Study Abroad in the Czech Republic

Find study abroad programs in Czech Republic!

Located at the heart of Central Europe, the Czech Republic became a separate nation-state when the former Czechoslovakia was peacefully divided into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, following the "Velvet Revolution" of 1989.

The Czech provinces have been subject to Europe's shifting empires, from the Great Moravian Empire to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, later becoming Czechoslovakia and finally gaining a separate identity as a republic, under the leadership of famous dissident and playwright Vaclav Havel, who served as its first president. Throughout these political transitions, it has retained its status as a European cultural center. Today it is one of the most prosperous and developed of the formerly Communist countries. Its economy continues to experience dynamic growth, due to increased exports, foreign investors and an entrepreneurial business environmnent.

The Czech Republic is bordered by Poland, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, which together form a region that has been a prime study abroad destination for years. Education is highly valued in the Czech Republic, and the country has been known for superior higher education since medieval times. Today, undergraduate degrees can be earned in three years and students may continue their education for two more years in order to earn a master's degree. In the past few years, enrollment in Czech professional schools has increased significantly, and the country has been upgrading its teacher-training programs. English is increasingly being taught and used by the younger generations in the Czech Republic.

The capital city of Prague is the country's educational center, with several well-known universities. King Charles IV, who reigned as King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, established Charles University in 1348. It was the first university north of the Alps and east of Paris and is renowned worldwide for its leadership in scientific research. Former Charles University professor Jaroslav Heyrovsky won the Nobel Prize in physical chemistry in 1959 and Albert Einstein taught at the German section of the university prior to the Second World War. Students may specialize in the fields of biology, chemistry, environmental science, geography and geology. Environmental studies majors at Charles University will take an interest in the conservation work of the country's Agency for Czech Republic Nature and Landscape Protection. They can visit the untouched Šumava forests or study the Krkonoše National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site. Charles University also offers an excellent program for engineering majors.

The Czech Republic is a prime destination for architecture students. In Prague, known as the "City of 1,000 Spires," students can study at the Czech Technical University, which has strong architecture and engineering programs. Prague's Charles Bridge exemplifies the country's fine engineering tradition. The stone Gothic-style bridge was begun in 1357, and connects the Prague Old Town to the Baroque architectural center of Malá Strana. The Czech Republic is also at the forefront of modern architectural developments as well, including the Cubist movement in the 1920's and Modernism in the 1930's, and today, renowned Czech architects offer successful examples of harmoniously blending contemporary architecture into the country's medieval and baroque cityscapes. Prague today offers a unique blend of architectural styles, with buildings that did not suffer from destruction during World War II.

Agriculture is an important aspect of the Czech identity and the country's economy, as 40 percent of the country is made up of farmland. There is even a National Museum of Agriculture that was established in 1891. The Czech University of Agriculture offers a multi-disciplined and innovative curriculum, with classes available in economics, management, information technology, natural resources and environment, forestry, technology, and environmental engineering.

While Prague offers outstanding opportunities for study abroad, prospective students should not overlook the rest of the country. Students interested in sociology and political science will find strong programs at Brno's Masaryk University, the country's second largest public university. Students can also visit the Brno City Museum, which houses three of the most important historical buildings in the Czech Republic: the Špilberk Castle and Fortress, Meninska Gateway and the Villa Tugendhat, which is one of 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Czech Republic. The University of Ostrava is a distinguished choice for students interested in Czech language and literature, as well as Slavonic studies. Students of Czech literature have a large pool to draw from, including Karel Hynek Mácha, the founder of modern Czech poetry, as well as authors Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera. Students can also find diverse academic programs at the country's second oldest university, Palacký University, in Olomouc. Once the center of the Moravian Empire, Olomouc is one of the oldest cities in Moravia, the eastern part of the Czech Republic.

Czech culture, or "česká kultura," is rich and diverse. Traditional Czech folk art, still a part of everyday life, includes a puppet theater, glass paintings and modrotisk (a blue- and white-painted fabric). When it comes to music, the saying in the Czech Republic is "co čech to muzikant," or "Every Czech is a musician." Music has long been a dominant force in Czech culture, whether in the form of folk melodies or classical masterpieces by the likes of Dvořák, Smetana and Janacek. Today, Prague draws music lovers from around the world with its well known jazz clubs like Reduta and Agharta, and its music festivals. Czechs have a reputation for being respectful and friendly towards foreigners, and they love a good party. In addition to birthdays, Czechs celebrate their name days as each day of the year corresponds to a popular Czech name.

International students in the Czech Republic will find much to do outside the classroom. Sports fans will appreciate the Czech Republic's love of a good game. The country produced such world-famous athletes as hockey greats Dominik Hašek and Jaromír Jágr, as well as tennis star Martina Navratilova. No matter what the course of study or choice in activities, the Czech Republic has much to offer international students looking for education and entertainment.

ONLINE RESOURCES
IIEPassport: www.IIEPassport.org
Study Abroad Funding: www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
Official Website: www.czech.cz/
Official Tourism: www.czechtourism.com
Ministry of Education: www.msmt.cz
Prague Information: www.prague-info.cz
National Academic Recognition Information Center International Students: www.naric.cz/information_for_international_students.shtml
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program: www.iie.org/NSEP

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