CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic

My four months abroad were truly remarkable and experiencing CEA CAPA made it even more meaningful. Through CEA CAPA, I took two unique courses - The Jewish Experience in Prague and Czech Culture, Food and Brewing Traditions -which offered incredible learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. I learned how to cook traditional Czech dishes and tried classic Czech candy. The field trips in these courses allowed me to explore places that I wouldn’t have otherwise, such as having a tour of Strahov Monastery Brewery and the Czech Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I truly appreciated all the activities that CEA CAPA offered to help students adjust and explore other parts of the Czech Republic while meeting others in the program. My favorite of these excursions was the trip to Český Krumlov. It was an overnight excursion and we had all-included meals and a private tour of the town and castle. Here I was really able to meet others in my program who lived in a different part of Prague.

Additionally, living in local neighborhoods helped me fully immerse myself in the culture, making me feel less like a visitor and more like a local. With this set-up I felt that I had an easier time adjusting to life abroad and to the culture shock that followed.

If you ever want to feel like the main character of a historical drama while also living on a student budget, study abroad in Prague. This city is both a fairytale and a fever dream, where centuries-old castles and cobblestone streets coexist with underground techno clubs and beer that’s cheaper than water. And somehow, it all makes perfect sense.

I landed in Prague expecting a gorgeous, culturally rich experience (which, to be fair, I got), but what I didn’t expect was how absurdly convenient life here would be. The public transport system is god-tier. Trams and metros are fast, reliable, and run so frequently that if you miss one, another one magically appears like it sensed your disappointment. And unlike the overpriced, sweaty chaos that is American public transport, a three-month unlimited pass here costs less than what I once paid for a single Uber ride back home.

Academically speaking, studying abroad is one of those things that sounds rigorous on paper but, in reality, is more about studying vibes than actual studying. My classes are interesting enough (shoutout to my Media & Society professor for actually making me think), but let’s be real—most of my education is happening outside the classroom. Walking past the Astronomical Clock, navigating grocery stores where I can’t read half the labels, learning that “cheers” in Czech is na zdraví and that it’s apparently a crime to clink glasses without making intense eye contact.

Prague is also home to some of the best (and cheapest) food I’ve ever had. Czech cuisine? Heavy, meaty, and built to keep you alive through a medieval winter, even if you’re just surviving midterms. Goulash, svíčková, fried cheese—it’s all delicious and borderline dangerous. But my personal favorite discovery? The legendary lunch spots near my office. There’s The Wok (stir-fried noodles that haunt my dreams) and an Italian place with pasta so good it makes me question my life choices.

And then, there’s the nightlife. Prague’s bar scene is elite, but what makes it different from other cities is how weirdly cool everything is. One night you’re in an underground absinthe bar, the next you’re at a five-story club where each floor is a different genre of music, and then suddenly, you’re in a speakeasy hidden behind a random bookshelf. My personal favorite experience so far? Drinking beer in a centuries-old monastery while looking down at the entire city, like some sort of medieval academic who just finished transcribing an ancient manuscript.

Of course, it’s not all perfect. The customer service here is...an experience. Cashiers will deadpan-stare you into questioning your own existence. Smiling at strangers? Suspicious behavior. And don’t even get me started on the struggle of getting coins back as change and standing there like an idiot trying to count Czech koruna while an impatient line forms behind you. But honestly? It’s all part of the charm.

Studying abroad in Prague is one of those experiences that doesn’t feel real until you leave. It’s cheap, chaotic, beautiful, and occasionally confusing—but that’s what makes it so great. You come for the aesthetics, but you stay for the sheer unpredictability of it all. And if you’re lucky, you’ll leave with a slightly stronger liver, a newfound appreciation for public transport, and at least one story that sounds too ridiculous to be true.

Would I do it again? Without question. Would I advise you to come with an open mind, a decent winter coat, and a tolerance for dumplings? Absolutely.

Choosing to study abroad in Prague, Czechia was the best decision I made in my entire undergraduate career. I decided to go to a less common destination for my university, which was nerve wracking. However, this ended up being the best choice because I made so many friends from all over the world and immersed myself in a culture so different than my own. I adored my friends, living situation, and classes and gained a newfound sense of independence. Prague, you changed my life and I am so glad I picked you!

