ciee - council on international educational exchange
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featured programs

Study in China
beijing - chinese language + culture

Study in France
paris - critical studies

Study in Nicaragua
managua - liberal arts

Study in the Czech Republic
prague - film studies

Study in Italy
naples - liberal arts

Study in Italy
naples - classical studies

Study in Germany
berlin - language + culture

Study in Thailand
khon kaen - community public health

Study in Australia
perth - sustainability + the environment

Is this program right for you?

The program is intended for students who have an interest in the Czech Republic and Central Europe, as well as in the political, social, and/or economic transformation from state control to democratic market-based systems.

Program Snapshot

  • Broad and challenging range of courses supplemented by prominent guest lectures by leading Czech political, economic, religious, and social figures; courses include numerous out-of-class field trips and activities
  • Opportunity to enroll in courses at FAMU, one of the most prominent and renowned film schools in Europe
  • Theme-based interest groups explore various aspects of Czech culture, politics, and society through special informal activities

Subject Areas

  • Anthropology
  • Architectural History
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Cultural Studies
  • Culture (host country)
  • Czech Language
  • Economics
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film Studies
  • Gender Studies
  • History
  • Internship
  • Language (host country)
  • Language, Literature, Culture (host country)
  • Literature
  • Literature (host country)
  • Literature Criticism/Comparative Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Social Science

About Prague

Because of its innumerable characteristic steeples, Prague is called the hundred towered city. The newly joined EU member is a perfect example of the steady development of a society—most recently transitioning from its communist past. With a population of only 1.2 million, Prague has an unusually rich cultural life: festivals, operas, concerts, and cultural programs, many accessible on a student budget. CIEE students experience life similar to that of Czech students and make use of numerous neighborhoods of the city like native Praguers.

Where You'll Study

Charles University

CIEE works closely with Charles University (CU) to deliver courses to students at the CIEE Study Center in Prague. All CIEE courses are held at the CIEE Study Center, located in Vyšehrad. Although the CIEE Study Center is not located in a CU building, CIEE courses are recognized by CU and taught by faculty from various CU faculties and institutes. The oldest university in Central Europe (founded in 1348 by the Czech King Charles IV), CU has with 17 schools, 3 institutes, 4,000 teaching/research staff, and 42,400 enrolled students. Students taking FAMU courses study in FAMU facilities. Charles University courses are taken at Charles University facilities.

Prague Film and Television School of the Academy of the Performing Arts

The Prague Film and Television School of the Academy of the Performing Arts (FAMU) is one of the preeminent film schools in Central Europe. It is one of the three schools that comprise the Academy of Performing Arts and one of the oldest film schools in Europe. Many influential filmmakers and screenwriters are FAMU alumni, including Stanislav Barabas and Oscar-winners Milos Forman and Agnieszka Holland. FAMU offers professional film production facilities including digital Betacam, HDV, and 16mm and 35mm film for student work.

Thoughts From Abroad

Images of Prague, with narrow cobblestone streets lit by romantic lanterns, dominated by the majestic castle rising above the Vltava River, have left their mark in numerous movies and publications. Prague may have come alive to you in the novels of Kafka and Kundera, but to gain the true Bohemian perspective, you need to live and study it all.

Meet with Czechs who lived under a totalitarian system and found a way to laugh into its eyes like the “Good Soldier Svejk.” Learn from courses taught by top specialists in the field, who in Charles University’s academic environment, challenge students to explore European academic culture, be self-motivated and responsible for their studies, and adapt to the more formal, traditional academics of a university older than the United States. Feel the intensity of Prague’s life on every street corner. Discover local legends and myths. Touch history on the buildings in Old Town Square. Hear about the Velvet Revolution from the people who lived it and witness the creativity it takes to make a democracy on a Czech salary. Once immersed in it all, you will experience the “Nejak bylo, Nejak bude” attitude and the Bohemian perspective.

