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University of Central Florida

USA 2019/2020 Partnerské univerzity

Osobní data
Typ mobility:
studium

Fakulta na MU:
Fakulta sociálních studií

Obor studia:
International Relations and European Studies

Úroveň studia v době pobytu v zahraničí:
Bakalářská

Používaný jazyk:
angličtina

Letní/zimní škola?:
ne

Doba studia:
podzim 2019

Doba pobytu (od-do):
2019-08-26 - 2019-12-12

Počet měsíců:
4

Aktivita před výjezdem do zahraničí
Kde je možné získat informace o kurzech vyučovaných na zahraniční škole?:
At their website called webcourses.com

Které dokumenty jsou potřebné k přijetí na zahraniční vysokou školu?:
Insurance documentation, VISA papers, a proof of a financial balance, class registration sheet, medical history with vaccination from a doctor, language eligibility

Jak dlouho dopředu je třeba přijetí vyřizovat?:
half a year in advance

Bylo potřeba vízum?:
ano

Potřebné podklady a doklady pro udělení víza:
DS form, picture, completed surveys, request for VISA

Délka čekání na vízum:
a week(3 weeks with requesting an appointment at the embassy)

Výše poplatku za udělení víza:
approximately 8000 Czech crowns, all the expenses included

Studium
Měl/a jste před odjezdem podepsanou studijní dohodu (Learning Agreement)?:
ano

Pokud ne, v čem byl problém?:

Věděl/a jste před odjezdem, jak Vám kurzy budou na domovské fakultě uznány?:
Yes, I did thanks to my faculty supervisor and our meeting

Měnil/a jste během pobytu studijní smlouvu?:
Yes I was forced to due to inconvenience with expences in regards to costs for books
e.g. one study material for a French course(300 dollars)-no other option, it was a tri-semestrial book but my stay was only one semester

Kdy a jak probíhá registrace do kurzů? Jsou nějaká omezení? Možnost změny?:
Before my departure(approximately 4 months in advance)
through communication with supervisors, both at my home and host university
Restrictions: almost none, I was able to take up any class
Possibilites to make changes: Yes, after consultation and contacting both my supervisors-approved without any additional problems

Skládal/a jste na zahraniční škole zkoušky?:
Yes, a couple of written exams and final papers I had to handle in
plus the grades were calculated based on the work throughout the semester

Používá škola systém ECTS?:
- vyberte možnost -

Pokud ne, uveďte, jakým způsobem byly tamní kredity na ECTS přepočítány:
After consultation with my faculty supervisor and her communication with the professors teaching the equivalent classes I was enrolled in

Popište způsob výuky (teorie, praxe, projekty) a hodnocení studentů:
Teachers provided us with a lecture half of the class time, and the rest of the time was based more on a discussion. The classes often changed based on the talks and how the teacher and students were able to elaborate on the topic. Occasionally, we watched videos and did in-class assignments. I had to do weekly quizzes and assignments to keep up with the class lecture. Weekly reading was required for two out of my four classes in total. Besides that, I had to do final papers on a topic chosen by myself. One of them was a group project. One of my classes used computers and programs due to its importance for statistics.

Kvalita výuky ve srovnání s domácí školou:
I did not get as much information as I was used to from lectures back home. In comparison, I had a better opportunity to express my opinion, to participate in the debates and thus to improve my language which was one of my goals during my stay. The discussion opened new topics to talk about and to be interested in in my free time.

Jak jste získával/a studijní materiál?:
Through webcourses-webpage only.

Můžete doporučit nějaký zajímavý kurz/předmět/vyučujícího?:
I would highlight especially my class called "Contemporary Politics and International Relations of Asia," which was structured probably the best out of all my classes. Definitely, an easier one was "Human Rights Policy," which was very introductory, but the discussion very helpful and interesting. For physical exercise recommendation, I need to go with my "Self-defense class for Women and Men," which was not physically exhausting but was, on the other hand, mostly mentally preparative.

Jaká je vybavenost školní knihovny?:
It was under reconstruction; thus new spaces will have been built soon. I used the interiors of a library, especially to find a quiet place on campus. The building is equipped with scanners, copy machines, not a lot of computers and enough spaces for the number of students studying at the university. Nevertheless, there was a coffee spot downstairs, information counter on each floor, and rental for technology(computers, chargers, tablets, very modern..).
Book collection wise I did not use the opportunity due to all the study material that has been provided on the internet platform for us.

