CIEE College Study Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic

My experience at CIEE in Prague has been amazing! The academics were very good; I learned a lot about Czech and Central European culture and politics, which was very helpful in my day-to-day life there. Extracurricular activities were also very frequent and fun! Professors were extremely nice and knowledgeable, and classes were offered at local universities if you needed to take a specific class that wasn't offered at the program. Overall, Prague is such an incredible city, and CIEE helped to enhance my experience abroad.

I had a fantastic experience in the CIEE Prague Business + Arts study abroad program. I particularly enjoyed the staff's emphasis on immersing students in the Czech culture. This was displayed through various orientation activities and trips. Furthermore, the available course selection was full of interesting courses, and my teachers were fantastic. I particularly enjoyed my Cold War Confrontation and Czech Sports History courses. Both were engaging learning experiences and included field trips--directly seeing the concepts taught in class. Overall, I am thrilled that I chose the CIEE Prague program and highly recommend it to prospective study abroad students.

My experience abroad has been unforgettable! Traveling with CIEE was a significant factor in my experience; the program allowed me to get to know people and take advantage of activities within Prague and on trips abroad. I really appreciated the consistency in communication from the staff, and I felt like I could reach out at any point. I was placed in an apartment for my housing, I enjoyed the experience and got so lucky with amazing roommates. There are so many ways to connect with others through school and activities!

My J-Term Social Psychology course in the Czech Republic was my first time studying abroad, and I'm glad it was. I was initially nervous about the extended stay in a country I knew little about, but after settling in, I fell in love with the local charm. It's very easy to get around, even if you're a bit underprepared -- you can use English and credit cards at most places, you can navigate Prague using tram, bus, or subway, and if you're missing any necessities, you can definitely get it at a local store. The academics and classes were great, though not the most challenging. They were wonderfully bolstered by the day trips to neighboring cities, which provided a more comprehensive look at the country. CIEE also offered numerous amazing after-school activities, of which I attended and thoroughly enjoyed all. This was a great experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in studying abroad!

General Tips
- Make sure to bring 220v adaptors.
- Pack some warm coats (and maybe some boots).
- Bring some cash to exchange into Korunas (or Euros), as you will likely accrue an international fee withdrawing from ATMs and using debit/credit cards. If you don't mind the extra fees, you can get around using only card.
- If you do exchange money here, make sure to find a bank or exchange office that doesn't tack on fees.
- Feel free to visit local pubs and clubs with friends for a nice night out. Czechia is generally a safe country for tourists.
- BUT always be wary of pickpockets. While I didn't run into any, many do.

I absolutely love Prague and the city is very easy to navigate. The CIEE staff are very welcoming and happy to help or answer any questions you might have. The city is overall very safe and there was rarely any time where I felt unsafe. The excursions CIEE provided allowed us to immerse ourselves into the culture and also have fun while also learning. The class, social psychology, is very interesting and informative, I loved the field trip we took to the invisible exhibition, it allowed me to immerse myself in what it would be like if I had lost my sight. It was very informative and a fun experience. The class overall is easy for those who have had no prior psychology classes and a nice refresher for anyone who is already a psychology major.

There is so much to do while living in Prague. It is extremely easy to travel to any place you would like to see in Europe and it is one of the most fun cities in the world. There is always something to do and the housing truly makes it feel like a home versus other countries I visited. It is also one of the safest cities I visited. There are also a variety of courses that are interesting that also cross over with requirements from my home college. There are also a variety of attractions to visit in Prague as it contains some of the oldest architecture in Europe that is well preserved.

CIEE was an incredibly well-run program. They care about their students and provide much support. There are weekly guest lectures, activities, and thrilling field trips. It's a great time in the most beautiful city in Europe. The school itself is located within a breathtaking fort on one of the highest hills of the city. There's a great going out/night scene, and being in central Europe makes travel easy. Everything within Prague is incredibly cheap, especially compared to the other Western European cities that are most common for students studying abroad. Best beer in Europe!

CIEE’s Prague program exceeded my expectations for my semester abroad in every way. Not only were classes interesting and relevant to the local area, but CIEE also planned activities and trips to help us immerse ourselves more in the culture. Some of my favorites were cooking classes or the trip to Pilsen. I think everyone would benefit from studying abroad and the broadened global perspective they will leave with, and I think the Prague program is especially wonderful for people looking to have a unique study abroad experience.