Winter Schools in Brno

My experience at Masaryk University in Brno was one of the most enriching and memorable journeys of my academic life. Attending the European winter school there gave me the opportunity to combine rigorous learning with unforgettable cultural immersion. The university itself impressed me with its modern approach to teaching, particularly in areas of human rights and EU law, which were delivered in an engaging way that encouraged reflection and discussion across different cultural perspectives. What made the program stand out was not only the academic depth but also the exposure to real-world institutions—we had the chance to visit the United Nations and various NGOs, which gave valuable insights into the practical side of international law and governance. Beyond academics, Brno itself was a beautiful and welcoming city. I still remember the charm of its old town, the friendly student atmosphere, and the magical sight of the city covered in snow, which was an entirely new experience for me. The program also allowed me to explore more of Europe, with visits to Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and even London, each city adding another layer to my understanding of history, culture, and global connections. Highlights included attending the planetarium in Brno, enjoying folklore dancing, and discovering how cultural traditions continue to shape communities today. These activities not only broadened my perspective but also brought together students from around the world, creating a strong sense of belonging and friendship. For me, the most valuable part of this journey was the balance it offered—serious academic growth combined with moments of joy, discovery, and cross-cultural exchange. It was a period where I learned not just from books and lectures, but from conversations, experiences, and the simple act of stepping outside my comfort zone. Brno and Masaryk University gave me more than just knowledge; they gave me confidence, lifelong connections, and memories I will always treasure. I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone seeking to expand their horizons, both personally and academically, because it truly demonstrates how studying abroad can shape the person you are and the professional you aspire to become.

The activities were nice, and the places we stayed at were actually pretty good. The study load was good and not too heavy; we still had time to have fun.

The professors were great, I really felt like I had learned something new. The structure of the course was well done, not too heavy yet still helpful. I loved that there wasn’t too much group work.

Further, the place we stayed at was clean. We had enough free time. It was exactly like they recommended and they described it.

The extra activities did not disappoint.

I attended the winter school the year after I completed my undergraduate degree. I thought I would be a little out of my depth as I was a politics student taking the international law course. While I did find it a bit challenging at first this was exactly what I wanted from this course! It really helped me with to expand on my previous knowledge and gain some new perspectives.

Aside from the academic parts, I cannot underestimate how fun this course was. From the wonderful lecturers and admin team to the brilliant tour guides - I enjoyed every second of my time at Masaryk. I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people with similar interests to mine and I can say that I have made friends for life. If you’re considering doing this - just go for it! You won’t regret it

My decision to attend the summer school at Masaryk University in Brno was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

It was a perfect blend of learning and experiencing a new culture. It provided me with the opportunity to visit beautiful sights of Prague, Brno, Budapest and Vienna. Brno was the absolute highlight for me. It's a small city in the Czech Republic that will constantly take your breath away with its beauty. It also has delicious food that is extremely affordable (I've attached a photo of one of my awesome meals!)

The course was very well organised with updated and interesting lecture contents.

The staff at Masaryk University were some of the most helpful and genuine people I've met.

I had the most incredible time on the World in Transition and Central European Transformation program. I got to make lots of new friends, learn lots about the history of central Europe and visit so many beautiful countries. We didn't spend too much time in the classroom but we were still provided with enough time to learn the content and study for our assessments. There were always activities organised and none of us were ever bored with nothing to do. Brno was a gorgeous city to live and study in for the three weeks of the program. Brno was not that large that you felt overwhelmed or could easily got lost. Instead I felt like I transitioned quite well into the Czech lifestyle and I soon considered Brno to be home during that time, as I know some of the other students did as well. We were provided with such amazing opportunities to explore as we visited a new country each weekend. We were very well looked after and all of the people helping us went out of their way and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic time. I truly feel like this program emerged us into the Czech culture, provided us with lots of knowledge regarding central Europe and its history and allowed us to see and do so much in such a limited period of time. I would highly recommend this program to any student looking at studying abroad.

This program was fantastic. The staff were all so helpful and supportive even before we got to Brno and met them in person. Learning about the history of Central Europe and its transformation was so interesting, particularly because of the way the learning process was set out. Each topic was taught by different people which allowed us to hear different views which was so beneficial. The extra activities outside the classes - both the optional and mandatory ones - provided us all with an alternative way to learning about the transformation so we weren't just stuck in a classroom all day. These activities also allowed us to explore Brno as well as Prague, Slovakia, Budapest and Vienna which was incredible. The people we studied with became life-long friends and we still remain in contact with the staff because they, too, became good friends. I would highly recommend anyone who wants to study overseas to apply for this program because it was an experience I will forever be grateful for.

Great teachers, interesting content and great to visit the places we were learning about. Very busy program, be prepared for lots of learning and study. The content is interesting however and there is plenty of time for fun. I barely slept the whole time but it was worth it! All the staff went above and beyond to help us, and were so friendly. Brno was a great town to be based in as it was cheap, easy to get around and also felt very traditional 'Czech'. The weekend trips were lots of fun however whenever we went away we couldn't wait to get back 'home' to Brno!

I didn't know much about Communism in Central Europe at all before taking part in this program, and didn't know much about Central Europe as a region either. This program changed all of that! I now consider myself that much more informed about the world, having been immersed in rich Czech culture. Learning about the social, economic and legal consequences of the fall of Communism in the region was one thing, but learning that the Communist era was only one chapter in this region's long, colourful history was quite another (sitting in a Turkish bath house in Budapest overlooking the city will do that to you).