Dostupnost počítačů, přístup na internet, úroveň potřebného softwaru, potřeba vlastního notebooku:
Computers were occasionally free depending on the time of visiting the library. The whole campus was covered with wifi.

Možnosti tisku a kopírování:
A student at UCF had a certain amount of printing pages for free, weekly. If the limited was overpassed, he was able to be charged with money for his copying or printing.

Pořádá zahraniční škola/studentská organizace speciální akce pro výměnné studenty?:
ano

Jestliže ano, jaké?:
The so-called "ambassadors" or just local students at UCF voluntary organizing events and helping us to settle down and to be involved in the activities that went on around campus were genuinely nice. We had the opportunity to use them as drivers for couple of trips such as camping or sightseeing in a historical city. They took us to some university events-football game, comedy show, local traditions, etc..
If there was time we went together to restaurants and bistros.

Jak byste zhodnotil/a svoji integraci mezi místní studenty (hodnocení jako ve škole 1-5):
2

případně doplňte vlastními slovy:
In the classes, it was almost impossible to get closer to the other students, although they were friendly it was not anything serious(probably because they knew we would leave eventually). The locals were interested in living in Europe. how is life there, our mentality, and what are the biggest differences. I had the opportunity to be a part of a university dance team thus my integration was a little bit better due to that.

Praktické otázky pobytu
Kde jste bydlel/a?:
In a room with a roommate in a house approximately 30 minutes far away on a bicycle

Cena ubytování – měsíčně:
500 USD

Další poznámky k ceně ubytování (ohledně toho, co cena obsahuje):
If it wasn't for the possibility of sharing a room with one other Czech student going to the USA with me I would be paying 900 USD a minimum for a room which would be impossible to financially handle

Popište vybavenost. Tipy pro další studenty – co by si měli sebou přivézt?:
Our house was fully furnished and the kitchen was equipped, so no home stuff was needed to bring unless somebody needs their essentials with them such as favourite bowl, utensils, a cup etc..

Jak a s jakým předstihem je třeba si zařídit ubytování?:
At least 4 months before leaving, because although we were offered and promised accommodation by the university, the prices were incredibly high and the distance too far away to manage daily

Jaké jsou možnosti stravování?:
The campus had plenty of options where to eat out, from fast foods to bistros, the university offered prepaid lunches for 8-10 dollars if bought in a bigger quantity

Jaké jsou orientační ceny potravin (porovnejte s cenami v ČR):
I would say double the prices at least, differing from item to item and depending on what kind of food is a person used to buy on a weekly/monthly basis

Doprava do místa pobytu:
Bicycle in my case, 100 dollars at the beginning, public transport not functioning much, there were some buses for free with the student ID card going every hour to Downtown of the city, which was an hour away
around the campus, the transportation was provided with local buses going to dorms quite often

Orientační cena dopravy:
other than that, it's very much needed to use Ubers or Lyfts in a need, again differing on the quantity of usage, but going downtown would cost 20-60 dollars(depending on the time)

Tipy pro zakoupení výhodné letenky/jízdenky/další doporučení:
there are apps such as LYNX or the taxi options Uber and Lyft

Jaké jsou možnosti místní dopravy (MHD, kolo, pěšky, orientační ceny):
cycling but it is needed to rent a truck at the beginning to transport the bicycle back home and to get to the shop you need somebody to take you with car or to use Uber or Lyft

Jaké formality je třeba vyřídit po příjezdu, např. povolení k pobytu?:
Residential lease, communication with the landlord, pose questions and to pay one or two-month deposit in advance

Jakého jste použil/a zdravotního pojištění? (orientační cena, výhody, nevýhody, je nutno na univerzitě pořídit jiné než domácí (české) pojištění?):
International Student Organization Insurance(ISO)
they have plans recommended by the University-you are advised which you should buy and then it is up to the person what they choose
They are concerned mainly with medical issues and expenses

Měl/a jste zkušenosti s lékařským ošetřením v zahraničí?:
No, I did not, I managed to solve everything with home/store supplies

Pracoval/a jste během studia?:
No, I did not

Jaké jsou podmínky pro práci/brigádu pro studenty z MU?:
with our VISA category F-1, we are only allowed to work on-campus 12 hours a week, the campus stores and facilities prefer to hire people long-term so it was hard to find a part-time job

Tipy na využití volného času:
Golf, visiting nature parks and areas around, Orlando Science Museum, cycling around, Downtown local markets, beaches nearby, amusement parks-Disney, Universals, springs, camping, hiking, cities, JFK Space Centre, etc.

