Hi!! My name is Eva and I spent a year studying Philosophy and History in Prague in the Czech Republic. Choosing to spend a year in a different country was the best decision I could have made for myself, and it has been unforgettable!
Everyday Life as a Student in Prague
Moving to a new country, especially one where the primary language is so different to English, is a huge step no matter where you go. It initially feels daunting, but you quickly settle in and find your feet. The university accommodation I was in was 35minutes to the centre of Prague where my faulty (the Faculty of Arts) is. It’s just a few minutes from the beautiful Old Town Square and Astronomical clock, and ten minutes from the iconic Charles bridge. My walk to university felt straight out of a movie.
My days usually consisted of travelling to campus, studying in the many, many cafes in Prague, and exploring different parts of the city, going to beautiful viewpoints and on walks. There is so much to do and see, you’ll be busy for the whole year. Being a student in Prague is (I may be bias) better than anywhere else. A crucial thin that makes Prague great for students is that it’s extremely affordable. My rent in the dormitory was about £170 a month, beer is £2 for a pint, and food is cheap. It’s great! There are plenty of bars and pubs for meeting knew people, its so easy to make friends here.
Studying at Charles University
Academically, studying at Univerzita Karlova (Charles Uni) is fantastic. I study in the Faculty of Arts, with the campus right next to the river. There is a kind of academic freedom here I had never experienced before. They work in faculties here, rather than subject discipline, so you are allowed to take whatever you want to within the faculty. This meant I got to study political science, psychology, English, as well as philosophy and history, and I could’ve picked so much more.
Each module has a unique way of assessment, and it depends on whatever the professor is looking for: essays, presentations, debates, tests. You can pick your modules and tailor them to how you would like to be assessed. Again, there is so much freedom. Also, with philosophy and history at least, you are introduced to Central and Eastern European thinkers which you may not so easily come across studying in Southampton. It opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and approaches to academic writings. I was able to challenge my own assumptions and see how global perspectives could shape academic discussions. Being immersed in such a different culture whilst studying at a non-Anglophone university really allowed me to feel like I was living in a completely different world. And I was. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The People
By far, the best part of my year in Prague was the people. Granted, if you live in university dorms (which I did) they are cheap, yes, but you have a roommate. If you don’t know anyone who is going, it is random who you end up with. Although this is scary at first, I have created some of my best friends through this. You end up having a really close-knit community with people from all over the world, who you would never know otherwise. The type of city Prague allows you to have a flourishing social life if you want to, as well as your own independent time. Having made a great group of friends made the experience so meaningful and I could not recommend it more! Â