There are a million different reasons why hundreds of thousands of students decide to study abroad each year.  For some majors it’s required, some students want the experience of immersing themselves in a culture different than their own, some just want to travel, and some -- some are running away from something.Once someone decides they want to study abroad, the next task is deciding where to go.  There’s London or Sydney, different enough from America to be fun, but not different enough to be scary or cause severe culture shock (and you can also get away with English only).  Then you have Paris, Rome and Barcelona, where there’s a new language, fantastic food, drinks and culture but all within the confines and comfort zone of Western Europe. But if you are feeling really adventurous; if you really want to do something different, make the most out of your study abroad experience, and learn about an intensely colorful culture that’s a far cry from America, if you have a strong desire to bond with people who have the same mindset as you -- go to Prague.

Situated nearly smack-dab in the middle of Europe and newly in the European Union yet not on the Euro, the Czech Republic is the perfect place to spend a semester (or year).  It’s cheap for students, it’s ripe with undiscovered history and culture, and it’s in a prime spot for traveling around Europe.  Straddling the divide and bordering Germany and Poland, the Czech Republic is a perfect middle ground between the oft-traveled western countries of Europe and former parts of the U.S.S.R in the now post-Soviet era.  It is a city full of mystery, full of life, full of history.  When you see Prague for the first time, you might even say it’s hard to believe that it’s a real city -- not some movie backdrop of a made up fairy tale European wonderland.  While most cities in Europe have become increasingly modern over the past few decades, Prague has managed to keep its generally Gothic look.  The Golden City, The City of a Hundred Spires, The Mother of Cities -- whichever nickname you abide by -- is absolutely haunting. Prague is the cultural epicenter of what was Czechoslovakia until 1993, when the Czech Republic and Slovakia were formed.

Largely untouched by damage from World War II (unlike the rest of Europe), Prague is an artist’s Mecca.  It’s the land of Alfons Mucha, Franz Kafka, Milan Kundera, Jan Saudek and the capital of Bohemia.  Here in Prague, you’ll spend your time abroad with writers, photographers, poets and musicians that fall in love with her incomparable beauty and unmatched inspiration.  And as an added bonus, the beer is literally cheaper than water.If you’re thinking of studying in Prague, you might go for the beer -- but you’ll stay for the people you meet.  Because Prague can be considered a bit off-the-beaten path for study abroad students, expect much smaller numbers here than you would somewhere else in Europe.  As word gets out and more programs start to appear, that will change, but for now it’s the perfect city to lose yourself in.  Perhaps the best deal out there for Prague right now is CEA (Cultural Experiences Abroad, gowithcea.com/programs/czech_republic.html), which has fantastic apartment-style living, at least two excursions out of the Czech Republic included in tuition, a plethora of opportunities to explore the country outside of Prague and perhaps some of the best on-site program directors out there. Also with programs in Prague are AIFS (aifsabroad.com), IIE (iiepassport.org), CIEE (ciee.org) and CET (cetacademicprograms.com).  New York University also has their own school in Prague, although you must be a student at NYU to study there.

If you are considering studying in Prague, here are a few tips and things to keep in mind:

1.  The Czech Republic is a former second-world country.  Gone are the days of the secret police and the “Prague Spring,” but the wounds that the Communists caused are still fairly fresh (the Communist rule collapsed in 1989).  The first thing students studying in Prague should do is pay a visit to the Museum of Communism (muzeumkomunismu.cz)  to learn all about your host culture and what it was really like to live under the Russian Occupation.  You will learn more about the Czech people in one visit to this museum than you could your entire semester abroad if you aren’t aware.  It’s a must-must-must see.  It’s important to learn what makes the Czech culture so unique as soon as you get there rather than right before you leave -- then what would be the point?

2.  Prague is the perfect home base for travel enthusiasts.  From the main train station in Prague, you can go anywhere from Amsterdam to Krakow to Istanbul to Rome.  It’s fast, easy and economical for those who want to see the rest of Europe on weekends and spare days away from school.

3.  Prague is also the ideal place to go for those who still can’t decide where to choose for their time abroad.  Because of its fantastic central location, it’s super easy to travel around as mentioned above.  If it’s getting late in the semester and you aren’t sure which European country is right for you, choose one that will allow you to cheaply travel to the rest of them.  It’s a good compromise.

4.  The Czech Republic isn’t on the Euro yet.  Because of this, it’s possible, probable and common to get beer for $1 and a great meal for $5.  If you are a student on a budget but don’t want to compromise your length of time abroad, Prague is your affordable solution.

5.  Don’t worry about the visa.  While most study abroad programs might strongly recommend you get a student visa, it is highly unnecessary as long as you are planning on traveling.  Once you enter the Czech Republic your tourist visa is valid for  30 days - and this is true for every time you enter the country.  As long as you leave the country once a month (which is pretty standard for study abroad students traveling) you will be perfectly legal.  But if you aren’t planning on traveling outside of the Czech Republic too much then a student visa is the safest bet.  But plan very far in advance; sometimes you have to travel to the closest Czech Consulate during the process.

6.  Also don’t worry about school.  While it’s true you are studying abroad and not just partying abroad, the true purpose of any overseas program is to immerse yourself in the local culture and get to know another way of life.  If you spend every Saturday in the library then you’re missing the point.  Have a chapter in your textbook to read but don’t want to sacrifice the local culture, bring your studies to the local beer garden.  It’s what any other Czech student would do!

7.  There are plenty of resources for expats and English speakers that are more up-to-date than guidebooks.  For great tips on restaurants, bars and local events check out www.prague.tv and www.expats.cz.  Prague’s English newspaper is also full of great local tips as well as local news all readable for the study abroad student.  The Prague Post is online at www.praguepost,com.  “

8.  Don’t underestimate the power of a day trip.  While there are many cities out of the country that are easily seen in a weekend trip from Prague, most of the countryside can be done entire by daytrips.  You can see the Ossuary in Kutná Hora, spend an afternoon gazing at the stars in Brno, drink an evening away at the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzeň, drink from the internationally-renowned healing waters in Karlovy Vary or visit the famed bear-guarded castle in Český Krumlov -- and then return to Prague the same night.

9.  Even though it can be tempting, don’t try to ride the public transportation systems (buses, trams and metros) for free.  The Czechs use the honor system, but there are plainclothes policemen who will ask for your stamped ticket at random -- and they like to ask anyone they overhear speaking English.  Also, if you are going to take taxis during around the city, only use AAA cabs.  They are the only ones who don’t try to rip off tourists and are definitely safe.

10.  As Franz Kafka said, “Prague never lets you go... this little mother has claws.”  So be warned – once you arrive in this fairy tale wonderland, you’ll never want to leave.  Don’t say you weren’t warned.

by Alaina Scarano-Isbouts