CET Prague hosted a comprehensive program assessment last month in partnership with our School of Record, the University of Minnesota. CET Prague aims to facilitate academic and cultural understanding of Central and Eastern Europe through a broad, multi-disciplinary curriculum supported by field-based excursions and co-curricular activities that take students out of the classroom and through the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and Hungary.
CET asked assessors to pay particular attention to the major areas of the academic curriculum: the core courses in Jewish Studies, Central European Studies, and Business and Economics; the Czech language course; and the optional internship course and placements.
The final report from the assessment, including assessor recommendations and CET’s response to the recommendations, will be available in the spring, but reviewer Joel Shelton offered the following reflection after the visit:
I was particularly impressed by the close relationship between faculty, staff, and students at CET Prague, and commend the program for its embrace of engaged learning practices, from small class sizes to the traveling seminars and closer-to-home excursions around Prague.
CET Prague does an excellent job of integrating the city and its history and culture into the academic program; this is a program with a strong sense of place where unique course offerings are paired with expansive co-curricular opportunities outside the classroom.
At a time when many international education programs are becoming increasingly streamlined and impersonal, CET Prague stands out for offering a highly personal, academically challenging learning environment paired with outstanding and supportive student services.-Dr. Joel Shelton, Associate Professor of Political Science & Policy Studies, Elon University
As School of Record, the Learning Abroad Center at UMN assesses one CET program per year. In 2023, CET Jordan hosted the inaugural assessment. Assessments review all elements of a program: pre-departure materials, on-site orientation, academics, housing, student life, health & wellness, and program infrastructure. Assessors have full access to CET staff, faculty, and students over the course of the visit and submit a report of recommendations and commendations for CET to review, respond to, and incorporate into the program in the future.
Members of the CET Prague assessment team included:
- Mr. Tim Dohmen, Assistant Director of Learning Abroad Integration & Outreach and Program Director, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota
- Dr. Joel Shelton, Associate Professor of Political Science & Policy Studies, Elon University
- Dr. Amy Suelzer, Director of Overseas Programs, Washington University in St. Louis
- Dr. Igor Tchoukarine, Assistant Professor of History, University of Minnesota
CET thanks the members of the assessment team for their time and thoughtful feedback. We look forward to sharing the full report with our partners in the spring.