it was also very easy to make Prague my home for four months. I would recommend it for

the student that is looking for a unique abroad experience in a safe, clean city. Prague's Central European location and low cost of living also added to its charm.

What can I say about Prague, I could go on forever about what an unbelievable place it is. The people are so nice and always willing to help, not to mention incredibly fun! The food is great! Boy what I would give for some goulash right now!(It is a traditional

Czech dish with meat and dumplings). What I would do for a Pivo (beer) by the river. The culture is just incredible, the Czechs are so relaxed, and easy to get along with. The language is sure hard to learn and if you take a Czech class, which I recommend, it will be confusing at first but it sure is rewarding when you can make small talk with a local. There is a long list of things I need to go back and do. There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss this place. Everyday I am planning on how to go back and what I have to do in order to get an apartment there and live there for several years. I loved every little bit of Prague. Also CEA makes everything so much easier!!! My apartment was 100 ft from a metro and tram stop as well as a block away from the river and the dancing house. I could walk anywhere I wanted from my apartment in 15 min. Old town square, take tram 22 up to the castle. Boy those were the days! My roommates and I would start the day by relaxing in our living room before going to class. Then after class we would all come back get a couple beers and go rent a paddle boat in the river and just kick back, relax, and take in the city and its beauty. We would then go back to the apartment, have some people over and when it was around 12 pm or 1 am we would head out and hit the streets not knowing where we were going to end up that night. But surely every night was unforgettable! When in Prague you will grow to love certain places and find yourself living there pretty much. Walking distance from my apartment was this pub called "Usudu" we called it the cave bar. Because it was a cave! You walked into this small door and there would be a small bar. But if you kept going forward and to the right there was a small dinner where people could order food and relax. Keep on going and you will go down some stairs and feel like you are going into a cave! to the right there is a game room filled with Foosball tables, keep on going and there is this big room with plenty of tables where everyone is just having a great time, playing cards, playing dice games, doing magic tricks you name it! This bar kept going and going and going deeper and deeper down and just having more rooms and more bars! You will love the nights walking down Wenceslas Square, and knowing its time to go back home because the sun is coming out. All these experiences, not to mention the life-long friends I made just made this trip unbelievable! Definitely look into studying abroad through CEA. When else will you be able to say that your school took you to a weekend trip to Krakow, Poland? In summary, I owe so much to CEA for the great experiences that they encouraged my helped me have. I loved the program so much I did not want my relationship with CEA to end. I am an ambassador for CEA in my home university and I am planning in having an international Internship with them upon graduation. CEA is not just a program that takes you around the world. It is an organization that helps you be successful and guides you to achieve your dreams. (My image attached was taken in Split, Croatia. The Czech Republic is the heart of Europe. You can travel pretty much anywhere you want.)

When deciding where to study abroad, Prague was at the top of my list; however, deciding on a provider was a bit trickier. I initially chose CEA because they offered all of the classes (through Anglo-American University) that I needed to take to stay

on track with my Accounting degree. When I first arrived in Prague, CEA picked me up at the airport and dropped me off at my new apartment. My apartment was awesome and more spacious than I had expected. I lived with 5 other female roommates and my building had two more apartments with American students, making it easy to socialize with them. My roommates and I agreed that we felt completely safe at our location in Prague 2. Additionally, we were very close to a metro and 2 tram stops, making it very easy to get around the city to go to school, shopping, out to dinner and anywhere else. The Prague Metro is efficient and clean and the night trams are reliable as well. CEA provided transport passes for the duration of our trip so there was no need to use taxis. The school was appropriately challenging and had a friendly and international student body. CEA was located nearby to the school and had printers and computers for students to use. CEA was great about offering weekly itineraries of interesting events happening in Prague. They also offered a few program events such as cooking classes, a hockey game, coffee & pastries on Wednesdays etc. They offered weekend excursions to a few adorable towns in Czech Rep as well as a huge group trip to Krakow, Poland. Although the bus ride was insanely long, it was worth it; Krakow was great and having the opportunity to visit Auschwitz was impactful. I would definitely recommend going with CEA because they were friendly, organized and always willing to answer any questions or concerns I had while I was abroad and after I returned home. They made the experience stress-free and exciting. Finally, Prague is an absolutely beautiful, affordable and fun city! I felt safe while exploring the city and found it very easy to travel to many other European cities due to Prague's central location. Studying abroad increased my confidence, helped me understand different cultures and encouraged me consider working and living abroad at some point in my future. I can't wait to visit Prague again and would absolutely study abroad with CEA too!