Making the Most Out of Your Study Abroad Experience in Prague

By: Clara Turck

Studying abroad in Prague has been an adventure filled with opportunities for learning, cultural exploration, and personal growth. With its stunning architecture, rich history, vibrant arts, and affordable living, Prague is an ideal destination for study abroad students. To help you make the most out of your experience abroad, here are some tips to guide your experience in this magical city. 

1. Take Classes that Apply to Czech Culture and History

CIEE offers a wide range of courses specific to the city you are studying abroad in. This semester, I have particularly enjoyed taking my Czech Language course as it helped me navigate daily life in the Czech Republic. My Prague Art and Architecture Course enabled me to take advantage of Prague’s stunning art scene with weekly field trips to various museums and monuments around Prague. That being said, at CIEE, many courses that are not necessarily specific to Prague or the Czech Republic still tie course material back to where we are studying. Nevertheless, I still highly recommend taking at least one course that is specific to the location in which you are studying abroad!

2. Attend Program Sponsored Experiences and Excursions

CIEE puts together a diverse array of activities, day trips, and weekend trips for students to take advantage of. I was lucky enough to go on two weekend trips: one to Berlin and one to Budapest. Taking part in these trips has been one of my favorite parts of studying abroad as I got to travel and deeply explore another culture through city tours, museums, and other excursions without having to worry about the cost of the trip. I also got to explore Czech culture through CIEE sponsored activities, ranging from wine tasting to hockey games to a glass blowing workshop. Through CIEE, I was also able to volunteer at a local elementary school as an English teaching assistant. This was another highlight of my semester as I was able to truly immerse myself in Czech school culture while also building new connections with fellow CIEE teaching assistants, students, and the teacher I worked with. These experiences together allowed me to build on content that I learned in my classes and also pushed me to explore niches beyond my course content.

3. Document Your Time Abroad

Documenting your experiences abroad is a great way to both preserve memories and also reflect on growth. Capture moments not just from major sights and monuments but also local food or architecture you see every day. I have particularly enjoyed taking videos of my scenic tram journeys across different seasons. Journaling is also a meaningful way I have found to document my experience. By taking note of my daily experiences and cultural observations, I was able to record myself adjusting to life abroad and chronicle what my day to day experience was like. Saving these records will give you a treasure trove of stories to cherish forever, allowing you to relive the experience. 

EXPLORE PRAGUE