Program Description

Offered through CET Academic Programs, this program is co-sponsored with UW-Madison. Students can choose from two program options during the fall and spring semesters: Central European Studies or Jewish Studies. Both programs immerse students in the beautiful setting of Prague with options of doing coursework at both the Humanities Faculty of Charles University and FAMU (The Film and TV School of the Academy of the Performing Arts). Students will be challenged both in and outside of the classroom through in-depth lectures, small class sizes and opportunities for involvement in the community. Excursions and activities give students a firsthand perspective on the topics they learn about in class.

Goethe proclaimed Prague to be "the most precious stone in the crown of the world." Prague stands at the crossroads of Europe, where east meets west and history meets today's post-communist era. Rivaling Paris as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Prague will invite you to wander through its fairytale-like cobblestone streets and take in a thousand years of architectural and artistic history.

Prague, first settled by Czechs in the late 9th century, has been the capital of Bohemia ever since. Serving twice as the medieval seat of the Holy Roman Empire, Prague continued to strive as a sister city to Vienna into modern times - always standing at the forefront of culture and industry. Prague's grand intellectual and artistic tradition will inspire you in your studies. Living in Prague today, you'll encounter one of the world's fastest growing economies, and witness its people overcome the challenges of democratization.

Academics

Student take classes in the CET's downtown facilities, right in the heart of Prague, just steps from Wenceslas Square and Old Town. The neighborhood features excellent public transportation, countless restaurants and cafes, and numerous museums, movie theaters, and stores.

Students attending the Central European Studies or Jewish Studies programs in Prague for the fall or spring terms enroll in a total of five courses. For the Central European Studies program there are two required courses which are the Czech language course and the Political and Cultural History of Central Europe in the 20th Century. For the Jewish Studies program, there are also two required courses: the Czech language course and History of the Jews in East Central Europe. During fall and spring terms, CET may be able to arrange for students to take one elective course at the Humanities Faculty of Charles University or at FAMU, the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts. With both program tracks, students also have the option of enrolling in a community service internship course.

During the summer program, students enroll in a total of four courses, including two required courses which are the Czech language course and the Political and Cultural History of Central Europe course.

Housing

Students are housed in apartments with either American or Czech roommates. Housing and three meals a day through a meal stipend are included in the program fee. Each apartment also includes a full kitchen and is centrally located within the city.

Excursions and Activities

The program includes visits to sites of historical and cultural importance in and around Prague, such as visits to Prague Castle, the Jewish Quarter, the Czech Parliament, and Radio Free Europe. Day-trips outside of Prague led by your professors may include Mechenice, Lidice, Lety, Decin, and Kladno.

Other included excursions are a traveling seminar to the Central European Triangle where students will visit Brno, the capital of Moravia, Slovakia and Vienna. In addition, students will visit Budapest, Hungary for a weekend trip. Participants also visit Cesky Krumlov, a beautiful medieval/renaissance castle town on the Austrian border, for an overnight trip.