studyeurope - Council on International Educational Exchange

Prague, Czech RepublicACADEMIC PROGRAMThe program offers students a series of specially designed courses in a wide range ofacademic disciplines taught in English by local faculty. Although there is no languageprerequisite for participation in the program, students are required to take a Czechlanguage course in order to better immerse themselves in local culture. In addition tolanguage study, students normally take four area studies courses taught in English byCharles University (CU) faculty at the CIEE Study Center. It is strongly recommendedthat students have a background course in European or East/Central European studies,in any of the following disciplines: history, sociology, literature, economics, politicalscience, or language. All regular CU courses are taught in Czech and are open to studentsable to follow instruction in Czech.Students enrolled in courses at FAMU may select up to a maximum of 6 semester creditsof English-taught classes in FAMU’s international program alongside other European andinternational students. FAMU is located in the historical Lazansky Palace directly acrossfrom the National Theater.ACADEMIC CULTURECIEE classes are attended only by CIEE program students. FAMU classes will have hostcountry nationals, Americans, and other international students. CIEE class sizes rangefrom five to twenty-five students per course. While lecturing prevails as the mostcommon teaching method, most professors welcome class discussion and questions.Additionally, some instructors use videos, slides, and field trips throughout thesemester as teaching aids. Courses meet twice a week for 1.5 hours or once aweek for 3 hours.Students experience significant differences between the U.S. educational system andthe Czech system. This new academic environment is part of the challenge of studyingat Charles University and learning about the Czech Republic. Students must be awarethat a high degree of self-motivation and self-discipline is required, and that independentlearning and active participation in class are necessary for achieving satisfactory academicperformance. Resources such as library holdings in English and Internet accessmay be limited and students may need to seek these resources outside the CIEE StudyCenter at public libraries or other CU faculties.As students gain proficiency in Czech, resident staff will encourage students to use theirlanguage skills in everyday settings. Students, thus immersed in the host countrylanguage, not only speak Czech but come to think in Czech as well. The more studentsparticipate in this immersion, the more they together foster a program environmentand learning community that encourages language and cultural acquisition, therebyimproving proficiency and understanding of both Czech language and Czech society.ASSESSMENTGrades (A-F with pluses and minuses) are assigned based on mid-term and final exams,research papers, class presentations, and/or additional assignments depending on thecourse. Class attendance is mandatory and is factored together with class participationinto the final grade.CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPSThe program includes visits to sites of historical and cultural importance in Prague suchas Prague Castle, Old Town, the historical halls of Charles University, theatre, and opera.In addition, academically coordinated field trips to locations in Bohemia and Moravia arearranged, allowing participants to gain a wider perspective of the region and a greaterunderstanding of studied academic topics and Czech culture. CIEE also organizes optionalguided field trips to Berlin and Vienna with CIEE professors at an additional cost.Non-Credit InternshipsThe program offers placements into non-credit unpaid internships. Students volunteerin both public and private-sector organizations ranging from radio stations to NGOs,schools, and English language training programs. Placements are competitive andcannot be guaranteed. Students interested in this experience will complete applicationsupon admission to the program and will undergo interviews after arrival in Prague.ORIENTATIONA mandatory two-week orientation session, which includes an intensive-languageprogram, is conducted in Prague at the beginning of the program and introducesstudents to the country, culture, and academic program, and provides practicalinformation about living in the Czech Republic. Tours of the vicinity and culturalactivities are also arranged. During orientation, students spend five hours per dayin Czech language classes and are able to take advantage of several afternoonactivities. The intensive language program is under the direction of CharlesUniversity’s Institute of Language and Professional Preparation (UJOP). Orientationis maintained on a group and individual basis throughout the semester.HOUSINGHousing is included in the program fee. Students have several choices of housing andare asked to select an option prior to departure.Homestay with a Czech Family: This option provides an excellent opportunity for immersioninto the local culture and is strongly recommended for students who wish to takefull advantage of their experience. Students who have chosen homestays in the pasthave been extremely pleased with their experience. Breakfast and dinner are provided.Charles University Dormitory: Students who choose this option reside in single (for anadditional fee) or double rooms in a CU student dormitory in Prague. The dormitory availableat the time of printing is Kolej Vyšehrad, a dormitory located in the historic Vyšehradsection of the city with about a 10 minute walk to school. Please note that spaces arelimited in Kolej Vyšehrad. Breakfast is included in the dormitory option.CIEE-Administered Apartments: Students who choose this option reside in apartmentsshared with fellow CIEE participants in addition to at least one Czech student. Studentsshare double rooms in furnished apartments. Kitchen and toilet facilities are shared withapartment mates. Apartments are located throughout Prague. Commuting times anddistances may vary from 10 to 40 minutes by public transportation. Please note thatmeals are not included in the apartment option.It is important for students to be aware that commuting is a part of daily life in Pragueand all housing options will require daily use of public transportation. A transportationpass is provided by the program. While every effort is made to fulfill the student’shousing preference, due to capacity limitations, alternative housing may be assigned.INTERNETStudents have free access to a computer laboratory between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. duringthe week at the CIEE Study Center and other CU facilities. Prague offers a good networkof Internet cafés during weekends and evening hours for a small fee. Students areencouraged to bring laptops with wireless capability.COSTCIEE 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 significantchange in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. Fees for spring 2006will be available after August 15, 2005. Fees for fall 2006 will be available afterDecember 15, 2005. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for studentsfrom different institutions.CIEE FEESFall 2005: $10,100 Spring 2006: available 8/15/05The CIEE fees for 2005–06 include an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition,housing, breakfast for those in dormitories or two meals per day for those in ahomestay, orientation, cultural activities such as concerts and opera, local excursionsto Prague Castle, Old Town Square, 3 one-day excursions, field trips to Bohemia andMoravia, pre-departure advising, local transportation pass, extracurricular programming,and insurance.ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL COSTS (Fall 2005)Transportation (New York to Prague round-trip) $ 800Personal Expenses $ 1,200Meals $ 1,000Books and Supplies $ 50Additional Local Transportation $ 50Visa Fee $ 200Total Estimated Additional Costs $ 3,300pg/18