Hi, I’m Lucy and I study English and History. I’m currently in the last few weeks of my year abroad in Prague where I have been studying at Charles University. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and it’s been an absolutely unforgettable experience.
Why Prague?
This is a question tons of people have asked me over the course of my studies here. I wish I could say I had a complete answer, but honestly my response is normally ‘Why not?’. Prague is such a culturally abundant city offering so many different avenues to explore that it seemed like the obvious choice for me. As a History student, I was especially drawn in by the complex history of the Czech Republic as well as the rich tapestry of literature that can be found across the city. Of course, the cheaper cost of living was also alluring and the location of the Czech Republic within Central Europe makes it a great launchpad for visiting other places during my study abroad as well.
Studying
Part of a study abroad is, unfortunately, the studying. I’m partnered with the Faculty of Arts at Charles University while in Prague. Their main building is located right in the city centre overlooking the castle and the river, and they offer a wide range of courses in English. As I said, one of the draws of studying in Prague was the history and this was reflected in the courses I was able to take. Unlike in Southampton, most modules here are smaller which meant that instead of only studying a few core topics, I could cover a wide range of subjects. One of my favourite courses available was ‘Graphic Novel: A User’s Manual.’ The university also ran multiple Czech language courses for different levels which I found extremely useful while living in Prague.
Accommodation
When applying for my year abroad, I chose to stay in the dormitories provided by the university. They were much cheaper than anything else available in the city and they were full of a large community of other international students. The only downside was that I did have to share my room with one other student. Here I was very lucky because my roommate and I got along very well. My accommodation was situated quite far out from the city centre but it was right next to a large park and lake. This meant that I was not constantly surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a capital city while still being well connected by trams, buses and trains.
Exploring the City
On my time off from uni work, I was able to do lots of sightseeing. There’s so much to see and do in Prague that even after almost nine months here, there are still things I haven’t seen. There are so many museums and monuments and parks that I could always find things to do in my downtime with friends. Some of my favourites are the National Museum, Grébovka park, and the neighbourhood Malá Strana which always reminds me of having come straight out of a fairytale. Prague also has some amazing cafés and bars and I often spent the weekend meeting friends for a coffee or drinks in one of the many places around the city.
Travelling
As well as just exploring the city of Prague, I wanted to try and see as much of the Czech Republic as possible. The cheap and vast rail network made it easy to go on day trips around the country to various places. I particularly remember one day trip to Kutná Hora, a city just east of Prague famous for its mediaeval bone church and gothic atmosphere. I spent the day wandering the city’s streets with some of my friends and it is one of my most treasured memories from my time abroad. As I mentioned earlier, the Czech Republic is also situated within the heart of Central Europe and so I was able to travel not just around the country but to many neighbouring countries too like Austria, Poland and Germany.
Final Advice
- Get started on you visa application as early as possible – my visa took ages to come through and only arrived a week before I was supposed to leave
- Buy a semester/annual transport pass. Public transport in Prague is your best friend and it is definitely worth it.
- Look out for local spots. There are plenty of places in the city that cater to tourists but try to keep an eye out for more local hangouts to experience the real Prague.
- Learning Czech isn’t essential but it always helps to know a little, and the courses offered at the university are free!
- Don’t be afraid to try new things. You’re only on exchange once so make sure you make the most of it and do things you love (but don’t forget to study as well, of course).
In Conclusion
All in all, the best part of my year abroad in Prague has been by far all of the new friends that I have made. Studying abroad has given me the opportunity to meet so many new people from all walks of life and to make lifelong memories with them along the way. The friendships that I have made while living in Prague will no doubt outlast my time here and I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone considering it. This year in Prague had been one of the best years of my life and I will be sad when it finally comes to an end.