— Lucie Zacharova, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Lucie Zacharova, Resident Director, was born in Southern Moravia and has lived and studied in Northern Moravia, Prague, and Central Bohemia. She received a Master’s Degree in Czech and English Languages and Literature from Ostrava University, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Arts in English from Northwest Missouri State University. For 10 years, Lucie worked as a teacher, translator, and interpreter. She also served as the Associate Director of Study Abroad at Kettering University in Michigan.

Jana Cemusová, Student Services Director, gained extensive experience with students through many years of teaching and leading CIEE Czech language instruction at Charles University. Jana is a Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology at the University of Western Bohemia and has teaching experience as a Fulbright scholar at the University of Kansas.

Amanda Bell is the Housing Coordinator. She received her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Michigan State University and has lived in Prague for several years. Ivana Skenderija, Student Services Assistant, has a bachelor’s degree from Charles University and a background in drama, education, and film. Milan Polak, Administrative Assistant, has an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Charles University and experience as a mental health counselor.

Recommended Credit

semester: 16-17 semester/24-25.5 quarter hours
academic year: 32-33 semester/48-49.5 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • 3.0 GPA
  • 1 semester of college-level European (especially Central European) studies recommended (i.e. history, sociology, economics, political science, language, or literature)

Program Dates

Fall 20098/31/2009 - 12/19/2009
Academic Year 2009-108/31/2009 - 5/15/2010

Note: Last day for housing is 5/19/2010.
Spring 20101/18/2010 - 5/15/2010

Note: Last day for housing is 5/19/2010.

Application Deadlines

Fall 20093/15/2009
Academic Year 2009-103/15/2009
Spring 201010/1/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200916 weeks
early September - mid-December
Academic Year 2009-1032 weeks
early September - mid-May
Spring 201016 weeks
mid-January - mid-May

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $13,500
    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, breakfast for those in dormitories or two meals per day for those in a homestay, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.*Students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy dorm rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $500, 4-6 weeks after the program starts.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$10,876
    Housing and some Meals (depending on housing choice)*$2,550
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$13,500

    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, breakfast for those in dormitories or two meals per day for those in a homestay, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.*Students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy dorm rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $500, 4-6 weeks after the program starts.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Local Transportation$50
    Visa Fees$150
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,600
    Personal Expenses$1,900
    Meals (apartments)**$1,200
    Books and Supplies$60
    Total$4,960

    **Students placed in homestays are provided with breakfast and dinner. Additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $500. Students placed in the dormitory are provided with breakfast only. Additional meals for dormitory students are estimated at $1,000.


  • Academic Year 2009-10 $24,300
    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, breakfast for those in dormitories or two meals per day for those in a homestay, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.*Students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy dorm rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $500 per semester, 4-6 weeks after the start of each term.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$19,126
    Housing and some Meals (depending on housing choice)*$5,100
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$24,300

    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, breakfast for those in dormitories or two meals per day for those in a homestay, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.*Students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy dorm rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $500 per semester, 4-6 weeks after the start of each term.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Personal Expenses$3,800
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,600
    Meals (apartments)**$2,400
    Books and Supplies$329
    Local Transportation$100
    Visa Fees$150
    Total$8,379

    **Students placed in homestays are provided with breakfast and dinner. Additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $1,000. Students placed in the dormitory are provided with breakfast only. Additional meals for dormitory students are estimated at $2,000.


  • Spring 2010 $13,500
    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, breakfast for those in dormitories or two meals per day for those in a homestay (no meals are included for the apartment option), orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits. *Students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy dorm rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $500, 4-6 weeks after the program starts.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$10,926
    Housing and some Meals (depending on housing choice)*$2,500
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$13,500

    The CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, breakfast for those in dormitories or two meals per day for those in a homestay (no meals are included for the apartment option), orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits. *Students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy dorm rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $500, 4-6 weeks after the program starts.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,600
    Personal Expenses$1,900
    Books and Supplies$60
    Meals (Apartments)**$1,600
    Visa Fees (average)$150
    Local Transportation$50
    Total$5,360

    **Students placed in homestays are provided with breakfast and dinner. Additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $500. Students placed in the dormitory are provided with breakfast only. Additional meals for dormitory students are estimated at $1,300.


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.