In this week's Where in the World is Miami, we meet Madeline Varga, a sophomore psychology major, who studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic during Summer 2022.

What organizations are you involved with at Miami?

I am involved in Miami Dance Marathon and Gamma Phi Beta.

Why did you choose your study abroad program?

I chose this program because I think that Prague is a very underrated place. Prague has all the perks of a large city: great restaurants, nightlife, lots of activities to do. There are theatres and museums to visit, parks to hang out at, history to immerse yourself in, and so many cafés. Additionally, Prague is very safe, affordable, and easy to get around. The Czech Republic is also in a fantastic location, so I knew it would be easy to travel to other countries as well.

What did you study in your program?

During my study abroad experience in Prague, I took two classes: Social Psychology and Czech Communication I.

What were the coolest places you visited on your program?

Some cool places I got to visit while I was abroad were Berlin, Lake Como, Rome, and Vienna, as well as other cities in the Czech Republic. And of course, I also got to explore the city of Prague, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

What was your favorite part of your program?

Honestly, my favorite part was the simple things. Getting to ride the public transportation; finding a local café with friends to get cappuccinos; having park picnics with them; all of my friends cramming into my room to figure out our weekend travels; or going to class early to have conversations with my Czech professors. The little moments are what made my program life-changing.

The friendships I made with the people in my program, my professors, and the CIEE faculty are some of the most genuine relationships I have ever made. They opened my eyes to new perspectives. These relationships are something I am eternally grateful for.