Finanční podpora a náklady
Celkový grant od Centra zahraniční spolupráce:
70000 CZK

Měsíční stipendium v Kč:
17500 CZK

Počet podpořených měsíců:
4

Celkový počet měsíců:
4

Jakých dalších zdrojů jste využil/a k financování pobytu?:
My own sources earned from working before leaving, occasional family support

Pokud jste obdržel/a další stipendium, uveďte jaké a jeho výši v Kč:
22 000 CZK, Grant from Faculty of Social Studies

 
Poplatky spojené s nástupem na univerzitu:
16000 CZK

a/ výše vstupního poplatku:
20 USD

b/ výše školného:
50 USD

c/ výše ostatních poplatků (jakých):
30 USD

 
Jaké byly Vaše průměrné měsíční výdaje?:
1100 CZK

a/ z toho ubytování:
500 USD

b/ z toho stravování:
500 CZK

c/ cestování a volný čas:
300 CZK

Jakékoli komentáře k průměrným měsíčním výdajům:
The "low" price of accommodation was only due to sharing a room with another Czech student from MUNI
In fees, I include VISA, insurance, and vaccinations
Other costs include an arrangement of a student card, ordering "Transcript of Records."
Especially the first months we had a harder time to manage the money situation but throughout we spent less and less in general(by learning where to shop for good prices, how to travel low-cost, etc.)
In the travel category: UBER, Lyft, one-time purchase of a bicycle.

Uznání zahraničního studia domácí fakultou
Kolik jste během studia získal kreditů (v systému zahraniční školy)?:
12

Kolik ETCS kreditů bylo uznáno na MU?:
28

Věděl/a jste předem, které kurzy Vám budou domácí fakultou uznány?:
Yes I did, thanks to my faculty coordinator

Jakým problémům jste musel/a v souvislosti s uznáním čelit?:
I thought one of my classes would be recognized as a required course at my home institute but it was my fault of not reading the syllabus, registration sheet and course material of the class back home properly so the course I took was not an equivalent

Celkové hodnocení
Posouzení osobního přínosu (1 = výborný):
1

Posouzení akademického přínosu (1 = výborný):
2

Ohodnoťte informace a podporu poskytnuté zahraniční školou (1 = výborný):
2

Setkal/a jste se s nějakými závažnými problémy během pobytu:
A bicycle was stolen from me thus I had to report it and manage to get a new one. Furthermore, I had a bike accident I did not report straight away but I was luckily able to handle the injuries with the help of first-aid from our house.

Co doporučujete vzít si s sebou:
Computer to work on, personal essentials(fav books, pendants), something as a reminder of the home country, family(pictures, typical Czech food, item), a souvenir for a landlord or future roommates. all the necessary documents in case electronic technology disappoints.

Co Vás nejvíce překvapilo na partnerské univerzitě pozitivně:
The openness, freedom of opinion, and overall freedom of expression. Teachers were not strict at all, sometimes too nice, I would say. The generosity and natural need to help from the local people(students, people at the shop). The size of the campus and the management of events from the university. The support of the school to free-time, non-profit involvement in university clubs. The emphasis on individual development and growth.

Co Vás nejvíce překvapilo na partnerské univerzitě negativně:
Not getting as much information in the courses as I expected. More effortless and more smooth studying than back home(although the language barrier). I do not think the university did enough to incorporate us as exchange students among the local American students. We had ambassadors(university student volunteers) who took care of us, organized events and helped when necessary but I do not think that was the amount of effort from the university(because if it were not for the voluntary willingness of the ambassadors to meet us and show us around we would not have any informal kind of socialization-apart from classes where it is impossible to get closer to the other students).

Další komentář:
I am very grateful for this whole rollercoaster experience and the biggest thanks to CZS and my faculty for nominating me and eventually choosing me as the best candidate. The entire experience surely made me a more mature, independent person. Nowadays, I can think in a more understanding and complex way. Meeting and creating friendships with all the other international students from around the world is a priceless experience.
Academically I grew especially in my verbal and written skills, but as well as my debate abilities improved. I learned some interesting slang, informal language phrases due to being in the environment and the people I was surrounded with. The places I had the chance to see and visit, such as fauna and flora unique nature areas for Florida, were incredible and unforgettable.