AIFS Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic (VŠE): Semester

I chose AIFS because of their unique program that allowed me to take Business classes at a university in a large city. Because I go to a small liberal arts college, I was having difficulty finding courses I was actually interested in that were in cities that I knew I wanted to live in for 3 months. After searching for weeks, I stumbled across the Central European Studies in Prague at the Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE). I found classes that fulfilled my marketing, finance, and international relations credit without needing to beg my advisors to accept them (this is basically unheard of in my business department). I had someone answering my questions before applying, before departure, and when I got there. My program had two people that lived in Prague and they provided everything from recommendations of coffee and food (including a coffee crawl throughout Prague), buying tickets for the ballet and theater, and simply having a couch for us to crash on between classes if we needed a familiar face. I lived in a dorm in central Prague that was connected to Charles University, another partnered university. My specific dorm had 4 single rooms with a shared bathroom and kitchenette. Living in a dorm, I had access to free washers and one dryer (basically unheard of in Europe), but everyone air-dried their clothes (which I still now do in the US). Because this dorm is meant for students, they also provided clean bedding every 2 weeks. I had access to excursions with AIFS as well as Charles University where I went on day trips to Pilsen and toured the Pilsner Urquell beer factory and toured a communist camp with a seasoned tour guide. This was one of the first times I was connected with students all across the country. My university abroad attracts Czech students and students on Eramus (European students studying at different universities in Europe). While I loved most of my classes, it took me a while to get used to the style of teaching (lectures, independent study) and I didn't take part in the clubs and other things as much as I could've (but I think that is because I was really satisfied with what I was doing independently and with AIFS). Not only did I make friends from the US that I would have never met, I now have friends that are from all over the world. Because of this program, I was able to travel to places I never thought of, such as driving ATVs in Morocco to learn how to taste wine at a 30-year old family-run winery. I learned how to travel and gained confidence and excitement to continue feeding my travel bug. I’d recommend AIFS Abroad for students looking for a program that provides help and assistance without sacrificing one’s own independence and adventures.

I lived 35-40 minutes away from my university and lived with all Charles Uni students, who had a short commute, but for the 4 of us VSE students, it was a very unpleasant experience and commute. The Charles students also arrived 3 weeks before us VSE students and they had all become friends already, not looking for 4 random business students to tag along on trips they had already planned. It was difficult to even hang out with students from my classes because they all lived near our university, and I mean all students besides us 4. If AIFS provided more suitable housing for us, I think it would have been an entirely different experience instead of feeling isolated and alone in such a massive city. Not to mention they are old school soviet barracks. I had to learn how to spend a lot of time alone, because this program forced me to. My classes were alright, the professors are very old school, not very communicative or helpful, and not like any class I have taken at my home university. The profs also switched halfway through the semester, I am unsure why but it made my class life unnecessarily more confusing and unstable. I loved Prague and would have loved it even more if the program was planned with the few VSE students in mind, we were forgotten or not cared for in a way.

I had the best semester of my life when I lived in Prague, Czech Republic for 3.5 months. I went through AIFS and they were extremely helpful throughout the whole process! I especially loved the onsite team in Prague. There were around 5 full time staff that lived in Prague and they were always there to help and plan fun and insightful events. They even incentivized us to explore the Czech Republic by providing money back for travels within the country. I left Prague with lifelong friends and memories that will forever be cherished. I will always be thankful for AIFS for this experience. If you're at all debating which program provider to do... so was I and I know I made the right and best choice by choosing AIFS.