Student experiences

What MAC students had to say about their study abroad experience:

Summer 2007

• "Going to Prague with the MAC program was a great experience, and a great way to get to visit an amazing city while getting to know some of your classmates really well before fall semester starts."
  
• "After finishing my undergrad degree, I really regretted having not studied abroad. A trip to The Prague Institute helped me to easily overcome that regret. The city was amazing, the collaborative learning was unlike anything else I have ever done and the opportunity to really get to know some of my MAC classmates in advance was incredible. I would certainly do this again if I had the chance."
  
• "The student experience in Prague was fantastic. Every time you go overseas, you realize that the world operates differently from how you expect it to operate at home. Even the operations at KPMG's Prague office differ from what one would normally expect at a Big Four's practice here in the US."
  
• "In terms of the educational experience, a student can find few other times where they interact as closely with their professors and peers both inside and outside the classroom as we did on this trip. I can truthfully say that I left Prague with a new group of friends. Being able to bond with your fellow accounting peers while exploring a foreign city is very exciting."
  
• "This trip also grows you as a person. Being in Prague, using a different currency, hearing a different language, and even eating different food, breaks you out of the norms in which you are comfortable. Therefore, you have to learn to be adaptable. This is an important skill in this age of globalization where you are required to interact with a diverse group of clients and co-workers."
  
• "I remember one quote from an Australian ex-patriot at KPMG that stood out to me. He said, When you are interacting with people who speak a different language than you do, you find that you use a variety of techniques to communicate what you want to say. In my opinion, if you can successfully communicate to a Czech citizen what you need for your job, whether tax or audit, using hand motions, poor language skills, and a lot of pointing, then you can communicate well with anyone."
  
• "I would recommend that any student make the commitment, both in terms of time and finances, to go overseas before they start their jobs in the working world. It is worth the investment."
  
• "The MAC Study Abroad trip to Prague was one of the greatest college experiences. I learned so much about the Czech culture and made some great friends, all while finishing 2 graduate courses. I'm really excited that the NC State MAC program offers opportunities like this and I highly recommend the Prague trip to all students. I know the experience will be one of my best graduate studies memories!"
  
• "Studying in Prague with the MAC program is one of the best things you can do. You have the opportunity to explore the historic city of Prague, and also meet current MAC students and professors before the semester begins."

Summer 2006

• "I am pleased that I took the opportunity to go on the MAC Study Abroad trip. Prague is an amazing country, and I feel very fortunate to have explored and experienced such a unique culture with such a great group of people."
  
• "Businesses have so much going on globally, having the international experience is a definite asset on your resume."
  
• "Studying abroad with the MAC program in Prague was a great experience that allowed me to immerse myself in a different culture and lifestyle. It was really cool to travel to a different part of the world."
  
• "Prague is a great city with a lot of history. There were a lot of places and things to see which you would never be able to see in the United States." 
  
• "The nightlife in Prague is awesome!"
  
• "Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to get to know some of my MAC classmates very well. I also appreciated the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Branson--our class was small enough to really receive individual attention."
  
• "The Prague Institute is a wonderful facility--it is so centrally located to the historic sections of the city that every day included chance encounters with beautiful architecture and scenery."
  
• "I think that going abroad is such an important component of a "world-class" education. I gained so much confidence in myself and made wonderful connections to my MAC classmates by participating in this experience."