How to Study Abroad in Czech Republic

The only down side to studying abroad in the Czech Republic is the endless stream of Czech jokes. As soon as you announce you are going to go to this central European country for study abroad, you’ll start getting the puns. “You better Czech yourself!” “Czech that out!” … You get the idea. For every other reason, though, studying or interning in the Czech Republic is an awesome, enviable experience. This is an interesting and beautiful destination, one that’s not the obvious choice for study abroad in Europe.

Student Life In The Czech Republic. Studying abroad in the Czech Republic gives you the chance to be in Europe without paying the prices of a country that uses the Euro. Here, the currency is the Czech koruna, and that’s good news for students who want to study in Europe on a budget. Almost all study abroad programs in the Czech Republic are offered in its capital city, Prague, where the three main universities are Charles University, the University of Economics, and Anglo-American University. All three offer courses in English. Good subjects to study in Prague include business, economics, history, political science, Czech language, and arts. You can also find classes in a few specialized areas, such as math and computer information systems. Most study abroad programs have a mandatory Czech language class, a good way to get some intensive practice in the language when the rest of your courses are taught in English.

While studying abroad in Prague, the main housing options are sharing an apartment with other students in your program, or living in campus residence halls with other international students. If you’re looking for a way to practice your language skills, consider renting a room on your own with Czech locals. Some students find it hard to make friends with Czech students, and living with other young Czech people is a good way to get to know the culture even more.

While you’re studying in the Czech Republic, be sure to sample a bramboráky — a famous dish that is basically a fried potato pancake. There’s also goulash with dumplings, or if meat is more of your style, a pork or chicken schnitzel called řízky. You won’t be hard-pressed to find delicious meals here!

Prague And Beyond. Since most study abroad programs in the Czech Republic are in Prague, you’ll have the advantage of getting to know the ins and outs of this picturesque metropolis. A great way to get a unique view of the city is the Pražské Benátky boat tour, which takes you down the Vltava River. Prague is a great jumping-off point to visit the rest of the country, with numerous trains and buses to various places throughout the Czech Republic.

One stop you’ll want to make is Červená Lhota — an incredible brick building that is in the middle of a lake. It can be a popular tourist destinations here depending on the season, but don’t let that deter you — once you see the red brick reflected in the water surrounding it, you’ll be glad you visited. One place that will make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale is Cesky Krumlov. Known for its architecture, this little town is set amongst beautiful green landscapes with a blue river winding through. Also, the city of Olomouc in the Eastern part of the country is less visited by tourists than Prague, and still boasts beautiful historic centers and a young population.

The Czech Republic has some jaw-dropping destinations for being outdoors. The Moravian Karst is a nature reserve with incredibly beautiful caves and unique geological formations. It also offers stellar hiking and bike trails. If you’re interested in looking at rock formations (but not necessarily being trapped inside them), plan a visit to the Bohemian Paradise.

From Bohemia to Modern Day. The Czech Republic was formerly known as the Kingdom of Bohemia — a strong state and part of the Holy Roman Empire, and later the Hapsburg Empire. In 1620, Bohemia lost its independence and the Roman Catholic way of life became mandatory. In 1918, once WWI ended, the independent state of Czechoslovakia was formed, and remained independent until Nazi occupation in 1939. After WWII the country was occupied again, this time by the Communist Soviet Union, and suffered crushing repression of free speech. In 1989 the Communist government was overthrown, and the Czech people elected Václav Havel as their president. A few years later, in 1993, the nation of Czechoslovakia peacefully divided into two separate nations — the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Because of its history of double occupation, many people in the Czech Republic can still remember a time when popular opinion was suppressed and any form of dissent had to be creative. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, life in this country changed for the better. For a glimpse into Czech history, visit the city of Plzen, the first town to be liberated at the end of World War II. For history dating back to the 9th century, visit the Old Town section of Prague, where military gatherings and weekend markets took place hundreds of years ago. Also be sure to visit the Hluboká Castle, which besides being an amazing architectural masterpiece, has its share of modern history. The castle was seized by the Gestapo in 1940 and later taken by the government.

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