In the summer of 2024, I studied abroad in the wonderful city of Prague under CEA CAPA. With courses that filled my university's requirements, I was able to challenge myself academically while being immersed in another culture halfway across the world. I made some great friends, traveled to amazing nearby cities, and explored Prague's culture in the roughly two months I was there. The professors were amazing, and the housing was in a great location, really the only issue I have with this program is that it wasn't longer!

I studied in Prague for a semester and loved it! The city is beautiful and perfect for someone who has never been out of the country. It is my favorite city I have ever traveled to, and I recommend it to anyone considering studying there. I studied there with CEA CAPA and they were fantastic in making my experience one to remember. The city is filled with so many things to do for everyone. It is incredibly cheap compared to other cities in Europe and I felt safe everywhere that I went. Everyone there is extremely friendly and the culture is amazing. I have nothing but great things to say about my time there and I would recommend everyone travel there!

This was an amazing experience. Prague is a very special place. Its beauty, safety, and livability is unmatched. I couldn't have asked for an easier city to get around or a better life to live. This was truly such a blessing. CEA CAPA was extremely kind and helpful. The living arrangements made were perfect. I was located in Prague 7 in a wonderful part of the city. I always felt safe. I loved the Czechs as well. People were very kind and forthright. I enjoyed their culture. I also played hockey growing up so for me this was a wonderful time, especially since the World Cup was then and the Czechs won! Thank you!

Prague truly has something for everyone! It's an amazing destination for students, offering both affordability and excellent transportation. The food scene is great, with Czechs' love for food and drinking culture playing a big role in social life. There are diverse dining options and cozy cafes with scenic street seating. The city is filled with beautiful, colorful architecture and plenty of parks. Walking through Prague, you come across incredible views, unique sculptures, greenery and parks, and pretty gardens and nature. It’s great for history buffs, museum lovers, nature lovers, and offers many markets and cultural landmarks.

The public transportation system is great and quick to learn, making it easy to explore the city and beyond. Its central location in Europe also makes traveling to other countries super accessible letting you maximize your experience which I always loved. CEA has really great staff in Prague, and they provide unique local housing, so you really feel like you’re moving there and living amongst locals. Studying abroad in Prague will expand your world perspective, enhance your cultural intelligence, and help you learn a lot about yourself, as well as giving your resume a serious boost! During my program, I met amazing people, from fellow students to locals, which made the experience even more enriching.

There are many people that do not get the chance to leave the country. Even before this program though, I was not one of those people. I was lucky enough that my parents granted me multiple opportunities to leave the country while growing up. Because of this, I thought I was prepared; I thought I knew what I was doing. Truth is, it's an entirely different ballgame.

Being in Prague, studying in international libraries, looking and walking across and through structures that are more than 3/4 of a millennia old, and many, many more, are all amazing. However, it's not about what you do, it's about who you do it with. I think the reason I thought I knew what I was doing was because when I did travel with my family, it was mostly sightseeing and dinners and such. I thought that's what studying abroad would be - seeing cool things, maybe interact with a few locals and call it a day. Maybe this is why I thought I knew anything about anything overseas: "I saw cool things outside of America, how different could this be." Well, when you're spending days with your family, let alone your friends and not going outside of your comfort zone, it's easy to say so. However, once you leave that comfort zone, once you take out/off those headphones and start interacting with locals, or even other people visiting, that's when the real perspective gaining begins.

There's such a culture shift it's not even funny. You go from "USA! USA! USA!" to "dang, I see where we get our reputation". If you don't know what I mean by that, ask someone who's studied even one week outside of America and they'll elaborate.

Prague especially was so amazing. My academics were never hindered due to my experience as well. My partner program (UNYP) to CEA CAPA was great, for many of their own reasons and I could talk about that for a while, but we're focusing on CEA CAPA. In the study center, there are those from America or Prague/Czech Republic. All of whom were professional, engaging, interesting, and used subjects and materials that further immersed you into the city and its culture! For example, I took a class called arts and science in the golden city, and you can imagine what we studied. Not only did we do field studies in real locations with guided tours from the professors themselves, we also had assignments which forced us to go out and do some research on a given subject in itself. I use the term forced lightly, because it wasn't actually forced, it was just assigned. There was absolutely no resistance on my end from completing those tasks, because they were absolutely amazing, but that class is just one example. I could go on and on about the others, but the point is exactly what the review title states - please don't miss out on this opportunity!