Mobility specification

Country:USA

Institution:Juniata College

City:Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Program:Partner universities

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2023/2024

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Education

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?they have tons

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?The value of all credits from Juniata College has doubled at MUNI.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?The topics in the lessons were approached in a very practical way and emphasis was placed on active participation in the lessons. Teaching was conducted in the form of discussion.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?As international students, we arrived on campus a week early for the so-called orientation week. We settled in, attended various lectures and events, etc. We were guided through this week not only by our professors, but also by some Juniata College students who were supportive throughout our stay.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Interpretation services
Special aids and technologies (e.g., text-to-speech software, hearing aids)
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Crisis intervention
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:10000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?I was surprised by the cost of documents before leaving for the US (including the cost of the TOEFL language test). Transportation and accommodation (hotels, AirBnB) in the US is also very expensive, so it is important to prepare for this if you plan to travel.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?You can't save much in the US. The big advantage is that you live on campus (so you don't pay) and it's definitely worth the extra money to get a better dining plan than what you get from MUNI. Then with that, you don't have to go to the grocery store much.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?I've seen better

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?I bought my train tickets on the Amtrak website. I have no experience with buses.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?mostly fine

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Huntingdon is a very small town, so you can find interesting places on your own. We all liked to go to the Cliffs, or some of us went to the Peace Chapel. If you ask the local students, I'm sure they can give you some advice.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?To major cities in the area - Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Washington DC. Juniata College itself organizes most of the trips to these cities.
Boston is a very beautiful city, so if you have the finances and time, I definitely recommend it!

Share your best experience:Definitely spring break, when I went to Boston with my boyfriend who was visiting me at the time!

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?yes

Where can it be arranged?I had to book online and go to the embassy in Prague.

What is needed?I don't quite remember, but the internet has all the information you need.

How long does it take approximately?2 - 4 weeks, depending on the time of year and how far in advance one is dealing with it.

How did you get to the place?Plane
Train

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?I flew myself to New York, where I stayed for a few days and got to know the city. Then I took the train to Huntingdon. However, some of the international students flew to the airport in State College, where they were picked up by the staff.

If you're interested in learning more, feel free to email me at anetka.bockova@gmail.com or on instagram @annet_xy

Can you pay by card?neutral

What not to forget when packing?Czech sweets or even a Czech flag, which you can have other students sign as a souvenir! Otherwise, almost everything can be bought locally (at Weis, Walmart), so it might be better to arrive with less stuff and leave with a full suitcase. :)

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?The best experience of my life! I became independent, developed myself in all aspects and got the best friends.