So I wrote this two weeks ago (ish) and forgot to post it so it’s a little behind but still relevant. Here we go!

I can’t believe it’s already August and I’m going home in less than 48 hours. It’s been an incredible summer and I still can’t believe it’s been nine weeks already. Prague is beautiful and I’m so in love with this city that I don’t really want to leave.

My first week here I was honestly kind of afraid I had made a huge mistake. In orientation they talked about the honeymoon period where everything is amazing and then the low where you might start thinking this was a bad idea and compare your temporary home unfavorably to home in the states. I pretty much skipped the honeymoon period and jumped right into freaking out about the new language, the culture, how on earth am I supposed to figure out where I’m going? And oh god they want me to use public transportation, how on earth do you read the tram schedules?? I was really afraid that maybe study abroad wasn’t for me, and that I shouldn’t have come at all.

Fortunately, that feeling didn’t last long. By the end of the first week I had attended three days of class, was riding the trams with no trouble and managed to successfully navigate a grocery store where none of the signs are in English. I started to adjust and instead of feeling overwhelming I started to enjoy the cultural differences I was seeing. People are people, whether in the Czech Republic or the United States, so it was just a matter of adjusting to slightly different expectations. If you’re willing to pay attention, it’s not terribly difficult to go with the flow and fit into the crowd.

I have really loved living in Prague, but there are some definite differences it might have been nice to know about. So for anyone thinking about studying abroad here or even just visiting, here are some things to remember:

1. It’s really quiet here – you don’t realize how loud Americans are until you get used to crowded places in the Czech Republic. And?l is a central area about five minutes’ walk from my apartment where there are two tram stops, a metro station, a mall, and a number of stores and restaurants within about 100 meters of each other. I’ve never been there at a time when there were less than one hundred people in view. In the states that many people would be making enough noise to deafen you, but here it’s barely a quiet murmur. And when using public transportation, an entirely full tram car is usually almost completely silent. It takes some getting used to, but I honestly really like it. I’m pretty quiet for the most part so I fit right in. It does, however, make the tourists who aren’t trying to be subtle stand out like a sore thumb. You can spot them immediately just by the amount of noise they’re making. The stereotype of the noisy American makes a lot more sense to me now.
2. Do use public transportation – It’s amazing. I can get almost anywhere I want to go in twenty minutes or less without having to drive or deal with traffic. There is a huge network of trams, metros, and buses that will get you anywhere in the city and the schedules might look hard to read, but they’re actually very logical once you get over how many numbers there are. Just be aware that Prague’s public transportation system runs on the honor system. You don’t have to buy a ticket in order to ride but if you don’t once you enter the tram/bus or the ticket required areas of the metro stations you are subject to random checks by transportation officials. If you don’t have a paper ticket that you validate when you enter or a valid Líta?ka card (a card you can load with a month or more’s worth of ride credit. Definitely get one of these, it’s worth it and it’ll pay for itself with how much you use public transportation) then you may end up with a hefty fine. So follow the rules and you’re good. Plus, two months of credit was less than twenty-five dollars. And I use public transportation at least two times a day, usually more.
3. Air conditioning is not standard. And you probably won’t find it most places – honestly, until the last week of the program we haven’t needed it. This week we’ve had temperatures in the nineties, which is somewhat unusual here, and we could have used AC but the rest of the summer I’ve been really comfortable. I have a couple of elbow length sweaters that I have worn a lot because the temperatures have usually leaned a little cool rather than too hot.

That’s all for now! I’m sure I’ll think of other things but those are the big ones anyway. Hope everyone’s having a summer as awesome as mine!

So today I will be posting some tips for anyone that will be coming to Prague to study at the University of Economics and posting a few pictures from my time here.

Tips:

When you arrive to the airport, get a map of the public transportation system and keep it with you.           Do not take a taxi from the airport, it is way too expensive. Instead take the 179 bus to the stop Motol and get on the 9 tram going towards Spojovaci.  This ride will take about 30-40 minutes and you will get off at the Strazni stop, the dorm is 1 1/2 block walk to your left when you exit the tram.  This will save you $50.

The people that work at the front desk of the dorm do not speak English at all, so bring an English to Czech phrase book so that you have some hope of communication with them.

If they put you in a room on the 1st floor, asked to be moved immediately.  They do not have AC in the dorms so during the summer time you must leave your windows open, and they do not have screens or bars or any protection from the outside world.  So your best bet is to ask for a higher level floor so that you do not get robbed.

Bring a debit card with a PIN number with you, NOT a credit card, the best way to pay for things is with local currency (Czech Crowns) and the best way to get this currency is from the ATMs around town.  They are called Bankomats here and they are everywhere.

Beer is cheap here, very cheap. Enjoy it!

Do not expect an orientation of any type when you arrive, they sign you up for your class, hand you some paperwork and send you on your way.  You must familiarize yourself with the campus and the local area, the best way to do this is by tram.

I am sure there are more things but for now these are the most important things that come to mind.  Make sure to go out and see all the sights, the map of the public transportation has all the best places listed with exact directions how to get to each place, use it.  Do not study too hard, it really is not necessary, go out and enjoy the cheap beer, that’s the key to a good time in Prague.

Hello everyone, my name is David Hardesty and I am currently in the middle of a short 4 week study abroad session here in Prague, Czech Republic.  Much like the other posts I have read about trips abroad, mine began quite terribly.  The first night I was here someone climbed through our dorm window and stole my laptop and my roommates phone.  After that start I was sure this trip was a mistake, however things eventually turned around.  After two days in Prague I took a one week trip to Amsterdam and after that things started to get much better.  While in Amsterdam I learned how to navigate the preferred method of European transportation, the tram system.  Being from Louisville I have never ridden any form of public transportation, I had always jumped in my car and driven myself wherever I wanted to go.  Now I’m a pro at navigating public transportation even when I cannot read the language.

I have seen some awesome things while in Europe, met some great people and have had a very enjoyable experience while I have been here.  However, the culture shock we were warned about was very real.  I can remember talking with my fian?ee about the school warning us about it and laughing at the notion.  But I can attest it is quite shocking.  Being immersed in a place where you do not hear English spoken, see any English signs or writing, and must adapt to a completely different social and cultural atmosphere can be quite a challenge, especially when you are all alone and do not have anybody to experience it with.  Once everything set in and the homesickness subsided a bit (never fully going away though) things got much better.

I would definitely recommend a study abroad trip to anyone that wanted to get out of their usual comfort zone and try something new and adventurous.  I have learned a great deal about myself while I have been abroad and have experienced personal growth that I did not think possible at my age (we’ll just say I’m older than your typical college student).  I have experienced things I never imagined I would, have seen things I have only seen on television or the internet, and have gained some extremely valuable global perspective and personal growth.

I will be posting again about my experience in my classes and will include some photographs and videos I have accumulated while here in Europe.  Thanks for reading,

David Hardesty

Hey everyone! I believe Prague is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. I appreciate the opportunity to study abroad! The architecture is unbelievable. There are so many pastel colored buildings and interesting sights in the city. We went on a horse and buggy ride through the city, it was the best! We have walked to the Prague Castle, Jewish Quarter, and so many other places. I am homesick, but enjoying this great experience.

Tonya Chistman

It is absolutely beautiful here and the people are very quaint. The architecture and scenery are breathtaking. Last Tuesday we went on a 2 hr. walking tour and then a boat tour on the main river, Vltalva. On Wednesday we went on another walking tour. This one was more historical and longer – about 5 hours long! We saw a lot of the city and my favorite was the Prague castle. The castle is on a big hill so you will have to imagine the gorgeous view (click the link below for a picture)! All beautiful places and most definitely worth the walking.

A little side note: If you put Rick Pitino in a matador outfit, I swear you have our professor here in Prague. That’s what he wore one day and another day he wore all white…reminds me of the Georgetown win – ha. He is a great and prestigious professor. The class is interesting and fun as all the UofL students are together.

This is a great experience and you should take the time during your college years to Czech this place out!

Go Cards,

Stephanie Penn

Czech it out!

If anyone in the future has a chance to go with a group of Business School students to study abroad, GO TO PRAGUE! Prague is such a beautiful city with a lot of different foods and entertainment to choose from. Be prepared to listen and work very hard in class, however, you will be sent in the right direction of fun things to do by the teachers and Czech students at the school. My experience in Prague is unbelieveable, and I think that everyone else that is here with me can say the same.

Rodney Carter

Just across the Charles Bridge and up the hill is the Prague Castle. The walk up the hill is well worth the view. In every direction a different sight is to be seen. To the right is the direct replica, smaller in size, of the Eiffel Tower. To the left is the old resting place of the enormous statue of Joseph Stalin that survived only 7 years of existence. Last but not least; straight ahead is the most spectacular view of the incredible city of Prague. Its red rooftops create a picturesque scene, and are dominated only by the large church and museum steeples that stand prominant from various points in the city.

The food is unbelievable. most of the servers speak a little english, and some of the menues are translated, however upon ordering water, I recieved a bottle of carbonated beverage (or sparkling water) and a glass without ice. Not my idea of a thirst quencher, but an interesting experience all the same. The water in restauants is actually more expensive than the Pivo (beer). None the less, the meals have been every bit of exceptional. I really enjoy the little cafe resturaunts off the beeten path down the cobble-stone streets.

I am yet to purchase a bus pass, for I find that walking allows me to experience the city on a personal level. This is not an experience I would like to rush. With that said; my roommate (Andrew Shore) and I headed out to a beer garden the other night on foot. Upon returning we failed to realize that we were walking in the wrong direction for quite some time. After a few wrong turns, a slight conversation with a few German men, and the quick translation of a city map at the trainstation, we realized how lost we were. Although we probobally were not that far from the hotel, we walked to what seemd like Poland and back.

Lesson learned: Getting lost on foot, in Prague, is a whole lot cooler than getting lost by car in Louisville.

Shawn Edelen

Greetings — we arrived safe and sound all 26 of us! The students are working hard (seriously) in the international trade and finance course. The city is beautiful and full of rich history and culture….and speaking of culture our African-American students are viewed almost like movie stars here because many people here have commented that they have not ever seen dark skin in person! We are all learning how to use the train/bus/phone/etc…We have managed to also have fun–last night all the students went dancing and today we are going for a Flamenco exhibition and dance lesson with the class professor! Ciao~~~Sharon Kerrick